Hypothyroidism reduces the number and activity of mitochondria, the energy-producing cells, notes Mark Starr, MD, author of the wonderful book Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic.

Mitochondria make up one-third of the weight of the heart muscle, Dr. Starr notes in this short audio clip from a speech he gave in 2007 at an Orthomolecular Conference.

This appears to the connection as to how hypothyroidism can cause some forms of congestive heart failure where the heart muscle is too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body (cardiomyopathy). It's an energy problem.

Dr. Starr's book contains the wonderful "Before" and "After" pictures showing X-rays of enlarge hearts that shrink back to normal size after the patient is given natural desiccated thyroid.

A decrease in mitochondria also appears to be the connection of hypothyroidism to Alzheimer's, which Dr. Starr noted in another audio clip. Again, it's an energy problem. Read the entire article | Email this article

The number of patients reporting constipation fell 40% when they were taking Synthroid (T4 thyroid hormone) to 14% when they were switched to natural desiccated thyroid notes Mark Starr, MD in his wonderful book Mark Starr, MD talks about this in his wonderful book, Hypothyroidism, Type 2: The Epidemic. Read the entire article | Email this article