Re: progesterone and testing

[Guest guest]

Just to clear up –

Virginia Hopkins is not Dr Lee’s wife. She worked with him as well as

co-authored some of his books.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of barbara k

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 8:20 AM

iodine

Subject: progesterone and testing

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, I'm new and still wading through

all the terrific information shared on this site. But I've been using

natural progesterone cream for years, and my favorite is Progest by Emerita.

I had been getting it at the health food store, but ordering at amazon is

cheaper and free shipping for anything over $25.

Here's

a great newsletter I am subscribed to, this is the wife of the late Dr.

Lee, his website offers lots of info, as well. they also do the testing.

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/testsleadin.html

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/results.php?term=john+lee

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how long?) Finally, this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and feel like crap. I'm very confused.On Jul 31, 2011, at 9:19 AM, barbara k wrote:

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, I'm new and still wading through all the terrific information shared on this site. But I've been using natural progesterone cream for years, and my favorite is Progest by Emerita. I had been getting it at the health food store, but ordering at amazon is cheaper and free shipping for anything over $25.

Here's a great newsletter I am subscribed to, this is the wife of the late Dr. Lee, his website offers lots of info, as well. they also do the testing.http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/testsleadin.html

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/results.php?term=john+lee

[Guest guest]

Supplemental estrogen is usually the

first line of choice with doctors who allow pharmaceutical companies to provide

their education. When women present symptoms of hormone imbalance, docs usually

reach for estrogen first; some do give progesterone, but it is usually

synthetic progestin. The concern with a progesterone pill (other than

questionable excipients) is that the liver filters most of it out. For example,

a 200mg progesterone pill will provide the body with about 20mg (assuming that

one’s liver is functioning normally) of bio-available progesterone. This is

actually the starting dose that Dr. Lee recommends for most women. Keep in

mind that Dr. Lee did most of his research in the 80’s. The estrogen

bombardment presently experienced by most has at least doubled since then.

Serum testing does not give an accurate measure as to the bio-availability of the

hormones. It is still used by most MDs and it is why women get so discouraged

with their hormone imbalance concerns.

The doctor orders serum testing of the sex hormones and the test usually

comes back ok even though the symptoms being presented are textbook of hormone

imbalance. The MD pronounces the hormones as “in-balance” and sends

the woman home with a script for Prozac.

I hear this all the time to the point where women really begin to

believe their symptoms are all in their head. Sad.

Virginia Hopkins states the following: The ovary-produced progesterone found in

serum is mostly protein-bound. Protein-bound progesterone is not readily bio-available

to receptors in target tissues throughout the body. It is on its way to the

liver to be excreted in bile. Only 2 to 5 percent of serum progesterone is

" free " or non-protein-bound. This is the progesterone available to

target tissues and to saliva. Thus, progesterone measured by serum levels is

mostly a measure of progesterone that is not going to be used by the body. A

serum test can be used to compare one woman's progesterone production to that

of another woman, or to test how much progesterone is being made by a woman's

ovaries.

Progesterone is a highly lipophilic

(fat loving) molecule that is well absorbed through skin into the underlying

fat layer. It is among the most lipophilic of the steroid hormones. From the

fat layer, the progesterone is taken up gradually by red blood cell membranes

in capillaries passing through the fat. The progesterone transported by red

blood cell membranes is readily available to all target tissues and to saliva.

This progesterone is completely bio-available and readily measured by saliva

testing. Only a small fraction of it is carried by the watery serum. The notion that, in

females, progesterone is absorbed by fat and released as needed, is a theory

put forth by some, but as far as we know there is no proof whatsoever of this

-- there is evidence that virtually all of a dose of transdermal progesterone

is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. This is a good reason as to why, when

using a transdermal cream, the cream needs be applied to thin-skinned areas of

the body (where blood vessels can be seen).

