Dr. Gabhart N.D. recently suggested that I read Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, M.D.  Wow, I just finished reading it—what an amazing book. I couldn’t put it down. I love to underline key points whenever I read a book. . . I have underlined the entire book!

What is most intriguing to me can probably be summarized in Dr. Starr’s comment found on p. 195: “There is a growing body of literature attributing ‘estrogen dominance’ to a large number of female maladies. Weight gain, irregular and heavy periods, PMS, depression, migraines, blood clotting problems, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and breast cancer are the main symptoms blamed on the estrogen dominance theory. These symptoms are all included on the list for hypothyroidism and iodine deficiencies.”

I have made a list of some of the key points of the book. Thought I would share them with you. . .

p. 10 During the first half of the twentieth century, prior to complete reliance on blood tests to diagnose hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol was considered one of the hallmarks of hypothyroidism.

p. 18 Potential symptoms of hypothyroidism: Fatigue, lethargy, decreased sex drive, Candida (yeast infections), dry skin, premature aging, infertility, constipation, P.M.S., repeated infections, headaches, brittle nails, high blood pressure, birth defects, endometriosis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, memory impairment, cancer, nervousness, hair loss, heart attack/stroke, high cholesterol, intolerance to heat, nutritional imbalances, muscle weakness, low immune system, overweight, arthritis/gout, arthralgia (pain in a joint), low blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, joint/muscle pain, heart palpitations, menstrual disturbances, cystic breasts/ovaries, chronic fatigue, intolerance to cold, hyperinsulinemia, and paresthesia (abnormal sensations such as burning, prickling, or feeling as if tiny insects are crawling on your skin).

p. 49 Miscarriages and prenatal deaths are also indicative of hypothyroidism, which help control its pervasiveness.

p. 60 My infertility patients usually conceive within months of beginning desiccated (Armour) thyroid.  

p. 63 The vast majority of patients with hypothyroidism have normal thyroid blood tests, because the tests do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism.

p. 72 Doctors currently ignore patients’ medical histories and physical findings consistent with hypothyroidism. The laboratory tests for the illness reign supreme.

p. 77 Doctors have long known both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause problems with our hearts and bones. Osteoporosis my result from either.

p. 103 Gradually, it became apparent that many patients were unaware of their hypothyroid symptoms. The symptoms had been present for years, and the patients assumed they were normal constituents of aging, or that was just the way they were.

p. 122 For example, my father’s mental status was declining in his early 80s. Proper treatment of his hypothyroidism and other hormone deficiencies (DHEA and testosterone) reversed his mental decline and restored his sense of humor. My mother thanked me many times for giving her husband back to her. Restoring quality of life is gratifying even if one’s life expectancy is limited.

p. 146 Today, the hypothyroid epidemic has turned the natural cycle into a monthly crisis far too frequently. Profuse bleeding, severe cramps, and other premenstrual problems such as irritability and headache are now commonplace. Endometriosis, fibroid tumors, and ovarian cysts have increased in frequency. All are associated with hypothyroidism. Other hormonal dysfunctions, such as disturbances in estrogen and progesterone, often occur as a result of hypothyroidism and iodine deficiency.

p. 147 One in five American couples reportedly now have problems conceiving. Infertility specialists have declared it a disease unto itself. Miscarriages and fertility problems are a red flag for hypothyroidism.

p. 147 With few exceptions, the patients I have seen with fertility problems suffered hypothyroidism. Yet, modern texts continue to refute hypothyroidism as a major cause of infertility and miscarriages. Again, the main problem is that affected women and men usually have normal thyroid blood tests.

p. 149 Symptoms also include decreased libido in both men and women. Erectile dysfunction often results. Men’s testes may become smaller and softer.

p. 150 Type 2 hypothyroidism is a cellular problem that escapes detection by standard thyroid blood tests.

p. 151 My patients who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome all require thyroid hormone replacement and iodine/iodide.

P 152 The hormones in birth control pills interfere with the proteins that transport thyroid hormones through our blood (thyroid binding globulins). As a result, birth control pills may exacerbate hypothyroidism.

p. 154 After realizing the pervasiveness of hypothyroidism, every migraine patient seen in my clinic was affected with the illness in my opinion. Many of the patients had additional problems such as estrogen and progesterone deficiencies, adrenal dysfunction, chronic Candida (yeast) infections, heavy metal toxicity, chemical sensitivities, or environmental allergies.  

p. 157 Dr. Barnes included a chapter on arthritis in his book about hypothyroidism. He noted the great similarity of symptoms shared by both arthritic and hypothyroid patients.

p. 158 Osteoporosis is another long-term complication of hypothyroidism.

p. 159 Historically, high cholesterol was a red flag for hypothyroidism. The increase in cholesterol is a late manifestation of hypothyroidism in most cases.

p. 160 In over 40 years of practice, Dr. Siegal found in treating many thousands of patients that desiccated thyroid (Armour) was much more effective than synthetic thyroid hormones.

p. 173 First, thyroid blood tests fail to diagnose a large percentage of patients. Second, desiccated thyroid is more efficacious than synthetic thyroid hormones.

p. 177 The current practice of treating misleading TSH tests and disregarding patients’ symptoms and findings on physical exam must stop.

p. 182 Selenium is recommended for all my patients suffering hypothyroidism, between 200 mcg and 400 mcg per day. Selenium deficiencies are common among our populace.

p. 183 In order for thyroid medication to raise a person’s metabolism, their adrenal glands must be able to function adequately. Without the necessary adrenal hormones, such as cortisol, patients either do not tolerate or are unable to properly convert the main thyroid hormone (T4) into the much more physiologically active form (T3).

p. 184 There is much overlap between the symptoms resulting from hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency.

p. 191 Proper function of thyroid hormones allows each cell to perform normally. The mitochondria discussion in Chapter 6 describes their profound influence on endocrine glands.

 P 191 Low adrenal output and ovarian dysfunction have long been associated with low thyroid function. More severe problems involving multiple hormone disorders have developed and are rearing their ugly heads at a much younger age.

p. 195 Recent research has shown many more beneficial effects and far fewer side effects when “natural” human bioidentical hormones are used. Our cell’s hormone receptors are structured like a lock and key to fit individual hormones. Alterations in these crucial hormones often result in untoward side effects.

p. 198 Numerous chemicals and other toxins pollute our drinking and bathing water. Chlorinated city water contains 100 to 10,000 times as many synthetic compounds as natural spring water. It is estimated that we absorb several times more of these pollutants from bathing than from drinking.

p. 199 Drinking water that contains fluoride may be a major contributor to Type 2 hypothyroidism. Fluoride has been proven to destroy gland tissue in dosages similar to those found in our water.

p. 201 The most disturbing aspect of chemical toxins may be their ability to disrupt the function of thyroid hormones. Thyroid metabolism is one of the most frequent targets of synthetic chemicals.

p. 201 The majority of toxic chemicals are deposited and stored in our fat. Many of the most widely studied and ubiquitous toxins are quite persistent and remain in our bodies for many years or decades.

p. 202 A diet rich in soy also inhibits thyroid metabolism.

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