sex lies and menopause

[svjetlonosa]

Dr Hulda Clark wrote a book (671 page) The Cure for All Deseases. On page 137 you can find:
Menopausal Symptoms, Hot Flushes, PMS
Insomnia, irritability, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), depression, anxiety, nervousness, are all not to be expected at and after menopause. They may certainly be caused by hormone imbalances. It is these imbalances that are not normal.

NO menopausal symptoms are normal

After the ovaries are done with their cycles of estrogen and progesterone production, the adrenal glands' hormone production was meant to “kick in” and make up any deficit.
During your fertile years, you were meant to have a peak of 100 picograms/milliliter (pg./ml) of estrogen on day 9 and day 22 of your cycle. Progesterone, on the other hand, only peaks once, on day 22, and it should reach a level 20 to 100 times as high as estrogen! After this ends, your adrenals can still keep your hormone levels regulated. Typical values are 20 pg./ml
estrogen and, again, 20 to 100 times as much progesterone. Keeping these two hormones in balance is just as important as the actual amounts. 20 pg./ml estrogen is enough to prevent menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, and to give you heart protection and bone density protection. Taking synthetic hormones usually gives you exactly such levels. But if your own adrenal glands can supply them, surely it is a better approach. (A blood test can tell you your levels; do it on day 21, 22 or 23 before menopause, after menopause the day is not critical.)


(graphics are missing)

Why aren't your adrenals producing them? Because they are hampered by parasites and pollutants! Kill all the parasites, bacteria and viruses, especially Gardnerella, Proteus, Chlamydia, Campylobacter, Neisseria, Treponema, Salmonella. Use the zapper.
Notice that these are also the favorite urinary tract bacteria! This makes good sense, because the adrenal glands sit right on the kidneys and would be geographically close to the kidney bacteria. To avoid getting them back, do a kidney cleanse (page 549) to remove all crystals where they might hide.

After this, hot flushes can be suddenly gone. If not, continue the cleanse. Meanwhile, do some permanent lifestyle improvement. "
Well, I don't have experience of menopause yet, it's soon to be. I don't know if this works, but I'll try it anyway.

 

[Laura]

While I think Clark was onto something, I think she got a bit carried away and saw parasites everywhere. I've used her zapper for years with little to no evident results. I do use her liver cleanse now and again with some success.

Checking for, and eliminating, parasites is an important part of any detox program, I'm just not convinced that Clark's approach really works.

 

[svjetlonosa]

Well, there is also a possibility that you didn't have parasites. I am constructing Dr Clark's devices by my own, so, I'll see how things will work with me.
I don't know have tried with the goldenseal Cs suggested. Was there any benefits of it?

 

[hlat]

Are any of you on a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy that is advocated in this book?

 

[dani]

Are any of you on a bio-identical hormone replacement therapy that is advocated in this book?

I have not read the book, but I can answer any hormone question as I am an obgyn that gave up practice to enter integrative/functional medicine. I can give a 4 hour lecture on hormones.

Bio-identical hormones are very important. But it’s not just the hormones that are important, the method of delivery is just as important. There are three types of estrogen produced in our bodies. Estradiol (which is the main one which we lose during menopause), estrone which is produced in fat cells and has the highest risk of breast cancer, and estriol which is a much weaker estrogen but essential for the prevention of breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and multiple other diseases. Estrogen needs to be supplied through the skin, bypassing the liver, to have the best benefits. Pill form of estrogen actually has many negative effects which, along with synthetic formulations, can explain the mixed data in the literature regarding hormone replacement. Either a lotion/gel/patch topically or a pellet is the best delivery option. A replacement of both estradiol and estriol provides the best protection. I have hundreds of studies proving the benefits of replacement. Estrogen has 400 functions in the body. It is essential. Progesterone is best taken by mouth. Women who have had a hysterectomy still should take progesterone. This is not what we were taught in residency. Progesterone has a multitude of positive effects, including increased weight loss, increased hair density, increased bone density, decreased risk of breast cancer, and decreased cardiovascular disease. Likewise, estrogen decreases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic disease, autoimmune diseases, etc. It is important to keep your blood levels in an optimal range. Not too high and not too low. And those levels are not necessarily the same as a normal level from a lab. They do fall in the normal range, but there is a difference between a normal level and an optimal level. When you are replacing estrogen via the skin, you cannot monitor it with blood levels. It must be measured and monitored with salivary levels or urinary levels. Many people are overdosed on estrogen when they are prescribed it via the skin (lotion, gel, patch, pellet) and then their levels are checked via blood. You cannot measure estrogen in the blood when it is delivered through the skin. It will not show up leading doctors to think you need a higher dose and then ultimately lead to over treatment. Again, most physicians do not know any of this. The same can be said for testosterone. It should be dosed through the skin either a cream or a pellet. Just like estrogen, testosterone should be monitored so that it remains in optimal range. Not all women need estrogen replacement post menopause. Regarding testosterone, 50% of women will require it and 50% will not. I can answer any more specific questions that anybody may have but to continue on would be basically writing a book. Needless to say, I have a lot of scientific studies showing the benefits of hormone optimization after menopause. And it goes without saying, no one should prescribe these without testing the entire hormone cascade before prescribing. They are all affected by each other and other hormones such as cortisol, thyroid, DHEA, etc. it is a balancing act. It is inadequate to just prescribe these because somebody is postmenopausal without an evaluating the entire system first. Everybody unique and an individualized approach will give the best outcomes.

