Book on Bioidentical Hormones

I just finished Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones by Suzanne Somers. I really didn't understand what a "bioidentical hormone" was and wanted to find out more. "Bioidentical" means biologically identical to human hormones, to replicate human hormones, are not drugs. They are not like synthetic hormones, which are made from the urine of pregnant mares.





Since I have a disease that is hormone-related, I want to learn all I can and get different perspectives and find what feels right, and works, for me.

It was interesting reading and a different opinion than what you'd get from most mainstream doctors (including the endocrinologists I have been unhappy with for the treatment of my thyroid disease). I wouldn't be surprised to see more of this thought process being practiced down the road but it'll be a long road until then I think, if my own personal experience with mainstream doctors is any indication.


I've made a lot of notes from the book for my use and want to document them here for my future reading. My brain fog is bad enough that I have to make notes of pretty much everything or else it's forgotten in no time. These are some notes I've made from my reading from different information in the book:

• Cancer and synthetic hormone replacement (like Premarin, Provera, and Prempro) link: Study by Women's Health Initiative was supposed to last 8.5 years but was stopped after 5.2 years because risk of using synthetic hormones outweighed the benefits. Increased risk of breast cancer; also shows does not protect heart and bones like originally though.


• DHEA: most plentiful hormone in body, converted into other hormones (including estrogen and testosterone). Considered an antiaging and anti-disease hormone. Weight loss. Your DHEA levels can be checked via saliva or blood test. Female optimum level is 150-350 and males 250-450 according to this book. Available over the counter. There are side effects if you have too much so get tested before supplementing. DHEA may be better taken at night.


• Some reasons for sick thyroid: 1) Selenium necessary for T4 conversion to T3. 2) Estrogen dominance 3) Mercury 4) Stress


• You should support the adrenals when treating your thyroid (my endocrinologists and family doctors who treated my thyroid these last eight years never talked about it or obviously did this). I was finally recently tested, but the endocrinologist wouldn't even consider adrenal support.


• Chronically high levels of cortisol will degrade your immune system (like dealing with all the ex/step stress where I lived in a constant state of stress for about ten years?).


• The author gets regular injections of HGH (human growth hormone) because tests showed she was low. Have to be tested first. To read some studies, go to http://www.pubmed.com/ and type in "growth hormone".


• The "Seven Dwarfs of Menopause" (this I found funny even though I'm a few years away from menopause...I wanted to keep it): Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and All-Dried-Up. Menopause doesn't have to be miserable if your hormones are optimized (something for me to keep in mind for when I start to go through it).


• GI Bloat: There are foods that offend you and cause this. There is supposed to be a test you can take to find out what those foods are. You can find out more at Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, http://www.schwarzbeinprinciple.com/.


• Symptoms of low testosterone for men are low libido, decreased facial and body hair, enlarged breasts or no symptoms at all. Can cause osteoporosis in men.


• Calcium supplements: better as liquid because some in pill form do not dissolve and come out the next day.


• Iodine: Iodine is necessary and concentrates in the thyroid, breasts, and ovaries (I've read elsewhere that iodine is used in the treatment of breast cancer...it's worth looking into as I've been told (by other thyroid patients...not doctors) that Iodine would shrink my thyroid nodules and goiter.) Fluoride interferes in our body utilizing what Iodine we do get. Can get an iodine loading test to find out if you are deficient and by how much.
• Book mentions melatonin; 0.25 mg (tiny dose) or higher, depending on needs. Will look into.
• The book lists several doctors, specialists, clinics, and institutes for more information: http://www.bermansexualhealth.com/, http://www.ahealth.com/, http://www.drarvantely.com/, http://www.emotrics/, http://www.menopauseinstitute.com/, http://www.antiaging.com/, http://www.bornclinic.com/, http://www.drbrownstein.com/, http://www.juliecarmenyoga.com/.