Transcript Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
Bioidentical Hormone Restoration
Best Medical Practice This presentation is available online.
Hormone Restoration
Medically Necessary Safe Improves Health and Quality of Life Prevents and Treats Many Diseases Restores Sexuality Reduces need for: Blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol meds Anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, pain, sleep meds Osteoporosis meds
Hormones
Neuro-endocrine-immune system Travel via blood to tissues
Control
cellular metabolism, functions The most
powerful
molecules in biology
Optimal
levels are
Essential
for Health
Bioidentical:
Same molecular structure as our natural hormones
Gonadal Steroids: Not Just “Sex Hormones”
Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone Essential
to
all
tissues in
both sexes
!
Brain function Immune system Blood vessel health Blood lipids, clotting factors Connective tissue—
skin, hair, muscle, bone
GH, FSH, LH, TSH, and ACTH control other glands Insulin Testosterone CRH, TRH, etc. control pituitary T4, T3 Cortisol, DHEA, Aldosterone, Pregnenolone Adrenalin Estradiol, Progesterone Testosterone
Bioidentical Hormones are NOT Drugs
Inherently safe
,
Non
toxic Proper
fit
in receptors, easily eliminated
No No
allergic reactions “side effects” Monitor dose with usual blood tests Only potential problems : Excessive dose Lack of
balance
with other hormones Unphysiological delivery: route, timing, etc.
The
Tyranny
of the Lab Report
Reference Range=
95% of the population NOT
the
optimal range
for any person
Male
free testosterone: 35-155
Female
free testosterone:
0.0
-2.2
Free T4: 0.6-1.8
5x!
!
3x!
AM serum cortisol 5-25
5x!
Within RR:
pharmaceuticals for symptoms
Below RR
(<97.5%): replace to within-RR
Disease/No Disease
instead of
Continuum
Hypometabolism
—Thyroid and Cortisol
Insufficiencies Thyroid sets throttle Cortisol delivers the fuel Insufficiency reduced metabolic rate
fatigue, brain dysfunction, depression, pain
Usual tests are
insensitive
Optimization improves health and quality of life
Cortisol
Adrenal glands Maintains blood sugar (delivers the fuel) Modulates immune system, brain function Need
higher
amounts with stress, disease Too much Diabetes, HTN, osteoporosis Too little hypoglycemia, fatigue, depression, aches, autoimmune diseases, allergies
Insufficiency
more prevalent than
excess
!
Mild-to-Moderate
Cortisol Insufficiency
Central:
brain (H-P) fails to maintain levels
Common
cause of chronic fatigue, pain
Clue:
Mood, energy improved on prednisone
Saliva testing
reveals
free cortisol
levels at 4 times during a normal day
Normal Saliva Cortisol Profile
Cortisol Insufficiency
Common Dysfunctional Pattern
Cortisol Restoration
Mild— hormones stress, rest, nutrients, other
Moderate-to-severe
—
cortisol restoration Low physiological doses are safe
40 years’ experience: see Dr. Jeffries’
Safe Uses of Cortisol
Thyroid Hormones T
4
T
3 Maintain metabolism, mood, and energy
T 4
(Synthroid , Levoxyl ) is bioidentical, but must be converted to
T 3
Thyroid gland makes
T 4
and
T 3
; we should restore both hormones Can have thyroid hormone resistance
Continuum: Higher Thyroid Hormone Levels within the RRs:
50% reduction in severe atherosclerosis Clin Cardiol. 2003 Dec;26(12):569-73 Lowers cardiac risk factors: cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, homocysteine and lipoprotein(a) Lowers blood pressure, dilates arteries Reduces tendency to form blood clots Relieves depression Helps weight loss
Continuum: Weight vs. Free T
4
Within the RR
J Clin Endocrinol Metab July 2005, 90(7):4019-4024
Thyroid
Insufficiency Mental fog Fatigue, depression, anxiety Cold extremities Aches and pains Hair loss, esp. in women Weight gain Constipation Puffy ankles and face Elevated cholesterol
Diagnosing Thyroid
Insufficiency Signs and Symptoms
T 3 plus
free
T 4
or free levels below mid-point of RR High TSH = thyroid gland failure Normal/Low TSH = H-P dysfunction Trial of thyroid hormone supplementation using
T 4
and
T 3
The Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and Depression Epidemic Pre-1970s: T 3 and T 4 for symptoms Post-1970s: T 4 -only to “ normalize ” TSH Doses lowered by 30-50% TSH “normalizing”
T 4
dose low free
T 3
, weight gain, persistence of symptoms People with fatigue, fibromyalgia, and depression often improve with
T 3 /T 4 optimization
Cortisol and Thyroid Optimization
Any Questions?
