Menu

At the end of my rope . . . please help!

by moomoo
(detroit, mi)

Hi, I'm 37 years old and moved from the UK to the USA 9 years ago. When I arrived in the USA I weighed 120 lbs. Three pregnancies later I weigh 250 lbs. I have been told I have insulin resistance and estrogen dominance but no amount of Metformin drug or insulin resistance diet (which I strictly adhere to) or DIM has helped me lose weight. I am constantly tired and have the most horrendous mood swings every month. I'm 5'1" and I am utterly unrecognizable. When I was last home in the UK a few months ago I cannot tell you how many friends and family walked by me because they just did not recognize me. A soul destroying experience. I've had my vit. d tested and am low and was told my a naturopath to take 50,000 IU every other day along with vit. K. Even this high amount has done nothing for me. I also take, pregnenolone, pantethine, magnesium, vit. c, estro cleanse, a cruciferous veg. supplement and fish oil and the only difference I have noticed from taking this for 6 months is that I sleep better (no longer in flight or fight mode), I rise better in the morning and my eyes although still sensitive to light have improved quite a bit (I no longer have to wear sunglasses in the house). But still horrendous mood swings every month and a level of obesity I can scarce comprehend for someone who eats low inflammatory foods, always links and balances a carb with a protein and adheres rigidly to 1200 calories a day. I also exercise three times a week but my belly is so big I can hardly bend down to put my socks on. I hope and pray there is a simple answer and that it is progesterone. Do you have any advice? Thank you so very much for your time.

Comments for At the end of my rope . . . please help!

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 12, 2013
 thyroid & low progesterone
by: Julie

Hi!
Progesterone will help you without a doubt!! I know Wray will be a long but she suggests 100-200mg a day to start. More is needed in severe cases. I also wonder about your thyroid function. Iodine is a must for the thyroid. Anywhere from 12.5 to 50 mg a day and even more is needed in severe cases. I use a brand called Terry Naturally Thyroid Care. Lugol's Iodine is also good. Try to google Thyroid and iodine for more info. Also seems like an adrenal support supplement could be helpful.

Hope that helps!
Mar 15, 2013
 At the end of my rope . . . please help!
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo This weight gain at each pregnancy occurred with a friend of mine. It's caused by a severe imbalance of hormones, excess oestrogen and lack of progesterone. Oestrogen destabilises blood glucose, see here. The metformin has done nothing for her too, thankfully she is slowly weaning off it. A lack of vitamin D causes Insulin Resistance so too does excess testosterone and orstrogen. Progesterone does suppress both these, plus stopping the severe mood swings too. If bound to SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) testosterone becomes inactive, progesterone raises levels of SHBG, see here, so preventing the rise of free testosterone and severe PMS. SHBG drops if sugars are eaten, even those found in all grains, legumes, processed milk and sweet starchy fruits and vegetables. Fructose, sucrose and glucose, reduce SHBG by 80, 50 and 40% respectively, see here. Thereby allowing testosterone to rise. It's best to avoid all the foods and sugars mentioned. Wine and beers contain carbs, so it's best to avoid those too. Plus alcohol affects hormone levels in women, see here and here. It decreases progesterone levels and increases androgen levels, both the total testosterone and free testosterone become higher. Testosterone is notorious at increasing visceral fat, which causes abdominal fat gain, see here and here. The lowered progesterone, higher testosterone probably accounts for the increased risk in breast cancer risk among women, see here and here. Higher testosterone is also associated with an increased risk for Insulin Resistance and heart disease, see here. Continued below
Mar 15, 2013
 At the end of my rope . . . please help! Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Sugars and large meals also drop progesterone levels, see here. Plus insulin drops levels too, see here. This means SHBG also drops, testosterone rises, another vicious cycle. You would probably need about 400mg/day, possibly more. You are taking a very good amount of vitamin D, and I'm pleased he's added the magnesium and vitamin K too. How long have you been taking it, is it also 6 months? Please have a vitamin D test done, as it could be your level is either too high or too low. A compromised gut prevents it being absorbed. It does take time to help, which it does, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. It's evident your adrenals are very stressed, having eyes sensitive to bright light is one symptom. Dr Wilson has a good website on Adrenal Fatigue, please take a look at it. I wouldn't bother with the pregnenolone, it does convert to progesterone, but also to DHEA, which always follows the androgen conversion route, you don't need more of those. You are in a desperate state, which needs desperate measures, I suggest you follow the ketogenic diet. It's a difficult one for anyone to follow, but there's no question it works to reduce Inflammation, which you have, it stops epileptic seizures, cancer and more. It varies between the very strict 4:1 ratio, down to a 1:1. This means 80% of the diet comprises fat, 10% protein and 10% carbs, but only the green leafy carbs. Or 80 grams fat, 10 grams protein and 10 grams carbs. Or down to 50% fat, 30-40% protein and 10-20% carbs. The less carbs the better. Continued below
Mar 15, 2013
 At the end of my rope . . . please help! Part 3
by: Wray

