Hypothyroidism Type 2

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Hypothyroidism

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From the Townsend Letter

December 2008

Hypothyroidism Type 2

A New Way of Looking at an Old Problem

by Nenah Sylver, PhD

The Basics of an Epidemic

What do chronic pain, diabetes, heart disease, menstrual difficulties, and

sleep apnea have in common? As physician Mark Starr points out in his

extensively researched book, Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic, there’s an

excellent chance that this apparently disparate collection of disorders –

among literally dozens, if not hundreds – indicate abnormally low thyroid

function.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the throat

that produces numerous related hormones: thyroxin (also known as T4),

liothyronine (also known as T3), T2, and T1. T4, the most well known of all the

thyroid hormones, heats the body and speeds metabolism (of fats, proteins,

and carbohydrates) and heart rate. T3, the most active form of thyroid

hormone, also heats the body and speeds metabolism and heart rate. At best, T4

is

only about one-quarter as potent as T3, and in any case, most is converted

into the more active T3 by the liver, kidneys, and other body cells. T2

stimulates metabolism, while one animal study showed that T1 cools the body

and slows the heart. Together, all four of these related hormones probably

act synergistically in ways that are not yet fully understood.

Thyroid underactivity, commonly called hypothyroidism, was first reported

in London in 1875. According to many reliable sources, including doctors

Broda , Derry, Jacques Hertoghe, and Howenstine, at least

one-third to one-half of the US population suffers from slight to severe

hypothyroidism.

In his book, Starr explains the differences between Types 1 and 2:

- With Type 1 Hypothyroidism, the thyroid does not produce sufficient

amounts of hormone to maintain “normal†blood levels of hormones, which in

turn will maintain normal blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

produced by the pituitary. (I will say more about TSH a little later.)

- With Type 2 Hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces “normal†amounts

of hormone, but the cells are unable to utilize the hormone properly. Some

experts call this thyroid hormone resistance (which may be regarded as

similar to insulin resistance).

Laboratory tests showing inadequate bloodstream levels of thyroid hormone

make it easy to diagnose Type 1 hypothyroidism. However, lab tests fail to

detect Type 2 hypothyroidism, because despite adequate bloodstream hormone

levels, the cells are unable to accept and utilize that hormone (for a

variety of reasons, which I’ll address in a moment). Since the main problem

lies with the cells that are actually utilizing the hormone, a different

approach needs to be taken when testing for – and to a certain extent, when

treating – Type 2 hypothyroidism.

Since many more people suffer from Type 2 than Type 1 hypothyroidism, and

because Type 2 is widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed, this article will

focus on Type 2: its manifestations, the best way to diagnose it (it’s not

with lab tests), and its treatment. For this article, I have drawn heavily

from Mark Starr’s book, Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic.

Dr. Starr became interested in the subject for both personal and

professional reasons. More than a dozen years ago, he embarked on a quest to

heal

his own chronic pain, fatigue, and allergies after receiving no relief from

the majority of physicians with whom he consulted. Professionally, while

treating thousands of people who suffered chronic pain alongside a wide range

of disorders, he discovered a pattern. The underlying cause or contributing

factor to their pain was low thyroid function. Dr. Starr’s book is the

result of over a decade’s worth of intensive research and writing about the

history, problems, politics, personnel, literature, case studies, and

treatment related to hypothyroidism. I had the opportunity to visit Starr’s

new

clinic, which is near my home, so at the end of this article, I will also give

a brief description of his practice.

Endless Disease Conditions

Most people (correctly) regard the thyroid as responsible for proper

metabolism. However, this gland plays a major role in hundreds of bodily

functions. Here is just a sample of the many symptoms and conditions that can

be

caused, indirectly or directly, by an under-functioning thyroid gland:

-- Appetite disruption (heightened or diminished)

-- Autoimmune conditions, including allergies, lupus, and rheumatoid

arthritis

-- Blood sugar disorders, such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, or a combination

of the two

-- Cancers, all kinds

-- Cardiovascular abnormalities, including high cholesterol, poor

circulation, heart palpitations, hypertension (high blood pressure), and

hypotension (low blood pressure)

