Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic
by Mark Starr M.D.
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Book Reviews of Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic
Book Review: Helpful and Very Interesting, but "Buyer Beware"
Summary: 3 Stars
I am currently reading quite a few books on the subject of Hypothyroidism, after learning that I have a strong family history of it. Everytime I go to the doctor and complain of fatigue and weakness, they say, "let's check your thyroid" and all the blood work always comes back normal. This book is a real eye opener, and is full of seemingly useful information. Mr. Starr refers to alot of research done previously by Broda
Barnes, (whom I've read about) and also sites research by Dr.Zondek, Dr. Sonkin, and Doctors Hertoghe (4 generations of them.)As you read this book, you get really excited that FINALLY, someone has found 'the cure to what ails you.'
On the other hand, this book was 'self-published' by Dr. Mark Starr himself. The editing credits are given to a patient of his, who happens to be a dentist whom Dr. Starr treated. The book is also full of old black and white photographs, which appear to be patients from around the turn of the 20th century and a bit later. He lists the sources of these photographs underneath them, citing various Doctors, Atlas' and such. Many of them show 'before' and 'after' treatment photos......however, in his dedication page, Dr. Starr thanks many people, and ends with someone by the name of Gary Kaczmarek because he "enhanced many of the photographs."
Book Review: review of "Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic"
Summary: 3 Stars
As anyone knows who has used endocrinologists, it is totally frustrating to be treated by a doctor who treats lab tests, rather than symptoms. Mark Starr is a doctor who treats symptoms, and who is willing to use thyroid-suppressive therapies to get rid of all symptoms, so this puts him ahead of the pack. His description of thyroid resistance and its genetic under-pinnings is really helpful.
However, I rate this book only 3 stars. I do this because Starr's account is incomplete. He completely fails to acknowledge the existence of rT3 (reverse T3, or DT3, the mirror image of LT3, which is the desirable left-hand form) and the use of the FT3/rT3 ratio as a diagnostic measure. As a survivor of celiac disease who understands how the deranged biochemistry of Celiac-Sprue can force the body into making excess rT3, I know why it is important for some patients to have combination T3+T4 therapy, or even T3-only therapy, which Starr does not do. I have closely followed the thought of John C. Lowe DC on the benefits of T3 therapy, as well as the thought of alternative practitioners like Kent Holtorf MD, who frequently uses time-release T3 on his patients. Starr appears to be unaware of the trends in treatment initiated by practitioners such as Lowe and Holtorf.
Book Review: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Summary: 5 Stars
Dr Starr has brought the research that defined the treatment for hypothyroid disease to light in this decade. Sometimes when a book about an illness is old people tend to believe that it is not longer relevant in this day and age; this is not true for the treatment of Thyroid Disease. Healthcare has become a profitable business. After all why would a doctor want to use a thermometer to diagnose when they can send you to a lab and make some money (usually hundreds of dollars). The research done to determine lab test ranges have been flawed forever. That's why standard levels of TSH to determine thyroid disease keep changing. I can remember when it was 6, then 5, then 3 and now 2; now some doctors use .2 Duh! Doesn't that tell you something. Thank you Dr Starr for bringing this information to light so people can use their common sense and choose doctors who are also enlightened. After all, not all doctors are looking out for "your" best interest. This book will give you an understanding of the original research done to determine the best treatment for thyroid disease. It is easy to read and if you are suffering with Thyroid Disease you will not be able to put it down.Book Review: Great place to start - from a former patient
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a great place to start for those who are being treated with conventional thyroid medication and are STILL having symptoms or for those who think they are having thyroid issues. Dr. Starr lays a great foundation on the history of thyroid research and treatment and carefully explains how the thyroid works and why so many people are experiencing thyroid issues today. As a former patient, Dr. Starr truly cares about his patients and goes the extra mile to treat them. He has many years of experience and has trained with some of the best in the field of thyroid research. He has since moved his practice from the Atlanta area to AZ, so if you live in the west, he would be a great doctor to see.
Once you have read his book, or if you KNOW you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, I would highly suggest reading another book, "Why Do I STILL Have Thyroid Symptoms", by Dr. Daris Kkharrazian. He will go into more detain about the autoimmune form of hypothyroidism and how to treat it. Good luck! This is a VERY difficult disease to treat and even more difficult to find a competent physician to treat it!
Book Review: Hypothyroidism Type II
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent resource and explanation for those who suspect that they may have thyroid issues and for doctors who may be beginning to see that the standard treatment of their thyroid patients is just not adequate. It explains why the TSH is not a good diagnostic test and describes a condition of subclinical hypothyroidism, dubbed Hypothyroidism Type II, which I have suffered from my entire life. Many people are not being diagnosed early enough and receiving proper treatment for hypothyroidism because of the slow response in the medical community and the widespead disbelief among many health care providers, including endocrinologists and primary care doctors. People with untreated hypothyroidism are at greater risk for many diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Dr. Starr's book should be read by every medical professional who diagnoses thyroid disease and by anyone with classical symptoms of hypothyroidism who wants to take the initiative in their own health that the medical community has not.