With great sorrow, I want to announce that Dr. William D. Trumbower of Missouri, who contributed the chapter Nutrition and Hypothyroidism in the Stop the Thyroid Madness II book, has recently passed away.
I adored Dr. Trumbower. He had great humility. When I asked him to be in the book, he stated that he “agonized over it as I am not in the same category as the other authors”. Posh!! I knew that was totally wrong. He was smart, open-minded, insightful and fabulous.
What I loved about his chapter is his take on the effects of either inflammation, malnutrition or toxicity on one’s hypothyroid state. He talked about the gut and the problem one can have from gluten, besides all the problems we can encounter from refined sugars and industrial-processes oils–all which he explained can cause more inflammation.
In one section of his chapter, he discussed the problems on our thyroid and health in general due to toxicity from halogens, heavy metals and xenoestrogens. I kept thinking about that when I discovered myself with high copper and lead last year, as well as high barium!! He was also keenly aware of the importance of knowing if one has the MTHFR mutation, which in itself can cause high heavy metals.
Dr. Trumbower believed that “almost all hypothyroidism begins as a nutritional disorder”. Patients haven’t always found that to be true for them if genetics are involved, but we agree that a high body of us could fall in that nutritional problem category!! So what a perfect chapter subject for him to focus on.
But here’s what I have NEVER forgotten about Trumbower: He followed his own advice about nutrition and stated that his “thyroid dose dropped from 150 mg of desiccated thyroid to 30 mg daily”. That has always blown me away. His experience underscored how important it is for all of us to know our nutritional status and treat it! I definitely do. I had found myself to be low in B-vitamins, l-carnitine and CoQ10 and definitely treat those. I also tend to fall too low in magnesium, so that’s an important nutrient for me to supplement. Dr. Trum certainly underscored it.
After the STTM II book came out, he explained to me in his own humorous way how it had changed his professional life. He stated: “I now have credibility instead of being an old outlying radical doc.” Don’t you love it?? Now you know why I found him to be so endearing. And one way he blessed me in return is in stating that even he used the revised STTM book to guide his own thyroid journey! You make this girl proud.
In 2015, Dr. Trumbower and his daughter Elisabeth created a fully integrated clinic that combined aesthetics, wellness and bioidentical hormone therapies, called Pela Cura Anti-Aging & Wellness. What a blessing that must have been to worked with his own beloved daughter!
I have included his bio from the book below, just for you to know more about him and what a wonderful person and doctor he was!
Rest in Peace, Dr. Trumbower. Your chapter in the STTM II book will forever inspire thyroid patients, just as your presence and open-mindedness in the lives of so many of your patients have done the same.
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I, William D. Trumbower MD, am a 69-year-old OB/GYN (no longer doing obstetrics or surgery), practicing in the, medium size, college town of Columbia, Missouri. I am blessed in my practice, as my eleven partners do not require me to take call any more. I am able to spend my time, in my office, performing annual exams on many people I have known for well over 30 years, as well as being able to concentrate on bioidentical hormones, thyroid, chronic fatigue and other areas that no one seems to be very interested in, probably because they are not extremely profitable.
I did not mean to be an alternative thyroid hormone physician. Nothing in my training would have given me any hint that this was to be my destiny. During my residency, I was obsessed with surgery, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical anesthesia. I was fortunate enough to to stay on the teaching faculty, at the University of Missouri — Columbia, for three years, as an assistant professor. I left the University of Missouri and entered private practice, in 1979.
I suppose I can trace much of my interest in alternative thinking to my parents, who were both extremely bright and well-read individuals. My father, who had been a captain, in World War I, was the product of a classic East coast education and seemed to know everything about everything. My mother was a registered nurse and she was the one who directed me into medicine, by forcing me to get a job, in the summer of my high school graduation, in 1963, as an orderly, at the University of Missouri Teaching Hospital, in Columbia, Missouri. When I think back to my youth, one of the turning points, at the age of 15, was reading Immanuel Velikovsky’s book’s Worlds in Collision and Earth in Upheaval. I realized, after reading these books the important issue for me was not whether Dr. Velikovsky was right or wrong about his theories (I believe he was right, about most things), but how the scientific establishment dealt with someone who dared to question consensus views. This attitude of not accepting what everyone assumes is the truth has stuck with me for the rest of my life.
Another turning point, for me, and my career, occurred early in my private practice, in the 1980s, when I was confronted with patients with cyclic mood problems, which my training had not prepared me to deal with, at all. The only thing that I could think of, for people like this, was hysterectomy and putting them on Premarin. One of my patients directed me to the works of Dr. Katharina Dalton, in London, England. When I tried some of her techniques of supplemental natural progesterone, I was astonished to find that it worked remarkably well. As a result, my family and I took a trip to London, where I spent a week with Dr. Dalton learning her techniques. When I returned home, full of enthusiasm to share my new knowledge, I was shocked to find that most of my colleagues were very negative and wanted nothing to do with this information. It literally drew a line in the sand, with me on one side and most of my colleagues on the other. However, when I looked around, most of the patients were on my side of the line.
