Should I use progesterone cream?

[LisaC]

Hiya Shelley!

I hope all is well with you and that you enjoyed your summer

I had a bunch of blood work done recently and am wondering what I should do, not a bandaid approach but to correct whatever is messing up.

My thyroid came back fine with TSH, it was 1.6. My T4 was normal as well as the T3 but, the Free T3 came back within normal ranges but on the low side.

Free T3: 285 Range: 230-423

I had my blood test done at 21 days into my cycle per the doc's request, these are the results, I believe that is the Luteal Stage (?)

Estradiol: 17 Range: 48-440
Estrone: 126 Range: 16-173
Progesterone: 0.9 Range: 3.3-26.0
DHT: 16 Range: 5-30
Vitamin D: 28 Range: 20-100
DHEA: 341 Range: 130-980

I have gained weight (partially from eating too much sugar), my hair is dry, it fell out for a few months (stress from a move), body hair is darker, eyes are sunken with indent between eyes and cheek bone and a weight gain of a bump or roll in the front of my stomach.

My sleep isn't good, very light and not refreshing. I wake up feeling like crap but will feel better as the day goes on.

I bought some Vitamin D3 per the doc's suggestion and will get out in the Florida sun a few times a week. I take reduced cod liver oil, one capsule a day now, one alfalfa (for vitamin K) and drink Emergen C (one or two packs a day).

The doc recommended taking Armor thyroid or Citomel for the low Free T3. He said the pathway was getting messed up. I took Citomel way back when I first got sick and it gave me anxiety.

He then suggested progesterone cream to be used the tenth day of my cycle on to about the 26th day. My cycles have been whacky for a while now and when my hormones are normal, I feel fine.

I am leary of taking or using a hormone but I realize the Estrone is too high and that isn't good but I have dark body hair which needs estrogen (the good one) to help.

I am not taking anything yet, I just saw him today and through experience, I don't do what the docs say, even though this one does practice alternative to a degree. I think of this approach as a bandaid and am hoping you can point me in the right direction.

I don't eat or take any supplements that are estrogenic.

Thank you in advance, Shelley

Lisa

[shelley]

Hi Lisa! My general policy with estrogen/progesterone issues is to not take hormones unless you're really truly suffering and need a break around menopause time. Otherwise, cleanse the liver as thoroughly and comprehensively as possible and take Vitex, an herb that regulates the hormones the right way, plus 50 mg chelated zinc for about 2 weeks. Julia at www.sensiblehealth.com has a great Vitex tincture called Fem-Mate or you can check your local health/herb store.

So many feminine issues are actually due to a specific body type that has issues with the zinc/potassium balance. They tend to have a wonky balance and this causes systemic issues from cramps to ovarian cysts to menopause symptoms. For instance, reduce or avoid foods that are very high in potassium (beef, melons, ACV...) if you're getting night sweats.

[LisaC]

Shelley, Hi!

I'm so glad you said that, I really didn't want to use the progesterone creams but, the high estrone isn't good.

Does low progesterone and estradial mean there is another organ(s) I should be supporting more? I would like to raise the levels to where they should be but without, as you said, using hormones.

So you feel the thyroid, Free T3, is acceptable then. The doc wanted me to take something. Are there foods or something I should be doing to raise that?

I was reading the FAQ last night and will do a good liver cleanse and order the herbs.

If I am having a bowel movement once or twice a day, do I need to do a colon cleanse or get a colonic? I want to be sure my liver cleanse works well and I know the colon has to be cleansed.

How is your book coming?

Thank you as always!

Lisa

[shelley]

As long as TSH is between 1 and 3 you shouldn't need any Armour, and cleansing the liver will correct the feedback system so that everything else evens out. A bit of iodine might be a good idea, just take the RDA for about 2 weeks, or add iodine rich foods to your diet more often (seafood, sea veggies like kelp, Atomadine...)

Support the liver and be careful with your vitamins and minerals. Readings like yours indicate that you have a body type that is very dependent on having correct mineral ratios and is slow to correct it for some reason. Women with scoliosis present with this kind of thing all the time. Reduced progesterone and estrodial can happen from having too much Vit C, for instance, or not enough copper. You can try taking the RDA for copper for 2 weeks and get tested again, see if things have improved.

When cleansing the liver it is a good idea to do some fiber shakes every now and again, take after ingesting fats and the fiber will then cleanse the bile, and to have fast transit times.