The body can use ketones for energy, in fact the brain prefers them. The fats comprise only the good ones, MCT oil, coconut oil, butter, olive oil and macadamia oil. The first three are saturated fats, the second two mono-unsaturated fats. Avoid at all cost any trans fats, margarine and the poly-unsaturated fats. The best fat of all is the MCT oil. It's extracted from coconut oil, it forms ketones more efficiently than all the others. It does not travel round the body in the lymph like other fats, but goes straight to the liver. It never gets deposited in fat cells. The best manufacturer is Sternchemie in Germany, who have an Ecocert certificate. I don't know the importers in the States, see MCT oil. It's very safe as you can imagine, being given to infants with epilepsy and cancer. See these papers on weight loss, here and here. It's a powerful anti-fungal agent too. This is the best and clearest info on the KD I've found, although it is a 1:1 ratio, which will help you, but slower than the other ratios, see Basic Ketogenic Diet. If you want to do the 4:1 ratio, Stanford University have a meal planner. I must add here that this is usually done with hospital supervision. It's very restrictive and very difficult to adhere to, and the ratios are gradually increased to the 4:1, never start off on this ratio. Once you're down to your desired weight, you can gradually increase the protein and carbs, but always stick to the green leafy ones. Never the sweet, starchy carbs until you are stable, you might find you don't need them at all. We do have a page on Nutrition which gives a variety of good diets to follow afterwards. I tend to follow the Paleo Diet. Take care Wray
Mar 28, 2013
 THANKS JULIA
by: moomoo

Thanks so much for your comments Julia, I have added Iodoral to my daily supplements. It does seem to give me a little energy. I'm hoping the will slowly increase. I really appreciate you taking the time to help. Thanks Julia.
Mar 28, 2013
 THANK YOU WRAY!
by: moomoo

Wray, thank you so much for taking the time out of your no doubt super busy day to give me such a detailed answer. It was very much appreciated. As Julia suggested I did add an Iodine supplement to my diet, specifically Iodoral. I noticed that it did help with a little (slight) more energy but when the jekyll-hyde-hormone-change came the Iodoral did nothing. I am hopeful after evil jekyll-hyde-hormone-change-post-period ends the tiny energy increase will continue. I started the Ketogenic Diet, which on paper look horrendous but it's actually not that bad at all because all the food is so rich and so nice. No problems sticking to the diet and the ketostix help keep morale up because once I went into the pink (fat burning) I have not come out of it. That was a week ago. My Estrogen dominance symptoms are so SEVERE I have been using 1/3 of a container of NatPro per day and more just arrived and about to order even more. Wray, if anything I feel like the NatPro has made me gain 15lbs in a WEEK and my anger/rage/anxiety/depression/stress seems to be a 100 times worse since I started using it. How can I have gained this much water weight?? when I am on a strict ketogenic diet? I'm supposed to be losing water weight and rapidly before I even switch to fat burning. Please help Wray? Am I so far gone that I need a tube of natpro a day? It did delay my period for a few days ( a truly horrible few days) but eventually it came thick and heavy with fleshy looking bits in it. I'm so sorry to be so crass but I am at my wits end. Please help. Thank you so much, moomoo
Mar 28, 2013
 GRRR.....GRRR......(but not really)
by: moomoo

GRRR.....GRRR......(but not really)Just went to order some more Natpro - NONE LEFT! That's a great advertisement! =D
Mar 29, 2013
 THANK YOU WRAY!
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Pleased Julia's suggestion of the iodine helped you, it would affect the thyroid, but unfortunately not the hormone imbalance you have. I had hoped using a high amount of progesterone you would have been spared the Oestrogen Dominance, but it seems not. Evidently you have a huge amount of oestrogen circulating. Our fat cells secrete it, but as oestrogen stimulates fat cells to increase, a vicious cycle starts. I've found the higher the oestrogen the worse the symptoms, and therefore large amounts of progesterone are needed. You might take encouragement from these comments here, here and here. I know you're taking a very big dose, but have you had another vitamin D test done yet? It's so essential to get that up high, please do so if you haven't. It might be you need to go higher, i.e. 50,000iu every day. Fat cells sequester vitamin D. If vitamin D is too low, it can result in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system kicking in. This paper here came in today. This causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water, aldosterone also causes oedema. Progesterone occupies the aldosterone receptor sites, so reducing the oedema. So one of the first oestrogen dominance symptoms when starting progesterone can be water retention, but progesterone is an excellent diuretic. Amounts over 1200mg/day are given via IV transfusion to Traumatic Brain Injury victims to reduce or prevent any oedema that might occur due to the injury. I can only ask you to persevere with it, the beginning stages are always so difficult. Oestrogen causes oedema, so constipation can be a problem, as water is removed from the gut. If this does bother you, please increase the MCT oil, as this has a laxative affects. Oestrogen also destroys b-endorphin neurons in the brain, and endorphins are essential to our well being, calming and relaxing us, see here. Continued below
Mar 29, 2013
 THANK YOU WRAY! Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Oestrogen stimulates glutamate, our most excitatory neurotransmitter, which worsens emotional problems, see here. Whereas progesterone protects against glutamate toxicity, it also increases BDNF (brain-derived neuroptrophic factor) in itself protective, see here and here. If glutamate is too high, it allows calcium, an excitatory mineral, to enter the cells. Progesterone also protects against calcium induced excitotoxicity, see here. Oestrogen increases free radicals too. So your body is currently very inflamed, please consider taking high doses of all the potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, there's more info on our Inflammation page. I did give you our IR page too, which can only be reversed by taking large amounts of antioxidants. I'm very pleased you've started the Keto Diet, I'm sure that's the answer for you. As it begins to burn fat stores, you'll find the weight dropping. Another woman I'm helping has started it, and lost 7 lbs in 7 days, she's now lost 9 lbs. Try to incorporate as much MCT oil into the day as you can, it creates ketones more efficiently than other fats. It's the only oil that goes straight to the liver and thence to the cells, which can use it to create energy. I'm so pleased you got some ketostix, as that does help so much to keep on track. Unfortunately the Keto Diet won't have much affect against oestrogen and the odema, I've only found progesterone can help there. It's evident the progesterone is working, as your graphic description of your period fits! Oestrogen builds up the uterine lining, which can thicken over time resulting in hyperplasia. Often women are given a D&C to clean it out, progesterone does this safely and effectively. The clots etc are old blood, so although to appears to be radical, it is in fact a good thing. For your 'anger/rage/anxiety/depression/stress' please look through these pages we have on Aggression, Anxiety and Stress. I don't know when you'll turn the corner, but I do know you will. Please keep in touch. Take care Wray
Mar 30, 2013
 GRRR.....GRRR......(but not really)
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo I'm so sorry about this, but stocks have been held up by the Easter weekend. Unfortunately they won't be in till it's over, and the fulfilment house is again operating. They also close over the weekend so none would be sent out anyway. Take care Wray
Apr 02, 2013
 Your friend's weight gain?
by: moomoo