Because of my age, I did some of my training in the days before Synthroid dominated the market and natural products, such as Armour, were still in wide use. My mother was hypothyroid and I watched as her new doctors switched her to modern medicines, leaving her with a continued weight problem and fatigue. Because of this, I was open-minded enough to prescribe Armour, if patients requested it, but I really did not know much about it until I met another physician from Columbia, Missouri, Dr. Mark Starr. Mark was from Columbia and moved back here to start a practice. He is the author of the book Hypothyroidism Type 2. I realized that he had a lot to offer my patients and so I began to communicate with him. He is the one who directed me toward the work of Dr. Broda Barnes and opened my mind about thyroid. Since then, I have continued to read and study, extensively, about thyroid. My education was enhanced when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in the last decade.
Interestingly enough, one of my patients had brought me one of the first editions of Stop the Thyroid Madness, prior to my diagnosis. I actually used many of the techniques and suggestions, in the book, to guide me through my own hypothyroid treatments, including a trial of Synthroid, finding elevated reverse T3, having to use T3 only and, finally, settling on desiccated thyroid, which I have been on since that time.
When Janie Bowthorpe called me to ask me to write a chapter, for her new book, I was dumbfounded to find that anyone knew who I was. I was likewise astonished at the other authors in the new book, many of whom are people whose works I regularly read. My hope is that this chapter will provide a small overview of my view on thyroid disease and the general approaches that I take with it. I will end by saying that the most powerful tool that anyone has to control their health destiny is what they eat every day
** Dr. Trumbower’s obituary http://www.columbiatribune.com/obituaries/bill-trumbower/article_60ba8e47-c38f-5f03-ad9a-a87978dfa9ef.html
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26 Responses to “In Loving Memory of Dr. William Trumbower, a Contributor to the STTM II book”
Michellle
I just learned of Dr Trum’s passing 2 days ago. I feel like I have lost family. Back in 1993 I had been having problems since the birth of my twins in 87 & after seeing many doctors nobody could find the problem. I was told to see Dr Trum after numerous exploratory sugeries. He asked me what I thought was wrong & said well let’s go have a look. He found the problem & I’ve been with him ever since. He delivered my 2 nephews & granddaughter. I trusted him totally. He was the nicest most caring doctor and man that I just can’t believe I will not see that smile or hear that gentle voice again. RIP Trum I miss you dearly!!!
CATHY
I’m so sorry to hear this, I did not know Dr. Trumbower, but read what he published in Stop the thyroid Madness.
Janie Bowthorpe
He was a sweet and kind man whose story also underscores that with the right diet and more, one might be able to lower your thyroid meds. I’m honored he was in this book. This is the book he contributed to, everyone: http://laughinggrapepublishing.com/stop-thyroid-madness-ii-book/
Kathy Gall
I am deeply saddened beyond words at the passing of Dr. T. He was an amazing doctor, friend, and person. My sincerest condolences and love go out to his family who shared him with so many. Through the years, he guided and ignited within me the desire to always learn more and take charge of my own health and wellness. I will miss him as so many others will. I thank him for introducing me to gentic snps and encouraging me to attend Dr. Ben’s conference in Seattle. I’ve never had a doctor ask me to tell them everything I learned, but Dr. T asked when I returned. I thank him for explaining all those concepts I didn’t quite get and drawing me diagrams that turned complex science into simple explanations. He was so much more than my doctor. He was my mentor and friend. I always left appointments with a list of books to read and studies to look up. He was compassionate, understanding, and always answered my unending questions. He thought outside the box and unlike other physicians I’ve had the displeasure of seeing and ultimately firing, he never made me feel defeated, stupid, or unworthy of his time. I have been blessed to have been his patient. I will eternally miss him.
Kate walker
I adore Dr.Trumbower
Saved my life for close to 40 years
Love to his family
I miss him
RIP
Julie Cook
I went to see Dr. T because I needed a second opinion about needing a hysterectomy due to having the BTCA gene. He gave me the advice that helped me make my decision but more importantly I was uninsured and Dr. T said ” no charge and now you and your husband go outside to the parking lot and take one another’s hand and pray and ask God what you should do” I’ve never known a doctor to be so generous and so real! RIP Dr. T and prayers to Elisabeth and all of his friends and family.
Julie Cook
I went to see Dr. T because I needed a second opinion about needing a hysterectomy due to having the BRCA gene. He gave me the advice that helped me make my decision but more importantly I was uninsured and Dr. T said ” no charge and now you and your husband go outside to the parking lot and take one another’s hand and pray and ask God what you should do” I’ve never known a doctor to be so generous and so real! RIP Dr. T and prayers to Elisabeth and all of his friends and family.
Vicky E.
