Estrogen Hormone Balance-Measurements & Treatments

[Guest guest]

- Arnoldgore

Estrogen Hormone Balance-Measurements & Treatments

Dr.Jonathan V.Wright,MD in his newsletter Nutrition & Healing July 2003 continues his very good discussion of the role of Estrogens in women's health in particular, but he does go on to show how it can be an indicator for men also. Last month I reported on Dr.Wright's article on the Estrogen Quotient (EQ) which was the ratio of the "good" estrogen estriol (E-3). to the bad carcinogenic estrone (E-1) and estradiol (E-2) or EQ=E-3/( E-1+E-2). The higher EQ's correlating with a lower probability of beast cancer and other hormonal cancers. Now you can find your own EQ with a 24 hour urine test. Collecting samples and testing for estriol,estrone and estradiol.The testing kits can be mailed to you and sent to you and samples sent to the laboratory. If you are still menstruating, the samples should be collected during any 24 hour period from day 19 to 23 of your 28 day cycle where day 1 is the first day of menstrual bleeding. For more information on these tests contact one o the doctors from the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) www.acam.org , the Foundation for Advancement in Medicine (FAIM) www.faim.org , International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIM) www.icimed.com or Meridian Valley Laboratory, www.meridianvalleylab.com . Meridian Valley Laboratory is locate in Washington State which has a law allowing patients to order their own lab tests. Some labs consider an EQ of .4 to .6 to be normal whereas Dr.Henry Lemon, the originator of the EQ in the 1960's and 70's suggested it should be at least 1.0 and Dr.Wright concurs with this standard. Anything lower needs treatment to raise it.Dr.Wrght has seen success from a Saturated Solution of Potassium Iodide (SSKI) or Lugol's Solution which is a prescription drug and should be monitored by a doctor.He recommends 6-8 drops mixed in several ounces of water taken daily for two to three months, then repeat the 24 hour urine test measuring the EQ using the same time in the cycle. If the EQ is now above 1.0 taper down the SSKI back to the smallest amount to maintain it at 1.0 SSKI is safe in most cases, but some people are very sensitive to it. Long Term use of larger quantities can cause thyroid suppression. Thyroid blood tests can pick up on this. Dr.Wright wrote a comprehensive article on the uses of SSKI in his newsletter Nutrition & Healing, November 2002 which can be downloaded by rs fro his site www.wrightnewsletter.com A somewhat more convenient "random" estrogen measurement is the ratio of "good" 2-hydroxyestroens to "bad" 16-hydroxyestrogens that promote cancer growth.This ratio can be done at the same time as the EQ ratio or separately. Again if pre-menopausal collect urine during the 19 to 23rd day of a 28day cycle and be sure to note the cycle day and time, in case the test has to be repeated. Dr.Wright recommends a 2/16 ratio of 2.0 or more if possible. If your ratio is less than 1.0 it is likely to be raised by eating brassica vegetables in the mustard family such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and brussel sprouts. A tablespoon of freshly ground flax seeds can also boost this ratio. Although there has been considerable controversy over using soy products such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk etc in the diet it is a good option for boosting the 2/16 ratio. Dr.Wright recommend 2 to 3 servings a week and you might want to use the fermented soy products such as miso soup and tempeh. Since these ordinary, healthy food can have such a positive effect on the body's hormonal balance, you should also be aware of a possible downside, if carried to excess. The brassica vegetables as soy does have the potential to decrease the thyroid function and 3 to 4 servings a week should be sufficient. In many cases just eating these foods will bring a low 2/16 ratio up to 1.0 and above in just four to six weeks without any other supplementation. If this is not sufficient try taking di-indolylmethane (DIM) supplements. DIM is one of the components of brassica vegetables felt to boost the good estrogens.It is available as a supplement in most health food stores. Dr.Wright recommends taking 60 mg tablets three times a day if the food alone does not boost your ratio. Check the ratio again in four to six weeks. There are simple things you can start doing now to prevent these hormonal cancers.As I stated earlier this hormonal balance, focusing on estrogens is not restricted tofemale cancers. There is a direct carryover to measurement of male cancers, which Dr.Wright addresses and I will summarize in a separate email. arnold