(Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, R.D.'s 10th visit to Power Surge) Dearest: Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D., has been a registered Pharmacist for 27 years. His work in the area of hormone therapy is with bio-identical,naturally compounded plant-derived hormones... Pete compounds natural prescription hormones, such as progesterone, estradial, estriol, estrone, tri-estrogen, DHEA, testosterone and pregnenolone, plus other compounds at Bellevue Pharmacy. His eagerness to answer our infinite questions about hormones, at a time when confusion seems to abound, has endeared Pete to the women of Power Surge. Pete Hueseman is professionally associated with NAMS, the Academy of Alternative Medicine, Alternative and Complementary Medicine Association, and is registered with more than one professional Pharmacist's Association. Welcome back, Pete. Is it true that when problems arise with synthetic hormones, such as Premarin and Provera that it's because these synthetic hormones aren't exact matches for our receptors? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, that is true. Dearest: Many women don't really understand how hormones work in their bodies. Don't hormones give chemical messages to our bodies and cells in different parts of the body have "receptors" that bind only with specific hormones? Can you explain how hormones and receptor sites work? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Hormones are messengers in the body, each works their own way and then goes to the proper receptor sites hopefully. Dearest: How do they know which receptors to go to, Pete? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: That is a complicated process, and if everything is not in sync, it doesn't happen and that's when some people suffer. Dearest: Last question for now.. under what circumstances SHOULDN'T a woman use hormone therapy? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Probably currently diagnosed with a cancer, or blood clot problems. Dearest: What about gallstones? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: If the gall bladder is bad, then I would stop until it is removed or cleared up. Dearest: Thank you, Pete. KLZG, go ahead with your question now. klzg: I am 46. Still having period every 25-26 days. Taking flaxseed, evening primrose, magnesium and calcium. TERRIBLE mood swings though. Also using progesterone cream. Can I start using any other hormones? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, you could, I would test first to see what you need, and do a complete review of symptoms. Oftentimes mood swings are just a PMS time of the month problem. Dearest: GAYLE, GO AHEAD. Gayle993: I'm a fan of Dr E Vliet who feels that E2 is the missing link, and will be converted to E3 and E1 as needed. What do you say? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I agree with that. Dearest: TZ, go ahead TZ: Do you ever find these side effects with natural progesterone? High blood pressure, unstable hemoglobin. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I never saw unstable hemoglobin, but once in a while the high BP does occur. TZ: I found my pressure went down after I started taking soy in conjunction with the progesterone. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: That was probably do to the Phytoestrogen in the soy, for estrogen is a vasodilator that lowers blood pressure. TZ: Also, I lowered my progesterone from 200 daily to 100 daily and hope my hemoglobin stabilizes. Thank you. Dearest: Pete, I've read that even 1/2 the conventional dose of estrogen and/or progesterone can work as well. Your thoughts? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: We are finding that to be quite true in actuality. Shannon: I am 49, still having periods regularly; however, I have symptoms of estrogen dominance; I have thought about starting progesterone but upon reading recommended dosages I am a little confused. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis (and I never was able to bear children) but I also have symptoms of PMS...the recommended doses are very different. Which condition should I "treat" first? Dearest: Shannon, you need to type only a ? to screen and you will be called on in turn, but since your question is so long, let's address it now. Pete, you can answer Shannon's question. Thanks. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would treat the endometriosis first, and that will probably help the PMS too. Dearest: Does that answer your question, Shannon? NEMESIS, please go ahead Shannon: Yes, thank you. Nemesis: Gained 30 pounds in a week and a half because of estrogen patch. Also severe muscle spasms that still plague me. Exercise both aerobic and weight for 7 months now--no weight or size loss, gained very little muscle tone. What's going on? I'm 55 and menopausal. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Are you balancing the patch with some Progesterone and testosterone? Dearest: 30 pounds in a week and a half? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: That's a lot of weight awfully quickly, do you have another medical problem? Nemesis: NO PATCH WHATSOEVER after what happened. Using progesterone cream and red clover estrogen OTC supplement. No other medical problems. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: So have you lost some weight after stopping the patch? Nemesis: No loss whatsoever. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I think we should do a test of hormone levels and see where you are at internally. Dearest: PHOENIX, go ahead with your question. Phoenix: I suffered a stroke in 1994, should I use natural hormones, tried synthetic, gave me terrible headaches, and started my period again with terrible clots, stopped taking pills/patch. now age 53, every menopausal symptom there is, much like Nemesis. Nemesis: I have a new test list, will FAX it to you and talk, if that's OK. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: It would be advised to use them now, yes, but start with low doses and work your way up. Also take them so as to not have periods again. Dearest: Pete, you would recommend a woman with a history of a stroke to use hormones? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: Yes, we have several women doing much better by using them in low doses, it can help with the recovery actually. Phoenix: What type of hormones and what dosage? Synthetic or natural? Dearest: But isn't stroke one of the potential side effects of HRT? Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I would have to talk to you to get a complete history, then I could better advise you of which ones and the dose. Phoenix: Thanks Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: It is a potential problem in high doses and with synthetics especially. Dearest: Pete can be reached at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mailed at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com LIBRADOLL, go ahead. libradoll: Why do some women do better taking Cenestin than Estradial and if you smoke do you need higher doses. Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.: I don't have a good answer for the Cenestin vs estradiol but if you smoke, you should also take a by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.