Thyroid Disease

Thyroid Disease: A Case-Based and Practical Guide for Primary Care, by Dr. Emanuel Brams, is a supremely readable cased-based approach to understanding the myriad of disorders that encompass thyroid disease. Using cases derived from his busy practice, Dr. Brams gives us the history and physical examination details of each case, along with test results. Then, through a series of questions similar to that which any good clinician asks while caring for a patient, Dr. Brams explains an optimal approach to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of thyroid disease, with an emphasis on the practical and common issues that primary care physicians see in their offices. This is an important book for primary care physicians because thyroid disease is common in the population we take care of and accounts for 35% of primary care visits. It is often cited as an area that primary care phy- cians find confusing. Dr. Brams clarifies thyroid disease and, through his generous sharing of cases, allows us to join him in making clear diagnoses as well as share in the ambiguity and decisions about approach when the diagnoses and course of treatment are not clear. In this way, the book is honest, and deals directly with the issues of thyroid disease as they are seen by us as physicians, not as we sometimes may wish they were seen if patients presented with the clarity of walking textbooks. Dr.