[GenryDont]

First of all, I want to thank all of you here. I'm a first time poster but a long-time lurker; I've done three rounds, lost over fifty pounds and four dress sizes, been maintaining comfortably for eight months now. I've recommended HCG for several friends and often come to these forums to check on any questions/concerns they might have.

My mother is in her early seventies and suffers, among other things, from rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism. Her doctor is desperate for her to lose weight (and so is she) but her lack of mobility and very slow metabolism makes it very difficult for her. I've been gently encouraging her to try HCG, but she's wary because of the medications she needs to take and her medical history of reacting badly to hormones and other medications. I've pointed out to her that she's had nine kids, so obviously she isn't going to react badly to HCG!

We've finally reached the point where she's agreed to consult her doctor, although she's positive he'll reject it out-of-hand. My question is this: assuming that, like many doctors, he'll have little or no experience with the HCG diet, what reference materials can I link to? There's Pounds and Inches of course, and Bellusicio's study that is linked right here on the forum (and thanks for that). Are there other neutral sources that I can link to? How about reputable doctors (preferably those familiar with hypothyroidism or RA) who do recommend HCG to their patients and might be willing to discuss it with a fellow doctor? Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[GreesyBeeva]

i hope he listens. If he won't let her try hcg, get the book The Paleo Answer by Cordain. She desperately needs off gluten and dairy. That alone will help her arthritis and she should start losing weight, though more slowly than on hcg. Good luck!

your two sources are what I would use.

[dasneycomrov]

Thanks, Grammy. I did mention the non-gluten, non-dairy thing to her before this, but I will continue to stress it.