-- Dental problems, including chronic gum infections, receding gums, and

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint dysfunction (clenching of the teeth, leading

to chronic inflammation and pain in the temporomandibular joint)

-- Fatigue and lethargy

-- Gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, and

impaired digestion leading to constipation and nutritional disorders

-- Heart conditions, including coronary artery disease from accelerated

atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), arrhythmia (irregular

heartbeat), abnormal blood pressure (either too high or too low), diminished

cardiac

output, weakness of the heart muscle, and congestive heart failure

-- Hoarseness of voice, difficulty in swallowing, swollen enlarged tongue,

and sleep apnea

-- Immune response malfunction, leading to increased infections (including

Candida albicans) in all parts of the body

-- Mental and emotional problems, including difficulty in cognition, and

anxiety, depression, memory loss, manic depression, psychosis, and

schizophrenia

--Metabolism malfunctions, leading to weight gain (usually) or weight loss

(occasionally)

-- Muscular disturbances, including ataxia (lack of coordination), carpal

tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and weakness

-- Neurological impairment, including but not limited to ear conditions

(deafness, tinnitus, and vertigo), headaches and migraines, Multiple

Sclerosis, and paresthesia (numbness and “pins and needles†in nerves)

-- Pain in joints and muscles, including arthritis and fibromyalgia

-- Perspiration reduction

-- Reproductive disorders, including birth defects, cysts in breasts and

ovaries, endometriosis, infertility, and menstrual disturbances

-- Respiratory conditions, including asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, and

chronic sinus infections

-- Skin disorders, including acne, alopecia (hair loss), boils, dryness,

eczema, hives, and psoriasis

-- Sleepiness and sleep apnea.

-- Slowed movement and speech

-- Structural weaknesses/deformities and impaired ability to repair

damaged tissues, manifesting in brittle nails, brittle or scant hair (including

baldness), degenerating bones (osteoporosis), malformed bones (scoliosis),

and thinning and loss of eyebrows, notably the outer third

-- Temperature regulation malfunction: intolerance to heat, and excessive

coldness, particularly in extremities.

-- Urinary tract problems, such as urinary infections and especially

kidney failure from shrunken, scarred kidneys

Why So Many Conditions?

How is it possible that the malfunction of one tiny gland can influence so

many other functions that do not seem related to each other? Consider the

most obvious effect of an underactive thyroid: reduced cell metabolism of

proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. This not only means inefficient transport

of nutrients into the cell membrane, but also inefficient transport of

wastes out. As holistic practitioners well know, inadequate nourishment and the

buildup of toxins (regardless of the cause) can exacerbate or outright

cause virtually all conditions that we call “disease.†The more toxins

engorge the cells, the more one becomes susceptible to infections and

degenerative conditions. As it turns out, the mitochondria – microscopic

energy-burning units of the cell responsible for about 90% of the energy

production that

our cells, tissues, and organs require for metabolism – are intimately

affected by thyroid dysfunction. Starr writes:

Thyroid hormones are responsible for our metabolism. When thyroid hormones

are given to animals, trillions of mitochondria increase in size and

number. The total membrane surface of the mitochondria increases almost

directly

in proportion to the increased metabolic rate of the whole animal. My

medical school textbook, The Textbook of Medical Physiology, states: “It

seems

almost to be an obvious deduction that the principal function of thyroxin

[thyroid hormone] might be simply to increase the number and activity of

mitochondria.â€

The beneficial symbiotic relationship between mitochondria and thyroid

hormone works both ways. Adequate levels of thyroid hormone not only increase

mitochondria number and function, but as Starr points out, “mitochondrial

mutations appear to be largely responsible for the metabolic defects at the

cellular level, which result in a hypothyroid-like condition…. Defects in

mitochondria, as well as synthetic toxins, impair thyroid hormone metabolism

at the cellular level.†Not surprisingly, symptoms of mitochondrial

disease are the same as symptoms of hypothyroidism.

There are scores of environmental toxins that interfere with every aspect

of thyroid metabolism and cause the mitochondria to malfunction. These

include petroleum and petroleum byproducts; pesticides, herbicides and

fungicides; heavy metals, among them mercury, arsenic, lead, aluminum, barium,

and

cadmium; organic solvents, including benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene,

and dichloromethane; and numerous other synthetic chemicals. Fat-soluble

toxins lodge in the fat cells that lie beneath the skin and surround internal

organs. Women, whose bodies contain more fat than men’s, hold

proportionately more toxins in their systems and thus, one might assume, suffer

from

hypothyroidism in much greater numbers than do men. Statistics show this to be

true.

