Disclaimer: This could be boring unless......

May 30, 2011 15:50

You might want to read this if you have chronic pain.  Or maybe you think you may have thyroid problems, but the lab results don't show it.  Or maybe you just enjoy medical books and articles (Beth?).

I just finished reading "Hypothyroidism Type 2" by Mark Starr, M.D.  It was recommended by my doctor, Dr. Grable, after he and I got into a bit of a disagreement as to whether or not I should change the level of my Synthroid.  I thought I needed to go down and Dr. G. thought I needed to go up. I told him that I would stay on the same level and meanwhile I would try to get my hands on the book and read it.  Now after reading it, I hope not only to increase my level, but also to possibly to switch to desiccated thyroid rather than synthetic thyroid.

Here's a brief, accurate (I hope) summary of what I got from the book.

Dr. Starr is a pain and hormone specialist who believes that thyroid illness often has a genetic link.  He also believes that thyroid disease is often missed on lab tests and that history and symptoms are far more important in diagnosis than are lab tests (which have been used almost exclusively during the last forty years).  My understanding from reading this book is that the lab tests often show normal results in the face of a physical exam and symptoms that indicate hypothyroidism.  According to Mark Starr, this is because with type 2 hypothyroidism, the problem may be at the cellular level.  Like type 2 diabetes, the gland may be producing the hormone, but the cells may not be able to utilize it.

One of his most valuable diagnostic tools is having the patient use a non-digital thermometer to check under-arm temp each morning upon waking and before getting out of bed.  He states that:  "Temperature readings of 97.8 to 98.2 degrees F are considered normal (armpit readings).  Readings below 97.8 degrees F are highly indicative of hypothyroidism."  (pg. 17)  Personal note:  I bought a non-mercury thermometer at Walgreens for $6.99.  This morning I did my first reading:  96.4 degrees F.  Hmmmm……  And to think that I thought I was high and needed to go down on my dosage.

Dr. Starr is a believer in listening to the patient and using physical examination to aid his diagnosis.  He points to a couple of very large studies comparing the use of synthetic thyroid (Synthroid) and desiccated thyroid (Armour).  Although the lab results improved with the use of either type, many of the symptoms only cleared with Armour thyroid.  He believes this is because Armour is from a natural source (pigs, unfortunately) and therefore may contain yet undiscovered types of thyroid in addition to the T4 that is in Synthroid and the T3 that is  in cytomel.  Therefore, he only recommends the use of desiccated thyroid except in very special cases (religious grounds, vegan, etc.)

In his final treatment results chapter, Dr. Starr notes the following from his years of treating with this methodology.
  •  The rate of patients who developed diabetes was 2%  (6% was the expected rate), and none of those suffered “any of the terrible complications that millions of diabetics and their families continue to endure."  (pg. 238)
  •  “The vast majority of chronic pain is due to hypothyroidism.”  (pg. 238)
  •   “About 90% of Dr. Barnes’ acne patients responded to thyroid therapy.  Many other skin disorders including eczema, psoriasis, boils, and impetigo, also responded to thyroid therapy.” (pg. 238)
  • “Over 90% of patients with painful menstruation, irregular menstrual cycles, and heavy periods returned to normal.”  (pg. 238)
  •  “Dr. Barnes and other physicians blame a significant portion of obesity on hypothyroidism.”  (pg. 238)
  • Out of 1569 patients treated for an average of five years, the number of heart attacks totaled four.  The number expected typically would be seventy-two.  That means that 90% of predicted heart attacks in his patients were prevented.
There are many, many other symptoms that have responded to proper thyroid treatment, as you will see when you read the book.

The book is not a “page turner,” but it is a wealth of information.  The biggest challenge for most people is to find a doctor who will work with them.  I am fortunate in that my doctor is the one who told me to read the book!

thyroid, health

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