The Controversy
What do we do about hormones lost to normal aging ?
Adrenopause
DHEA-S Levels with Age
Somatopause
Growth Hormone (GH)
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999; 84(6):2013-2019
Thyropause Free T 3 Endocr Rev. 1995 Dec;16(6):686-715
Male Andropause—
Testosterone
Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Harman et al., 2001
pg/ml 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0
Andropause
vs.
Menopause
Men Women
Testosterone Estradiol
Young ♂ Old ♂
Progesterone average
Young ♀ Old ♀
DHEA-S 5,000,000pg/ml Cortisol 100,000 pg/ml!
T P E
Conventional View of
Aging The loss of hormones is
adaptive
Higher levels cause heart attacks , breast and prostate cancers
Pharmaceutical Corporation Agenda
:
Take drugs
instead of replacing hormones.
Against the Conventional View
Aging
is an
auto-destruct program.
Starts around age 25!
Glands
and
control systems in weight, BP, cholesterol,
deteriorate
cancers , heart attacks , autoimmune diseases , etc.
Occur
years after
hormone
losses
begin Occur
more often
in those with
lower
levels Hormone restoration improves parameters, does not cause increased disease.
Women
Killers Cardiovascular disease (CVD), breast cancer and osteoporosis are
rare
in
premenopausal
women They begin in
perimenopause
when progesterone and testosteron e are
low
.
After menopause, CVD rises faster than in men Higher risk than men after 65 Higher mortality after 70 Surgical menopause 2-7x risk of heart attacks Engl J Med 1987 Apr 30;316(18):1105-10 Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Jan;139(1):47-51.
DHEA—Most Abundant Steroid
Precursor of testosterone and estradiol Lower levels assoc. with risk of death, disease Anabolic —builds tissues, improves immunity Reduces
pain
by increasing endorphins Anti-inflammatory Improves immune system function Anti-atherosclerotic Reduces platelet aggregation--blood clotting Anti-cancer effects
Male
Andropause
:“Just Gettin’ Old”
Testosterone levels decline slowly Fatigue Reduced mental function Passivity and moodiness Loss of muscle and bone mass Increased abdominal fat Loss of libido, no spontaneous morning erections
Testosterone is Your Friend
Improves mood and sociability Improves energy Improves cognition, protects against Alzheimer’s disease Neurology. 2004 Jan 27;62(2):188-93.
Improves libido and erectile function Increases muscle and bone mass Reduces abdominal fat, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood pressure- counteracts metabolic syndrome
Testosterone is Good for your Heart
Low
testosterone levels correlate with coronary artery disease and stroke Arterioscler Thromb. 1994; 14:701-706 Eur Heart J 2000; 21; 890–4 Int J Cardiol. 1998 Jan 31;63(2):161-4 Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1996 Jun;16(6):749-54
T
dilates coronary arteries
T
improves endothelial function
T
increases heart muscle size, strength
T
decreases fibrinogen levels—prevents blood clots Endocr Res. 2005;31(4):335-44
Testosterone Does Not Cause Prostate
Cancer Testosterone point.
promotes prostate growth to a Castration slows prostate cancer temporarily.
Men with higher
T
risk of levels prostate cancer.
don’t
growth have higher Testosterone restoration does not increase the risk of prostate cancer .
Low
T
levels associated with
more aggressive
prostate cancers .
Where’s the Beef?
“These results argue against an increased risk of prostate cancer with testosterone replacement therapy.”
Testosterone replacement therapy and prostate risks: where's the beef? Morgentaler A. Can J Urol. 2006 Feb;13 Suppl 1:40-3
Hormones and
Aging
Testosterone For Men
Any Questions?