Faulty thyroid receptors on the cell membranes as well as mitochondrial

mutations can cause a hypothyroid condition. “Defective thyroid receptors,â€

Starr writes, “may prevent a sufficient supply of hormones that are

circulating in our blood from reaching the mitochondria and other crucial sites

such as the nucleus of the cell. The nucleus is where the thyroid hormones

activate genes and stimulate protein synthesis, among a host of other tasksâ€

[emphasis added]. This explains why so many people with underactive thyroids

have brittle nails and hair, and even bone defects. If the body cannot

utilize amino acids to create new, properly formed tissue, the cells will be

imperfect and cause structural abnormalities.

Myxedema, which is the retention of mucin, can also occur when the tissues

do not properly process and utilize thyroid hormone. (Myx is the Greek

word for “mucin,†and edema means “swelling.â€) Mucin is a compound

comprised

of sugars bound to a protein and in modest amounts is a constituent of

connective tissue. (Connective tissue lines blood vessels, comprises nerve

sheaths, is part of the fascial envelope surrounding muscles, and is in organs

and glands, in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, and in the mucous

membrane lining of the respiratory tract, including the sinuses.) By

nature, jelly-like mucin absorbs water. When present in normal amounts, mucin is

not a problem. But in excess, the hydrophilic (water-loving) mucin can cause

serious problems wherever it accumulates in the connective tissue. Over

half of the hypothyroid population (55%-60%) has abnormally high amounts of

mucin, which accumulate more with age. In fact, the medical term for “

hypothyroidism†used to be myxedema.

You can see how an underactive thyroid can be responsible for so many

debilitating and apparently disparate health problems. Just a small sample

includes heart disease, digestive disorders, liver malfunction, lupus, muscular

pain, neurological impairment, sinusitis, and sleep apnea (caused by a

swelling of the trachea and larynx). Also worth noting are Temporomandibular

Joint (TMJ) problems. These often accompany hypothyroidism due to slow

contraction and relaxation of the muscles. Muscle spasms are common in

hypothyroidism, as are arthritic changes and joint effusions (an abnormal

buildup of

joint fluid).

Inadequate thyroid hormone at the cellular level also negatively impacts

other glands. “Without the crucial influence of thyroid hormones,†Starr

emphasizes, “proper maturation and function of the other hormone glands is

not possible.†To compensate for the weakness and low metabolism caused by

inadequate thyroid hormone, other parts of the body overwork, including the a

drenals and the sympathetic nervous system. This may cause the subject to

temporarily experience a rapid heartbeat and/or feel hyperactive, jittery,

and restless – until exhaustion sets in from the unnatural attempts to

compensate for low thyroid hormone levels. More often, though, the majority of

sufferers simply feel fatigued and weak most of the time.

As you review the previous list of health conditions directly caused or

heavily influenced by hypothyroidism, keep in mind the phrases poor

utilization of thyroid hormone by the tissues, excess mucin, and inadequate

function

of other glands. Just these three descriptions can explain almost all of

those symptom pictures.

Flawed Lab Tests

The biggest error in hypothyroid diagnosis is the medical profession’s

excessive reliance on laboratory tests only, to the exclusion of the

subjects’

symptoms. When hypothyroidism was first detected in the 1800s, physicians

listened to the people who actually had the disorder and based their

treatments on what they observed and on what their patients told them. There are

many physical signs of hypothyroidism, among them puffy face and lips, hair

loss, dry puffy skin, abnormally slow movements and speech, hoarse voice,

and intolerance to cold. (Not only does the person subjectively feel chilly,

but the hands and feet feel cold to another person’s touch.) Mark Starr

writes that in the early twentieth century:

…the ultimate test of whether or not a patient was hypothyroid was the

patient’s response to a trial of thyroid hormones. Confirmation depended upon

improvement or resolution of their symptoms. . . . [but] the list of

thyroid blood tests grew until there were scores of available tests.

