Hello, I'm Brenda and I've posted previously. I'm compelled to again jump into the discussion after reading the most recent threads. As a 67 yr old who has been using bioidentical pellets successfully for 3+ years, I'm always amazed by the various experiences. Remember, achieving hormonal balance is individual; it's all in the blood work, which doesn't lie. ALWAYS ask for copies of lab results...discuss with the doctor what the "optimum ranges "are that he/she is trying to achieve for you; tell him to write it on your lab copy. You don't want the hormone levels for a person your age, a person your age is in hormonal decline! For example, a thyroid stimulating hormone TSH value of less than 2.0 indicates a healthy thyroid gland, as opposed to the reference range of 0.0 - 5.0. (You should also be having your thyroid levels checked!) Thinning hair may also be symptomatic of a thyroid imbalance. Remember, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone contain the same chemical structure as natural female sex hormones...they don't mimic them, they augment them. You should expect to feel a significant hormonal transition in the first 4 weeks after insertion, therefore certain changes might develop that can be bothersome. Hair loss is rare, and usually only occurs in patients who convert testosterone to DHT. Dosage adjustment generally reduces or eliminates the problem. You can get Nature's Way Saw Palmetto (320mg) at the health food store to help block the DHT. Obviously, you'll want to have the testoserone level reevaluated as it may be too high for you. Uterine spotting or bleeding may occur in the first few months of an insertion, especially if your progesterone is not taken properly; i.e., missing doses, or not taking a high enough dose. Bleeding is not necessarily an indication of a significant uterine problem. The uterus may be releasing tissue that needs to be eleminated and may have been present in the uterus prior to getting pellets, and is being released in response to the increase in hormones. Remember, women with a uterus are REQUIRED to take progesterone to protest their uterus. If spotting or bleeding persists even with progesterone adjustments, it could mean there is an abnormality on the lining of the uterus such as a fibroid or a polyp. Hormones do not cause this abnormality, but expose an existing problem. My OB/GYN requires all patients to get followup labs three weeks after the pellets are first inserted to insure the follicle stimulating hormone level (FSH) (in the pituitary) has decreased to at least 10 and to see where the testosterone peaks. This helps determine the pellet dose for the next time or if additional pellets need to be added. The hormone labs must be done before each insertion to make sure hormone levels are not getting too high and to determine correct pellet dosage. Not all physicians who insert pellets check hormone levels before and after insertion or tailor replacement to each individual patient. This is very important to make sure you are not getting too much or too little because either will make you feel bad! My physician recommends the booklet by Dr. Geno Tutera, "You Don't Have to Live With It". My 70-yr-old husband is also on bioidentical pellets, he's vibrant and as healthy as when 40! The alternative is bleak...without hormones your body will begin to disintegrate and the diseases of aging will take hold. When you get this right your body will "sing!". If necessary, find another doctor who will work with you on this.
In good health, Brenda
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Hello, I'm Brenda and I've posted previously. I'm compelled to again jump into the discussion after reading the most recent threads. As a 67 yr old who has been using bioidentical pellets successfully for 3+ years, I'm always amazed by the various experiences. Remember, achieving hormonal balance is individual; it's all in the blood work, which doesn't lie. ALWAYS ask for copies of lab results...discuss with the doctor what the "optimum ranges "are that he/she is trying to achieve for you; tell him to write it on your lab copy. You don't want the hormone levels for a person your age, a person your age is in hormonal decline! For example, a thyroid stimulating hormone TSH value of less than 2.0 indicates a healthy thyroid gland, as opposed to the reference range of 0.0 - 5.0. (You should also be having your thyroid levels checked!) Thinning hair may also be symptomatic of a thyroid imbalance. Remember, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone contain the same chemical structure as natural female sex hormones...they don't mimic them, they augment them. You should expect to feel a significant hormonal transition in the first 4 weeks after insertion, therefore certain changes might develop that can be bothersome. Hair loss is rare, and usually only occurs in patients who convert testosterone to DHT. Dosage adjustment generally reduces or eliminates the problem. You can get Nature's Way Saw Palmetto (320mg) at the health food store to help block the DHT. Obviously, you'll want to have the testoserone level reevaluated as it may be too high for you. Uterine spotting or bleeding may occur in the first few months of an insertion, especially if your progesterone is not taken properly; i.e., missing doses, or not taking a high enough dose. Bleeding is not necessarily an indication of a significant uterine problem. The uterus may be releasing tissue that needs to be eleminated and may have been present in the uterus prior to getting pellets, and is being released in response to the increase in hormones. Remember, women with a uterus are REQUIRED to take progesterone to protest their uterus. If spotting or bleeding persists even with progesterone adjustments, it could mean there is an abnormality on the lining of the uterus such as a fibroid or a polyp. Hormones do not cause this abnormality, but expose an existing problem. My OB/GYN requires all patients to get followup labs three weeks after the pellets are first inserted to insure the follicle stimulating hormone level (FSH) (in the pituitary) has decreased to at least 10 and to see where the testosterone peaks. This helps determine the pellet dose for the next time or if additional pellets need to be added. The hormone labs must be done before each insertion to make sure hormone levels are not getting too high and to determine correct pellet dosage. Not all physicians who insert pellets check hormone levels before and after insertion or tailor replacement to each individual patient. This is very important to make sure you are not getting too much or too little because either will make you feel bad! My physician recommends the booklet by Dr. Geno Tutera, "You Don't Have to Live With It". My 70-yr-old husband is also on bioidentical pellets, he's vibrant and as healthy as when 40! The alternative is bleak...without hormones your body will begin to disintegrate and the diseases of aging will take hold. When you get this right your body will "sing!". If necessary, find another doctor who will work with you on this.
October 27, 2011 - 5:42pmIn good health, Brenda
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