Alzheimer’s may be associated with hypothyroidism according to Mark Starr, MD

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Thursday, November 05, 2009 10:19 am Email this article
Alzheimer's may be associated with hypothyroidism according to Mark Starr, MD, author of the wonderful book Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic.

“Amazingly, all six of these problems [seen in Alzheimer’s] are consistent with hypothyroidism.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

“Whole biochemistry departments and teams of scientists are now devoted to the study of mitochondria.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

“Doctors and scientists rightfully import great significance to the… dysfunction of mitochondria.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

“However, these scientists all continue to overlook the correlation with hypothyroidism.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

Current understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease according to Suzanne De La Monte, MD, recipient of the 2000 Alzheimer Research Medal.

Dr. Starr noted that all of these things Dr. De Le Monte described about Alzheimer’s are also true for hypothyroidism.

“1. Energy metabolism is decreased in the mitochondria.”
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

2. Decreased enzyme formation in the mitochondria.
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

3. Decreased number of mitochondria.
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

4. Affects more women than men.
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

5. The incidence is much higher in nations with a lower early death rate.
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

6. The incidence increases with age.
This also true for hypothyroidism.
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

“Several drugs and chemicals were mentioned to help rescue the aging brain. However, thyroid hormones were not [mentioned].”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 56

“Half of Americans over 85 suffer [from] Alzheimer’s.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 57

“The vast majority of patients in Dr. [Broda] Barnes’ study group [who were hypothyroid and given desiccated thyroid] lived into their 80s and 90s with all their faculties remaining intact.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 57

“The principle way to help these mitochondria regain their function is to stimulate their activity and numbers by taking thyroid hormones.”
– Mark Starr, MD, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 57

Desiccated Thyroid vs Synthetic Thyroid Hormones

Type 2 Hypothyroidism : Blood levels of thyroid hormone and TSH are normal

Dr. Starr also notes that that desiccated thyroid (Armour) is much more effective than synthetic thyroid hormones.

Here is what he wrote on page 164.

“A recent book by Sanford Siegal, DO, MD, entitled “Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat” lends additional credence to the thyroid epidemic.”

“Dr. Siegal specialized in weight loss.”

“He… asked if I would be… on his referral list… because I was one of only several hundred doctors who prescribed the medication.”

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

“Dr. Zondek also reported the superior efficacy of desiccated thyroid over synthetic thyroid hormone in the treatment of the ‘obese form’ of hypothyroidism in his 1926 textbook, Diseases of the Endocrine Glands.”

“He had not changed his opinion by the time the forth edition was published in 1944.”

——————————————

 

Type 1 vs Type 2 Hypothyroidism

Type 2 Hypothyroidism : Blood levels of thyroid hormone and TSH are normal

Type 2 hypothyroidism is different than Type 1 hypothyroidism, which is what most people are referring to when they say hypothyroidism.

With Type 2 hypothyroidism, blood levels of thyroid hormone and TSH are normal, however the body is resistant to it.

This is similar to the difference between Type 1 diabetes where the body fails to make enough insulin, and Type 2 diabetes, where the body makes enough insulin, but the body is resistant to it.

 

Blood Tests Do Not Detect Type 2 Hypothyroidism

Type 2 Hypothyroidism Cannot Be Detected with a Blood Test

With Type 2 hypothyroidism, because blood levels of thyroid hormone and TSH are normal, it is cannot be detected by a standard blood test for thyroid function.

“My research shows that many chronic illnesses including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, mental illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease, and the explosion of childhood illnesses are largely attributable to Type 2 hypothyroidism,” writes Dr. Starr.

“Type 1 Hypothyroidism is defined as failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient amounts of necessary to maintain normal blood levels of those hormones and normal blood levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).”

“Type 2 Hypothyroidism is defined as [a] resistance to thyroid hormones at the cellular level.”

“[In Type 2 hypothyroidism,] Normal amounts of thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are detected by the blood tests therefore, blood tests do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism.”

 

Quotes

Quotes about Dr. Starrs book

“I believe everyone needs to review Mark Starrs book.

“He has a vital message to share about the many people who do not realize they have low thyroid, because standard thyroid tests do not show it.

“Mark Starrs dedication to research, and his devoted study with the old masters, have made him an international expert on thyroid and iodine.”

—Dr. Garry Gordon, Co-Founder of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM)

“This is an astonishing book revealing the cause and successful treatment for obesity, heart attacks, depression, diabetes, strokes, headaches, chronic fatigue and many more. His in-depth research and discussion of how environmental toxins can interfere with thyroid hormones is groundbreaking and enlightening for us all.”

—Robban Sica, MD

“This is the most significant compilation of medical research ever published in the area of hypothyroidism.

“Over a century of irrefutable scientific evidence is presented in a concise and readable format for laypeople and doctors alike.”
—Mark Starr, MD writing about his own book

 

Contact Information

Dr. Starr’s Contact Information

Here is contact information for Dr. Starr.

Mark Starr, MD
21st Century Pain & Sports Medicine
10565 N. Tatum Blvd Suite B-115
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 607-6503
(480) 607-6533 fax
http://21centurymed.com
http://type2hypothyroidism.com

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Alzhemier's Disease

• Hypothyroidism, including Type 2 Hypothyroidism

• Mark Starr, MD

• Thyroid Function

• Thyroid supplement

• YouTube videos