Dear Jan,

Thank you for this letter. I hope that both you and Gladys don't mind that
I pass it on to our mailing list.

I'd like to add that upon autopsy hardly a normal thyroid can be found, a
sign how prevalent thyroid disease is among the elderly. That even
sub-clinical hypothyroidism can have serious impacts was seen last year in
the Rotterdam study showing women suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism
at risk for arterosclerosis. As so many devastating diseases, including
Alzheimer's Disease, are directly related to thyroid function it is
incredible that so little true help and education is offered to the
elderly!

With best wishes,
Andreas
===============================================
From: Janet Pettit, President,
Concerned Citizens for Pure Water
jpettit@tds.net

Dear Andreas

	One of your readers, Ms. Gladys Mitchell, emailed me
concerning the article you had printed in your newsletter about my
husband's experience in overcoming macular degeneration (M.D.) the
leading cause of blindness in this country.  It's a growing and
serious problem for us older folks and one she's suffering from and
asked me for any help I could offer.
	At the time I could not find my copy of Acquiring Optimal
Health, which is one of Dr. Gary Price Todd's book on treating
incurable eye diseases (he also wrote Nutrition, Health and Disease).
Dr. Todd, MD was (he died prematurely a couple years ago) an
ophthalmologist here in western North Carolina and was highly
successful in overcoming cataracts, glaucoma, M.D., even retinitis
pigmentosis, Graves Disease among others.  His book describes his
protocol for treating this and some other "incurable" eye disease and
is available from Amazon.com, the publishing company (Hampton Roads
Publishing Co., 1-800- 766-8009, copyright 1994), and most bookstores.

	He was himself diabetic and states in his book (p. 66):

	"Three eye diseases definitely are associated with
hypothyroidism:  macular degeneration, diabetic retinophathy, and low
pressure glaucoma.  In my experience, virtually everyone with any of
these diseases is hypothroid.  Prevention and reversal are possible
with a combination of nutritional supplements and thyroid hormone."

	He explains that with low thyroid the person can not convert
beta carotene into useable vitamin A.  So those suffering from
hypothyroidism are severely vitamin A deficient and often have a loss
of color vision and don't see well in dim light.  He states that (p.
64):  "By far the most common disease in my experience is thyroid
deficiency, which may be present in as many as 40 percent of all
adults...As adults, they are developing the diseases caused by
long-term thyroid deficiency, namely atherosclerosis, strokes, heart
disease, and cancer...Many drugs, including aspirin and birth control
pills, are toxic to the thyroid gland.  Chlorine and fluorine added
to municipal water supplies are also toxic to the thyroid gland..."

	He explains that blood tests are not dependable for detecting
low thyroid.  He depends on the Barnes Basal Temperature Test (BBTT).
This consists of shaking down a thermometer and placing it within
reach by the bedside.  Immediately upon awakening and before getting
out of bed, take your oral temperature.  A temperature below 97.8
degrees F indicates probable hypothyroidism (see: Hypothyroidism, The
Unsuspected Illness by Broda Barnes, M.D. or Solved, The Riddle of
Illness by Stephen Langer, M.D.)

	Feel free to use this letter or any of the information herein
to share with your readers, if you feel it would be helpful to them.
I would be glad to answer any questions your readers might have about
my experiences in this area.  I haven't gotten permission to use
Gladys' name, however, I doubt she would mind.

	Sincerely		....Jan