bioidentical hormones

[youngeryou]

Natural Hormone Therapy

Mr. OM has a classic example of adrenal fatigue. He also presents symptoms of inmune reactivity. All his problems can be corrected by balancing his hormonal function including adrenal (DHEA) and Testosterone. Gastrointestinal health is required for optimal inmune function. Bringing him back to a state of health would avoid the use of longterm steroids.

I am a board certified neurologist and anti-aging physician with extensive expertise in brain and endocrine function for optimal health. By maintaining balance of the brain, glands and gastrointestinal system optimal health can be achieved. It is unfortunate that conventional doctors specialize in a particular area or system rather than approaching the patient in a holistic and integrated way.

Rodney D. Soto, M.D.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I thought this was relevant to this thread:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters warning seven pharmacy operations that the claims they make about the safety and effectiveness of their so-called "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy," or "BHRT" products are unsupported by medical evidence, and are considered false and misleading by the agency. FDA is concerned that unfounded claims like these mislead women and health care professionals.
http://www.pharmwatch.org/reg/bioidentical.shtml

caveat emporum!

 

[organicmama]

I thought this was relevant to this thread:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters warning seven pharmacy operations that the claims they make about the safety and effectiveness of their so-called "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy," or "BHRT" products are unsupported by medical evidence, and are considered false and misleading by the agency. FDA is concerned that unfounded claims like these mislead women and health care professionals.
http://www.pharmwatch.org/reg/bioidentical.shtml

caveat emporum!

I'm sorry, Skunky, but consider the source. He's obviously biased, as per usual. Both sides of the story on the safety and efficiacy of drugs versus natural therapies need to be shown, not just one side.

Let's look at some FDA regulated, considered "safe" forms of hormones:

http://www.orthoevra.com/orthoevra/faq.html
Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of the Patch. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use the Patch are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use the Patch, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.

Hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the blood stream and are removed from the body differently than hormones from birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. The risk of venous thromboembolic disease (blood clots in the legs and/or the lungs) may be increased with ORTHO EVRA compared with that of a birth control pill containing norgestimate and 35 mcg of estrogen. One study found a doubling of this risk and another study found no increased risk.

http://www.birthcontrolpatchsideeffects.com/
And there's tons more about the legal issues going on regarding this drug that is considered safe & effective and used by women because their physician recommends it.

PLUS,

http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/3728 (Don't get started on the OMBs PLEASE!!!)

http://www.naturalnews.com/019497.html

 

[Linda]

I thought this was relevant to this thread:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters warning seven pharmacy operations that the claims they make about the safety and effectiveness of their so-called "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy," or "BHRT" products are unsupported by medical evidence, and are considered false and misleading by the agency. FDA is concerned that unfounded claims like these mislead women and health care professionals.
http://www.pharmwatch.org/reg/bioidentical.shtml

caveat emporum!

I'm not inclined to believe the FDA - Please take the time to read the link to this article - http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb624561.htm

 

[30A Skunkape]

I'm sorry, Skunky, but consider the source. He's obviously biased, as per usual. Both sides of the story on the safety and efficiacy of drugs versus natural therapies need to be shown, not just one side.

Let's look at some FDA regulated, considered "safe" forms of hormones:

http://www.orthoevra.com/orthoevra/faq.html
Serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of the Patch. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke and heart attacks and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you are over 35. Women who use the Patch are strongly advised not to smoke. Some women should not use the Patch, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.

Hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the blood stream and are removed from the body differently than hormones from birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use ORTHO EVRA than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. The risk of venous thromboembolic disease (blood clots in the legs and/or the lungs) may be increased with ORTHO EVRA compared with that of a birth control pill containing norgestimate and 35 mcg of estrogen. One study found a doubling of this risk and another study found no increased risk.

http://www.birthcontrolpatchsideeffects.com/
And there's tons more about the legal issues going on regarding this drug that is considered safe & effective and used by women because their physician recommends it.

PLUS,

http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/3728 (Don't get started on the OMBs PLEASE!!!)

http://www.naturalnews.com/019497.html

I'm not inclined to believe the FDA - Please take the time to read the link to this article - http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb624561.htm

'He' is the FDA. If you believe they are biased, so be it, but I encourage you to consider the facts they present as you consider your options.