Coming up: Estradiol, Progesterone, and Testosterone for Women
Female Endocrinology: Balance in a Complex System
Reproduction
makes special demands on the female body Breasts, uterus and ovaries undergo a
monthly cycle
of proliferation and breakdown No similar process in males
Defects
in this cycle can lead to cancers and other medical disorders.
Estrogen—Progesterone Complementarity in Women
Estrogen promotes tissue proliferation and growth Progesterone stops proliferation and promotes differentiation Differentiated cells can’t become cancers High average progesterone/estrogen ratio prevents cancers
Anti-Estrogenic Actions of Progesterone
Decreases synthesis of estradiol receptor molecules Increases conversion of estradiol to estrone (weak estrogen) in tissues Inhibits conversion of estrone to estradiol Increases sulfation of estrogens (inactivation) Williams Text. of Endocrinology, 10 th Ed., p. 612
Normal Cycle and Balance
Ovulation
Menstrual Cycle
Perimenopause Luteal Insufficiency=Estrogen Dominance
Ovulation
Inadequate Luteal Phase
shorter periods, early spotting
Menstrual Cycle
Perimenopause Anovulation with Estrogen Dominance High estrogen, low progesterone
’d risk of cancer Menstrual Cycle
Menopause Estrogen and Progesterone Deficiency
Imbalance: Estrogen Dominance
Allergies Autoimmune disease Anxiety, irritability Insomnia Decreased sex drive Depression Bloating and edema Fibrocystic breasts Uterine fibroids Breast cancer Ovarian cancer Uterine cancer Thyroid dysfunction Gallbladder disease Heavy/painful menses Migraines Seizures Endometriosis
Perimenopause is
Dangerous Females born with a
fixed
uterine cancer no. of oocytes (eggs) Aging fewer oocytes of lower quality are left reduced progesterone production estrogen dominance
Anovulation
no progesterone estrogen dominance breast and
Menopause:
Estradiol Deficiency
Irritability, depression, insomnia, ’d risk of Alzheimer’s dz.
Fatigue, aches and pains Genital atrophy Loss of libido Atrophy and wrinkling of skin BP, LDL cholesterol, heart disease Osteoporosis
Female Andropause
Female
50%
testosterone levels decline between age 20 and 45. Menopause. 2003 Sep-Oct;10(5):390-8 Birth control pills and menopausal HRT 25 to 40% in free testosterone and DHEAS levels Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Dec;90(6):995-8 DHEA declines with age —main source of androgens
Testosterone for Women
Improves energy, mood Reduces anxiety Improves sexual function Increases muscle strength, stamina Increases bone density J Reprod Med. 1999 Dec;44(12):1012-20 Probably decreases risk of heart attack J Womens Health. 1998 Sep;7(7):825-9
Speroff L, Fritz M Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Fertility, 7 th Ed.
Osteoporosis
In menopause
5%
of bone mass is lost each year for first 5 years=
25% 50% of women
>65 yrs. old have spinal compression fractures
14% lifetime risk of hip fracture
50 yr.old woman,
30%
for for 80 yr. old.
Speroff L, Fritz M Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Fertility, 7 th Ed.
Osteoporosis
A
hormone deficiency
disease (incl. Vit. D) Estradiol controls resorption of old bone Testosterone , progesterone , DHEA , and GH
build
new bone J Clin Endo Metab. 1996; 81:37-43 J Reprod Med. 1999 Dec;44(12):1012-20 Combined hormone restoration density better than Fosamax increases bone
and
preserves normal bone remodeling
Perimenopause and Menopause and Their Disorders
Any Questions?
Coming: The Problems with “HRT”: Breast Cancer , Strokes , and Heart Attacks
So Why is Everyone Saying that Hormone Replacement is
Dangerous
?
Q: What “hormones”? Given how?
Bioidentical Human Steroid Hormones
Complex Interactive System
Testosterone Estradiol Progesterone DHEA Do Not Substitute Cortisol
“HRT” has Always been Hormone
Substitution!
Pregnant mare’s urine: Premarin in 1942 Progesterone synthesized in 1942, altered to make “ progestins ” “HRT” = pills containing
alien
molecules Drug Co.s pushed doctors to use hormone substitutes and ignore bioidenticals !