Hi, Wray: Thanks so much for all your kind words of encouragement. I'm still lathering the progesterone cream on and hoping as you say to "...turn the corner". Still ploughing away on the ketogenic diet and still in the pink/maroon and in ketosis. It's a bit disheartening that other people lose so much weight so fast and yet I have literally gained 15 lbs in just over a week on the ketogenic diet. Should I increase my progesterone dose even more Wray? I'm getting through a third of a tube today and ready to order more when available. But it does seem the more I use the better and more normal my temperament becomes. You had mentioned your friend had gained a lot of weight during pregnancy - I went from 120lbs to 250 lbs in 9 months and remain there 8 years on (even after lapband surgery 4 years ago because my doctor convinced me I was an over eater which I am not nor do I think I ever was). So the ketogenic diet is not that difficult for me because I do not eat a lot and the mct oil is the best sugar craving killer imaginable. Am I that juiced up with estrogen? Seems that way. But I had wanted to ask about the friend you mentioned gaining a lot of pregnancy weight and the metformin not doing much for her. It did little for me. Did she get better? Did she lose the weight? One can only hope. Thanks for your time Wray. It's very much appreciated. My colours have faded to grey but with your help I seems glimmers of them returning.
Apr 02, 2013
 P.S.
by: moomoo

Have started taking NAC Critical Antioxidant and Glutathione to try and help with mood and anxiety.
Thanks.
Apr 03, 2013
 HERX
by: moomoo

Mercy me! I've had to scale waaaaaaaaaaaay back on the MCT oil as I've been experiencing the most dreadful Herx symptoms. Because I've just worked out what this terrible sickness/anxiety is I'm wondering was it masking any progress I was making with the progesterone? Any thoughts? Also tried to order 10 tubes of Natpro but could only order 1! Thanks Wray. Sorry to be such a pest.
Apr 04, 2013
 Your friend's weight gain?
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo I've not heard of a jump in weight after starting the keto diet, but it could be a last ditch attempt of the body to hang on to the glucose it craves! But my guess it's actually water you've retained, as fat cannot increase so rapidly. Plus if you are increasing the progesterone gradually each time you do it stimulates oestrogen, which would account for the water retention, see here. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic so once you're stable you should begin to see the water being released. Yes you are 'juiced' up with oestrogen! I always find it difficult to answer your question about using more, as cost is always a factor, I will have to leave it to you. It's safety is without question, see here. I am pleased it is at least helping your temperament. Unfortunately most doctors think someone who is over weight is an over eater. It's rarely the case, and if it is, it's because of a serious imbalance in blood glucose and the cravings are impossible to overcome. As I said, oestrogen is often the culprit. I'm so delighted the MCT oil is helping with this aspect, as it supplies the energy needed by the body, particularly the brain. The woman I told you about who has lost so much already had a great problem with cravings. Nothing I suggested helped her, evidently the MCT oil is. I wish I could say my friend has lost the weight, but she hasn't. Initially she did as she went to a doctor who gave her injections which caused her to get back to her former weight. Heaven knows what was in them! But she lost too much weight, he panicked and told her to start adding carbs, and that was that. She never lost it again. She has serious bread cravings, which I have pointed out to her, but her mind is closed to it. She has told me often she doesn't eat much bread, but I've stayed with her and she eats 7-8 slices a day! Plus potatoes and other high starch carb veggies. So her blood glucose is always too high, hence the metformin she was given. He doctor never asking her or even thinking about her diet. I think I'll suggest she adds the MCT oil, as I know she won't do the keto diet. Obesogens are another cause of weight gain. Continued below
Apr 04, 2013
 Your friend's weight gain? part 2
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo These are man made chemicals which alter the way our metabolism functions, see here, here, here and here. The last paper is very long, enter 'obesogens' into control/find to get to the reference to them. A lack of vitamin D causes weight gain too, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Have you had another test yet? I'm delighted you're taking the NAC, it is the rate limiting step in glutathione synthesis, but it's pointless taking glutathione itself. It's a tripeptide, i.e. a protein with only three amino acids, so like all proteins it's broken down in the gut to it's basic amino acids. One of which is NAC, the other two are glycine and glutamine. There's more info on the insulin resistance page I gave you. Taurine is another amino acid which helps greatly with mood and anxiety, see here, here, here and here. Something you've eaten has caused the colour to change, and it could be nothing more than too many green veggies, these do contain carbs. Please let me know how you get on. Take care Wray
Apr 05, 2013
 HERX
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo This is so interesting! And far from being a pest I'm so enjoying your feedback. I must apologise though, as I had no idea you had any fungal or bacterial infection. MCT oil is an excellent anti-fungal and anti-bacterial too. Ironically, but as is often the case, vets are more aware of this aspect of MCT oil than doctors, see here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. The only studies I've found on humans have been on weight loss, see here, here and here. Plus cancer and epilepsy which it's effective for too. Interestingly even plants use fatty acids to protect against fungi, see here. We do have a page on Candida you could look through. It gives a brief description of the Herx reaction and the symptoms that can accompany it. The symptoms could well have masked any benefits you're getting from the progesterone. In view of this I don't think you should increase the amount you're using, until all signs of the Herx reaction have passed. Continued below
Apr 05, 2013
 HERX part 2
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Having said I haven't found studies on humans, I have just found this extraordinary paper here. It says "Caprylic acid is superior to & less expensive than Diflucan, & has potential application for anti-cancer, anti-aging, anti-Alzheimer's disease, anti-Autism, anti-infection, & general circulatory improvement." It seems we should all be taking it! These are a few more I've found here, here and here. I'm sorry about the stock out, we have been beset with them recently. I have just checked and it is in stock now. Please keep in touch. Take care Wray
Apr 08, 2013
 My head is spinning
by: Colleen

