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Help, I need some advice

by Robin Kearns
(Texas)

I am 61 years old and am feeling that good. My primary care doctor sent me to see a hormone specialist and let me tell you that I am not happy with the plan she came up with. I am not understanding why she would want me to take certain medications, so I would appreciate any comments or advice I can get. One of the things she wants me to take is testosterone when my blood work is showing it is high and I already have thinning hair, facial hair and acne on my chin.

My lab results are as follows and they were blood drawn:

Estradiol 13.1
Progesterone 0.2
Testosterone 49.0
LH 47.0
FSH 77.4
FreeT3 3.0
DHEA 96.6
Vitamin d 41.7

Here is what she wants me to take:

Estradiol oral 0.5
Progesterone 100 mg oral
Testosterone 20 mg Cream
DHEA SR 10mg
Thyroid 15 mg
Vitamin D3 10,000 IU

I did start taking the vitamin D3.

Thank you in advance,
Robin

Comments for Help, I need some advice

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Jun 30, 2023
 Help, I need some advice
by: Joy

Hi Robin

It is good that you followed your instinct. The only thing that I agree with is Vitamin D3 and that is a good amount per day. That is how much I take daily. I see no mention of the cofactors needed when taking D3. Magnesium, vitamin K2, zinc and boron. Boron also helps to build bones. Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium from the diet. Vitamin K2 directs the body to deposit the calcium in the places where it is needed, such as bones and teeth and NOT in organs, arteries, muscles and soft tissue where it can cause health issues. It is Magnesium's job to keep it where it belongs. Vitamin D3, Magnesium and Vitamin K2 are no brainers! Doctors should know this, but then again they really do not study nutrition or it's importance much. Your D3 level is low, it should be between 70 and 100. Mine is currently around 125, that is where I feel at my best.

The other thing that I question is oral progesterone. Any form of oral progesterone is not the best Delivery Method. Around 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver see here. You would need to take a lot of progesterone to get to the required amount of 100mg per day. Usually between 100-200mg is needed per day, please read How to use Progesterone Cream. As you do not seem to have any severe symptoms of Menopause. I suggest starting at 100mg using a good organic cream such as Natpro which is a 3% cream and was formulated over 30 years ago.

While each hormone test is important, it is the ratio between progesterone:estrogen that is important. Your ratio is awful, it is 15:1, it should be around 600:1 see here. You need to get your progesterone level up. Adding extra estrogen would make things worse! DHEA increases testosterone levels, see here. DHEA raises androgens, estrogens and prolactin, it causes cysts and can cause cancer, so it has a dark side see here. If you are happy taking the thyroid meds, then great. The thyroid plays up during peri-menopause and menopause. I prefer Lugol's iodine drops and selenium.

As this website states, we do not believe that any woman should take extra estrogen. There are well over 100 estrogen mimics in our Environment as it is, why take more? Extra estrogen adds to Estrogen Dominance symptoms. Testosterone should be avoided as well, as you state, you already have thinning hair etc. More importantly though it causes cardiovascular problems as well as Insulin Resistance see here. Please avoid taking these. You can compare the remainder of your test results on the Hormone Testing page.

I hope things are a little clearer for you now. Good luck.
Aug 16, 2023
 One more question
by: Robin

Thanks for the great advice. What should my thyroid levels be at. I have been taking a thyroid supplement (natuaral) for about a month and a half and I haven't felt any difference except for the fact that I have gained a little weight. Any suggestions?

I am doing everything else you have suggested, but I think I need to up my progesterone dose. I am currently using 100mg daily and I feel like it is only aggravating my estrogen receptors like you mentioned.

Thanks again for all of the advice, I feel so lucky to have found this website.
Aug 20, 2023
 One more question
by: Joy

Hi Robin

Please see the Hormone Testing page mentioned on this thread where I discuss your progesterone:estrogen ratio - 600:1. All the correct results will be given on that page. You might need to give your thyroid supplement time to work. Natural products always take longer. If you do not feel any benefits, try iodine drops, selenium and tyrosine. Also view this video by Dr David Brownstein, it's a long video but excellent.

Iodine is vital for the thyroid, so too is selenium, both of these nutrients are low in our diets. Tyrosine is vital for the thyroid as a combo of this and iodine make up the two thyroid hormones T3 and T4. The conversion needs selenium.

If an iodine deficiency is found, please take:

Tyrosine
Selenium
Vitamin C
Celtic or Himalayan salt
Iodine drops - 5% or if 2% suits you that is fine

If 100mg Natpro progesterone cream is not working for you then increase. You will need to experiment to see what works for you best. We are all different and what suits one, may not suit another.

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