(Pete Hueseman's first visit to Power Surge - 1996 archive) Dearest: Tonight's guest in Power Surge is Pete Hueseman. Pete has been a Registered Pharmacist since 1973. He has worked exclusively in the women's healthcare field for years devoted exclusively to compounding prescription hormone products (progesterone, estradiol, estriol, estrone, tri-estrogen, DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone). Pete specializes in counseling patients and physicians on the use of hormones. Pete advises patients and physicians, nationwide, and is an acknowledged expert on the use of *natural* hormones for HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Kara8888: Because Zoloft depresses libido, could it also depress testosterone levels? My testosterone tests showoed I have nearly zero total testosterone (less than 4). Pete Hueseman: I don't believe it affects testosterone levels directly. Batchika2: What is aqueous estrogen? It sounds like what I need. He said it was drops under the tongue. Pete Hueseman: Aqueous estrogen is an injectable form in most cases. We don't make estrogen drops, but we do have a sublingual tablet in many strengths of estrogen. RCHCTH: Can Minocylcine affect a women's cycle? (50 mg 1 daily for 6 months) I believe it is in the tetracycline family, an antibiotic for acne. Pete Hueseman: Yes and no. Antibiotics make the hormones less effective - birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). On birth control pill packaging you will notice a sticker on them that says to use a secondary method if you are taking antibiotics. Mariedy: If I am having night sweats, deep depression, mood swings, and 50 years old are, am I a candidate for HRT? Pete Hueseman: Mariedy, yes you are a candidate. Postrain: I am considering switching from herbs to Provera. Do you have any advice on dosage to avoid depression? Pete Hueseman: Don't use Provera as it will often cause more depression, but use natural micronized progesterone. Dearest: Why is it so difficult for some of us to get prescriptions for DHEA and the like? Pete Hueseman: Most doctors do not know enough about it and are hesitant to prescribe. Have them call me and I will send them some updated literature on it. Kara8888: Have SSRIs been known to shut down ovarian function and could this be the reason why my testosterone level is. Okay, well is testosterone level of less than 4 awfully low for someone in their 40's? It's like Zoloft. SSRI helps to build up the serotonin levels in brain. Pete Hueseman: It should not affect the testosterone levels that I know of. Kara8888: Maybe this is too technical. Can I ask what you think of someone in their 40's having level of .4? Pete Hueseman: It would be reasonable to try some testosterone in a sublingual or a gel to get the level up. Capecod182: Can you list a medicine, natural or otherwise, currently available for a menopausal woman experiencing severe anxiety while taking HRT? Pete Hueseman: It sounds as if your hormones need to be fine tuned a bit. Maybe increase the estrogen a bit. You also might try natural HRT if you are not already on natural. Postrain: Is Natural Micronized Progesterone available in pills and where is it available? Pete Hueseman: Yes, you may want to call me tomorrow at 1-800-728-0288. The pills are available in oral caps, sublingual tabs or oral tabs. Batchika2: I cannot tolerate Estrace, even one-half the .05 dose, and on the patch I had painful, swollen breasts. What do you suggest? Pete Hueseman: We have .25mg. Estradiol capsules and sublingual or use some natural progesterone along with it. MsLizzieB: What's the difference between the estrogen forms of estrace, estradiol, estratest, and others? Pete Hueseman: Estrace is estradiol and estratest is synthetic with two drugs in it: Methyltestosterone and conjugated estrogens. MsLizzieB: Do they all have different effects? Kara8888: My total testosterone levels are almost zero--less than 4. Is this highly abnormal for a 48 year old? Pete Hueseman: It is a pretty low level. Are you on HRT? Kara8888: Premarin .625 (days 1-26) and Provera (depressed like crazy) on days 20-26! This month is horrible! Pete Hueseman: You should use natural progesterone, 100 mg. caps one twice a day for 12 days per month on days 15-26 in place of the Provera. LinCum: If I am not on anything now, what do you suggest? Where should I start? I would like it to be natural. Pete Hueseman: Lincum, if you call me at 1-800-728-0288, I can get much more information to make a suggestion to you to take to your doctor. Postrain: My gynecologist said natural progesterone was available only in vaginal cream. How do I get him to you? Pete Hueseman: Postrain call us at the same number, we will educate him or her! MsLizzieB: All who are on Premarin: do the horses a favor, and please educate yourself on how it's produced. Batchika2: Is DHEA in the PDR? What does it do? Pete Hueseman: DHEA is not in the PDR. I can mail you a list of them if you call me. Kara8888: If