Dr. Leonetti Responds to Reader Questions and Comments
by Helene Leonetti MD on 24/08/09 at 3:45 pm
From Lyn
I have missed my period for 3 months now. I am 50 years young. I was having severe hot flashes every 30 minutes or so. I started using the progesterone cream once a day, and my hot flashes are completely gone after only a few days of using it. I’m amazed. –Lyn
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Lyn
Ah, yes, dear Lyn, it is truly magic, and real magic at that! Continue with remembering to stop for a few days at month’s end to down-regulate the hormones; and most importantly, nurture yourself in every way, by tending to your healing foods, your exercise, and your emotional/spiritual practices: prayer, meditation, yoga. Hugs, Helene B. Leonetti MD
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From Katy
Hi. All the talk is about this new anit-aging supplement resveratrol. Anyway, I tried it and it totally interfered with my progesterone. I researched it and it is made from a phyto-estrogen. How will taking a phyto-estrogen effect men? They are really pushing this as a wonder supplement. I couldn’t make it two weeks without having serious estrogen issues. Wow, what would this do to woman on birth control. Any insight on this? I know so many people jumping on this as Oprah’s Dr. Oz recommends. hmmm?
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Katy
I find your reaction curious, and wonder if it could be attributed to other factors. Yes, resveratrol is a phytonutrient, perhaps can even be called a phytoestrogen, as are red clover, lentils, licorice, and pomegranate. But I am of the understanding that it has both agonist (pro-estrogen) and antagonist (against-estrogen) properties which essentially are neutral. I marvel at how once pronounced as the miracle anti-aging nutrient, many entrepreneurs rally to promote their various products. Like everything, there are good quality preparations and not-so-good quality preparations.
For several years, I have taken Longevinex resveratrol, because I am very impressed with the science that this company provides. Perhaps the anti-aging qualities of red wine can be explained by the theory that as we age, the calcium, copper, and iron stores in our bodies are no longer needed for growth, and actually become oxidative, or damaging to our cells. Because Longevinex adds gentle chelators to their capsule (quercitin and ferulic acid) these minerals can be bound so as not to cause undue stress to our bodies. This is a theory, but plausible, so I wanted to share it with you.
Dr. Oz recently stated on national TV that he does not endorse any supplements and to avoid any companies that claim he does, or that include his photo with their products.
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From Michelle
Hola Everyone, I had my tubes tied 2004 and a year later I was dealing with excessive bleeding, night sweats, low libido, acne, anemia, foggy thinking, loss of memory, moodiness, painful intercourse and many more. Well, today after two years on this progesterone cream, plus making healthy choices and adding wonderful supplements, I corrected my problem (post tubal ligation syndrome) up to 90%! May God bless Dr. John Lee. I have always been healthy but after messing with my hormones I do understand to not fix something that does not need to be fixed. Bummer for us women who have been fixed. But there is hope!
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Michelle
A blessing that you have recovered. I am of the belief that we learn lessons, and move on. Though it was a painful two years until you empowered yourself with knowledge, it nonetheless gave you wisdom that now you can pay forward to the many women whose lives you touch. I was reviewing the amazing work that Dr. Lee did in revealing our very own literature to us as physicians, and continually quote from a study he found in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1979, (54:189-192) that women who have their tubes tied produce 50% less progesterone than women not sterilized. The work goes on. And slowly, as we speak the truth of valid studies instead of pharmaceutical dogma, the paradigm will shift and we will begin seeing a more wellness-inspired profession.
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From Jane
I have a question. I am a 57-year-old female on 100 mcg levothyroxin daily and wonder if taking progesterone orally or by cream would be better for me. I have done both but am not taking any bioidentical hormones at this time. I thought I read that I may not absorb progesterone well on hypothyroid medication. Is that true? I have migraines and was asked by family physicians to stop them to see if the headaches would get better. They have not so would like to start with the hormones once again. I am experiencing menopausal symptoms which are bothersome and wonder which progesterone (orally or cream) might be best for me? Thank you for any help you can give me.
Dr. Leonetti Responds to Jane
Because I have been so positively influenced by Dr. John Lee’s teaching and philosophy, I am prejudiced for the use of progesterone transdermal cream rather than oral, the latter converting almost 90% to metabolic byproducts not truly desired, because they make us sleepy, dizzy, flaky. And remember, our poor livers are trying valiantly to detoxify all of the chemicals ingested and inhaled from our environment.
My experience is often that one’s thyroid becomes more efficient when we use progesterone, and you can often have your dose lowered. Remember, our thyroid needs many cofactors to work optimally: selenium, zinc, iron, iodine, and vitamin D is a big one. Little known is that if the vitamin D level is lower than 50 (50-90 optimal range), the T4 which is the inactive levothyroxin cannot convert to the bioactive T3. Nor does it work well if ferritin levels are lower than 30 or greater than 100, so I regularly measure those levels. Adding sea vegetables (kelp, kombu) to your diet also assists thyroid health. And remember, metaphysically, the thyroid is in the area of the fifth chakra, or energy center, and it represents speaking your truth.
