Thyroid Guardian of Health

About the Book

THYROID GUARDIAN OF HEALTH examines the impact inadequate thyroid function has on individuals. It starts with an introduction, the fact that hypothyroidism is frequently missed. A brief history of medicine's understanding of hypothyroidism is then given. This history is followed by various environmental factors that are increasing the incidence of hypothyroidism with its accompanying problems. Frequent clinical presentations of hypothyroidism are then given.

The control of the thyroid hormone by the body is next described. The blood tests used for diagnosis of hypothyroidism are discussed along with the reasons the majority of hypothyroid patients are being missed when just the blood tests now in vogue are used.

Next the interrelationship with the adrenal hormones, the glucocorticoids is shown. (The glucocorticoids bring fuel to the cells, thyroid hormone regulates the rate this fuel, glucose is utilized.) After a description of the thyroid and adrenal hormones which are available either by prescription or over the counter, the book goes through all the major areas of the bodily function such as digestion, circulation and tells how inadequate thyroid function impacts each system. Major areas include thyroid's role in heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune problems, cancer and infections.

About the Author

Philip Young MD has an unusual background. Born in Burma of missionary parents, he grew up along the Burma-China border. As a four year old he fled the Japanese occupation of Burma, walking over the hump into India, then traveling by boat around Africa to New York in the midst of furious submarine activity. Returning to the border area, he lived in China after the Communist take over in 1949 for nine months, leaving in the midst of a local rebellion against that regime.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in 1963 and spent a couple of years in the Navy off Viet Nam as that war was beginning to escalate. Following a surgery residency he helped start a small mission hospital in the Philippines on the island of Palawan.

Returning to the U.S. in 1977, he became interested in the thyroid gland due to health problems in his own family. He has been studying the thyroid gland since 1979. Now living in Eaton, Colorado, he is largely engaged in writing.