5 Books to Learn More About Hashimoto’s Disease

You’ve just been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease.  Or perhaps you have been dealing with thyroid disease for a while and are looking for more information. In either case, learning more about this disease will make you a stronger advocate for yourself and your health.

What is Hashimoto’s disease?

Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland, according to the Mayo Clinic.  Essentially, your immune system is attacking your thyroid gland.  The result is an underactive thyroid.

Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of underactive thyroid disease and women are more likely than men to experience the disease.  It is also one of the most frequently misdiagnosed diseases, according to MedStar Washingon Hospital’s research.

Left untreated, Hashimoto’s can lead to:

• Goiter, an enlarged thyroid, resulting in a lump at the base of the throat
• High levels of “bad” cholesterol, which can then cause heart problems
• Depression and other mental health issues

The first-line symptoms of Hashimoto’s are more common, like feeling tired all the time, always being cold, brittle nails, hair loss, and muscle aches.  Because these symptoms mimic other diseases, it is important to check with your medical professional for a formal diagnosis.

5 Books to Learn More about Hashimoto's Disease

As with most diseases, there is a large library of information on the internet about Hashimoto’s disease. To help you get the right information, we put together a list of our top five books to help you manage Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:  Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause

By: Izabella Wentz, PharmD FASCP  | Available in paperback only

Izabella Wentz is a licensed pharmacist and thyroid specialist who started her work when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in 2009. Wentz’s book presents a different side of Hashimoto’s disease.  She talks in-depth about the lifestyle changes those with Hashimoto’s should end in what she calls the “vicious cycle immune system overload, adrenal insufficiency, impaired digestion, inflammation.”  The method of intervention moves slowly, with simple changes to remove triggers and repair the body’s systems gently.

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?  When my Lab Tests are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism

By: Datis Kharrazian | Available in Audiobook, Kindle, and paperback

Dr. Kharrazian is one of the leading experts on treating autoimmune, neurological, and “unidentified chronic diseases” using drug-free solutions, including diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes. In Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?, Dr. Kharrazian dives deeply into the causes of hypothyroidism, which he believes are often inappropriately diagnosed.  He also outlines ways in which someone with hypothyroidism can change their lifestyle to make their symptoms better.

The Hashimoto Diet:  You’re Not Alone!

By Jamie Sandulf  | Available in Audiobook, Kindle, and paperback

Jamie Sandulf is a prolific writer and loves teaching people how to live healthier lives. In The Hashimoto Diet, Sandulf talks about the traditional treatments for Hashimoto’s Disease, and how the Hashimoto Diet can help reduce pain and swelling that is typical for thyroid disease.

You’re Not Crazy and You’re Not Alone

By: Stacey Robbins  | Available in Kindle and paperback

Author Stacey Robbins works with women to help them live a life  “filled with love, humor, and truth.” And since Hashimoto’s disease typically impacts women, she is qualified to help women through their transition from disbelief to health.

Often, women showing symptoms of Hashimoto’s and thyroid disease are dismissed and treated for other conditions. Stacey uses the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease as a jumping-off point toward discovery and inner healing. With her unique insight and humor, she tells stories, inspiring readers to look at their physical health differently. In light of having this disease where the immune system attacks the body.
Hypothyroidism:  The Unsuspected Illness

By Broda Barnes, M.D. and Lawrence Galton | Available in hardcover

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are more prevalent than previously known.  Thyroid disease, in all forms, is most often misdiagnosed. Dr. Barnes and her co-author, Lawrence Galton, boil all the medical jargon and acronyms down to common language, explaining what the thyroid is, how it works and the problems caused by Hashimoto’s disease.

As always, with any advice regarding a serious medical condition, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it is important to get an official diagnosis from your provider.  It is equally important to follow the directions of your medical provider if diagnosed. These books should not take the place of a qualified, medical review of your symptoms.