Unfortunately, they failed to improve the ability to detect Type 2

hypothyroidism.

Today, the overwhelming majority of doctors are taught to check only the

patients’ blood tests if they suspect hypothyroidism. If the tests are

normal, the search begins for other possible causes of their problems. The vast

majority of patients with hypothyroidism have normal thyroid blood tests,

because the tests do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism. Countless new

syndromes, both mental and physical, have been adopted in [futile] attempts to

explain the myriad symptoms related to hypothyroidism [emphasis added].

How ironic – though one must admit, not surprising! – that with the

mechanization of medicine, along with its reductionist laboratory tests and

synthesized pharmaceuticals, the person’s own experiences and symptoms became

secondary to the practitioner’s theories. In the words of Starr, medical

professionals have become “blinded by their devotion to the laboratory

tests.â€

Drawing on the groundbreaking (and commonsense) work of pioneer physicians

– including Broda , Eugene Cohen, Jacques Hertoghe, Hermann Zondek,

Hans Kraus, and Lawrence Sonkin (the latter two with whom he studied) –

Starr analyzes in depth some common misconceptions about thyroid testing. The

most commonly used blood test, which is based on the theory of the

TSH-thyroid hormone feedback loop, contains a simple but major flaw. Since

somany

doctors rely on this test to make an accurate diagnosis, it’s worth

addressing.

The most common blood test for hypothyroidism depends on the following

assumptions. The body tissues transmit their need for thyroid hormones to the

hypothalamus in the brain, which sends a signal to the pituitary gland. In

turn, the pituitary secretes thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which

signals the thyroid gland to secrete more hormones. These hormones are then

carried by the bloodstream to the tissues. The action of the thyroid hormones on

the tissues reduces the tissue signals to the brain for more thyroid

hormones, and the pituitary stops secreting TSH.

The problem with this scenario is that most of the time, the mitochondria

in toxic and defective cells are unable to convey to the brain their need

for thyroid hormone, even if it’s urgently required. In fact, according to

numerous studies, people whose mitochondria tested abnormal nonetheless had

normal thyroid hormone levels in their blood. Modern thyroid blood tests,

Starr reminds us, do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism “because thyroid

hormone levels [in the bloodstream] may be normal, but they are not high enough

to stimulate the . . . defective mitochondria into normal activityâ€

[emphasis added]. Nor are the blood thyroid hormone levels high enough to induce

the resistant receptor sites on the cells to start accepting hormone. Any

part of the cell can be involved in the failure to process and utilize thyroid

hormone. “There is no scientific evidence,†Starr bluntly states, after

providing a detailed review of the literature, “to support the doctors’

claim that the TSH test detects hypothyroidism in the vast majority of

patients. The validity of the TSH [tests] has been [solely] established by word

of

mouth and [only] purportedly by the [flawed] studies I have presented.â€

Unfortunately, few medical personnel appear to have read the literature upon

which the presumed validity of the TSH test was based – or have read it

with a careful enough analytic eye.

The Need to Observe Clinical Symptoms

I have already mentioned the clinical observation of numerous signs, such

as puffy face and lips, thinning or lack of hair, the missing third of the

outside of the eyebrows, swollen skin, lack of alertness, slowed speech,

hoarseness, and cold extremities. And, of course, there’s the common weight

gain and tendency toward chronic infections.

There is also another very simple hypothyroid indicator that was developed

by Broda , MD, PhD (he died in 1988). told his clients to

take their armpit temperature before rising every day, usually over a period

of weeks. If the temperature averaged lower than 97.8º F, the person was

considered hypothyroid. Starr points out that the basal temperature test for

hypothyroidism is “not infallible†– for example, someone might be

hypothyroid but have a near-normal basal temperature, suggesting that the

higher-than-expected temperature readings may be due to chronic inflammation in

the

lungs or elsewhere. Nevertheless, ’s temperature test is still an

effective and accurate diagnostic tool in most instances.

Again, I refer the reader back to the extensive list at the beginning of

this article. By now, it should be clear that hypothyroidism is fairly easy

to detect, once you know what to look for. One more thing: a prominent

research study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology found that some people

with severe biochemical hypothyroidism exhibited only mild clinical signs,

whereas others with minor biochemical changes exhibited severe clinical

signs.