Liz
Aug 27th, 2009
Having tried transdermal, bioidentical progesterone a few times over the past several years, I found that it seemed to make me feel worse, increasing hot flashes, headaches, “allergy-type” symptoms, etc.. (In my “younger years”, I compained to my physicians that I “felt” like I was “allergic to myself”, which was met with the conclusion that I’m nuts.) Earlier this year, I stumbled upon a book written by Russel Roby, MD,, (from Texas) “Maybe It IS All In Your Head and You Are NOT Crazy”, (www.onlineallergycenter.com) wherein his studies and clinical experience treating allergy and hormone imbalance patients has revealed that a significant number of people are, in fact, allergic to their hormones (with progesterone being the biggest culprit). I strongly believe this is the case with me as my experience with natural transdermal progesterone has yielded negative results. I have been unable to find anyone (espeically in the midwest) who is familar with “desensitization” to this type of reaction, and wonder if you are familiar with using diluted, sublingual progesterone drops to overcome this sensitivity to progesterone and other hormones. I am curious to know if you have had experience in dealing with those patients who did not respond favorably to the use of bioidentical progesterone (and/or other bioidentical hormones), and how you have been able to assist those in need of progesterone (and other hormone) therapy who are unable to tolerate it.
joann
Aug 27th, 2009
I am aware that too much iron in our system after menopause is harmful.
I was not aware, however, as you mentioned, that as we age our bodies no longer need calcium for growth and that it becomes oxidative damaging our cells. What does that imply for those of us who take between 1200 and 1500mg of calcium for our bones after menopause – are we doing cell damage with these recommended amounts?
Shannon
Aug 27th, 2009
My naturopath does not believe in the creams. He prescribes troches and his instructions are also to start at day 10 until day 28. There are increases and then decreases in the amounts starting at around day 15.
I had significant hot flashes, many times during a 24 hour period. I had insomnia that was fairly significant and I had horrible vaginal dyrness. I kept fiddling with my progesterone timing and amounts. Nothing worked. Finally, I bought some over-the-counter phyto-estrogen cream and started using that. Voila!! No more hot flashes, vaginal dryness completely gone, insomnia much improved, libido back. (I am 44). I cut down on my progesterone as I have completely eliminated xenoestrogens from my daily routine.
Bottom line, progesterone is not the be all and end all. It eliminated my fibroid with the right health routine, but doing all that must have made me estrogen deficient as well. So getting your levels tested and not eliminating phyto-estrogen treatment are very important.
Mary Flesher
Aug 27th, 2009
Can progesterone cream be applied directly to the vagina for vaginal dryness? Anything else besides estrogen that would work? I seemed to be allergic to a topical hormone cream with estrogen. (A compounding pharmacist made it for me.)
Amanda
Aug 27th, 2009
Hello,
Perhaps you can add some understanding here…
I’ll turn50 in Feb., have a large intramural fibroid which has been embolized almost two years ago(Feb). Bleeding issues are fine during my regular periods but the bulk symptoms are still aggravating. I’m trying to find an adequate surgeon for a lap myo and want to get as balanced as possible before surgery. I have been spotting in between periods, around ovulation and after intercourse or if I orgasm, which is rare these days despite my husbands patient efforts. When I try the progesterone cream it seems to make it worse so I stop. I was interested to read the stats on 50% less progesterone made by women who have had tubals, which describes me also. I have been weepy and moody the last half year or so, which is very uncharacteristic for me. No hot flashes yet. I’m feeling like the progesterone cream would help regulate my estrogen dominance, but wondering if it could exasperate the in between spotting issue or is it something else. It also makes me break out terribly. I have started back on a chrysin and bioperine supplement that if I understand correctly, is supposed to keep the testosterone that I make from reabsorbing as much thus increasing my testosterone levels. This also makes me break out but I do feel better generally. Other symptoms are tender breasts, lack of concentration, uncharacteristic lethargy and depression. Wondering if by this brief description anything obvious jumps out as to what direction I should be moving in. My insurance does not cover any hormone testing I’ve been told. If I buy the tests, which ones would be applicable and then how would I go about getting a compounding pharmacist to make up a perscription. Any insight appreciated! Thanks.
Marie
Aug 27th, 2009
I am 59 years old and have been experiencing hot flashes and night sweats as well as abdominal weight gain for the past couple of years. What causes me the most upset is insomnia. I am also intolerant of soy so tried progesterone cream synthisixed from yams a couple of times and found that my breasts became cystic and painful. I do have fibrocystic breasts which filled with fluid premenstrually. I also felt I was feeling down and depressed while using the cream. I thought that progesyerone would prevent these estrogen like symptoms. I had my uterus out in my 30′s but still have my ovaries. I would really like to ease my symptoms. Any advice?
Victoria
Aug 27th, 2009
I would like to know if we can use the Progesterone cream
indefinately or are we limited. I am a Chiropractor and a Applied Kinesiology Doctor said the cream cannot be used indefinately.
It would become a problem as estrogen is now.
I enjoyed using the cream, but I discontinued it when I heard this comment.
Please help, as I had great results. My nails were strong. My hair became thicker and I was more romantic toward my husband.
It was great.
Thanks,
Victoria L.Strong D.C.
John
Aug 27th, 2009
Can you provide a reference which discusses the relationship between vitamin D and conversion of T4 to T3?
Also where did you get that a high ferritin level would interfere with T4 to T3 conversion?
Tina
Aug 27th, 2009
I have a question about when, and how long, to stop taking the bio-identical progesterone cream each month. I was advised to start taking it 10 days after the 1st day of my period, then use it for 20-21 days. stop, and repeat again.
However, my period is irregular, making it impossible to stick with a 10 day after period routine, and still take 10-11 days off, and be on track again when my next period starts.
is there a better way? Thanks!
andrae
Aug 27th, 2009
I have a question. I am 58 and whenever I take fish oil supplements or products which contain chondroitin and glucosamine for aches and pains I get a hormonal reaction. Four times I have gone onto one of these supplements and within 36 hours I have swung into pre menstrual symptoms followed by a period a day or two later. Last year I had gone 9 months without a period but after taking three chondroitin/glucosamine tablets for a bad back I had the same reaction and have had periods every two months since. Do you have any idea why these substances trigger these reactions in me? I would be interested in hearing your comments. I have been using progesterone troches for many years.