Guest Author - Jim Lowrance
Dr. Mark Starr’s book was a fascinating read for me. When I saw the title “Hypothyroidism Type 2”, it was at first puzzling because I had not heard this term previously. As I ventured deeper into the book it became clear as to what this term actually meant and it began to make a great deal of sense to me. I’m sure Dr. Starr is aware of the fact and has likely already experienced the fact that there is opposition out there in the medical community, in recognizing hypothyroidism that is not detectable and diagnosable through blood lab testing. This book brings recognition to just such a disease that causes the same symptoms as blood lab detectable hypothyroidism (Type 1).
The over 250 page book sheds much light on the fact that this blood lab elusive type of thyroid hormone dysfunction has as its origin, genetic inheritance of inadequate thyroid hormone metabolism (faulty genes) and environmental toxins, both of which have been passed down through the generations, with increasing incidence of Hypothyroidism Type 2.
Do I the book-reviewer believe hypothyroidism exists in people who have thyroid function tests that are inside of normal values? I certainly do and if you search through my articles you will find that I mention this fact quit often. Another cause of hypothyroidism, that can elude thyroid function test abnormalities in its early stages, is the type that is autoimmune caused.
Dr. Starr who is Board Certified in pain medicine gives extremely convincing documentation for this disease which had its recognition, even before the development of thyroid function blood testing. The pioneer medical researchers who studied hypothyroidism, during its earliest recognition, as detailed in this book, had no choice but to diagnose hypothyroidism based upon the patient’s signs and symptoms and by use of physical diagnostic methods that may in reality still be better indicators of the more subtle forms of hypothyroidism. Thyroid blood testing was not yet available at that time.
The early tests used in the pioneering days of diagnosing hypothyroidism that Dr. Starr talks about in the book include tests of patient’s “Basal Metabolic Rates”, in which a patient’s oxygen consumption was measured and measurement of their “Basal Temperatures” (metabolic body temperature). These early diagnosis of patients, also included observation for the presence of “myxedema”, which presents as marked puffiness and swelling of bodily tissues and was also an early term for hypothyroidism. Proof that these types of tests and observations were often accurate in diagnosing hypothyroidism was the fact that when these patients were treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, they improved remarkably. Many photos and symptom charts are included in the book, showing these patient’s before and after improvements from a time period before diagnostic blood testing was available.
Dr. Starr has dedicated many years of research to this disease, studying the research of the pioneers of Endocrinology. These fathers of thyroid research include the renowned British Dr. Ord, who actually first identified various types of thyroid disease including autoimmune thyroiditis and Dr, Broda O. Barnes, whom had a research foundation named after him, that continues his work to this day. Dr. Starr has also studied directly with Dr. Hans Kraus a professor of the Rusk Institute (now deceased) who was one of the doctors who treated President John F. Kennedy’s Addisons’ Disease and hypothyroidism. There is in fact also a foreword for the book, written by Dr. Thomas D. Broc, B.Sc., D.D.S. whom has been successfully treated for Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Starr. In the foreword this doctor points out the fact that he could not be diagnosed previously, due to thyroid function blood labs not detecting his hypothyroidism. Dr. Starr himself has also experienced relief from a pain condition he suffered as well due to this type of hypothyroidism, once he received thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
The cited studies and documentation in this book for Hypothyroidism Type 2 are extensive and include studies from autopsies, examination of umbilical cords and the presence of toxic chemicals and pollutants in the environment, that aversely affect thyroid function. The book also provides a better understanding of the function of thyroid hormones, in aiding “mitochondria” (energy producing cells), in regulating the body’s metabolism and how this process can be hindered through genetic predisposition and environmental toxins/pollutants.
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I’ve barely scratched the surface in describing the information contained in this book and so will simply sum up my experience in reading it by saying that it is extremely well documented and provides more-than-ample proof for each point that is made in regard to the illness Dr. Starr has named “Hypothyroidism Type 2” and I recommend the book to my readers who enjoy books on highly interesting thyroid disease subjects.
More about Dr. Starr's book here>> Hypothyroidism Type 2 Book Site
Visit Dr. Starr's Pain Clinic website: Dr. Mark Starr M.D. - Pain Clinic
