The Paleo Thyroid Solution: Stop Feeling Fat, Foggy, And Fatigued At The Hands Of Uninformed Doctors - Reclaim Your Health!

Let me start by saying that I have never written a single Amazon review before or even rated a purchase. This time is different, however, such is the impact this book had for me. I first learned of the book on Mark's Daily Apple, and pre-ordered it. It was coincidence that Elle's book was being previewed just when I needed it most. In the course of a year, my health had rapidly deteriorated, with no specialized medical practitioner able to help me. I developed digestive issues (including an ulcer), had acne, gained 30 lbs in three months (in spite of running 6 mile/day, six day/week, plus weight training 3x/week, using a standing desk at work for at least 8 hours/day and clean eating protocol of 1200 calories that I tracked daily), not had my period in four years (I'm now 46 but not menopausal), was irritable, etc. Any number of endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, GYNs, internists poked, prodded, probed, scanned, drugged, and X-rayed me four ways to Sunday, each concluding "I don't know what's wrong. I cannot help you." I'm not sure if this was worse or better than the other constant refrain/admonition that I had to "exercise more and eat less." There is nothing more demoralizing than when your body starts doing things that you can't control and "experts" abandon you and/or blame you. When the book arrived, I devoured it in a matter of hours over a weekend. (I've since re-read it at least once and regularly consult it. It is dog-eared, paper-clipped, and marked with stickies.) This book is well-written (much better than the "classic" Stop the Thyroid Madness), and very informative. It presents the information in a clear manner, and provides many practical examples and tips for understanding what might be happening to your body, as well as tools for how to address your concerns with various resources. I didn't know, for example, that I could order my own blood tests. Armed with that knowledge alone, I was able to provide evidence of what I had suspected for some time: that the excessive (400 mg twice daily) of levoxyl that I had been put on was actually making my problems worse, not better. It unlocked so many "mysteries" for me; as I read Elle's experiences, I kept thinking, "Oh my gosh, that's ME!" When my doctor refused to acknowledge that my RT3 level of 77 (ratio to T3 was 6) was one of several (ongoing) signs of problem, I switched doctors and fortunately found someone who understood and appreciated the evidence (symptoms and blood work) which together formed a picture that I had learned was real and not in my head, thanks to Elle. Beginning with my first visit, I challenged my new him (still do), insisting on explanations (Why do you recommend this? Why don't we try that?) and proposing alternatives to consider. I have much more say in my treatment now because I am conversant in a way I wasn't before, and I owe most of that to Elle and her book. I have also been fortunate enough to talk to and email Elle a few times, as well, allowing us to go deeper into my specific case. (Like Elle, I had not only an RT3/thyroid problem, but also yeast overgrowth in my gut.) With her guidance, I insisted on other blood tests which again showed deficiencies that needed to be addressed. I have recently worked with my new doctor to go on T3 only therapy for a period of time to finally rid my system of excessive RT3. I believe I'm finally - after more years than I probably even knew I was sick - on the right path. I know that the path to full recovery will not be as quick as I would like it to be, but I'll get there. Elle has been wonderful with her time and with sharing her knowledge and experiences with me and so many others. I cannot recommend this book and Elle's guidance highly enough.

I have had hypothyroid symptoms since I was child. My mother still tells stories of how I would go to the school nurse's office in the afternoon, the nurse would take my temp and send me home because it was 97.0. Everyone thought it was funny and I was just playing the nurse to get out of school because we all knew that my 'normal' temp was lower than than everyone else. Skip forward more than 40 years. Multiple doctors have tested my thyroid due to various symptoms but they always said my thyroid was fine and I just needed to accept that we all gain weight as we get older, or I was tired because I work too much or maybe I was depressed. They never did explain how those things justified anemia, low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, a B-12 deficiency or the feeling that I was being strangled if I wore a turtleneck or necklace. I didn’t feel depressed but they seemed to think that was irrelevant. Since the docs had data and numbers, I believed them when they said my thyroid was fine. That didn’t mean I was willing to accept their outlook for me, so I would research my symptoms, adjust my vitamins, increase my exercise and lower my calorie intake even more. I’d get better for a while, but eventually, I'd bottom out into exhaustion yet again and some combination of symptoms would return. I heard about this book via the Primal Blueprint website. Elle's description of her struggles were scarily similar to mine and I found I had symptoms I had never thought of as symptoms - it was just how I'd always felt. I went back through my lab history and found that EVERY doctor I'd seen had tested for TSH only. I contacted my primary care doctor and requested a specific set of tests based on this book. The results showed my TS3 at the very bottom of the range, with TS4 in the low to mid range while reverse TS3 was at very high. TSH was still fine. My current doctor said the tests were normal, but this time I contacted an integrative medicine doctor to get a second opinion. The new doctor spent 90 minutes going through my history, checking prior labs and running a few more basic tests. The doctor noted that I had 21 symptoms of hypothyroidism, including completely non-responsive reflexes, and based on my test results and symptoms, I had ‘severe hypothyroidism’. The new doctor prescribed NDT, starting at a quarter grain. Even after only a few days at an extremely low dose, my energy levels are noticeably improved. I’ve got a ways to go with getting my levels optimized, plus my new doc suspects adrenal problems too so more tests to come. However …. it feels like I'm finally on the right path to a real solution, and if I hadn’t read this book, I’d still believe my thyroid was functioning as it should. Thank you Elle!!! Seriously … your book provided better and more complete info in a weekend than I’ve received in 40 years of medical advice. To the Amazon readers: If you haven't noticed .... I wholeheartedly recommend this book. And a good integrative medicine doctor.

