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by James M. Lowrance (Author)
The majority of patients with both hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are experiencing autoimmune diseases that cause these conditions. When autoimmune thyroid disease results in hypothyroidism, the term for the disease is "Hashimoto's thyroiditis." When the autoimmune disease of the thyroid causes hyperthyroidism, it is called "Grave's Disease." Thyroid antibodies attack key proteins in the thyroid gland and in some cases, stimulate production of excessive amounts of hormone. These killer cells that are manufactured by the immune system become confused for reasons yet to be fully understood by medical science and they begin to identify thyroid cells as threats in the body. As they attack these cells, the thyroid gland becomes damaged, resulting in inflammation, enlargement of the gland (goiter) and thyroid hormone imbalances. This book is not intended to be an extensive manual but is intended to contain information most often sought by laypersons on the subject. CONTENTS: CHAPTER ONE: Facts about Thyroid Antibodies CHAPTER TWO: Do Thyroid Antibodies Cause Symptoms Apart From Abnormal Hormone Levels? CHAPTER THREE: Hereditary Autoimmune Thyroid Disease CHAPTER FOUR: Epstein-Barr Virus a Cause of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease? CHAPTER FIVE: Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Rare but Serious CHAPTER SIX: My Own Experience with Thyroid Antibody Related Symptoms CHAPTER SEVEN: Autoimmune Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) a Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CHAPTER EIGHT: Doctors Should Test for Thyroid Antibodies CHAPTER NINE: At What Point Does Thyroid Autoimmunity Cause Hypothyroidism? CHAPTER TEN: Medical Research Agrees: Thyroid Autoimmunity Contributes to Symptoms
Author Biography
I am a husband, father, grandfather and lifetime contract salesman, with experience in health writing that began in 2004. I completed theological studies with Liberty University in 1996. I formerly served as editor and forum moderator of Thyroid Health for BellaOnline.com and as a general health writer for Suite101.com, where I received Editor's Choice Awards for articles on health subjects. In 2003 I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism; "Hashimoto's thyroiditis" being the cause. This autoimmune form of thyroid disease that causes destruction of the thyroid gland resulted in my also developing "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", due to a compromised immune system with severe co-morbid "Adrenal Fatigue". I also suffered severe anxiety symptoms, including panic attacks early into the onset of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hashitoxicosis). A common heart murmur I was diagnosed with in my teens called "Mitral Valve Prolapse", also worsened in severity of symptoms, with the development of these other health disorders. My eventual receiving of diagnoses was a difficult process with proper diagnostic testing not being ordered by the first doctors I sought treatment from. These types of issues were inspiration for me to become proactive in my own health care and to self-educate myself on these health disorders, which I have done extensively since 2003. I now enjoy sharing this information with other patients experiencing my same health disorders.
