In a message dated 3/11/2009 9:53:44 P.M. US Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: I have a sense the shorter list would be those things the thyroid does NOT affect.>>>> Excellent point! Virtually every living cell in your body must have a bit of thyroid hormone hooked into its receptors to get "permission" to burn calories into energy for its own use. This helps explain why: 1. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be related to any system in the body; 2. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can seem contradictory (e.g. being unable to tolerate hot and cold temperatures) 3. Docs sometimes can't see the "forest" (Hypothyroidism) because they get lost among the "trees" (small groups of symptoms that relate to a more localized problems). Internists see the infections, weigh gain, metabolic syndrome, diabetes; Gynecologists see the Periods from Hell (and an opportunity to do another hysterectomy), the polycystic ovaries; Cardiologists see the arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Neurologists see the strokes; and the Psychiatrists see the wide range of mental problems that occur when brain metabolism is compromised. Doc Don _www.dmichaelmd.com_ (http://www.dmichaelmd.com) **************Need a job? Find employment help in your area. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005) _______________________________________________________________ Thyroid Welcome Message (Instructions) Always Available Anyone can obtain a fresh, new copy of the Thyroid Welcome message at any time (24/7) by sending an e-mail message saying only "get Thyroid Welcome" (remove quotes) to our sleepless robot at <[log in to unmask]>. Its free. _______________________________________________________________