I'm at zero testosterone, what should I take and what changes can I expect? My lab tests show my free testosterone is less than 4 and the other is 0.05. Close to zero. Pete Hueseman: You could try our testosterone sublingual, 1.25 mg once per day. Hopefully, it will increase your libido and overall energy level. Dearest: Tell us a bit about testosterone and other natural hormones in your suggestions here. Pete Hueseman: Testosterone is produced also by the ovaries, it is the androgen that helps with libido, energy levels and sometimes depression. We use only natural 17B testosterone. Natural means it is derived from a plant source. RCHCTH: Do you have a packet of information we can get from you to take to our doctors? Pete Hueseman: RCHCTH, yes we have a packet we can mail out to you to review. Please take it and show it to your doctors. Postrain: Can we purchase natural progesterone without a prescription? Pete Hueseman: Progesterone cream is available over the counter (OTC). The other forms are by prescription only. Even the stronger creams are by Rx only. Dearest: May I be so bold as to say that the OTC creams, pills, and sublingual products are available with no prescription, but they are very, very low on what they're supposed to provide. Would you say that's accurate, Pete? Pete Hueseman: Yes, very true. They are mostly sub-therapeutic and very costly when you use more than is suggested on the labels. D Wintrode: I have your order list. What are micronized testosterone and spironolactone? Pete Hueseman: The testosterone is listed as testosterone sublingual, and spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic. Kara8888: My GYN (also a researcher) tried to say there was no difference between Provera and natural progesterone. Isn't he wrong? Pete Hueseman: Yes, I believe he is wrong. Provera is synthetic with usually many adverse side effects. ChocoMakr: Can herbal teas be helpful for menopausal symptoms? Herbal teas usually have a diuretic effect. Some have estrogen stimulators in them. Katamer: Can I take testosterone only and not estrogen for HRT? What would happen? I'm 36 and post-hysterectomy. Pete Hueseman: Yes you could, but it probably won't help with hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Batchika2: Are there any gynecologists in northern California that you work with? Mine is dense. I am looking for new one. Pete Hueseman: Yes, there are many. RCHCTH: Are the saliva test kits for hormone levels accurate? Pete Hueseman: Yes, they seem to work quite well and are becoming very popular with doctors and patients. Dearest: Pete, why do you suppose the medical establishment "poo-poo's" *natural* hormones? Pete Hueseman: The big drug companies don't make the natural hormones. It is very political. Dearest: All boils down to avarice and greed. Kara8888: Are there any side effects to natural testosterone? Will I grow body hair, get acne, etc. Pete Hueseman: If the dose is too high, then yes you could get facial hair and acne. D Wintrode: To increase testosterone receptors, would it be best to start with a cream? Pete Hueseman: Not necessarily. Kara8888: What IS the normal level of testosterone for someone in their late 40's? Pete Hueseman: I don't have my chart here at home, but I do have the levels at work. ChocoMakr: Which herbal teas have estrogen stimulators in them and are they safe? Pete Hueseman: I don't know the answer to that. It would be best to check with your local health food store. Mariedy: Are the saliva kits for testing hormone levels sold in drug stores? Pete Hueseman: No. your doctor has to order it for you. Two companies make them: Aeron and Diagnostex. D Wintrode: If natural testosterone increases the level estrogen, can you then lower you estrogen intake? Pete Hueseman: Sometimes you can. You have to try it and see what happens. Everyone is different. Capecod182: How do we know the correct doses of natural hormones to take, and also are they quite safe? Pete Hueseman: They are as safe as synthetics if not a little safer. Call me at work and we can talk about doses for you in particular. Kara8888: I've had a rotten time on Provera this month with depression. Should I start on natural next month? Pete Hueseman: Yes ChocoMakr: Why do I have many hot flashes for weeks and weeks and then none for a month or so? I am 52, and this has been going on for two years. The freezer is the only thing that helps (my head goes in it). Pete Hueseman: I need to know more. Are you on HRT, do you exercise, how is your diet and what does it consist of? Postrain: What is the difference in natural progesterone and wild yam or other progesterone precursor herbs? Pete Hueseman: Post, natural progesterone comes from soybeans and yams. It is processed by Upjohn labs and sold to us as micronized progesterone to compound with. The wild yam extracts (dioscorea) do not turn into progesterone in the human, but only in the laboratory. Mariedy: Are the benefits the same in natural hormones as they are from