 

[Ina]

I have not read the book, but I can answer any hormone question as I am an obgyn that gave up practice to enter integrative/functional medicine. I can give a 4 hour lecture on hormones.

Bio-identical hormones are very important. But it’s not just the hormones that are important, the method of delivery is just as important. There are three types of estrogen produced in our bodies. Estradiol (which is the main one which we lose during menopause), estrone which is produced in fat cells and has the highest risk of breast cancer, and estriol which is a much weaker estrogen but essential for the prevention of breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and multiple other diseases. Estrogen needs to be supplied through the skin, bypassing the liver, to have the best benefits. Pill form of estrogen actually has many negative effects which, along with synthetic formulations, can explain the mixed data in the literature regarding hormone replacement. Either a lotion/gel/patch topically or a pellet is the best delivery option. A replacement of both estradiol and estriol provides the best protection. I have hundreds of studies proving the benefits of replacement. Estrogen has 400 functions in the body. It is essential. Progesterone is best taken by mouth. Women who have had a hysterectomy still should take progesterone. This is not what we were taught in residency. Progesterone has a multitude of positive effects, including increased weight loss, increased hair density, increased bone density, decreased risk of breast cancer, and decreased cardiovascular disease. Likewise, estrogen decreases your risk of heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic disease, autoimmune diseases, etc. It is important to keep your blood levels in an optimal range. Not too high and not too low. And those levels are not necessarily the same as a normal level from a lab. They do fall in the normal range, but there is a difference between a normal level and an optimal level. When you are replacing estrogen via the skin, you cannot monitor it with blood levels. It must be measured and monitored with salivary levels or urinary levels. Many people are overdosed on estrogen when they are prescribed it via the skin (lotion, gel, patch, pellet) and then their levels are checked via blood. You cannot measure estrogen in the blood when it is delivered through the skin. It will not show up leading doctors to think you need a higher dose and then ultimately lead to over treatment. Again, most physicians do not know any of this. The same can be said for testosterone. It should be dosed through the skin either a cream or a pellet. Just like estrogen, testosterone should be monitored so that it remains in optimal range. Not all women need estrogen replacement post menopause. Regarding testosterone, 50% of women will require it and 50% will not. I can answer any more specific questions that anybody may have but to continue on would be basically writing a book. Needless to say, I have a lot of scientific studies showing the benefits of hormone optimization after menopause. And it goes without saying, no one should prescribe these without testing the entire hormone cascade before prescribing. They are all affected by each other and other hormones such as cortisol, thyroid, DHEA, etc. it is a balancing act. It is inadequate to just prescribe these because somebody is postmenopausal without an evaluating the entire system first. Everybody unique and an individualized approach will give the best outcomes.

Thank you! I would like to ask if the HRT treatment for women is part of the overall treatments for senescence.

 

[dani]

Thank you! I would like to ask if the HRT treatment for women is part of the overall treatments for senescence.

Yes, as a matter of fact, the actual subspecialty I am now board certified in, is called 'Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine'. Hormones are a large part of that equation. However, you cannot just pick one body system, ie. the endocrine (hormone) system and forget the rest. All body systems work together. If one is out of balance, it will affect the others.For example, gut health is very important too regarding senescence.

 

[Ina]

Yes, as a matter of fact, the actual subspecialty I am now board certified in, is called 'Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine'. Hormones are a large part of that equation. However, you cannot just pick one body system, ie. the endocrine (hormone) system and forget the rest. All body systems work together. If one is out of balance, it will affect the others.For example, gut health is very important too regarding senescence.

OK. As I see it, I would call what I am talking about Optimized Senescence.to me, Anti-Aging is a myth chased by billionaires and Regenerative Medicine is pointing to mechanical musculoskeletal damage. There might be studies out there, however I am not part of the Medical Industry, and please accept the apologies due for maybe creating a perception of disrespect towards current medical work and research. I know evolutionary biology deals with the process of aging and organism deterioration with age, and I also know that Medicine does not appreciate the process as such. What can someone do in a dysfunctional health care environment? Are there any baselines or even markers or anything similar that one can observe and discuss with a GP and the medical insurance?
Reading specialized literature is great but you need to do the heavy lifting in acquiring the knowledge taught for at least three degrees. On the other hand YouTube, TickTok, FaceBook are overflowing with I restored my hip and regrew my teeth and I am 150 but I look ,like 30, and take collagen.
What is the commonsense route? Please help with advice.

