When it comes to your health, knowledge is empowering. Not only does learning about a disease teach you about the illness, but it also helps you to manage it, live with it, and, ultimately, triumph over the hurdles and obstacles it throws your way.

The fact that you've read this book and gotten this far shows that you are already in the process of educating yourself about thyroid disease. But remember, knowledge is ongoing, not static. Keeping abreast of developments in thyroid research may help provide answers to your questions about your own condition. It will also enable you to speak intelligently with your doctor about your concerns.

Books

Poring through books remains a tried-and-true method for learning about anything, and thyroid disease is no exception. Most large bookstores and libraries have well-stocked health sections, broken down by disease. Some people may even want to consider creating their own small reference library. But remember, books do get old, and the information in them does, too.

The Internet

A more up-to-date way of staying abreast of thyroid information is through the Internet. Web sites dedicated to thyroid health provide ample information about thyroid disease. And you can browse through medical journals on PubMed (www.pubmed.gov) for the most current research as well as older studies.

You can also find online support groups, where you can meet other patients who are dealing with thyroid disorders. For more information, see the Appendix in the back of the book.