Treatment for Type 2 Hypothyroidism

1. Replacement Hormone

Whether the person’s thyroid gland is not producing enough hormone or the

cells are unable (for whatever reason) to process what the gland is

producing, the treatment is the same: replacement hormone. From the perspective

of

conventional medical training, flooding the system with thyroid hormone,

in amounts greater than what laboratory blood tests might indicate are

useful or prudent, may seem questionable. But consider the highly dysfunctional

state of the mitochondria and/or cell receptors. If you saturate the tissues

with enough hormone, for a long enough period, even malfunctioning

mitochondria and stubborn receptor sites will start processing and utilizing

the

hormone. Once the body begins to function correctly, it has the potential to

self-correct. Then, conceivably, the hormone dosage can be reduced. This

points to the need for careful monitoring of people with Type 2

hypothyroidism. It’s easy to assess a body that is starting to heal, Starr

maintains. “

The increased basal temperature that results from administering desiccated

thyroid is a direct result of enhanced mitochondrial activity.â€

What type of pharmaceuticals work best? Up until the 1960s, people

suffering from hypothyroidism were given desiccated thyroid derived from pigs.

This means the entire dried gland and its contents – all four forms of

thyroid

hormone, RNA, DNA, and other co-factors. But by the 1970s, isolated

thyroxin (T4) was introduced as the “gold standard†of thyroid medications.

By

definition, thyroxin is only a portion of the thyroid hormone complex. Since

it does not contain the synergistic effects of the entire glandular

material, not surprisingly, it proved less effective clinically than the

desiccated thyroid.

One such study on the superiority of desiccated thyroid over thyroxin was

conducted in Belgium and was published in 2001 by endocrinologist Jacques

Hertoghe and his colleagues in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental

Medicine. Subjects showed marked improvement when they began taking

desiccated thyroid instead of only T4. The hallmark symptoms of low thyroid –

constipation, headache, joint and muscle pain, muscle cramps, depression, cold

intolerance, and fatigue – were reduced by 70% after they switched from T4

to desiccated thyroid. “Symptoms of the patients already taking T4,†notes

Starr, reviewing the study, “did not differ from those of the group of

untreated patients†[emphasis added].

Occasionally, Dr. Starr has found, some people require compounded T3 or T4

only or combinations of the two, because they are either allergic to, or

unable to tolerate, desiccated thyroid. Or, they don’t want to take the

desiccated pork product for religious reasons. Whatever replacement hormone

product is used, it’s crucial that the client be monitored on a regular

basis.

This includes self-monitoring. The doctor must be willing to work closely

with the client as well. And the client must be willing and able to detect

physiological changes that indicate too little or too much hormone and

regularly report to the doctor.

Significantly, as one’s metabolism becomes more efficient, perspiration

will increase, allowing for the elimination of more toxins. As more toxins

are eliminated, the better the cells – including the mitochondria and hormone

receptor sites – will function. This suggests that mitochondrial defects

can be corrected, given enough time, patience, and dedication. (See below.)

2. Detoxification

Some of the most significant stressors of mitochondria are heavy metals.

Mercury is particularly insidious, as it’s everywhere in our environment and

affects the system in devastating ways. It can also be difficult to

eliminate. Intravenous chelation therapy has proven effective, but is expensive

and time-consuming. Less expensive but effective alternatives include the

oral ingestion of broken cell wall chlorella, liquid zeolite, alpha lipoic

acid, and certain amino acids in the correct proportions, often in combin

ation with each other.

The fact that a good portion of the T4 to T3 conversion takes place in the

liver also points to the need for a good detox liver protocol, as this

organ is primary in converting systemic and environmental poisons into less

noxious, more easily excretable substances. An overall excellent – and easy

–

means of detoxifying is sweating. Sweating reduces the waste removal

burden on the kidneys, liver, and eliminative organs. Numerous studies have

shown vastly decreased levels of mercury and other toxins after even only a

few weeks of regular sauna therapy. In fact, subjects have been known to

blacken their towels with the metals excreted through the skin during sweating.