In women whose doctors are giving

them excessive supplemental estrogen, a different concern emerges. Excessive

estrogen in circumstances of deficient progesterone induces a decrease in

receptor sensitivity. One of progesterone's functions is to restore the normal

sensitivity of estrogen receptors. When progesterone is restored, estrogen

receptor sensitivity is restored, also. It is not surprising that, in these

cases, some women develop symptoms of estrogen dominance (water retention,

headaches, weight gain, swollen breasts) when progesterone is first

supplemented. This takes women off

of progesterone quicker than just about anything else because they believe that

all the sudden the progesterone is not working. If estrogen is also being taken then the

estrogen dose must be lowered. If this is done too rapidly, however, hot

flushes can occur. The key is to reduce estrogen gradually while progesterone

is being restored.

Virginia Hopkins also states (and I

agree) that the estrogen dosage can usually be reduced 50 percent as soon as

bioidentical progesterone is added. Then, every 2 to 3 months, the estrogen

dose can usually be further decreased gradually. Many women eventually discover

they do not need any supplemental estrogen at all. The estrogen normally

produced by body fat in postmenopausal women is often sufficient for its needs

once the progesterone is restored.

Saliva testing is not cheap, but it will give one a roadmap indicating the

condition of the sex hormones/cortisol as well as providing a baseline for

future testing. That’s very important.

I very seldom see clinically low estrogen levels; however, it does happen. Usually

there is a progesterone/estrogen ratio imbalance in which using bioidentical

progesterone, liver/digestive tract cleansing, healthy diet and phyto-estrogen

foods (if necessary) will help to bring the hormones into balance. If one also has unaddressed thyroid

concerns and/or adrenal concerns then these also must be addressed.

Balancing the endocrine system can be difficult since many of the symptoms overlap. This is why saliva testing the sex

hormones and cortisol as well as serum testing for thyroid concerns is

necessary if one wants to know how to proceed correctly in getting hormones

balanced. Unfortunately, it takes

time and a lot patience to get balanced – it doesn’t happen

overnight; but it is completely doable if one has lots of desire, discipline

and determination.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of Louise Hill

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:06 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: progesterone and testing

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc

raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off

with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped

using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a

slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how

long?)

Finally,

this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I

spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are

for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a

capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern

is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and

don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test

until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and

feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My

weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack

of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and

feel like crap. I'm very confused.

[Guest guest]

Dr L,What about progesterone for men?From: Dr Loretta Lanphier <drlanphier@...>iodine Sent: Sun, 31 July, 2011 21:52:28Subject: RE: progesterone and testing

Supplemental estrogen is usually the

first line of choice with doctors who allow pharmaceutical companies to provide

their education. When women present symptoms of hormone imbalance, docs usually

reach for estrogen first; some do give progesterone, but it is usually

synthetic progestin. The concern with a progesterone pill (other than

questionable excipients) is that the liver filters most of it out. For example,

a 200mg progesterone pill will provide the body with about 20mg (assuming that

one’s liver is functioning normally) of bio-available progesterone. This is

actually the starting dose that Dr. Lee recommends for most women. Keep in

mind that Dr. Lee did most of his research in the 80’s. The estrogen

bombardment presently experienced by most has at least doubled since then.

Serum testing does not give an accurate measure as to the bio-availability of the

hormones. It is still used by most MDs and it is why women get so discouraged

with their hormone imbalance concerns.

The doctor orders serum testing of the sex hormones and the test usually

comes back ok even though the symptoms being presented are textbook of hormone

imbalance. The MD pronounces the hormones as “in-balance†and sends

the woman home with a script for Prozac.

I hear this all the time to the point where women really begin to

believe their symptoms are all in their head. Sad.