synthetic? Pete Hueseman: The benefits of natural are just as good as synthetics without as many side effects. DWintrode: What are the Tri-Estrogen caps (from your list)? The doctor has to order from you, right? Pete Hueseman: Yes, tri-estrogen is an Rx from the doctor and it is a combination of three estrogens: estradiol 10%; estrone 10%; and estriol 80%. Batchika2: Wild Yam. What does it turn into in the body? Pete Hueseman: I think it is inactive in the human body. CathyHall: Natural hormones do not work for me. Is Climara okay alone? I won't take Provera, I'd rather die. Pete Hueseman: Climara is natural (estradiol) in a patch. Try progesterone in place of the Provera. You should not use estrogen unopposed if you have a uterus. Capecod182: I always feel rotten on Provera. Just like the old days of PMS! "Pack My Suitcase!" Pete Hueseman: If you call me at 1-800-728-0288, we can go more into depth about your individual hormone problem. Try progesterone in place of Provera. Start on your next cycle. You can also email me at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com. Batchika2: Tri-estrogen or conjugated (Premarin)--what's the difference, i.e. affect on the body? Pete Hueseman: Basically, tri-estrogen 2.5 mg. is approximately equivalent to Premarin .625 mg. D Wintrode: Tell us if you think DHEA is all that we have heard it is? Pete Hueseman: We have many patients that feel terrifically better after using it. Research is still ongoing. Kara8888: Where do you get natural testosterone from? Bulls? Are there any natural foods that can raise testosterone levels? Pete Hueseman: Testosterone is from the soybean plant also and I know of no specific foods. RCHCTH: What vitamins would help with acne, pimples and sebaceous cysts? Pete Hueseman: Mostly the B complexes with a little extra B6. MsLizzieB: Where is Pete located? Dearest St. Louis Capecod182: Pete, why such an interest in women's issues? Pete Hueseman: This started out just as another job that turned into something that I could really help people with in everyday life. Postrain: Would eating soybeans help raise hormone levels? Pete Hueseman: No, but tofu and soy products can help raise estrogen levels. D Wintrode: Have you heard that vitamin C and drinking grapefruit juice increase levels of estrogen and testosterone? Pete Hueseman: No, I have never heard that before. NitaFar: I had to stop all HRT because it exacerbated Asthma with fluid retention. Could Yam Cream cause similar problems? Pete Hueseman: Yes it could. D Wintrode: Your advice for a woman who has had a full hysterectomy? Pete Hueseman: Depending on symptoms, some natural estradiol with possibly a low dose of testosterone and about 100mg. of natural progesterone daily. D Wintrode: Progesterone even though it was a complete hysterectomy? What about DHEA too? Is it safe to take for the next forty years of my life? Pete Hueseman: Progesterone 100mg. in oil caps 1 bid on day 14 through 26 of each cycle month and DHEA 25mg. once a day after breakfast or else testosterone 1.25 mg.sublingual once per day. Progesterone has many benefits, not just to protect the uterus, and DHEA is safe. RCHCTH: I am a very allergic person. I've heard and read of allergic reactions to HRT. Is this true? Pete Hueseman: It is possible to have allergic reactions to HRT, but there is a lesser chance if you use the natural hormones. SMartin992: What do you suggest for perimenopause? My symptoms: low sex drive and depression. Estratest isn't working. Robinsap: I am menopausal naturally at age 44. Loestrin is working. What about the week off? Pete Hueseman: Do you have problems the week off? Robinsap: Yes, hot flashes, tiredness, and I am moody! Dearest: Pete, can you give us a sort of summary as to why natural hormones are better for us than are synthetic? Pete Hueseman: Basically, they are structurally identical to the hormones the ovary supplies and an even bigger reason is they seem to have less side effects with the same good benefits. Member TOD: I have had severe gastritis from testosterone. Can you explain why? Pete Hueseman: You are taking an oral testosterone I assume. Do you take it after food? Maybe try one of our sublinguals. Dearest: Pete, for those of us who have tried the wild Mexican extract creams, rubbing them into our breasts; taking the sublingual drops under our tongues, thinking and hoping this was some sort of cure--have we been deluding ourselves as to their efficacy? Pete Hueseman: Sometimes you have. I can only ask, "Are you getting relief without spending an arm and a leg?" Dearest: Nope! What do you then suggest, Pete, because many of us are doing just that. Pete Hueseman: Probably you should have your doctor call in a prescription for one of our progesterone products, the dose being what you are trying to achieve, and try it for yourself. Dearest: How low do we start when using your natural hormones? Pete Hueseman: Call me about dosing for yourself. We can discuss how low you can start. SMartin992: Do doctors usually mind getting recommendations from pharmacists? Dearest: I'd imagine they do at times, but often I've found pharmacists know more than doctors. And I'm sure many doctors know it. Capecod182: Pete, why such an interest in women's issues? And on behalf of us all, thanks. Pete Hueseman: Capecod, this started out just as another job, that turned into something that i could really help people with in everyday life Postrain: Would eating soybeans help raise hormone levels? Pete Hueseman: Post, no, but tofu, and soy products can help raise estrogen level. D Wintrode: Have you heard that vitamin c and drinking grapefruit juice increases levels of estrogen/testosterone? Pete Hueseman: Dwint, no i never heard that before Mariedy: thank you so much Pete for all the great info. I hope it will be give you a call. NitaFar: I had to stop all HRT because it exacerbated Asthma..fluid retention. Could Yam Cream cause similar problems? Pete Hueseman: Nita: yes it could NitaFar: Thanks, Pete...your answers have been wonderful D Wintrode: Your advice for a women that has had a full Hysterectomy? Pete Hueseman: Dwintr, depending on symptoms, some natural estradiol with possibly a low dose of testos and about 100mg. of natural progesterone daily. Robinsap: And for early menopause? Pete Hueseman: Robin, early menopause due to what reasons? RCHCTH: I am very allerigic person. I've heard/read of allergic reactions to HRT, is this true? Pete Hueseman: RCH, it is possible to have allergic rx to hrt, but there is a lesser chance if you use the natural hormone SMartin992: What do you suggest for perimenopause symptoms: low sex drive and depression. Estratest isn't working. Pete Hueseman: SM: progesterone 100mg. in oil caps 1 bid on day 14 thru 26 of each cycle month and dhea Pete Hueseman: 25mg. once a day after breakfast or else testosterone 1.25 mg. subling once per day. SMartin992: I've been trying 200 mg of B-6 as someone suggested. What is that supposed to be doing for me? Dearest: SMartin, B-6 is a natural diuretic and can be helpful for bloating and temporary weight gain. Robinsap: Loestrin is working. what about the week off? Pete Hueseman: robin: do you have problems the week off? Robinsap: Yes. Hot flashes, tiredness, moody! D Wintrode: Progesterone even though it was a complete Hyst.; what about DHEA too? safe to take for the next forty years of my life> ga Pete Hueseman: dwin: progesterone has many benefits, not just to protect the uterus, and dhea is safe. Pete Hueseman: Please tell your friends or doctors to call me if they have any questions 1-800-728-0288. You can also email me at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com. Dearest: Pete, can you give us a sort of summary as to why natural hormones are better for us than are synthetic? Thanks Pete Hueseman: basically they are structurally identical to the hormones the ovaries supply and an even bigger reason is they seem to have less side effects with the same good benefits. Member TOD: I have had severe gastritis from testosterone. Can you explain why? Pete Hueseman: tod: you are taking an oral testos, I assume, do you take it after food? Maybe try one of our sublinguals Dearest: Pete, thanks SO much for spending this time answering our questions about natural hormones. We hope you'll come back to guest in Power Surge again very soon! :) Let's all thank Pete Hueseman for the exemplary information he's shared with us tonight Pete Hueseman: it has been enjoyable, and I hope some of your questions have been answered so you all could understand them, and please call me if there are any specific questions or email me at You can also email me at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com. You can also ask Pete any questions you may have as he is Power Surge's pharmaceutical, menopause and hormone expert at Ask The Experts, Ask Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D. Dearest: Thanks so much for spending this time with us in Power Surge, Pete. D Wintrode: Thanks..all the best surgers Syrndipity: {S applause for Pete Dearest: Pete, thanks ever so much. You were just fantastic!!!! Postrain: ***applause and thanks*** SMartin992: Thank you very much. I appreciate your advice! Syrndipity: Nite Pete! Robinsap: Good night Dearest: G'nite, Pete :) RCHCTH: Thank you Pete and Dearest Mariedy: Goodnight MsLizzieB: Nite Pete. Great answers NitaFar: Thank's Pete! Good night Postrain: Nite Pete, will be in touch. Member TOD: Thanks Capecod182: Nite Pete SMartin992: Good night on this blue moon eve Kara8888: Thanks and nite Batchika2: Night, Pete and thanks so much D Wintrode: Nite Pete. Thank you Cinda: No problem Syrndipity: No problem, Dearest. Dearest: G'nite, SM :) Cinda: Thanks Pete for all the great answers Syrndipity: Nite SM NitaFar: Nite SM Pete Hueseman: thank you for inviting me, Dearest, hope we can do it again sometime! Dearest: Absolutely, Pete. Pete Hueseman: Good nite to all! 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