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Questions and Answers Segment
Your questions answered
every 2 weeks. If you have a question for Dr Elstein,
click here.
QUESTION 1:
Are you able to recommend physicians
who specialise in hair loss in women? I have had bad
experiences with very dismissive doctors over the last 5
years. Hair loss in young women seems to be
significantly increasing. Is anyone investigating causes
of this?
Answer: I
have a pharmacist located in Sydney who makes up a
formulation to combat hair loss in women that works
really well. This
includes a combination of minoxidil, progesterone and
other ingredients so let me know if you are interested
as I can post this on the site as their may be many
other women who have similar complaints and if they have
a compounding pharmacist who operates in their area it
is possible to make up this kind of formulation.
Other factors that need to be investigated
include a gluten intolerance, which can be eliminated by
measuring anti-gliadin antibodies, iron, protein and
zinc deficiency, low thyroid hormone production and
hormonal imbalances with an underproduction of oestrogen/progesterone
and too much testosterone/dihydrotestosterone.
You might consider changing to an organic based
diet as conventional meat consumption might expose you
to hormones and antibiotics, which could lead to all
sorts of health problems.
QUESTION 2:
I have been taking my temperature for my thyroid
and am aware that normal body temperature should be
between 36.6-36.8 C. A temperature of 36.4 or less
suggests a thyroid that is not keeping up. How can
it be that the ideal temperature for rest is 21 C, which
is what was quoted of you in the health section of the
West Australian Sunday Times?
Answer: They
have misquoted me as I agree with you that a temperature
which, hovers around the 35C is low not the 21C mark as
this article suggests.
QUESTION 3: Over the last few years I've
been experiencing general tiredness, low libido and
slightly depressed. I've read about DHEA on your site
and others and it appears 15-50 mg/d is the typical dose
range for women. However, where can I buy it in
Australia? The only medication I can find contains 3 mg
and it appears there are restrictions on buying DHEA
from overseas.
Answer: Once
again compounding pharmacies can come to your rescue. You need to find a doctor who can prescribe this for you and
then you need to present the prescription to a
compounding pharmacist.
This is a normal pharmacist who has a licence to
formulate hormonal prescriptions.
These pharmacists have usually undertaken a study
programme in the USA. Before you commence this type of
programme it would be a good idea to have your DHEA
levels measured preferably by salivary hormone assay and
once you commence this type of treatment have your
hormonal levels constantly monitored including DHEA,
testosterone and oestrogen levels.
Also I strongly suggest that you commence a
breast protection programme as specified on this site
and in my book.
QUESTION 4: I
was diagnosed as having a low thyroid using a 24-urine
test. My palms and feet are an orange colour,
which is one of the classic symptoms of low thyroid.
I have been trying to jump-start my thyroid with various
nutritional supplements along with adrenal supports, low
stress, etc. Do you think that it is wise to avoid
taking thyroid hormone? What nutritional (food as
well as supplements) are critical for regaining thyroid
function. I do not want to be on thyroid hormone
for the rest of my life if I can get my own thyroid to
start producing enough hormone on its own.
Answer: It
might be useful to isolate the cause of your low thyroid
hormone function. Do
you have an autoimmune process, which means that your
immune system is attacking your thyroid gland?
If this is the case then it would be worthwhile
finding out why this is happening.
You might have a gluten intolerance or a candida
overgrowth as these can often trigger immune system
overactivity inadvertently.
Have these measured by means of blood tests.
Evaluating anti-gliadin antibodies can assess a
gluten intolerance.
As you have vestibulitis, which you indicate in
the following question a candida overgrowth may
certainly be implicated. You need to find a physician in your area who is sensitive to
these kinds of health issues.
Phytosterols can also modulate an overactive
immune system.
The other possibility is a deficiency of thyroid
hormones. Nutrients such as
iodine, tyrosine, selenium, zinc, essential fatty
acids, B vitamins and vitamin A contribute to the
manufacture of thyroid hormones. It would be a good
idea to have your T4 and T3 levels measured.
To manufacture T3, which is the most active form
of thyroid hormone a fully functioning liver is needed.
I would also like to know the levels of your
other hormones.
QUESTION 5: I
have been diagnosed with vulva vestibulitis. It is
an inflammation of the vestibulitis area. It is
debilitating for my sex life. There are many web
sites that deal with this problem but none of them know
what causes it to happen. Do you have any insight
or suggestions? Your web site is terrific. You are
a breath of fresh air as you tell the truth.
Answer: Thanks
for your kind words.
As I’ve suggested in the previous answer
candida overgrowth could well be an issue and I suggest
that you have this investigated along with a food
allergy/intolerance workup. Your hormonal levels may
also be implicated and I suggest that you have these
assessed. Please
let me know how you get on.
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