Do you imply that there is something unsafe about Ortho Evra because concurrent use of the natural herb tobacco biggrin increases a woman's potential to go into a hypercoaguable state? I think the culprit is the HERB!

All I am urging you guys to do is not take a sales pitch hook, line and sinker, especially when there isn't good data to back up what you are paying for or putting into your body. What is so radical about that?

 

[Linda]

'He' is the FDA. If you believe they are biased, so be it, but I encourage you to consider the facts they present as you consider your options.

Do you imply that there is something unsafe about Ortho Evra because concurrent use of the natural herb tobacco biggrin increases a woman's potential to go into a hypercoaguable state? I think the culprit is the HERB!

All I am urging you guys to do is not take a sales pitch hook, line and sinker, especially when there isn't good data to back up what you are paying for or putting into your body. What is so radical about that?

I agree that nobody should take a sales pitch hook, line and sinker. Speaking only for myself - I have done exhaustive research on the subject of bioidentical hormones, weighed the pros and cons, and made the decision that was best for me. I urge everyone else to do the same.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I agree that nobody should take a sales pitch hook, line and sinker. Speaking only for myself - I have done exhaustive research on the subject of bioidentical hormones, weighed the pros and cons, and made the decision that was best for me. I urge everyone else to do the same.

That is how it should be, and I congratulate you. Sadly, I think you are atypical.

 

[organicmama]

'He' is the FDA. If you believe they are biased, so be it, but I encourage you to consider the facts they present as you consider your options.

Do you imply that there is something unsafe about Ortho Evra because concurrent use of the natural herb tobacco biggrin increases a woman's potential to go into a hypercoaguable state? I think the culprit is the HERB!

All I am urging you guys to do is not take a sales pitch hook, line and sinker, especially when there isn't good data to back up what you are paying for or putting into your body. What is so radical about that?

I am saying that for both sides. Caution should be used, whichever choice is made for the patient/consumer, be it supplements or drugs. Just believing something as fact because the FDA said it's true is just as crazy. Skunky, I am a skeptic for it all, although I tend to use more natural things. However, I am very, very cautious and hope that others are too.

Geez, I can't even remember to take a 1/day multivitamin, that's why I'd rather eat higher quality food and know that I am still getting some nutrients from them.

 

[organicmama]

That is how it should be, and I congratulate you. Sadly, I think you are atypical.

You're probably right, but I also shake my head in frustration when patients believe hook, line and sinker everything their doctor says, as if it's from God. Checking everything out and being an informed consumer is the most important factor. Being an idiot that just goes along with whatever advertisement or advice comes along is absurd.

 

[organicmama]

Skunky, I have a very direct question that I hope you'll answer.

Why do you tow the hard-core, everything the FDA says is gold and anything from a holistic POV is crap? It's just puzzling to me because you are very intelligent and well-read, but you pooh-pooh anything that you deem not mainstream. It's "The FDA says this..." and "The FDA says that..." then "caveat emporum!" on anything that you don't agree on, especially supplements.

In my time as a parent, our kids have had 3 pediatricians because of different geographical locations. All are in mainstream practices and see a wide range of patients, but allow the patient's parent to educate themselves without coming down on them harshly for making a decision outside what the FDA says or the American Academy of Pediatrics says. Honestly, the first one used to say, "Here is what the AAP wants me to tell all my patients... and here is what I tell my educated parents..." It was refreshing. The second one actually had books on natural healing there to reference as options to the parents, from supplements to herbs to homeopathy. They wrote prescriptions when need be, even gave them out to parents who wanted nothing but drugs and could care less about other forms of healing. But the point is they EXPLORED other options freely and allowed parents to do the same.

I don't agree with the current healthcare system in the United States. It's all about drugs or sugery. It's so short-sighted. To me, integrative medicine that balances allopathic with holistic forms of healing is ideal. Then a patient can go to one practitioner for their whole health, instead of having to see an MD and the go see an herbalist or nutritionist on the side. The only thing that is going to help change that is if it changes from within. I don't blame you or any other MD for the way that you practice medicine or even for the whole damn fiasco that's going on in healthcare today. It's bigger than you and me. I just wish you'd be more open & not so freaking black and white on things. You've got people that are honestly seeking info and look to you because you are an MD and you robotically respond negatively to anything not endorsed by the FDA.

There's good, bad and ugly on both sides, Skunky. Promoting that drugs are the only safe way to go is a giant crock of bat turds, to put it bluntly.