My book, The Holistic Handbook of Sauna Therapy, discusses sauna protocols

in depth: the mechanism of sweating; the three types of heat, including

details on far infrared; what types of heating elements and sauna building

materials are best for people with particular sensitivities and needs; how to

take a sauna and avoid heatstroke; which medical conditions can be

relieved by sweating; when one should not use the sauna at all; and when one may

use the sauna with medical supervision; pregnant women and children in the

sauna; and specific detox protocols.

Be aware that sauna therapy can achieve opposite effects with regard to

medication. On the one hand, some medication may be sweated out of the

system. On the other hand, the elimination of toxins increases the metabolic

efficiency of the cells, which means that in many cases a drug is more

efficiently absorbed into the cell – and therefore will be needed in reduced

amounts. Whatever detox protocol you use, it needs to be consistent. Sometimes

it

can take longer than desired to eliminate toxins from deep inside the

tissues.

3. Nutritional Support

Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function. Potassium iodide is

absorbed directly by the thyroid gland, whereas iodine tends to be more heavily

concentrated in the breasts, reproductive organs, and respiratory tract

(including the sinuses). Both forms of iodine are necessary for optimal

functioning. Some types of seaweed added to the diet, such as dulse, provide

large quantities of iodine.

To assist in the conversion of T4 to T3, supplementation with selenium,

zinc, and vitamins E and B6 are usually indicated. Manganese, known to

protect the thyroid and liver, is sometimes called the “anti-pear

nutrient,†so

named because it helps eliminate the faulty weight distribution pattern

common with hypothyroid people. Thyroid hormone increases the enzyme levels in

the body. Since vitamins are essential constituents of both enzymes and

co-enzymes, increased thyroid hormone levels require a higher intake of

vitamins.

4. Glandular Support

Adrenal and thyroid function are intricately related. Sometimes,

hypothyroid subjects are unable to tolerate even sub-therapeutic amounts of

thyroid

hormone due to adrenal fatigue. (In their attempt to raise the energy of

the body and compensate for the under-activity of the thyroid gland, the

adrenals have overworked and are now exhausted.) Therefore, support for the

adrenals, other glands, and even the hypothalamus may be indicated during or

even before beginning thyroid hormone therapy.

Dr. Mark Starr’s Clinic

In early 2008, Dr. Mark Starr left his established and thriving pain

clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, to relocate to Phoenix, Arizona. In his spacious,

comfortable, and conveniently located Paradise Valley office, Starr continues

to practice his specialty: the elimination of pain and the treatment of

hypothyroidism, usually with desiccated thyroid hormone. (Some people are

allergic to pork, are vegans, or have religious objections to pork, so they

take the compounded pharmaceuticals.) Starr also specializes in sports

injuries, using FDA-approved and FDA-cleared electromedical devices that include

a state-of-the-art laser and the Tennant Biomodulator®.

As an author in the holistic health field who specializes in

electromedicine, I was very impressed with the range of therapies available in

Dr. Starr’

s clinic. I was also impressed with Starr’s knowledge, obvious passion,

caring, and dedication to helping people regain their health. Having dealt

with his own hypothyroid issues and been obliged to dig for answers that at

the time were not readily available, Dr. Starr makes an excellent advocate

for those seeking competent medical treatment.

Summary

Dr. Mark Starr’s extensively researched book, Hypothyroidism Type 2: The

Epidemic, is essential reading for both professionals and laypersons. The

book cites long-term studies, involving thousands of subjects, showing that

hypothyroidism is rampant. Starr’s book also explains how Type 2

hypothyroidism develops and describes the best treatments for it. Physicians in

all

specialties who want to augment the efficacy of their care should read Dr.

Starr’s book. The many photographs in the book of hypothyroid people, before

and after treatment with thyroid hormone, reinforce the differences between

hypothyroidism and normalcy in an unmistakable and striking way. Anyone

who looks at these “before†photographs is bound to recognize someone they

know – someone who could have been helped to overcome a debilitating

condition, if only they or their doctors knew about it.

Unfortunately, hypothyroidism is often the last possibility considered for

those who are unwell. Since thyroid hormones are intricately related to

virtually every bodily function, hypothyroidism can cause or exacerbate an

almost unlimited number of conditions that initially might not seem related

to each other. This points to the importance of applying an integrative

approach to how the body functions, instead of perceiving various conditions as

discrete “diseases.â€

Laboratory tests for hypothyroidism miss the vast majority of sufferers.

