Rating: Good BodyLogicMD Review: This book is extremely informative, comprehensive, and easy to read. Just as important, if not more so, is that the information provided by Dr. Rubenfeld is accurate, and right on target.

Summary:

About 20 million Americans have thyroid disease, and no doubt countless others are unaware they have a thyroid disorder. In my practice as a thyroid specialist, I am often asked by patients about resources to help them understand their thyroid problem. Obviously the Internet is a wonderful resource, but patients need to be careful about what they're reading, since there's so much misinformation on the net.

Moreover, many medical sites are too scientifically oriented to be easily understandable by lay people. All that patients need to do is turn to the second edition of Could It Be My Thyroid, by Sheldon Rubenfeld, M.D.

He begins by clearly describing the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid (how it works) and then moves on to the medical tests that doctors use in diagnosing thyroid conditions.

He then describes common thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), as well as inflammatory diseases, thyroid lumps and bumps, and thyroid cancer. All of the conditions are described in the context of actual patients from his practice, which makes the book more readable and relevant for patients, their families and friends. Another plus is the author's ample use of pictures, graphs and tables: ditto for the glossary. The bottom line here: read it - you'll like it!