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From: Lisa D.
T1:
Remote User:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad new but when I read about people trying the "cookie diet" I thought I would pass this along. The article which appeared in Woman's World Magazine was on Dr. Siegel who wrote "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?". He has a cookie that is for patients in his private practice. The Woman's World editors made up their own bogus recipe so BEWARE - this is not a fat burning cookie - it's just a fat laden cookie. The following is a message from Dr. Siegal that you receive if you try to contact him through his website. I have put the information about the cookies below and then the entire text of the email from Dr. Siegal below that:
Excert from Dr. Siegal's E-mail:
"The Siegal Cookie(TM):
The Siegal Cookie(TM) has been made by us for over 30 years and is used in my medical practice as well as by certain select physicians around the country. It is not available to the general public. (Please don't contact me to request them.) When the Woman's World reporter asked me for the formula, I, of course, said, "No." Apparently, the tabloid then chose to invent its own "Siegal Cookie." What shameful tabloid journalism! The real Siegal Cookie formula has at least 15 ingredients that are nowhere to be found in the Woman's World recipe. Instead, the recipe in the magazine has whole eggs, bananas, breakfast cereal, etc., none of which would we ever be allowed for our patients. From the e-mails I have received, it seems that people all over the country will be baking the Woman's World cookie with the hope that it will remedy a metabolic problem. Ridiculous! It would be laughable if it weren't so tragic. Don't waste your time baking from their cookie recipe. Warning: The Woman's World cookie is not The Siegal Cookie(TM) and contains none of the appetite suppressing ingredients of our cookie. If you are diabetic, you should be particularly careful. I see nothing about their recipe that would have any value for weight loss. Their high calorie cookie might perhaps turn out to taste good but I suspect that those of Mrs. Field's or Pepperidge Farms might taste even better."
Beginning of entire E-mail: "As to the Woman's World article, I did not write this article. I was interviewed by the magazine and gave them information that they requested. The article contains some accurate information, but unfortunately, some that is quite inaccurate. Please read carefully what I have to say later on about the cookie recipe.
In response to the Woman's World article, I have received well over 2,000 e-mails and they are still pouring in, and believe it or not, I have read every one of them to date. What I haven't done and cannot do is to respond to them. It is an impossible task to consider each one and answer each question. As a result, I have decided to send this identical message to everyone who has contacted me.
The questions that I have been asked seem to narrow down to specific categories. Most are variations on the following:
1. I am given a more or less medical history and am asked for advice as to treatment. 2. I am asked for information about the medication, desiccated thyroid. 3. I am asked about The Siegal Cookies. 4. I am asked to recommend physicians around the country. 5. I am asked about the availability of my latest book. 6. There are physicians who have contacted me and have asked to be listed on my Web page. 7. There are those who have asked if they could become patients of mine.
Your person medical problem:
Some of you wrote very detailed descriptions of your medical problems and past histories. I wish I could respond personally to each. That would be an impossible task, and furthermore, it would be most improper for me to give you any medical advice simply on the basis of your "story." I cannot advise or treat persons whom I have never seen, talked to, or examined. You will have to work with your own physician.
Information about desiccated thyroid:
I prefer this medication to synthetic thyroid (contrary to the majority of physicians). Why? Plain and simply, because I have found that, when thyroid medication is indicated, it works better in patients. The most popular brand of desiccated thyroid is sold under the trademark "Armour." It is a prescription medication and must be prescribed by a physician. Virtually all pharmacies carry it or will be willing to obtain it. Do not attempt to acquire it improperly and don't dare use it without the supervision of your doctor. A full exposition of the subject can be found in my book.
The Siegal Cookie(TM):
The Siegal Cookie(TM) has been made by us for over 30 years and is used in my medical practice as well as by certain select physicians around the country. It is not available to the general public. (Please don't contact me to request them.) When the Woman's World reporter asked me for the formula, I, of course, said, "No." Apparently, the tabloid then chose to invent its own "Siegal Cookie." What shameful tabloid journalism! The real Siegal Cookie formula has at least 15 ingredients that are nowhere to be found in the Woman's World recipe. Instead, the recipe in the magazine has whole eggs, bananas, breakfast cereal, etc., none of which would we ever be allowed for our patients. From the e-mails I have received, it seems that people all over the country will be baking the Woman's World cookie with the hope that it will remedy a metabolic problem. Ridiculous! It would be laughable if it weren't so tragic. Don't waste your time baking from their cookie recipe. Warning: The Woman's World cookie is not The Siegal Cookie(TM) and contains none of the appetite suppressing ingredients of our cookie. If you are diabetic, you should be particularly careful. I see nothing about their recipe that would have any value for weight loss. Their high calorie cookie might perhaps turn out to taste good but I suspect that those of Mrs. Field's or Pepperidge Farms might taste even better.
My Web site:
The Web site (DRSIEGAL.COM) is really about my last book. It was intended for those who possibly have low thyroid function. A number of doctors have requested that I list their names and addresses on the site. By putting in your zip code, you may be able to locate a doctor near you. However, I must emphasize, that I do not know these doctors and have no idea of their competence, expertise, or even their ethics. Each asked me to be listed and I did so. I am simply accommodating my readers who want to find doctors who, apparently at least, somewhat agree with my position on hypothyroidism. The "doctor finder" was inoperative for a while, but is now functioning.
My book:
Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat? should be obtainable at most book stores, or if it is sold out, the store can order it from Warner Books. The book was quite popular and many stores are sold out of it. Try other stores. Warner Books has informed me that it is being reprinted now. Of course, it can be ordered on the Internet from Amazon (Amazon.com) or Barnes and Noble (bn.com).
To physicians that have contacted me:
I have a number of requests from you to be listed on my Web site. Many of the forms have been filled out carelessly and have incomplete information. Please go back to my Web site (DRSIEGAL.COM) and again fill in the form, being very careful not to omit any of the information. Your listing will appear exactly as you enter it.
To those who have asked about becoming a patient of mine:
Weight loss, particularly when there is an associated thyroid ailment, is not the kind of problem that can be solved in one or two visits. I must see my patients regularly during the course of their treatment if I am to do a proper job. If you are located far from South Florida and cannot make regular visits, it is probably not practical for you to seek an appointment. Perhaps some research in your own area would find you a sympathetic doctor.
To all who have contacted me:
Thank you for being understanding. Please accept my apology for being so impersonal. The volume of responses has given me no choice.
Dr. Siegal