Confusion:
Beware of the “HRT” Literature!
“Estrogen”
means anything with estrogen like effects
“Progesterone”
like Provera , often used for levonorgestrel “progestins” , etc.
“Testosterone”
can mean alien molecules like methyltestosterone
Biochemistry 101:
Different molecules are not the same and do not have the same effects!
Premarin :
Close, but Not Human
Human Horse
Estradiol-17β Dihydroequilin-17β
CEE contains at least 10 estrogens, only 3 are found in humans . CEE is similar to human estrogens and has similar benefits .
The Problems with
Oral
Estrogens
First-pass effect on the liver IGF-1 (growth hormone), SHBG, CRP clotting factors blood clots and strokes Transdermal estradiol has none of these effects—does not cause blood clots! Circulation. 2007 Feb 20;115(7):840-5
Birth Control Pills: Very
Unnatural
Estradiol Ethinyl Estradiol Acetylene
EE cannot be inactivated by normal oxidation!
EE does not interact with estrogen receptor !
Oral EE is more thrombogenic than Premarin or estradiol
The BIGGEST Problem
:
Progestins Progesterone MPA (Provera
) Megestrol
Many Doctors Do not Know the Difference!
Scientific studies show that:
Progesterone
Provera
• Maintains pregnancy • Improves mood • Improves sleep • Diuretic • Lowers blood sugar • Maintains estradiol-induced arterial dilation • Improves lipid profile • Prevents heart attacks • Reduces estrogenic stimulation of breasts • Decreases risk of breast cancer • Causes birth defects • Can cause depression • Insomnia, irritability • Fluid retention • Raises blood sugar • Reduces estradiol-induced arterial dilation • Worsens lipid profile • Causes heart attacks • Increases estrogenic stimulation of breasts • Increases risk of breast cancer
Progestin
Zoo Provera
Progesterone
Kuhl, Climacteric 2005;8(Suppl 1)
2002 WHI Study:
“HRT”
is
Dangerous!
>30 studies showed long term protection against heart disease with Premarin WHI: 60-70 y.o.’s started on “HRT” Premarin caused adverse effects in the
first year
( blood clots Adding Provera and (Prempro strokes ) ). caused many more adverse effects ( breast cancers and heart attacks ). Large increase in dementia —probably vascular in origin
Progestins
cause
Atherosclerosis
and
Clotting “In both peripheral and cerebral vasculature (of live animals),
synthetic progestins
caused endothelial disruption, accumulation of monocytes in the vessel wall, platelet activation and clot formation, which are early events in atherosclerosis , inflammation and thrombosis.
Natural progesterone or estrogens did not show such toxicity
.” Thomas T, Rhodin J, Clark L, Garces A. Progestins initiate adverse events of menopausal estrogen therapy. Climacteric. 2003 Dec;6(4):293-301.
Cardiovascular Disease
My Conclusions:
Youthful levels of steroid hormones
protective
.
Estradiol and progesterone are more protective than testosterone Oral , not transdermal, estradiol increases the risk of thrombi and strokes Estradiol
reduces
atherosclerosis in the long run.
Some progestins inflammation , cause persistent endothelial atherosclerosis , and clotting .
Best Preventative Strategy—maintain youthful levels of sex-steroid hormones!
Breast Cancer:
Verdict: Progesterone is Innocent
“The balance of the in vivo evidence is that progesterone does not have a cancer-promoting tissue.” effect on breast
Progestins and progesterone in hormone replacement therapy and the risk of breast cancer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol.
2005
Jul;96(2):95-108.
That’s the conservative interpretation of the evidence!
In Fact: Progesterone Prevents
Breast Cancer
55,000 women 8 years f/u
c/w WHI- 16,000, 6 yr. f/u No Hormones
TD-E2=Transdermal Estradiol E3N-EPIC Cohort study
Int J Cancer. 2005 Apr 10;114(3):448-54
More Progesterone=Less
Breast Cancer
6,000 women 5 yr. F/U
Less Breast Cancer More Progesterone ORDET Study: Int. J. Cancer 112 (2004) (2), pp. 312–318. See also Cancer Causes Control. 2004 Feb;15(1):45-53.