Hi MooMoo, First off I applaud you for your efforts, my goodness you have been thru a lot. I understand though. Wray, has been my mentor for over 3 years or more and it has been one heck of a journey. I am now 60 years old and things are finally clicking in my head and body. I am only 5'3" and weighed 226. My problems started when I was going thru menopause and it has been a nightmare to say the least. I have tried and done almost anything there was, I went to two highly trained doctors in NYC who used bio-identical hormones this is the route I wanted to take, nothing work for me I only got worse with my symptoms and weight gain. One evening very late at night I was surfing the internet looking for answers and I came upon the NatPro website, what a blessing and a God sent. I am also Irish and very stubborn and determined too. I starting using the NatPro and I was seeing a difference, but I had other issues. I was diagnosed with RA and also Hypothyroidism and tried all and everything for these two problems. At the moment my doctor has me on Synthyroid, I am not happy about this, but the Armour (natural) did not work nor do I think this is helping either. Besides all of these issues, my weight is what was really getting to me, just kept get bigger and bigger. I am addicted to sugar/carbs, I did not think I could ever give them up. I have been suffering terribly again with my RA the pain has been horrific and I just can't do this anymore and Wray knew it. She suggested the Ketogenic Diet and I thought why not I just could not continue to suffer anymore and it looked so doable to me. I have been on it for less than 3 weeks and I have lost 16 pounds, amazing. I also take 800 mg of magnesium a day, I take high dosage of Vit. D3, and have it checked regularly. And I will never ever be without my NatPro, I take 1/2 tsp. 2x's a day, if I need more I will use it, I am taking the MCT oil. One more thing which I attribute getting better to or feeling better is the PCO formula, I went without it for about 4 weeks and that is when all heck began to start up again, I was eating more sugar/carbs and my RA flared up again. So between the NatPro and the PCO formula and my supplements and now the Ketogenic Diet I feel that I am finally on my way. Believe me it has not been easy, for whatever reason in my head I just could not think that sugar played such havoc with me, but it did, big time. I hear you pain and your struggle, please do not give up and please, please listen to Wray, she knows what she is saying and has such knowledge. God bless and don't ever give up, there is always hope and I care. Take care. Colleen
Apr 09, 2013
 My head is spinning
by: Wray

Hi Colleen Bless you for these encouraging words to Moomoo, it isn't an easy road. I'm concerned about the Herx reaction she had. Having told so many to try the keto diet, I have decided to do it again myself! I did it once over 30 years ago and felt fine on it. But I wasn't using the MCT oil then as I knew nothing about it. I started on Saturday, and I think I also suffered a Herx reaction to the oil. I can't think what else it would be, as I didn't have this reaction before. Why I should still have bugs troubling me I don't know, as I have used the oil for about 5 years now, but not in the quantities I'm using now, about 100ml per day. But my gut has been so sore, was really bad all day Monday! It felt as if there was a war going on in there, probably was! I felt cold too, and my head was feeling very strange. Not so much a headache, as an odd feeling of pressure. By 4pm I couldn't work any longer so took myself of to bed with a hot water bottle. Thought that would help my tummy, but it was too heavy! Three times I rushed to the loo as I felt so nauseous, but nothing came up. I finally fell asleep at 10pm. This morning I'm feeling slightly better, my tummy is still sore, but the pain has gone. I managed to eat breakfast yesterday, but nothing else. And today I'm having a piece of chicken with tomatoes for lunch at 2.30pm, couldn't face the thought of food earlier. I'm so delighted you seem to be on the road to recovery at long last! Take care Wray
Apr 11, 2013
 THANKS COLLEEN!
by: moomoo