Virginia Hopkins states the following: The ovary-produced progesterone found in

serum is mostly protein-bound. Protein-bound progesterone is not readily bio-available

to receptors in target tissues throughout the body. It is on its way to the

liver to be excreted in bile. Only 2 to 5 percent of serum progesterone is

"free" or non-protein-bound. This is the progesterone available to

target tissues and to saliva. Thus, progesterone measured by serum levels is

mostly a measure of progesterone that is not going to be used by the body. A

serum test can be used to compare one woman's progesterone production to that

of another woman, or to test how much progesterone is being made by a woman's

ovaries. Progesterone is a highly lipophilic

(fat loving) molecule that is well absorbed through skin into the underlying

fat layer. It is among the most lipophilic of the steroid hormones. From the

fat layer, the progesterone is taken up gradually by red blood cell membranes

in capillaries passing through the fat. The progesterone transported by red

blood cell membranes is readily available to all target tissues and to saliva.

This progesterone is completely bio-available and readily measured by saliva

testing. Only a small fraction of it is carried by the watery serum. The notion that, in

females, progesterone is absorbed by fat and released as needed, is a theory

put forth by some, but as far as we know there is no proof whatsoever of this

-- there is evidence that virtually all of a dose of transdermal progesterone

is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. This is a good reason as to why, when

using a transdermal cream, the cream needs be applied to thin-skinned areas of

the body (where blood vessels can be seen). In women whose doctors are giving

them excessive supplemental estrogen, a different concern emerges. Excessive

estrogen in circumstances of deficient progesterone induces a decrease in

receptor sensitivity. One of progesterone's functions is to restore the normal

sensitivity of estrogen receptors. When progesterone is restored, estrogen

receptor sensitivity is restored, also. It is not surprising that, in these

cases, some women develop symptoms of estrogen dominance (water retention,

headaches, weight gain, swollen breasts) when progesterone is first

supplemented. This takes women off

of progesterone quicker than just about anything else because they believe that

all the sudden the progesterone is not working. If estrogen is also being taken then the

estrogen dose must be lowered. If this is done too rapidly, however, hot

flushes can occur. The key is to reduce estrogen gradually while progesterone

is being restored. Virginia Hopkins also states (and I

agree) that the estrogen dosage can usually be reduced 50 percent as soon as

bioidentical progesterone is added. Then, every 2 to 3 months, the estrogen

dose can usually be further decreased gradually. Many women eventually discover

they do not need any supplemental estrogen at all. The estrogen normally

produced by body fat in postmenopausal women is often sufficient for its needs

once the progesterone is restored.

Saliva testing is not cheap, but it will give one a roadmap indicating the

condition of the sex hormones/cortisol as well as providing a baseline for

future testing. That’s very important.

I very seldom see clinically low estrogen levels; however, it does happen. Usually

there is a progesterone/estrogen ratio imbalance in which using bioidentical

progesterone, liver/digestive tract cleansing, healthy diet and phyto-estrogen

foods (if necessary) will help to bring the hormones into balance. If one also has unaddressed thyroid

concerns and/or adrenal concerns then these also must be addressed.

Balancing the endocrine system can be difficult since many of the symptoms overlap. This is why saliva testing the sex

hormones and cortisol as well as serum testing for thyroid concerns is

necessary if one wants to know how to proceed correctly in getting hormones

balanced. Unfortunately, it takes

time and a lot patience to get balanced – it doesn’t happen

overnight; but it is completely doable if one has lots of desire, discipline

and determination.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of Louise Hill

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:06 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: progesterone and testing

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc

raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off

with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped

using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a

slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how

long?)

Finally,

this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I

spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are

for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a

capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern

is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and

don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test

until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and

feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My

weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack

of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and

feel like crap. I'm very confused.

[Guest guest]

Awesome post on estrogen Dr. L. Just out of curiosity, what type of medicine do you practice (i.e. MD, DO, ND, ect)?Sent from my iPhone 4nOn Jul 31, 2011, at 4:52 PM, "Dr Loretta Lanphier" <drlanphier@...> wrote:

Supplemental estrogen is usually the

first line of choice with doctors who allow pharmaceutical companies to provide

their education. When women present symptoms of hormone imbalance, docs usually

reach for estrogen first; some do give progesterone, but it is usually

synthetic progestin. The concern with a progesterone pill (other than

questionable excipients) is that the liver filters most of it out. For example,

a 200mg progesterone pill will provide the body with about 20mg (assuming that

one’s liver is functioning normally) of bio-available progesterone. This is

actually the starting dose that Dr. Lee recommends for most women. Keep in

mind that Dr. Lee did most of his research in the 80’s. The estrogen

bombardment presently experienced by most has at least doubled since then.