 

[hlat]

They are all affected by each other and other hormones such as cortisol, thyroid, DHEA, etc. it is a balancing act.

What is the relationship of hypothyroidism and needing T3 on one hand with replacement of estradiol and estriol on the other hand?

 

[Mrs. Peel]

I can answer any more specific questions that anybody may have

Oh goody. I spent a boatload of cash on a functional thyroid doctor who didn't take insurance and prescribed bioidentical hormones probably 12 years ago, but she could never get the dosage balanced. I was taking a progesterone cream, and estrogen and testosterone pills. The hair on either side of my forehead started receding like a guy, I would get dizzy when I bent over, never felt any better, and I just quit taking them all.

Just had recent blood work from my PCP, my morning cortisol is high. I continually wake up around 3:00 a.m. and can't go back to sleep, and I wake up every hour and a half. According to recent blood work:

Testosterone, total LC/MS 33.3
Testosterone free 0.49
% free testosterone 1.45
estradiol <5.0
Progesterone 0.5
Estrogens, total 41
cort.bind.glob. (CBG) 3.0
Cortisol, serum LCMS 22 (high)
Free cortisol, serum 3.4 (high)
Percent free cortisol, serum 15
TSH Rfx on Abnormal to Free T4 4.390

For reference, I'm 68 years old and went through menopause in my late 40s, and I've never had children.

I'm tired all the time, have no energy, and putting on weight around the middle, nails are crap, hair thinning, and as mentioned, my sleep is pretty fragmented, and I've tried numerous sleep supplements. Lots of stress going on now. Don't want to pop pills and creams willy-nilly but would like to get some sort of hormonal balance! I've tried several cortisol reducing supplements but they all contain ashwagandha which has the opposite effect on me. My PCP would probably just try and give me Synthroid.

 

[dani]

Let's talk about the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is a risk factor for low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. If your thyroid is low, you are at risk for low estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Thyroid functions affect mitochondria, tissue repair, GI health, metabolism, muscle and nerve action, growth, utilization of vitamins, etc. A thyroid blood analysis should include a TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies. Optimal blood levels are as follows: TSH 0.3-2.0 (normal 0.3-5.5), Free T3 3.4-4.0 (normal 2.3-4.3), Free T4 1.0-1.25 (normal 1.0-1.25), Reverse T3 10-20 (normal 8-25). As you can see, you can be in the normal range but still hypothyroid. Free T3 is the actual active hormone so you should take thyroid hormone to get into the optimal range (even if TSH and FreeT4 move out of the optimal range by doing so.) Now, low iodine levels and low ferritin levels can cause low thyroid. These should be checked initially as well and supplemented to normalize levels before beginning thyroid replacement because thyroid often normalizes on its own in these cases. A ferritin level of over 100ng/ml is optimal for men and postmenopausal women. A ferritin level over 130 is recommended for cycling women. As you can see, there are many people walking around in the world with functionally low thyroid, but traditional practitioners do not even realize this. Most patients, when being screened for hypothyroidism, are just having a TSH checked. This is the hormone released by the hypothalamus to stimulate the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. By the time TSH is abnormal, thyroid disease has been present and caused multiple problems for the individual for years.

Now let's talk about treatment options. Most doctors prescribe synthroid or levothyroxine. This is a synthetic T4 replacement. Some people have normal levels, but fail to convert the inactive free T4 into the active free T3. Synthroid will not help in these cases. It is best to give a combination therapy of T4/T3. There are multiple formulations of T4/T3 therapy. Armour Thyroid, WP Thyroid, and Nature Thyroid are some examples. WP and Nature are the cleanest with the least added ingredients. They are derived from porcine thyroid hormone.

IF you are hypothyroid and postmenopausal, it is ok to start all therapies at the same time. However, once your thyroid labs are normal, you should retest (via saliva or dried urine) your estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels to see if they need to be adjusted as well.