The most commonly performed, “gold standard†tests do not reveal what is

occurring at the cellular level. If the cells are unable to utilize and

process thyroid hormone, even with normal bloodstream thyroid hormone levels,

the person has hypothyroidism – in this case, Type 2, which is pervasive in a

large percentage of the population and unrecognized by mainstream medicine.

The client’s history and clinical exam are the best diagnostic tools for

hypothyroidism: in fact, they are the basis of good medicine. If the person’

s clinical picture improves when he or she takes thyroid hormone, then he

or she is hypothyroid! This simple concept can be difficult for some

professionals to grasp, especially if they insist on ignoring their clients’

symptoms at the expense of erroneous theories. As Dr. Boc remarks:

“There

are countless thousands of people who are in failing health because their

doctors are not listening to what the patient is trying to tell them about

their illnesses. They [the doctors] have been trained to rely on blood

tests more than on the history and examination of the patient.â€

Desiccated thyroid is more effective than T4 (levothyroxin) for treating

hypothyroidism. Prominent studies prove that heavy metals, especially

mercury, interfere with thyroid hormone uptake and utilization. Therefore,

detoxification protocols such as chelation and sauna therapy are indispensable.

So is proper nutrition, including supplementation with iodine and other

minerals like selenium, without which thyroid hormone cannot be utilized and

converted into a form useable by the tissues. As the body eliminates toxins

and nutrient absorption is improved, the thyroid hormone dose may need to be

decreased. Thus, care must be taken to monitor the client’s responses.

It’s critical that health practitioners learn how to diagnose and treat

Type 2 hypothyroidism. The ability to work with this condition indicates a

caring, open-minded, and competent professional who is free from rigid and

antiquated notions that do not reflect the lives, suffering, or medical

conditions of real people. Clients fortunate enough to obtain proper treatment

for hypothyroidism enjoy a vastly improved quality of life – physically,

mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

_____________________

Proper Thyroid Supplementation

Prevents Heart Attacks

[in 1948], the National Heart Institute began the Framingham Study,

officially named “The Heart Disease Epidemiology Study.†The objective: to

determine why heart attacks were rapidly reaching epidemic proportions.

Over 5,000 adult residents of Framingham, Massachusetts volunteered to

participate in the long-term medical study. The group underwent thorough

physical exams. All were free of heart disease initially. Participants were

examined at two-year intervals. People who later suffered heart attacks helped

determine the so-called “risk factors†that became associated with the

illness. Risk factors included high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol,

increasing age, and having a family history of heart attacks. Men were found to

be at higher risk of heart attacks than women.

In 1950…Dr. [broda] began a long-term study to determine if proper

treatment of hypothyroidism would prevent heart attacks…. Dr.

intended for his study to parallel the Framingham Study…. [His] research

included

1,569 patients who received treatment for their hypothyroidism. A minimum

of two years of thyroid therapy was required to be included in the study….

An individual patient’s symptoms, response to the hormones, and basal

temperatures determined their dosage of thyroid hormones….

The Framingham Study would have predicted that 72 of Dr. ’s patients

should have suffered heart attacks. Only four occurred…. Dr.

purposely did not attempt to control cholesterol, smoking, exercise, or other

variables among his study group. He wanted the only variable between his

patients and those from the Framingham Study to be the use of thyroid

hormones….

Over 90% of predicted heart attacks from the Framingham Study were

prevented…. Dr. predicted that our massive effort to control heart

attacks

would fail, unless we recognized and properly treated hypothyroidism.

- Mark Starr, MD(H)

Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic (2007), 34-35

_____________________

Notes:

1. Starr M. Hypothyroidism Type E: The Epidemic. Irvine, CA: New Voice

Publications; 2005, 2007: 55.

2. Starr 59, 69.

3. Starr 61.

4. Starr 1.

5. Starr 63-64.

6. Starr 71.

7. Starr 59.

8. Starr 70.

9. Starr 137.

10. Starr 59.

11. Starr 175.

12. Starr xvi

© 2008 by Nenah Sylver, PhD