Aman just sent me some great recipes for the book, so that's nice.

[LisaC]

Hi Shelley

Amazing you said that about the minerals, I had a two hair tests done a few years ago and they came back with really high levels of calicium, magnesium and copper.

You are so right, if I take minerals, separate ones, I don't seem to do well. I tried taking zinc (bad idea with low estrogen) and it made me feel worse.

Is it okay to drink Emergen C? I feel good when I drink it but if it is going to mess with my system right now, I'll stop drinking it.

Juicing is okay to do, yes? Beets, cucumber, lemon?

I know I have Type A blood, not sure if it is positive or negative. I have always been sensitive to medications, vitamins, etc. If everthing, as you said, is in balance which I believe has a lot to do with the minerals, I feel great.

Now, darnit, I have to figure out which ones I need

I wish I could send some of this rain here in Florida over to you, you are still in California? I hope you are well and not affected directly by the fires.

Thanks so much, Shelly!

Lisa

[shelley]

Interesting about the hair readings! It makes sense. Okay. If Emergen-C helps make you feel well, then by all means take it, BUT the caveat here is you have to find what your healthy levels are. Taking too much will reduce estrogen. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not! So cycle your C supplementation to be mostly around PMS/menstruation times, and then take a break and avoid overdosing by stopping it at the other times. And don't take it at all when you juice fruits/veggies that are high in C.

Hope that makes sense!

[LisaC]

Hi Shelley!

I have been juicing beets/carrots/cucumber/lemon/olive oil/romaine lettuce now about four times a week to get ready for a liver cleanse. Also, eating an apple a day. I have to get the Phosfood and then start the program you have in the FAQ for the slow liver cleanse.

What I cannot figure out is my weight, I have gained weight and most of my life, it was a matter of keeping it on. This has not been a slow weight gain, it happened over a couple of months.

I rarely worked out or did any cardio, I have been doing cardio and rebounding on a trampoline due to cellulite that I didn't have a few months ago either.

It's strange, one day it seems like the weight gain has reduced and the next, I can feel it in my legs, it feels heavy and the weight is more that day, obviously more.

I know my estrodial levels and progesterone were low and the one estrogen was higher. I have cut back and only have one Emergen C a day now and don't take any vitamin C.

How or why would I just gain weight so quickly and it doesn't seem to want to come off? I am not over-eating or eating the wrong foods, I am consuming less. Also, the body hair has increased more. I was shaving every 2-3 days, now if I don't shave everyday, not good.

I'm concerned about why this is happening, it is very depressing. It isn't just about vanity either, I feel worse physically when I am like this.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thank you!

Lisa

[shelley]

Vit C will elevate estrogen temporarily when overdosing on it, so you might want to stop the Emergen-C altogether for a month or so. Cleanse the liver thoroughly and your weight will soon come off. The liver is responsible for most of the energy conversion of calories, so when it's overworked the metabolism slows down tremendously. Just keep on keeping on!

Make sure you're not around any fat-soluble toxins like pesticides, smog, new car smell, dry-cleaning, some paints, food additives. This forces the body to store them in fat, causing cellulite and disproportionate fat storage, usually around the middle and thighs.

[LisaC]

Hi Shelly

Okay, I will do that, thank you!

Do you think rebounding on a mini trampoline is enough for the lymphatic system? I tried dry brushing and it makes me feel kinda weird and not a good weird

I have one of those portable infared saunas, the kind that looks like the old fashioned steamer units where your head is out. I have not used it because I had read it wasn't good for adrenals, then I read where it was. I would appreciate your opinion on whether you think it would be beneficial?

I'm printing out the slow liver cleanse and will keep juicing and eating apples, lecithin and eating healthy until I get the other supplements in the mail.

Thanks so much for your help!

Lisa

[shelley]

Yep, mini trampoline is enough. Detox baths are also good, and using some kind of electric massage. All those are much better than dry brushing, really. So you have better options anyway.

I don't like the idea of the infra-red saunas. We are biological creatures used to a specific range of light being in a certain proportion to other ranges of light. To just single out one... doesn't sound balanced. When in doubt, do what the body is used to.

[LisaC]

Hi Shelley

I'll look for one of those hand-held massage units, I was looking at a few on Ebay but didn't know if that was a good idea.

Thank you for your help, hope you have a wonderful week!

Lisa