Serum testing does not give an accurate measure as to the bio-availability of the

hormones. It is still used by most MDs and it is why women get so discouraged

with their hormone imbalance concerns.

The doctor orders serum testing of the sex hormones and the test usually

comes back ok even though the symptoms being presented are textbook of hormone

imbalance. The MD pronounces the hormones as “in-balance†and sends

the woman home with a script for Prozac.

I hear this all the time to the point where women really begin to

believe their symptoms are all in their head. Sad.

Virginia Hopkins states the following: The ovary-produced progesterone found in

serum is mostly protein-bound. Protein-bound progesterone is not readily bio-available

to receptors in target tissues throughout the body. It is on its way to the

liver to be excreted in bile. Only 2 to 5 percent of serum progesterone is

"free" or non-protein-bound. This is the progesterone available to

target tissues and to saliva. Thus, progesterone measured by serum levels is

mostly a measure of progesterone that is not going to be used by the body. A

serum test can be used to compare one woman's progesterone production to that

of another woman, or to test how much progesterone is being made by a woman's

ovaries.

Progesterone is a highly lipophilic

(fat loving) molecule that is well absorbed through skin into the underlying

fat layer. It is among the most lipophilic of the steroid hormones. From the

fat layer, the progesterone is taken up gradually by red blood cell membranes

in capillaries passing through the fat. The progesterone transported by red

blood cell membranes is readily available to all target tissues and to saliva.

This progesterone is completely bio-available and readily measured by saliva

testing. Only a small fraction of it is carried by the watery serum. The notion that, in

females, progesterone is absorbed by fat and released as needed, is a theory

put forth by some, but as far as we know there is no proof whatsoever of this

-- there is evidence that virtually all of a dose of transdermal progesterone

is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. This is a good reason as to why, when

using a transdermal cream, the cream needs be applied to thin-skinned areas of

the body (where blood vessels can be seen).

In women whose doctors are giving

them excessive supplemental estrogen, a different concern emerges. Excessive

estrogen in circumstances of deficient progesterone induces a decrease in

receptor sensitivity. One of progesterone's functions is to restore the normal

sensitivity of estrogen receptors. When progesterone is restored, estrogen

receptor sensitivity is restored, also. It is not surprising that, in these

cases, some women develop symptoms of estrogen dominance (water retention,

headaches, weight gain, swollen breasts) when progesterone is first

supplemented. This takes women off

of progesterone quicker than just about anything else because they believe that

all the sudden the progesterone is not working. If estrogen is also being taken then the

estrogen dose must be lowered. If this is done too rapidly, however, hot

flushes can occur. The key is to reduce estrogen gradually while progesterone

is being restored.

Virginia Hopkins also states (and I

agree) that the estrogen dosage can usually be reduced 50 percent as soon as

bioidentical progesterone is added. Then, every 2 to 3 months, the estrogen

dose can usually be further decreased gradually. Many women eventually discover

they do not need any supplemental estrogen at all. The estrogen normally

produced by body fat in postmenopausal women is often sufficient for its needs

once the progesterone is restored.

Saliva testing is not cheap, but it will give one a roadmap indicating the

condition of the sex hormones/cortisol as well as providing a baseline for

future testing. That’s very important.

I very seldom see clinically low estrogen levels; however, it does happen. Usually

there is a progesterone/estrogen ratio imbalance in which using bioidentical

progesterone, liver/digestive tract cleansing, healthy diet and phyto-estrogen

foods (if necessary) will help to bring the hormones into balance. If one also has unaddressed thyroid

concerns and/or adrenal concerns then these also must be addressed.

