Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.
|
|
Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. |
 About Pete Hueseman |
  Ask The Pharmacist |
(Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, R.D.'s 8th visit to Power Surge) Dearest: Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D., 27 years a Pharmacist, Pete works exclusively with natural, plant derived bio-identical hormones. Pete is an expert on menopause and hormone therapy and will address all your questions about menopause and naturally compounded hormones, such as such as progesterone, estradiol, estriol, estrone, bi-est, tri-est, DHEA, testosterone. Welcome back to Power Surge, Pete. How effective are naturally compounded hormones in combating the depression and anxiety often associated with peri and postmenopause? Pete Hueseman: They generally help much better than the synthetics, but some antidepressants can be use along with them. Dearest: Thanks, Pete. Lynnie, go ahead with your question. Lynnie: The dry headaches that seem to accompany the hormone patch, what causes them? I have been on two different types. Pete Hueseman: Headaches are caused by an imbalance of hormones could be too much or too little. Dearest: So, a woman can get the headaches when not using hormones or when using the wrong dose? Pete Hueseman: Maybe not enough progesterone to balance also, yes, Dearest you are correct. hormonequeen956: How do you find a pharmacist who specializes in natural compounded hormone. I am currently on the patch and would love to go on something natural. Pete Hueseman: You just found one. Call me tomorrow, we ship everywhere. Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Whew! peabody: My doctor says Progesterone is dangerous, yet I'm sure I need it. Is it safe? Pete Hueseman: The natural is safe, I don't know why he says it is dangerous, unless he is thinking of the synthetics. Dearest: Which brings me to my next question, Pete, can you explain the difference between "progestins" and "natural progesterone?" Pete Hueseman: Progestins are made synthetically in the labs of the big drug companies, and the natural is derived from soy or yams. Dearest: Thanks, Pete. jmcoops: Do natural hormones have the same incidence of breast cancer as the synthetic? And Soy in large doses acts the same as estrogen. Is that true? Pete Hueseman: And the natural have a chemical structure identical to that which used to be produced by the ovaries. The incidence of Breast Cancer is less with natural. Dearest: Why is that, Pete? I mean, aren't hormones basically hormones? Pete Hueseman: Soy in large does can give you some symptom relief but it is not really estrogen. The natural (same chemical) as form the ovaries usually do not metabolize into other drugs or chemicals and therefore less cancer. Dearest: But, soy can be very helpful for many symptoms, and have estrogenic effects, right? Pete Hueseman: The soy can have helpful benefits for sure. Donna: Why do heart palps occur during menopause and why don't more doctors realize this is such a common problem? Pete Hueseman: I don't know why more doctors don't recognize that symptom, the palpatations are usually do to a low estrogen level. Susan210: why does it take Soymilk so long to know if it works? Dearest: Soymilk is very low in soy isoflavones. You're not going to get dramatic results from it. Pete Hueseman: It is a food supplement, not a drug. Dearest: My soy food supplement (Revival) with large doses of isoflavones has been immeasurably effective. Pete Hueseman: You must drink it a long time and in large amounts sometimes before benefits are realized. Dearest: I felt benefits from Revival within a week or two after starting it and have used it daily for the past 2 1/2 years. paula: I am interested in knowing how some of the progesterone creams can help? Pete Hueseman: Progest can metabolize into some estrogen or testosterone, and some just do better using it. Progest is the bodies natural tranquilizer. Dearest: Pete, if Progesterone is the body's natural tranquilizer, why do so many women feel awful when they take it? Many complain of depression, irritability and just feeling generally miserable. Pete Hueseman: Some bodies don't need more tranquility, or it could be to an imbalance like no estrogen. Dearest: Understood, Pete. Thanks. Diannemarie: I have not had a period in over 3 months; if i take prometrium, will it help me to start if there is a thickening built up in my uterus? I use no estrogen, just phytos that include 1/2 a Revival shake daily and flax. Pete Hueseman: It very possibly could solve that problem, try it it is safe. Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com jeanc40: I find myself overlapping my Vivelle patch for about four hours otherwise I get symptoms at about the 8th hour after my change have you heard of other women doing this? Pete Hueseman: That is very common, and that is the way to do patches when necessary. jeanc40: Someone told me it was dangerous Pete Hueseman: It takes a while for the new patch to release the drug. I don't know why it would be dangerous. lori: What is the advantage of sublingual versus hormones in cream or gel form? I am speaking of naturally compounded hormones. Pete Hueseman: Sublinguals get better absorption into your body, gels are next best then creams. peabody: Should I have testing done to determine hormone levels, or just "trial and error"? Dr. just wants to keep adding estrogen until symptoms go away -- doesn't sound right to me. Pete Hueseman: I would recommend some testing, you don't want to go too high. Also, it may be time to try a different dose form. iamkathy: My doctor won't prescribe transdermal progesterone to oppose natural estriol. Is it safe to just "use" it without her authorization, and stop the oral micronized, and if so what dosage. And is there such a thing as sublingual estriol and prgesterone. Pete Hueseman: A sublingual vs oral or transdermal or visa versa. Yes, we have sublingual estriol and progesterone. I would not switch to Progest cream unless it is the correct dose to counter the estrogen. iamkathy: Could you tell me the correct dose it I call Bellevue Pharmacy? Pete Hueseman: Yes, call me for the correct dose. Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman: at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com psilva: Pete, can you overdose with the natural progesterone?? Pete Hueseman: Yes, you could overdose with natural progesterone, become swollen and bloated. breast tenderness, nipple pain etc. psilva: Thanks. I will call. Dearest: Pete, how long have you been the pharmaceutical consultant for Power Surge? Would you say about 6-7 years? Pete Hueseman: I would say about 6 or 7 years now. Dearest: Amazing :) jmcoops, go ahead, please. jmcoops: What is DHEA cream, how safe is it and is it synthetic or natural? Pete Hueseman: DHEA is from the barbasco plant (giant Yam) all natural, it is safe for women, we can make a cream, gel or sublingual tablet. Dearest: Thanks, Pete. Pete Hueseman: I do believe the time release capsule is the best form in which to take DHEA. tsmedleyfl: My doctor prescribed estriol/estriodol combo in cream.I had it filled at a compounding pharmacy. What is the difference between that and say Premarin or Estrace? Thanks. Dearest: Difference between that and Premarin is like day and night. Pete Hueseman: Estriol is the weakest form of estrogen and natural the estradiol is the same part as Estrace, and, of course, Premarin is from horse urine (not natural). tsmedleyfl: So Estriol is safer than Premarin? Pete Hueseman: Much easier on your body, absolutely, much safer. Susan210: How do I get the 'sexual notion' back in my head and body? Pete Hueseman: Get your doctor to order some testosterone, call me and I'll recommend a dose for you. Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman: at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Do each of the estrogens -- estradiol, estriol, estrone -- produced naturally by or supplemented in women's bodies serve a different purpose? Pete Hueseman: Actually, as estrogens they help do the same things. Some are just stronger than others. Dearest: Which of those three estrogens is the "safest" to take? Pete Hueseman: Estriol would be the safest since it is 8 to 10 times weaker, but also less effective to relieve symptoms. Dearest: Thank you, Pete. Debrikkia, go ahead, please. debrikkia: I recently went off the Climara patch and have started natural hormone replacement by taking a Menopause whole food supplement and using progesterone cream. I'm having night sweats-would that suggest a lack of estrogen? Pete Hueseman: Yes, you need to get back on a natural estrogen Rx, you aren't getting enough estrogen form the supplement. Dearest: By the way, this week Power Surge celebrates the beginning of its EIGHTH year online! :) MaryO: Congratulations!!!!! <and thanks!> Dearest: <[==== is very proud of this community for women Pete Hueseman: Congrats!! Dearest: And thank you :) Lori, go ahead with your question, please. lori: Are compounded hormones going to be FDA approved soon? Pete Hueseman: Probably never. lori: Wow I'm surprised! Pete Hueseman: We ship everywhere and do honor insurance plans. Dearest: Because there's no money in it for .....? Doesn't it all boil down to money, Pete? Pete Hueseman: That is mostly true. Dearest: Sad. iamkathy: Pete, assuming you are married, and your wife was menopausal and trying to accomplish it "naturally" what would you have her do/on? Pete Hueseman: Biest and progesterone, and testosterone if necessary. She is doing it, too. Dearest: Pete, what's the "average" dose of the above? Pete Hueseman: Biest is 2.5 mg. per day. Progesterone, 50 or 100 or 200mg. per day and testosterone 1.25mg. or 2.5 mg per day. iamkathy: Why bi-est rather than tri-est or just plain estriol? Dearest: Bi-est doesn't have estrone in it. Tri-est does have estrone. Pete Hueseman: You do need some estradiol in the regimen, and it will turn into a little estrone, so, therefore, 2 not 3 hormones. Dearest: Pete, what are the disadvantages of taking estrone - as in tri-est? The ideal mix, Kathy, is estriol and estradiol. Pete Hueseman: Estrone can help the bones, but too much can add to the possibility of getting cancer. Dearest: PSilva, your question? psilva: How much progesterone do you recommend since i still have a period-- 1/4 tsp???12 to day 26?? Pete Hueseman: What is the strength of your cream? I would say 1/4 tsp 2 to 3 times a day for 14 days per month of a 10% cream. Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Susan210: Don't want testosterone. What's Natural that would help sexual desire? Pete Hueseman: Call me about our Androcomplex a natural product that can increase your own testosterone levels. Dearest: How about DHEA, Pete? Could that help? Pete Hueseman: You do not need an rx for it either. Androcomplex has some DHEA in it. Yes, DHEA could also help. Roni: Has there been anything new in the more natural hrt in the last year? What is vivelle, estriol? How is Biest used? Pete Hueseman: Nothing new in the last year. Vivelle is estradiol only. Biest can be used sublingually, orally or in a gel form or a cream form. Roni: Is Biest better? Pete Hueseman: I think it is safer, not necessarily better, depends on what the patient is trying to accomplish. Dearest: And it can take some adjusting until you know what works best for YOUR body, right, Pete? Roni: sorry, I don't understand the difference! Pete Hueseman: Yes, it can take 2, 3 or 4 months to fine tune it to any ones body. Dearest: I know. I've been using bi-est with Revival for my internal shaking and have had to adjust it until it's just right! Roni, what don't you understand? Roni: What biest does? Pete Hueseman: Which part do you not understand? Roni: I have hot flashes, depression, etc. Dearest: Bi-est is estriol and estradiol - a better combination than tri-est, which contains estrone, which is evidenced to have a greater risk of breast cancer for women our age. Roni: So what does Vivelle do and what does biest do? Dearest: Roni, read the answer above. Pete Hueseman: Biest is a natural estrogen 80% estriol and 20% estradiol, a standardized form we have been using for many years now. Roni: Thanks! tsmedleyfl: I'm assuming a woman has to have her physician work with you prior to obtaining natural hormones. Do you have a referral list of physicians by state? My mother is having a difficult time finding a physician who will go along with natural options as she's in her 70's. Pete Hueseman: Yes, we do have a doctor referral list, call me with the largest cities near her, or her zip code or area code, new or old ones. Sometimes we can just help her regular doctor if he or she is open to accepting my advice. debrikkia: You said I need to get back on a natural estrogen Rx-what would you recommend? (I've been on ERT for 12 years following total hysterectomy - synthetic estrogen has caused swelling, calcifications in breasts, etc, want off of it). Pete Hueseman: Call me tomorrow with some specific info, I will ask you several questions and I can then make a recommendation for you to discuss with your doctor. debrikkia: Thanks, I will Dearest: Debrikkia, here's the info for Pete Hueseman...You can call Pete Hueseman: at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com. debrikkia: thank you Dearest harper: What would extreme anxiety and depression suggest in terms of hormones levels? Pete Hueseman: And always send me a phone number so I can call you later to discuss it. Probably low estrogen, low progesterone possibly and usually low testosterone, and maybe low DHEA. Dearest: Pete, doesn't our natural DHEA diminish as we get older? harper: Thank you very much, for all this valuable information. Pete Hueseman: Yes, it starts to go down around age 35 years. lori: I recently changed from Provera to Prometrium. I had a light period when I did this. Is this normal? Well maybe it was heavy spotting. I hadn't had a period since Sept. Also is it possible to get your period even if your bloodwork indicates post menopausal? Pete Hueseman: Yes, that can happen, for the prometrium is weaker and safer than provera. and yes, you can get bleeding back when you go on hormones even if the blood work says menopause. Dearest: Pete, don't "symptoms" often tell us more than "tests" do? Pete Hueseman: Yes. tests are good guiding tools, but we believe in treating the patient not the test alone. Diannemarie: Is the peanut oil in prometium bad for your lipid profile? Pete Hueseman: No, it should not be harmful for most people. moni: how can hormone therapy interfere with thyroid conditions and visa versa? Pete Hueseman: Estrogens can make your thyroid be less active, and progesterone can enhance your thyroid activity. jmcoops: Will DHEA help a sagging libido? will it react with Paxil? What is in androcomplex? Pete Hueseman: DHEA can help sagging libido, yes. It is safe to tke it with Paxil, Paxil can cause some lowering of libido itself. Androcomplex has the following in it: arginine, yohimbe extract, androstenedione, dhea, indole-3- carbinol, saw palmetto. It works quite well for most people. moni: So what do you suggest to get the levels to a suitable level? Dearest: You can call Pete Hueseman at 1-800-728-0288, or E.mail him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com Pete Hueseman: Moni, levels of what hormone? moni: Between hormones and synthroid Pete Hueseman: I suggest exercise, a good diet including some Revival, and a hormone program that I can help you put together for your doctor to prescribe. It will depend on me asking you some questions, and the answers and a baseline test either saliva or blood. lori: Can prometrium