Ah me. Thank you so much for your kind words and support Colleen. I wish you lived close by and we could have a pot of tea and right the wrongs of the world. I'm so glad things are working on the ketogenic diet for you. For me? Alas...no. It's fairly soul destroying that it appears to work for so many others. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong? I'll see if Wray has any further advice. Thanks again Colleen, you're an angel.
Apr 11, 2013
 Just not losing ANY weight on Ketogenic . . .
by: moomoo

Wray, how can this be? I've been doing a strict ketogenic diet for a couple of weeks now. Even increasing the ratio of fat to protein and I am heavier now that when I started. Every day I lather on 1/3 of a tube of NatPro. 10 more tubes just arrived yesterday. I've scaled the MCT waaaaaaaaaaaay back but take as much as I can tolerate without Herx symptoms. I'm not even sure how I can be having Herx symptoms because I had anticipated I might Candida (or some other tummy upset) and since Nov. 2012 I have been taking Ultimate Flora Critical 100 billion Probiotic EVERY DAY. So that's everyday for almost 5 months. The Moons (period) had just finished and then The Moons came four days later and have lasted 7 days (and still here) which is way longer than what they usually last. There has been no pain but a tremendous deal of sadness and upset. I had one great half day, two days ago. I really felt like the clouds were parting and I was feeling like my old self. I jumped out of bed, showered, tidied the house, made the dinner, went shopping, did art projects with the kids and was in a great mood. Accomplishing all this was a HUGE deal for me. Not full of rage or remorse and my general woe-is-me attitude which is
practically my normal attitude now but my happy, cheery old self. Then that feeling left and it was back to air hunger and panic and anxiety. But for a few hours I was full of hope and I LOVED it. I'm generally crazy tired these days and I can only assume it's because of the NatPro. But I do sleep very well. Extremely deep sleeps. But still I lather it on several times a day because my mood is generally so awful and I hope that sooner or later the progesterone will be dominant over the estrogen. I'm still pink, mostly dark purple on the ketosis strips and I just shake my head that some people have lost an average of 10lbs+ in the same time I have gained that much since I started the strict ketogenic diet. It's just utterly mind boggling and completely soul destroying. I'm sitting crying as I type this and feeling pitiful and pathetic. I bought a book on amazon called The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life. There's mention of drinking salt water until....well....basically you pee/wee like a race horse. Any advice Wray? Thank you so much for giving me your time. I honestly appreciate it more than I can explain.
Apr 12, 2013
 P.S.
by: moomoo

Just added Taurine. Have you ever heard of Serrapeptase? I heard someone say it was great for anti-inflammation. It's 8:00am in Michigan and thankfully no tantrums and tiaras so far. One can only hope this is a better day. Still Moons though . . .
Apr 12, 2013
 Also . . .
by: moomoo

