Eye-opening news from Mary Shomon in her new book, The Menopause Thyroid Solution.

Evidently, thyroid problems can mimic menopause – and peri-menopause symptoms – quite cleverly.  (Oh boy!)

In other words, if you are experiencing any of the following "challenges", it may be menopause – or maybe not.  Take a look at this list of menopause "mimics" that might be thyroid:

• menstrual irregularities
• sleep problems
• weight changes
• mood changes
• loss of sex drive
• hair loss
• skin changes
• elevated cholesterol
• bone loss
• fatigue and lack of energy
• digestive disturbances
• dryness
• concentration or memory problems

According to Shomon, this is just a starter list!  In other words, if you have been to doc for sleep disturbance, mood swings and "brain fog", you may have been told "menopause!"….though the finger may really need to be pointed at thyroid problems.

Mary Shomon

Diagnosing thyroid is no easy task

As an opener, Shomon asked the crowd, "Who has been told my their doctor that 'Your thyroid is normal'?"  A majority of the women raised their hand.  And this is not an uncommon experience.

If you have felt foiled by all the confusing – and sometimes conflicting – information out there about thyroid problems, Shomon's new book will shine light into previously dark corners for you.

She presents several tools for self-analysis to help you draw closer to your own conclusions and put you in a more informed position from which to ask your own doc some questions.

To diagnose hypothyroidism, in addition to the symptoms, and clinical examination, conventional doctors consider the TSH results.  A TSH level above the reference range is considered hypothyroid and will be flagged as high on test results.  Remember, however, that there is controversy over the reference range, with some groups recommending the new range of 0.3 to 3.0, and many labs and doctors still use the old range of 0.5 to around 5.5.  (pg. 96, The Menopause Thyroid Solution).

For this reason, Shomon recommends multiple measures when trying to draw a more precise bead on the condition of your thyroid.

In addition to the rich profile of symptoms as described in her book, you should also ask doc for the following:

• Free T4 (free thyrosine)
• Free T3 (free triiodothyronine)

A low level of either or both of these, along with an elevated TSH, may indicate hypothyroidism.

Chapter 8:  Mindful Movement with T-Tapp

Of significant note is the exercise chapter (pgs. 228 – 268) featuring Mary's favorite workout, T-Tapp.  Teresa Tapp created a custom pictorial and instructional for Shomon's book that spans nearly 30 pages:  "Mindful Movement for Menopause Management".   Yay Mary for "getting" that movement – purposeful and targeted – is essential for all things well-being.

I'm only half-way through this book – (thanks Mary for fueling my cross-continental flight read last Monday ), yet it's already sticky -noted and all marked up for sharing content and inside pointers with clients, friends, and my Woman's Fitness BluePrint Mastermind Group.  And those attending my upcoming Muscles, Mud and Merlot Fitness Retreat in Napa Valley, California can count on a report from me on content.

Oh, and the butterfly?  As a butterfly-shaped gland, the thyroid gets its own lovely iconic symbol.

© Lani Muelrath 2009 image:  creativity+