 

[dani]

OK. As I see it, I would call what I am talking about Optimized Senescence.to me, Anti-Aging is a myth chased by billionaires and Regenerative Medicine is pointing to mechanical musculoskeletal damage. There might be studies out there, however I am not part of the Medical Industry, and please accept the apologies due for maybe creating a perception of disrespect towards current medical work and research. I know evolutionary biology deals with the process of aging and organism deterioration with age, and I also know that Medicine does not appreciate the process as such. What can someone do in a dysfunctional health care environment? Are there any baselines or even markers or anything similar that one can observe and discuss with a GP and the medical insurance?
Reading specialized literature is great but you need to do the heavy lifting in acquiring the knowledge taught for at least three degrees. On the other hand YouTube, TickTok, FaceBook are overflowing with I restored my hip and regrew my teeth and I am 150 but I look ,like 30, and take collagen.
What is the commonsense route? Please help with advice.

You are correct that anti-aging is a misnomer. Until all the toxins and chemicals are removed from Earth, fruits and veggies are grown correctly with optimized mineralization, meat comes from free range, organic, non-stressed animals, we will continue to age at an advanced pace. Even with all those changes, we probably will still age BUT the idea behind 'anti-aging' medicine is to have as balanced and healthy a mind and body as you can so that the process of aging is slowed, AND we live full productive lives into old age... not to NOT age at all. Regenerative medicine views 'anti-aging' in this way, not the superficial way many anti-aging doctors practice today.

I am going to start a regenerative health thread that focuses on regenerative health options on the forum. It will be area by area (ie cancer, endocrine, gut health, autoimmune disease, mitochondrial diseases, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, etc). I will list common supplements for each area. My goal is to educate everyone on the forum as to options and the science behind it so you can all make better decisions.

Now, I would recommend seeing a regenerative/integrative/funcitonal provider if possible. But, not all practitioners in these specialties are good. It is like any other type of doctor, some are better than others. I feel your pain as I couldn't find anyone I trusted in my geographical area, hence, I went out and educated myself. {For the record, I scored 99 percentile on my board exam in traditional medicine, and scored 97 percentile in regenerative health. (Im 55 years old so my test taking skills aren't as good as they used to be). I graduated 5th in my med school class. I am not saying this to toot my own horn, but as an assurance that I am very good at learning, deciphering, integrating, and understanding medical science so that you all can feel comfortable in my advice.} I really just want everyone to live the fullest life that they can so whatever I can do to help is my goal. There are a lot of great posts with great advice on the forum. However, I worry that people hear that some treatment or supplement or medicine is good and start self prescribing. We are all individuals and our bodies are too. Not everything is right for everyone, and it is common for people to start supplements they do not need, and then cause problems in their own health. There are some universal supplements for everyone and I plan to expand on that in the near future.

Anyway, I hope that helps!

 

[dani]

Oh goody. I spent a boatload of cash on a functional thyroid doctor who didn't take insurance and prescribed bioidentical hormones probably 12 years ago, but she could never get the dosage balanced. I was taking a progesterone cream, and estrogen and testosterone pills. The hair on either side of my forehead started receding like a guy, I would get dizzy when I bent over, never felt any better, and I just quit taking them all.

Just had recent blood work from my PCP, my morning cortisol is high. I continually wake up around 3:00 a.m. and can't go back to sleep, and I wake up every hour and a half. According to recent blood work:

Testosterone, total LC/MS 33.3
Testosterone free 0.49
% free testosterone 1.45
estradiol <5.0
Progesterone 0.5
Estrogens, total 41
cort.bind.glob. (CBG) 3.0
Cortisol, serum LCMS 22 (high)
Free cortisol, serum 3.4 (high)
Percent free cortisol, serum 15
TSH Rfx on Abnormal to Free T4 4.390

For reference, I'm 68 years old and went through menopause in my late 40s, and I've never had children.

I'm tired all the time, have no energy, and putting on weight around the middle, nails are crap, hair thinning, and as mentioned, my sleep is pretty fragmented, and I've tried numerous sleep supplements. Lots of stress going on now. Don't want to pop pills and creams willy-nilly but would like to get some sort of hormonal balance! I've tried several cortisol reducing supplements but they all contain ashwagandha which has the opposite effect on me. My PCP would probably just try and give me Synthroid.

I am going to review your labs tomorrow and then I will direct message you if that is ok??

 

[hlat]

Reverse T3 10-20 (normal 8-25)

Should reverse T3 be 10 or lower to be optimal? Should T3 cytomel liothyronine be used to lower reverse T3 that is above 10?

 

[Ruth]

What is the relationship of hypothyroidism and needing T3 on one hand with replacement of estradiol and estriol on the other hand?

While I haven't read the book, I was suffering from Progesterone deficiency. So I sourced a cream from here. It seems to work well if used correctly. I haven't yet figured out how to make the weight gain easier to deal with A part from doing more exercise :

Wellsprings Health - Natural Hormone Help

Wellsprings Health is the home of Wellsprings Serenity Natural Progesterone Cream. Learn how people are using bioidentical Serenity Cream to treat the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, weight gain, bloating, insomnia and more.

www.wellsprings-health.com