Balancing the endocrine system can be difficult since many of the symptoms overlap. This is why saliva testing the sex

hormones and cortisol as well as serum testing for thyroid concerns is

necessary if one wants to know how to proceed correctly in getting hormones

balanced. Unfortunately, it takes

time and a lot patience to get balanced – it doesn’t happen

overnight; but it is completely doable if one has lots of desire, discipline

and determination.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of Louise Hill

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:06 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: progesterone and testing

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc

raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off

with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped

using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a

slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how

long?)

Finally,

this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I

spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are

for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a

capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern

is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and

don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test

until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and

feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My

weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack

of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and

feel like crap. I'm very confused.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for this wonderful info, it helps me understand so much more. If only I could find someone in my area to help me. LouiseOn Jul 31, 2011, at 4:52 PM, Dr Loretta Lanphier wrote:

Supplemental estrogen is usually the

first line of choice with doctors who allow pharmaceutical companies to provide

their education. When women present symptoms of hormone imbalance, docs usually

reach for estrogen first; some do give progesterone, but it is usually

synthetic progestin. The concern with a progesterone pill (other than

questionable excipients) is that the liver filters most of it out. For example,

a 200mg progesterone pill will provide the body with about 20mg (assuming that

one’s liver is functioning normally) of bio-available progesterone. This is

actually the starting dose that Dr. Lee recommends for most women. Keep in

mind that Dr. Lee did most of his research in the 80’s. The estrogen

bombardment presently experienced by most has at least doubled since then.

Serum testing does not give an accurate measure as to the bio-availability of the

hormones. It is still used by most MDs and it is why women get so discouraged

with their hormone imbalance concerns.

The doctor orders serum testing of the sex hormones and the test usually

comes back ok even though the symptoms being presented are textbook of hormone

imbalance. The MD pronounces the hormones as “in-balance” and sends

the woman home with a script for Prozac.

I hear this all the time to the point where women really begin to

believe their symptoms are all in their head. Sad.

Virginia Hopkins states the following: The ovary-produced progesterone found in

serum is mostly protein-bound. Protein-bound progesterone is not readily bio-available

to receptors in target tissues throughout the body. It is on its way to the

liver to be excreted in bile. Only 2 to 5 percent of serum progesterone is

"free" or non-protein-bound. This is the progesterone available to

target tissues and to saliva. Thus, progesterone measured by serum levels is

mostly a measure of progesterone that is not going to be used by the body. A

serum test can be used to compare one woman's progesterone production to that

of another woman, or to test how much progesterone is being made by a woman's

ovaries. Progesterone is a highly lipophilic

(fat loving) molecule that is well absorbed through skin into the underlying

fat layer. It is among the most lipophilic of the steroid hormones. From the

fat layer, the progesterone is taken up gradually by red blood cell membranes

in capillaries passing through the fat. The progesterone transported by red

blood cell membranes is readily available to all target tissues and to saliva.

This progesterone is completely bio-available and readily measured by saliva

testing. Only a small fraction of it is carried by the watery serum. The notion that, in

females, progesterone is absorbed by fat and released as needed, is a theory

put forth by some, but as far as we know there is no proof whatsoever of this

-- there is evidence that virtually all of a dose of transdermal progesterone

is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. This is a good reason as to why, when

using a transdermal cream, the cream needs be applied to thin-skinned areas of

the body (where blood vessels can be seen). In women whose doctors are giving

them excessive supplemental estrogen, a different concern emerges. Excessive

estrogen in circumstances of deficient progesterone induces a decrease in

receptor sensitivity. One of progesterone's functions is to restore the normal

sensitivity of estrogen receptors. When progesterone is restored, estrogen

receptor sensitivity is restored, also. It is not surprising that, in these

cases, some women develop symptoms of estrogen dominance (water retention,

headaches, weight gain, swollen breasts) when progesterone is first

supplemented. This takes women off

of progesterone quicker than just about anything else because they believe that

all the sudden the progesterone is not working. If estrogen is also being taken then the