I will miss Dr. Trumbower so much! I had been fired by my local Endo because I very kindly insisted that she treat me with NDT according to STTM protocol. She would have no part in prescribing NDT, and at the end of that appointment she fired me. She actually did me a favor. I found “Dr. T” on Facebook and sent him a private message asking if he would take me on as a patient. He messaged back just a few minutes later (I wasn’t expecting such a quick response, if any at all; it was a longshot) and he told me he would love to be my doctor and to call the office in the morning. He saved my life and my marriage! For those of you who have been on synthetic and then switched to NDT you will understand that statement. My mood swings were so horrible on synthetic that it was a miracle that my husband didn’t walk out. I didn’t mind driving 200 miles across the state of Missouri to see Dr. T because I knew I was in great hands! I will miss him terribly and hope to find another loving, caring thyroid doc who can help me the way Dr. T did. I will miss those 2-hour appointments where he listened to everything I had to say and I listened to everything he had to say. I could go on and on, but I’ll just say that I will always cherish his smile and soft voice and remember all of the advise that he has given me. God bless his family, colleagues, friends, and especially his thyroid patients as we set out on a journey to replace Dr. T (though we know he can never truly be replaced).
Janie Bowthorpe
That is a very touching testimony, Vicky. Would you mind if I use it as a STTM Facebook post??
Elisabeth Trumbower
I hope you will, Janie. My father was such a special breed, he was one of a kind. I miss him more than any words can express.
Erin Hammerstone
Dr. Trumbower saved my life. He was great! He’s the one who told me about STTM.com, which I’ve used a million times on my journey of hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue and MTHFR issues. When he moved to Pela Cura I was able to bring my 7 year old son to see him to help me learn what to watch for and how I could ensure my son was getting what he needed in today’s toxic world. I’m so sad he’s gone, but feel so blessed to have found him. He saved so many people when all the othe Dr.’s were trying to pass out meds like candy. RIP Dr. T!!â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Ina
Dr. Trumbower …..Thank you for the endless hours of dedication you poured not only into your life, but also into the lives of others. Your legacy will proudly remain in the hearts of your followers forever.
May your family and loved ones celebrate your life with God’s strength, courage, compassion and love.
Rest in peace.
Marilyn
Sorry to hear this. He gave such good information to so many people with his publishing’s in The Stop The Thyroid Madness book II. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Marci Barrett
So sorry to hear of your loss. The work & alternative thinking by Dr. Trumbower is a bookmark in history creating a movement away from the mundane practice of taking care of thyroid patients. A rebirth. What a tremendous contribution.
Elaine
This saddens me greatly, as there are simply too few GOOD Dr’s for those of us suffering from Hypothyroidism, the massive amount of Thyroid patients in the world NEED good Dr’s and we are sadly kept sick, because the majority are terrible Dr’s, going by TSH alone and doling out Synthroid and antidepressants…. The world has lost another gem of a Dr, and we are so saddened by this….
Nancy Williams
Dr. Trumbower completely changed my thinking about my diet as it affects my thyroid. He cared enough to do the blood work to find out about not only my thyroid, but other vitamin deficiencies that were affecting my day-to-day living. I’m so sad to hear of his passing. He has changed my life. Praying for strength and comfort for his family.
Ghislaine van Erp
So sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Trumbower. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. I wish them strength dealing with this loss.
Jayne Morley
Sending love, light, and wellness to family and friends. I am forever grateful for the generous sharing of nutritional information. I too was able to reduce my thyroid medication dosage after learning to eat the best of foods. May your beloved one be at peace, and may you find solace in knowing how many of us were helped by this kind mans intelligence.
Cheryl Bardwell
I loved Dr Trumbower! He got me through a high risk pregnancy with lupus and I got my miracle baby 6 weeks early but I got him. He was the only one I found who would help me. I am very sad to hear of his passing. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Sending prayers to his family.
A.C.
My prayers are with his family. Thank you Dr. Trum for the time and energy you put into helping people with thyroid issues. You will always be remembered.
Ruth Anderson
Prayers and sympathy to Dr. Trumbower’s family. It is not easy to say good by, especially to a loved one. We, as patients, mourn our loss of a physician who cared, treated our illness with compassion, and suffered the ravages of our thyroid disease along side us. He supported us, calmed our fears, and gave us courage when other medical personnel dismissed us. God bless him and his family.
Heather
So very sorry to hear of Dr. Trumbower’s passing. I saw him last month, and he was wonderful. Many thoughts and prayers to his family.
Kay Hehir
Rest easy now dear man, thank you for your insightful learnings and intuitive teachings. There will forever be many that are grateful for your presence this side of the veil… Vale
Pat Davenport
Prayers and comfort to you and your family! Please know that Dr Thrombower was influencial in the saving lives of those suffering from hypothyroidism. I was one that went from sleeping all day to a normal life. I thank him!
One of Trum's many patients
He was a kind and brilliant doctor who treated his patients like intelligent, valuable human beings with the potential to heal.
Of course, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
I was so proud and honored to have known him.
Like so many, I will miss him greatly.
Valerie Mackenzie
So sorry to hear this sad news. Loving thoughts are being sent to his friends and family. His contribution has helped so many people all over the world