How Do I Prevent the Flu By this time of year most people who planned for a flu shot has received one. The vaccine makers have
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January 2, 2009 by bioidentical hormones expert6 Comments
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Just listened to this guided meditation- awesome! Everyone should take a few minutes in their day to listen to this! Lower your stress hormone, cortisol. Do
January 2, 2009 by bioidentical hormones expert6 Comments -
Well, it is now the time of year when many of us look at where we are at in our lives, and see the need to
January 2, 2009 by bioidentical hormones expert6 Comments -
My new book - The Sex Drive Solution for Women: Dr. Jen’s Power Plan to Fire-up Your Libido - is almost here! In the book, you’ll
January 2, 2009 by bioidentical hormones expert6 Comments
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I haven’t read Oprah’s article, but isn’t she also peri-menopausal? And isn’t thyroid often one of the things that changes with menopause?
Cari,
Oprah has talked about being premenopausal in O! Magazine (article). And yes, thyroid problems, particularly hypothyroidism, are common in women who are peri-menopausal and any time hormones are out of balance. There is also a strong connection between the reproductive hormone levels of estrogen and progesterone and thyroid hormone levels. Stress hormone levels, namely cortisol, also have a significant effect on thyroid function. Significant stress often results from a hormonal imbalance, like that found in perimenopause or menopause. In turn, cortisol levels are higher and this reduces the ability of your body to properly use and convert the thyroid hormones.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy works to balance these reproductive hormones, the stress hormone and the hormones of the thyroid glands. This can often work to correct thyroid problems and alleviate the other symptoms of peri-menopause.
Hope this answers your question.
Heidi Archer MD
BodyLogicMD Potomac Falls, VA
What is your take on the use of armour thyroid (dessicated thyroid) for T4 and T3? Here’s an article describing its use: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/2008/12/09/oprah-still-doesnt-get-it-let-me-come-on-your-show-oprah/#comment-31089
Jacqueline,
The thyroid hormones include thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse triiodothyronine (Reverse T3). Of the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland, T4 is produced in the largest amount and has very low activity. Once the T4 is released in your body, it is converted to the active thyroid hormone, T3. Things like stress and high cortisol levels negatively affect your ability to make this conversion. You will also have reduced activity of your thyroid hormones f you are nutritionally depleted in iodine, selenium and/or vitamin A.
Your body creates Reverse T3 from T4 when your cortisol level is very high. Reverse T3 has no activity and this, in turn, helps your body slow its metabolism way down when it perceives a serious problem (like whatever caused the high cortisol levels).
When hypothyroidism is treated, it is important to follow levels of T3 and T4. Synthroid and Levoxyl are bioidentical medications commonly used for treatment, but are T4 only medications. If you have trouble converting T4 to T3, they will not be effective. Cytomel is a bioidentical medication containing only T3 which can be used in conjunction with Synthroid or Levoxyl for those that have trouble with conversion. Armour thyroid is a bioidentical hormone which combines T4 and T3 (in a 4 to 1 ratio of T4 to T3) and for this reason, it can be a very effective solution.
I hope this helps!
Mikhail Berman MD
BodyLogicMD Palm Beach Gardens, FL
I developed hyperthyroidism after using an IUD. I was wondering if u think that Bioidenticals could help restore balance and normalize my thyroid?
Cheri,
One of the prime uses of natural bioidentical hormone therapy is to correct horomonal imbalances caused by the thyroid. Bioidenticals can almost certainly help you. Visit our site to find an expert bioidentical hormone physician near you http://www.bodylogicmd.com/.
Wishing you good health!