Perhaps you could answer a quick concern? My Naturopath had put me on licorice drops a while ago but I stopped taking them because I had read licorice interfere's with estrogen so I stopped it immediately. Do you know anything about this Wray?
Have also added Alpha Lipoic Acid, Flax seed oil and krill oil. Thanks Wray.
Apr 14, 2013
 Just not losing ANY weight on Ketogenic . . .
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo There's a huge battle going on, now that you've changed diet and using progesterone. You've set things in motion which will take time to resolve. I feel it might have been too harsh on your body to do both at once, but you sounded so desperate. No one can put on weight that quickly via deposition of fat, you're retaining water. Progesterone is an excellent diuretic as I've said, but with the excess of fat cells all producing oestrogen, you have a large amount of oestrogen to overcome. And this is being stimulated until such time as you can bring it under control. I don't know enough about herbal diuretics, but maybe a health shop could help you. I also don't know if the herbs would help, but it might be worth trying until things settle. You know about the Herx reaction, but I found these two good descriptions here and here. There can be confusion between the Herx reaction and the existing symptoms, plus of course you have oestrogen dominance too. I found a few papers on PubMed in which the researchers found the same thing. One of the symptoms is tiredness. Progesterone can make one tired initially, as with the other symptoms, but it does pass. So is it the progesterone or the Herx reaction, impossible to say. But I would reason both, plus you are suffering from oestrogen dominance symptoms too. You do have Insulin Resistance, this does make one tired, but above all, the initial change over from a glucose to a ketone metabolism causes tiredness. Inflammation is always present when overweight, this is where vitamin D is so essential, see here. This paper found "no effects on obesity complications in obese adults with low baseline plasma 25OHD", see here. But the level of vitamin D, 110nmol/L at the finish of the study, was far too low to come to any conclusion. Specialists are saying a minimum of 125nmol/L is needed, less conservative 175-250nmol/L. Maybe if the study had continued further they might have found a difference. I feel you need to get yours to the 250nmol/L mark. This study did find a difference, if it was combined with a weight loss programme, "Blood 25OHD levels were low in obese women and correlated inversely with severity measures of obesity. Continued below
Apr 14, 2013
 Just not losing ANY weight on Ketogenic Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Weight loss of 10% after low-calorie diet increased 25OHD levels, and this increase was mainly associated with improvement of insulin resistance..... here. And another paper, "These results demonstrate that 1,25(OH)D decreases the production of MCP-1 and other proinflammatory mediators by preadipocytes and reduces monocyte migration. Thus, vitamin D may protect against adipose tissue inflammation by disrupting the deleterious cycle of macrophage recruitment", see here. This paper too, "Accordingly, AT has the capacity to metabolize VD locally, and this can be dynamically altered during obesity and weight loss, see here. These are two more studies here and here. Please have a test done. Although the probiotics are excellent, they don't actually kill the bacteria, and of course don't affect fungi, although they keep them all at lower levels. The MCT oil does kill them both, as you've discovered. This is a good article on salt here. All his articles are excellent in fact. Through all the misery you're going through, you have had one good half day, I'm hoping these will become more frequent. Serapeptase is a protease, an enzyme which breaks down protein. There are claims about it's effectiveness, but no trials done on it. So you would have to go by hearsay if you take it. I place my faith in vitamin D, excellent for inflammation, progesterone is another anti-inflammatory. And then many of the amino acids which we need for healing and repair, are potent anti-inflammatories too. Please look at the list on the IR page, and the inflammation page I've given. You do need to take large amounts of antioxidants, beyond the progesterone. If the bleeding continues, then please consider taking at least 2000mg/day NAC (N-acetyl cysteine, a most potent antioxidant), 2000mg/day taurine (another antioxidant), at least 5000iu/day vitamin D (dependant on levels, another antioxidant) and 1000mg/day bioflavonoids. There's info about the first three on our Menstruation page. The bioflavonoids strengthen capillaries which can become weakened by prolonged bleeding. Continued below
Apr 14, 2013
 Just not losing ANY weight on Ketogenic Part 3
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo These are the papers I have on liquorice, see here, here, here and here. It does reduce testosterone levels, a good thing. As you're taking the krill oil which has high levels of omega 3, I don't think you need the flax too. It is a good oil but we can only convert about 3% into omega 3. Any time you have a question I'll try to help, having set you on this path I feel it's the least I can do for you! Take care Wray
Apr 14, 2013
 Head still spinning
by: Colleen

Hi Wray,

I put my "head spinning" in comment title because it is. After reading your articles and of those you are helping I am awestruck. So many of us are going thru so much and of course you know what I have been thru.

I hope you are feeling better with that Herx reaction, I needed to look that up, wow....

I am still on the diet but I am not 100% on board but doing much better than I was with my old eating habits. I am down 17 pounds now, I am still amazed. You know I too had trouble losing the weight, it was like anything I did I could not lose it, but this is working so far, thank you. I have had my moments still craving sugars/carbs but it passes.

The RA and inflammation is subsiding, I still have a little pain or tenderness but nothing like I was going thru. So with this diet and not eating the sugars, etc. it must be helping.

I am going on Friday for my blood work for the Vit. D levels, since I have increased my dosage I know I need to get it checked, I will let you know how I do.

Take care and many blessings to you.

Hugs,
Colleen
Apr 14, 2013
 Still spinning
by: Colleen

Hi MooMoo,

Thank you for your kind words, you remind me so much of myself and all that you are going thru, I understand completely.

Wray can attest to it all, she has been with me every step of the way, she is my earth angel.

I could not lose weight to safe my soul, I tried the Medifast diet only to lose weight, but I started to lose my hair, it was awful. I did lose 40 pounds only to gain it back, so discouraging. I had to stop due to my hair loss.

I loved how you stated you wish we lived closer, I wish the same. Yes, a nice pot of tea and discussing all that is wrong with this world sounds so delightful.

Just to let you know there is a website called Life Extension, you can have all kinds of blood work done at a minimal fee, without having to wait for the doctor or insurances. I have increase my Vit D levels a lot and know that I need to have it checked regularly. But my doctor will not do it for another 6 months which is to long to wait. So I went onto the web site and order the Vit. D testing it is so simple but they to have a wealth of information.

Please be careful though, I basically just go by what Wray tells me, it's my gut that lets me know that she is right on the money. When I start to go out on my own I tend to get in trouble and the doctors in this area are of the old school and will not listen and I told you I went to those two prominent doctors who are opened minded and are on the up and up but it did not help me. Wray was the one who has helped me and I would be lost without her.

I wish you did not have to suffer so much and I know what that is too, it is terrible. I remember that my legs and tummy had a terrible, terrible rash nothing I did would touch it or get rid of it. Turned out to be fungal and Wray called that one too. I ended up with 3 different skin specialist and the last one was able to help me. I was using the MCT oil on this rash but I was being impatient, I suffer with this for almost a year, so hang in there. We did not get this way over night, it takes time to get back on track.

I am so glad you are seeking help now you are still young. Sometimes it is a process of elimination and take it nice and slow, time is on your side, I know you want to feel better yesterday, again I understand and you will. One day at a time, drink your water, get your rest, continue with the NatPro in my book it is the best.