Finally, someone who explains in plain english my thyroid issues and possible answers. Getting a doctor to order tests is absolutely a nightmare. I had one doctor tell me if she could figure out why I was gaining weight while still on medication she would have the Nobel prize! Really? I was eating less than 1200 calories, working out 2-3 hours a day and not a single pound would come off. The only way I have ever lost weight is through Medi-fast, dropped 25 pounds in one month, but had to stop because I was allergic to Soy. All the weight came back and with a vengeance, I gained 40. I have tried Levoxyl, Armour, extra dose of Cytomel, NaturThroid, and now have a prescription for Synthroid. I am on my 7th doctor, going onto a Paleo diet, if this does not work, I am switching to a Functional medicine doctor and ordering my own testing kit. y T4 consistency shows low since I had my right thyroid removed due to a tumor in 2004, since I am on naturally disected thyroid medication My T3 is always elevated, my TSH is showing in the normal range. I cannot get a doctor to order RT3, but I have Free T4 and Free T3, TSH tests. I know I have either Hashimoto's or Hypothyroid, I have an Adrenal gland tumor that right now is about 1.9 cm was 2.5 at one point. I have EBV marker in my blood. A year and a half ago I did lose 40 lbs, and cut back my NaturThyroid (RLC labs) to 1 grain, I stopped eating all meat, dropped coffee and alcohol, and was basically existing on yogurt and the pre-packaged salads, I was down to 500 calories a day and lost all cravings for salt and sugar. Soon as I started eating 'normally' , a year and half later I gained half of it back. I am going to go Paleo and see if it works. I am also on D3 (2000 mg p/d) Turmeric 2 per day. Still having brain fog.

A great book for those suffering with Hypothyroid/ Hashimoto problems. Highly informative - may be the most researched book on this topic - and that is my approach to looking at my health problems. As patients we have to be learned to take the advise of the doctor. One third of the book is an interview with a specialist doctor in the field - which is very useful information. I heard her podcast on Bulletproof radio and bought her book. Only downside is she mentions 100s of times her frustration with misdiagnosis by 99% of GPs and endocrinologists and other 'doctors'. I do completely understand her frustration but I think she could write a separate book dedicated just for that. Nonetheless it's good to know how we all are misdiagnosed and get some empathy for ourselves. I live in little Tasmania compared to LA and I am on a journey to getting the right tests and medications - it is very stressful but atleast now I know what I need. It's well pointed out how thyroid is understudied subject and so many people suffer from it. Feeling tired, bloated, weight gain, fog headed, cracking skin, hair loss/ straw hair, anxiety, feeling 'stupid' and she has a few pages dedicated to just the symptoms. Even if you don't know of Thyroid but have such symptoms it's good to read this book and/or get your right blood tests and interpretation. And DOCTORS - wise up!

Easy to read , with lots of real world example etc. It's sad that people have to fix themselves, but from my experience it seems to be true. you have to take responsibility for your own health and teach doctors/people how to do that . this book helps you do that with regards to your thyroid. I agree with the author that current default tests are useless and dont tell the full story. would recommend this book to anybody

Très intéressant

many doctors and people know little about the importance of thyroid hormone rt3 (reverse rt3) that is absolute importance in many inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland and i in inflammatory diseases autoimmune ,and psychological-depressive.etc .. this book sheds light on this so WONDERFUL!! highly recommend reading !!

What an interesting read. I am not done reading it, and have already learned so much about the thyroid and its conditions. I wrote a small note to Elle this morning, and she replied right away! How awesome is that. The book is so informative...and I found a doctor at only a 3 minute drive from my home, who will perform all the tests suggested in the book. I live in Canada and I thought for sure I would never be lucky enough to find a doctor so close to home. Seeing her in two weeks! Cannot wait! Thank you so much, Elle, and I am so happy to have found this book.