estrogen dose must be lowered. If this is done too rapidly, however, hot

flushes can occur. The key is to reduce estrogen gradually while progesterone

is being restored. Virginia Hopkins also states (and I

agree) that the estrogen dosage can usually be reduced 50 percent as soon as

bioidentical progesterone is added. Then, every 2 to 3 months, the estrogen

dose can usually be further decreased gradually. Many women eventually discover

they do not need any supplemental estrogen at all. The estrogen normally

produced by body fat in postmenopausal women is often sufficient for its needs

once the progesterone is restored.

Saliva testing is not cheap, but it will give one a roadmap indicating the

condition of the sex hormones/cortisol as well as providing a baseline for

future testing. That’s very important.

I very seldom see clinically low estrogen levels; however, it does happen. Usually

there is a progesterone/estrogen ratio imbalance in which using bioidentical

progesterone, liver/digestive tract cleansing, healthy diet and phyto-estrogen

foods (if necessary) will help to bring the hormones into balance. If one also has unaddressed thyroid

concerns and/or adrenal concerns then these also must be addressed.

Balancing the endocrine system can be difficult since many of the symptoms overlap. This is why saliva testing the sex

hormones and cortisol as well as serum testing for thyroid concerns is

necessary if one wants to know how to proceed correctly in getting hormones

balanced. Unfortunately, it takes

time and a lot patience to get balanced – it doesn’t happen

overnight; but it is completely doable if one has lots of desire, discipline

and determination.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of Louise Hill

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:06 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: progesterone and testing

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc

raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off

with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped

using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a

slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how

long?)

Finally,

this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I

spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are

for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a

capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern

is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and

don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test

until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and

feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My

weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack

of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and

feel like crap. I'm very confused.

[Guest guest]

www.naturopathic.org

Thank you so much for this wonderful info, it helps me understand so much more. If only I could find someone in my area to help me. LouiseOn Jul 31, 2011, at 4:52 PM, Dr Loretta Lanphier wrote:

Supplemental estrogen is usually the

first line of choice with doctors who allow pharmaceutical companies to provide

their education. When women present symptoms of hormone imbalance, docs usually

reach for estrogen first; some do give progesterone, but it is usually

synthetic progestin. The concern with a progesterone pill (other than

questionable excipients) is that the liver filters most of it out. For example,

a 200mg progesterone pill will provide the body with about 20mg (assuming that

one’s liver is functioning normally) of bio-available progesterone. This is

actually the starting dose that Dr. Lee recommends for most women. Keep in

mind that Dr. Lee did most of his research in the 80’s. The estrogen

bombardment presently experienced by most has at least doubled since then.

Serum testing does not give an accurate measure as to the bio-availability of the

hormones. It is still used by most MDs and it is why women get so discouraged

with their hormone imbalance concerns.

The doctor orders serum testing of the sex hormones and the test usually

comes back ok even though the symptoms being presented are textbook of hormone

imbalance. The MD pronounces the hormones as “in-balance” and sends

the woman home with a script for Prozac.

I hear this all the time to the point where women really begin to

believe their symptoms are all in their head. Sad.

Virginia Hopkins states the following: The ovary-produced progesterone found in

serum is mostly protein-bound. Protein-bound progesterone is not readily bio-available

to receptors in target tissues throughout the body. It is on its way to the

liver to be excreted in bile. Only 2 to 5 percent of serum progesterone is

"free" or non-protein-bound. This is the progesterone available to

target tissues and to saliva. Thus, progesterone measured by serum levels is

mostly a measure of progesterone that is not going to be used by the body. A

serum test can be used to compare one woman's progesterone production to that

of another woman, or to test how much progesterone is being made by a woman's

ovaries. Progesterone is a highly lipophilic

(fat loving) molecule that is well absorbed through skin into the underlying

fat layer. It is among the most lipophilic of the steroid hormones. From the

fat layer, the progesterone is taken up gradually by red blood cell membranes

in capillaries passing through the fat. The progesterone transported by red

blood cell membranes is readily available to all target tissues and to saliva.