Love to hear back from you to see how you are doing. Don't give up, remember like a flower sometimes we have to go thru a lot of dirt before we blossom. Take care.

Best,
Colleen
Apr 15, 2013
 Head still spinning
by: Wray

Hi Colleen Ah yes! So many people and I was one too. And yes much better bless you! But I'm still taking the MCT oil, experimenting with it. As Moomoo says, it's amazing at cutting cravings. I've never had those thank heavens, but if I feel hungry I take 2tsp of the oil and the hunger goes, within seconds. So I'm eating very little. Will be interesting to see what happens to me, I hope not a shrivelled prune! So do try it if you have any inclination to eat something sweet. If you do let me know if it helps you. And I'm do delighted the pain is subsiding at last, I thought it would. It was just a question of time, and getting all that sugar out of your system. I've given a few papers on vitamin D and inflammation to Moomoo, you might like to look through them. Glad you're going to get your vitamin D tested again, I must too, long overdue now. Please keep in touch. Take care Wray
May 14, 2013
 Blood Ketone Test
by: moomoo

Hi, Wray! Have been out of touch for a while (and out of sorts) due to an unexpected family death. Trying to get back on track again. So I'm back on the strict ketogenic diet again. But I did read something fascinating on Tom Nuaghton's 'Fat-Head' website about ketosis. I've been on the ketogenic diet for a while with NO, as in ZERO weight loss. The urinalysis strips are ALWAYS purple suggesting I am definitely in ketosis and yet no weight loss. Apparently MCT Oil can be very deceptive when you use the keto strips. They can get you into purple but a lot of times with no weight loss results. On the 'Fat-Head' website (can send you the link if you like) he talks about how he adheres to the ketogenic diet but when he bought a ketone monitor which tests your blood he was shocked to see he was at the low end of nutritional ketosis (the absolute lowest end). I bought a Blood Ketone Monitor and the test strips and tested my blood. The first time I did I was 0.3. SHOCKING! I wasn't even in nutritional ketosis and yet the urinalysis keto stix read dark purple and told me I was absolutely in ketosis. By taking more oil (Extra virgin not MCT) and butter and cream the next day I was 0.5 and within another day I was 0.8. I was at last in nutritional ketosis and then I was struck down with Glandular Fever. Utterly horrendous and that got me off track for a few weeks and then the unexpected family death did not help my mood and motivation at all. I'm back on the ketogenic diet since last Thursday and my ketone level is 0.5, so not in nutritional ketosis yet but close and my glucose level in 73 which is also good. I just wondered if you were familiar with the Blood Ketone Monitor? Also I feel the progesterone cream is working, it is definitely improving my mood and disposition but if I do not lather on the cream night and day and all minutes in between the evil moons (period) returns with a vengeance and then takes another 7 days to go away. What is up with that? I feel like I have had on/off (but mostly on) moons since I started taking the progesterone cream and I just don't like it. It makes me tired and irritable. But like I say there has been definite improvements. Instead of me being in bad form for three weeks it was more like 4/5 days which isn't great during those days but a brilliant improvement on 3 weeks of misery/anxiety/suffering/angst/anger. It seems I need a lot of progesterone cream Wray but it seems everytime I don't take enough (and I take 1/3 tube EVRY DAY) the moons come back and I just can't take much more of this. Everyday is like a crap shoot. Is this a good thing Wray? Is this progress in healing estrogen dominance? I just wish my cycle would return to normal. I am constantly losing eggs? Will this speed up my time until menopause???? Thanks for your time Wray.
May 15, 2013
 a bad day . . .
by: moomoo

Having a very bad day today Wray. I feel almost suicidal. Just bought 10 more tubes of Natpro.
May 21, 2013
 Blood Ketone Test
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo I was thinking of you this past week and wondering how you were getting on. You must have heard me! I wish I had the time to go back and ask everyone how they are, but it's not possible. So sorry about your bad day, I had those too, suicide was always in my mind. There are going to be bad days, I just hope they become fewer and fewer for you as they did for me. Thanks for the link to Tom Naughton's site, I've spent a fascinating afternoon looking through it, right up my street. I'm very interested in your research as I hadn't heard of 'nutritional' ketosis or a blood monitor for it. Your level was low, I gather it should be 0.5 to 3.0, I must get the monitor. I've not heard either of MCT oil being deceptive, do you know the link or reference to this, as none of the studies indicate this, see here, here, here, here, here and here. I need to look into it. So sorry to hear of the glandular fever and the death too, that would have knocked you sideways. At the risk of becoming monotonous, please check your vitamin D levels, any illness or stress will drop levels sharply. I am of course delighted to hear your moods are becoming better, but not to hear the bleeding is still troubling you. I did mention the nutrients you need to stop the bleeding. I know you are taking the NAC, but is it enough? And are you taking the taurine, vitamin D and bioflavonoids? Please consider these if not. I have found if vitamin D is not high enough, progesterone won't work as it should. In fact it seems the vitamin D is vital for it's beneficial affect, see here, here and here. And no you are not constantly loosing eggs with the bleeding. You only loose an egg once ovulation has taken place, and you are not ovulating continually. Continued below
May 21, 2013
 Blood Ketone Test Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Momoo Inflammation is very high in your uterus, the nutrients I mentioned will stop this. Only if this stops will bleeding stop. Oestrogen causes the lining to grow, the MMPs cause it to breakdown. If both are too high, the lining will continue to grow and to shed. Oestrogen stimulates the MMPs, whereas progesterone inhibits both oestrogen and the MMPs, the NAC inhibits the MMPs too. Taurine is always low in dysfunctional uterine bleeding, see here. There's more info on our Menstruation page. Progesterone alone will have an uphill battle to combat the inflammation. Please have a vitamin D test done. And do keep in touch when you can. Take care Wray
May 21, 2013
 New Blood Tests
by: moomoo