Many Kinds of Evidence
Progesterone breast tumors prevents estradiol -induced in rats as well as Tamoxifen Jpn J Cancer Res. 1985 Aug;76(8):699-704 Premenopausal women with low 5.4 times greater risk of early P levels had breast cancer Am J Epidem 1981; 114:209-17 Breast cancer victims have signs of progesterone resistance Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1998 Mar;105(3):345-51.
More Evidence
Estradiol cream applied to the breast induces proliferation , adding progesterone reduces proliferation to baseline Fertil Steril 1995; 63:785-91 Estradiol upregulates cancer-promoting gene bcl-2, progesterone downregulates it.
Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1998 Nov-Dec;28(6):360-9
In vitro
: adding progesterone estradiol -induced proliferation eliminates and cancers in normal breast cells Eur J Cancer. 2000 Sep;36 Suppl 4:S90-1 J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2000 Jun;73(3-4):171-81
Testosterone Prevents
Breast Cancer
in Estradiol-Replete Women
Testosterone opposes estradiol-induced breast stimulation .
Menopause. 2003 Jul-Aug;10(4):292-8 Endocr Rev. 2004 Jun;25(3):374-88.
FASEB J. 2000 Sep;14(12):1725-30.
Addition of testosterone to estrogen/progestin reduces breast cancer incidence to baseline.
Menopause. 2004 Sep-Oct;11(5):531-5 Testosterone and DHT inhibit
in vitro
growth of breast cancer cell lines.
Gynecol Endocrinol 2002; 16: 113-120 Testosterone is an effective treatment for breast cancer .
Cancer Detect Prev. 1992;16(1):31-8(review)
Breast Cancer
My Conclusions:
Estradiol promotes breast cancer .
Some progestins promote breast cancer .
Progesterone and testosterone help prevent breast cancer .
Estradiol restoration
is
safe if
accompanied by sufficient
progesterone
and
testosterone
to restore youthful
balance .
Hormone Restoration for Women
Keeping a woman
premenopausal
by restoring hormones in the
most physiological way
and
in natural balance
should be considered
beneficial
until proven otherwise.
Since menopausal hormone deficiencies are
known
to be
harmful and to diminish quality of life ,
those who would
deny
women the
restoration
of their hormones have the
burden of proof that there is harm
that outweighs the
benefits .
Where Do They Come From?
Chemically synthesized from diosgenin (wild Mexican yams and soy) Compounding pharmacists prepare creams, tablets, etc. using USP-certified hormones
FAR less expensive
and
more convenient
than similar FDA-approved comm. products
Wyeth Corp. Propaganda: What Your OB/GYN is Told
ACOG NEWS RELEASE
October 31, 2005 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Washington, DC
- There is no scientific evidence to support claims of increased efficacy or safety for individualized estrogen or progesterone regimens prepared by compounding pharmacies ,… all of them should be considered to have the same safety issues as those hormone products that are approved by the FDA (including Prempro , BCPs) and may also have additional risks unique to the compounding process… Furthermore, hormone therapy does not belong to a class of drugs with an indication for individualized dosing …
ACOG to Women: Suffer from Deficiencies or Die from Our Substitutes!
“HRT”
,
Breast Cancer
,
Strokes,
and
Heart Attacks Any Questions?
What Else Can Hormone Restoration Help?
Infertility, PMS, heavy bleeding Headaches and insomnia—almost always Heart failure, angina Mental disorders Autoimmune diseases (SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, etc.) Intra-abdominal fat (pot belly) Allergies, skin diseases
Every
disease/disorder?!
Doing HR
Cost—Hourly rate Forms available online Initial visit: order tests F/U visits: Review results—prescribe—retest Repeat until stabilized at proper dose Follow-up office visit every 6 months, test only as needed.
Telephone Consults—same hourly rate E-mail—usually no charge
For More Information
The Miracle of Natural Hormones
David Brownstein, MD
How to Achieve Healthy Aging—Look, Live, and Feel Fantastic After 40
Neal Rouzier, MD
The Hormone Solution—Stay Younger Longer
Thierry Hertoghe, MD Life Extension Foundation: www.lef.org
Hormonerestoration.com
.
Office: 570-836-0359