This progesterone is completely bio-available and readily measured by saliva

testing. Only a small fraction of it is carried by the watery serum. The notion that, in

females, progesterone is absorbed by fat and released as needed, is a theory

put forth by some, but as far as we know there is no proof whatsoever of this

-- there is evidence that virtually all of a dose of transdermal progesterone

is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream. This is a good reason as to why, when

using a transdermal cream, the cream needs be applied to thin-skinned areas of

the body (where blood vessels can be seen). In women whose doctors are giving

them excessive supplemental estrogen, a different concern emerges. Excessive

estrogen in circumstances of deficient progesterone induces a decrease in

receptor sensitivity. One of progesterone's functions is to restore the normal

sensitivity of estrogen receptors. When progesterone is restored, estrogen

receptor sensitivity is restored, also. It is not surprising that, in these

cases, some women develop symptoms of estrogen dominance (water retention,

headaches, weight gain, swollen breasts) when progesterone is first

supplemented. This takes women off

of progesterone quicker than just about anything else because they believe that

all the sudden the progesterone is not working. If estrogen is also being taken then the

estrogen dose must be lowered. If this is done too rapidly, however, hot

flushes can occur. The key is to reduce estrogen gradually while progesterone

is being restored. Virginia Hopkins also states (and I

agree) that the estrogen dosage can usually be reduced 50 percent as soon as

bioidentical progesterone is added. Then, every 2 to 3 months, the estrogen

dose can usually be further decreased gradually. Many women eventually discover

they do not need any supplemental estrogen at all. The estrogen normally

produced by body fat in postmenopausal women is often sufficient for its needs

once the progesterone is restored.

Saliva testing is not cheap, but it will give one a roadmap indicating the

condition of the sex hormones/cortisol as well as providing a baseline for

future testing. That’s very important.

I very seldom see clinically low estrogen levels; however, it does happen. Usually

there is a progesterone/estrogen ratio imbalance in which using bioidentical

progesterone, liver/digestive tract cleansing, healthy diet and phyto-estrogen

foods (if necessary) will help to bring the hormones into balance. If one also has unaddressed thyroid

concerns and/or adrenal concerns then these also must be addressed.

Balancing the endocrine system can be difficult since many of the symptoms overlap. This is why saliva testing the sex

hormones and cortisol as well as serum testing for thyroid concerns is

necessary if one wants to know how to proceed correctly in getting hormones

balanced. Unfortunately, it takes

time and a lot patience to get balanced – it doesn’t happen

overnight; but it is completely doable if one has lots of desire, discipline

and determination.

Be Well

Dr.L

From: iodine [mailto:iodine ] On

Behalf Of Louise Hill

Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 12:06 PM

iodine

Subject: Re: progesterone and testing

Thanks for the articles about estrogen and progesterone. Recently my doc

raised my estrogens up and after two weeks I was wanting to pull my head off

with bad headaches and feeling out of sorts. I cut back and then stopped

using it but now I feel sluggish and very slow minded. I used only a

slight amount of both the T and E this morning and feel good ( but for how

long?)

Finally,

this article has explained about the overdosing of these hormones. I

spent a good part of last night trying to find what a good level of E and P are

for my age ( 56 ) and couldn't find much online. I take P in a

capsule at night, 70mg, anymore than that causes me problems. My concern

is taking too much of the estrogens. I started getting hot flashes and

don't know if I have too little or too much E. I can't get a blood test

until a few more weeks. I was going so well, on a good weight loss and

feeling well and then everything went nuts due to the E being raised. My

weight loss has come to a stop along with headaches, body ache, moodiness, lack

of energy and more. I take it I feel like crap and I don't take it and

feel like crap. I'm very confused.