Hi, Wray: Thanks as always for your super informed and super prompt responses. I can't imagine how busy you are and it always touches my heart that you make time for me (and so many others) and treat us with such kindness and respect. Thanks for being such a giving person Wray. I've just had a plethora of blood labs done today because I had to go see the doctor yesterday because a nasty fat deposit has emerged between my shoulder blades. Of course my mind ran amok with thoughts of Cushings and buffalo humps and what nots but the doctor doesn't seem to think that's what afoot but all the same she sent me for many, many blood tests (including vit. d and b12) today. I also have to have an ultra sound tomorrow for back and thyroid. So that's interesting. I'm going back to thoroughly re-read all your information and links you have kindly provided. I will keep you posted and will look for that link about mct oil. Thanks again Wray.
May 25, 2013
 Blood Tests
by: moomoo

Hi, Wray! After a plethora of blood tests they have doscovered I have TOXIC levels of Vit. D! ARRRRGGGHH!!!! So you were right on the money about that one. You had said in a previous message that you thought either I wasn't getting enough or perhaps had too much already! Ironically with being sick and the recent family death I have had no Vit. D in a month but still have toxic levels. Crazy stuff. My TSH levels are super high so I have began taking Levothyroxine for Thyroid. As for ultra sound, thankfully the fat pad on my back seems to be just that and can apparently be removed. Ordinarily I think this would upset me but I can cover it up and will worry about removal surgery another day. I'm just glad there is nothing there. Alas when they did the ultra sound of the thyroid they discovered it is very enlarged with a nodule on one side. The nodule is small enough not to worry but big enough for them to keep tabs on so it won't get any bigger. So hopefully it won't get any bigger! I'm going for an appointment to speak to the Dr. (best doctor I have ever seen) this week about weight loss solutions so I will keep you posted. I'm still lathering on the Progest and I can honestly say it really helps. I'm so very glad I found it and more importantly you Wray. You're like Wonderwoman! Hope you have a great weekend.
May 29, 2013
 New Blood Tests
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo Bless you for the kind words, and I haven't helped you yet! And now I'm so behind again, I have a problem saying no when asked for help, and I've landed myself in a mess, with too many things going on at once, so I'm feeling very stretched! I see you've had tests done, Medline suggest these here. I doubt you have Cushings, as you've not complained of the symptoms listed. If cortisol is too high, which it could be with you as you're stressed, then take zinc as this lowers levels, see here and here. I find this most interesting, as oestrogen lowers zinc, raises copper. Excess copper of course suppresses zinc, plus causing depression and psychosis. Progesterone raises zinc and lowers copper. I would be interested to hear of the vitamin D test results. And please do keep in touch. Take care Wray
May 30, 2013
 Blood Tests
by: Wray

Hi Moomoo I would love to know what your level is, as many believe a toxic level is only 100ng/ml. My sister in law went up to 350ng/ml as she was taking rather a lot! We buy it in raw form and then add fillers to 'thin' it down before packaging it. She thought she was taking the thinned down stuff, but it wasn't, so she took 600,000iu per day for a month before we discovered this. You were only taking 50,000iu every alternate day. She did feel wonderful and had lost weight too. How long were you taking the 50,000iu for? Vitamin D does need time to work. I get so irritated when TSH levels are taken, with no thought to why the thyroid might not be able to make T3 and T4, and why give T4, it's mostly inactive. T3 is the active hormone. Both need the amino acid tyrosine plus iodine, that's what the hormone comprises. Selenium is also an important co-factor. Did they check your tyrosine levels, your iodine and selenium? I guarantee they didn't. Did they check rT3, if this is high it suppresses T3. Vitamin D is also needed by the thyroid, see here, here, here, here, here and here. I wouldn't worry about the fat pad as that will disappear once you loose weight. So pleased the progesterone is helping you! Please keep in touch. Take care Wray
Mar 01, 2017
 Progesterone
by: Rosalee

These issues can be really frustrating. This article here https://www.drlam.com/blog/reverse-insulin-resistance-naturally/295/. also mentions chromium as well as vanadium in the form of vanadyl sulfate can also be used to help lower insulin resistance. There's a couple studies on the use of vanadium here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10726921) and here (https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/jcem.86.3.7337). Progesterone cream can be beneficial of course, but if you're someone with a fragile constitution or especially with adrenal or thyroid issues caution should be used. This link here https://www.drlam.com/blog/serious-progesterone-side-effects-and-brittle-adrenals/29049/, talks about possible side effects of using progesterone, and unfortunately many of them are very similar to symptoms of Oestrogen Dominance! I wish the best to you and hope it all works out!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Progesterone faq.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...