SOLUTIONS FOR DISEASES OF MODERN CIVILIZATION
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Short Post Menopause Hormone Panel
Evista, Paxil, Synthroid, and Atacand.
She did not know if she had any bone loss or if her estrogens were low or high. However, her medical doctor had put her on Evista anyway. She was taking Paxil for depression, Synthroid for low thyroid function, and Atacand for high blood pressure, too. Her other (holistic) doctor, the one I was talking to, ordered the Short Post Menopause Hormone Panel (PHP1) to actually check her hormone levels.
Her DHEA was very low. Testosterone was normal. Estrone and estriol were a little low. Estradiol was about twice too high for healthy tissue. And progesterone was well below the target range.
My approach to preventing bone loss is to make sure adrenal hormones (mainly DHEA and cortisol) and ovarian hormones (mainly estradiol and progesterone) are at the correct levels. A person should eat well and get some moderate exercise, too.
This woman is a perfect example of what saliva testing can reveal. We see from her DHEA that she has been under a lot of stress. She would benefit from taking the Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) to further evaluate adrenal function. Also, her high estradiol and low progesterone present a classic case of estrogen dominance and potential long-term health problems.
I would not be surprised if the Evista actually increases the free fraction of circulating estrogens. The high estrogens can burden the liver and often affect its ability to convert T4 to T3 (which may be why she is taking Synthroid).
The patient might also consider taking the the Short Thyroid Panel (STP) to check brain/thyroid function and to see if her liver is converting T4 to T3 well. She might consider reducing her Evista, or taking fiber, vitamin C, and liver support (Livit 1 and Livit 2) to bring her high estradiol down.
I am optimistic that once her hormones are near the correct level and the carbohydrates are reduced in her diet that some or most of her symptoms will subside.
Warm regards,
Dr. Mark Rhodes, Ph.D.
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