cause chest discomfort or heart racing or increase blood pressure? Pete Hueseman: Usually not a problem, with prometrium, possibly a slight increase in blood pressure. SUZANNE: i take soy supplements and zoloft. both are proven to help hot flashes, mine continue.cold it be from taking clomid for infertitily for over a year? i'm 45 with a 2 year old toddler. dr wants to start me on depo shots. no period for 4 months. Pete Hueseman: I would say you need some estrogen not depo provera shots, but call me, if you have any blood levels of estrogens & etc. get them for me. Suzanne, did that help you at all? Dearest: Lori, just a note, but that's when naturally micronized progesterone might be better than using Prometrium because you can compound very low doses. lori: I am on 100mg Prometrium Dearest: That's why I chose micronized progesterone instead of Prometrium. Pete Hueseman: Lori, we can make a 50 mg. caps or 25mg. or 75 mg. ga Dearest: Lori, it can have the same effect, but in lower doses. Roni: I use synthroid, .5, for low thyroid. I also use .1 vivelle patch and progesterone gel, 2 cc's days 14 to 28. Claritan daily. Am I getting all the value of the synthroid? I stay tired! I am also using Revival twice a day! Pete Hueseman: I would say you are probably getting the full dose and discuss with your dr to see if you need to raise the dose, or switch to some liothyronine (T-3). Roni: Is that the brand name? Pete Hueseman: That is a generic name for T-3, maybe your synthroid is not converting to the t-3 in your body. Lamppost: Any evidence that Androcomplex interferes with Blood pressure meds or heart meds? Pete Hueseman: There are no studies about it interfering with heart or blood pressure meds, but we do have many men & women using it with much success, and many have these problems too. I would say start with the lowest dose and work your way up as you see fit, and not increase your blood pressure at the same time. lori: Dearest, a little natural compounded progesterone does the job? Why do they give us so much then? Because it's not natural? Dearest: They often go by averages and what works for most women, Lori. For me, often even 50 mg. per day is enough. If I feel I need a little more, Lori, I take it. lori: I can't seem to know what I need. I just know I don't feel right. Dearest: Lori, you're the only one who really knows what you need based upon how you feel when you're using some treatment. lori: They put my estrogen up then down, change this and that. But still feel horrendous! Dearest: Pete, can't we do some "manipulating" of doses ourselves? As long as we know what we're doing? Pete Hueseman: Yes, I would say try to self adjust, or call me AND I can help to guide you. Call me at 1-800-728-0288 lori: I really need a doc who will do this natural compounded hormones. They seem so against it. Dearest: Lori, that's because they're stuck in that old mode. amazing: Thanks, I hope there was something about cortisone. Pete Hueseman: We did not talk about cortisol, but if you call me I will discuss it with you. amazing: I am being checked for Adrenal Exhaustion and have read that this can be treated with low doseages of cortizone, is this true? Do you need a prescription for it? Pete Hueseman: Yes, it is true low doses of cortisol can treat it very nicely, and yes it does require a Rx. Say 5. mg. in AM noon & 3:00 PM for a month or two. Not cortizone that is for fungus, but use cortisol. Kathie: Is there any way to print out this chat? - or to get a copy of it? Dearest: Kathie, all the guest chats are transcribed and put up on the Web site in the library at http://www.power-surge.com/library.htm You'll find many of Pete's transcripts up there now. Pete, thank you for another wonderful and extremely informative chat. Anyone who wants to contact Pete Hueseman at Bellevue Pharmacy can do so by calling 1-800-728-0288, or E.mailing him at consultph@bpharmacysolutions.com. Read Pete Hueseman's first transcript Read Pete Hueseman's second transcript Read Pete Hueseman's third transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fourth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fifth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's sixth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's seventh transcript Read Pete Hueseman's ninth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's tenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's eleventh transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twelfth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's thirteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fourteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's fifteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's sixteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's seventeenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's eighteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's nineteenth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twentieth transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twenty first transcript Read Pete Hueseman's twenty second transcript Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994-2008 by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.