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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: I
have an underactive thyroid. I have been taking 100mcg. Recent Blood tests showed I needed
to increase the dose to supposedly 150mcg.
I still feeling horrible after four weeks. I am
full time carer to my immobile mum of 84 and need to
have this thyroid problem under control.
How long does it take for the increase to work?
Also how often should I have blood tests?
I would love to see a herbalist about this.
Answer:
An increase in the dose of this type of hormone
supplement can take up to six weeks to take effect.
However it would be worthwhile investigating
other factors like your adrenal function and your
cortisol levels, the elevation of which can compromise
your thyroid hormone function. Certainly the stress you
are experiencing would factor into the equation.
You also need adequate amounts of selenium and
zinc to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.
Problems such as yours need a comprehensive
hormone evaluation together with a nutritional
assessment and food allergy test.
QUESTION 2: I have been diagnosed with
the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria.
My physician has prescribed LOSEC HP7.
I had very bad side effects including thrush
growing on my mouth and throat and an irregular heart
beat after taking only 2 doses.
I also have insomnia, chest pain, sore and dry
throat and lots of gas in the system.
Is there any other antibiotics or treatment I can
take to get rid of the bacteria?
Answer:
Alternative
therapies for helicobacter pylori include vitamin C,
mastic gum, acidophilus powder or capsules and the herbs
barberry, grapefruit seed extract, thyme, myrrh,
cinnamon, golden seal, garlic, liquorice and tansy.
This type of treatment needs supervision by a
complementary health therapist. The side effect profile
is certainly less than that of conventional therapy.
Unfortunately the efficacy suffers.
You have to give this kind of approach 3 months
to work after which you can repeat the breath test to
see whether this germ has been eradicated.
QUESTION 3: Thank you very much for your help.
I’m trying to put on more muscle mass. This is
very difficult.
I’m a person that worries a lot.
I think this has a lot with it.
I think I might have adrenal deficiency.
Every time I worry I could lose 3—4 pounds in a
couple of days. The
only things that help me are fish oil and pregnenolone.
I have problems digesting complex carbohydrate,
so my diet is high in protein and good fats.
I only eat vegetables as carbohydrates.
I could be OK taking the fish oil and
pregnenolone but as soon as I stop taking them people
would ask me if I lose 10 pounds or so I lose so much
muscle. I
would really like to know what’s wrong with me. Again thank you very much for your help.
Answer: I agree that you need an assessment of
your adrenal glands either by means of a blood test or
salivary hormone assay.
You would also benefit from an evaluation of your
digestive system including the appropriate tests for
food allergy/intolerance.
Insulin resistance is another problem that you
might be experiencing. I suggest that you read ‘Eternal Health’ which is
described on this site, as you will find explanations in
the book for your metabolic disturbances. Creatine and
whey supplements help to build muscle.
QUESTION
4: I’m interested in finding out about
natural breast enhancers.
I have seen a few online but I have been told
they don't work. Could
you tell me more about these or any products you know
of?
Answer: I
agree that there is little scientific evidence to
support these claims or at least none of which I’m
aware.
QUESTION 5: Is
Moducare a better product than Protocell?
How do I go about purchasing Moducare if better?
P.S. will be attending your clinic for the $2600
package
next year.
Answer: Quite
frankly the difference between the two products is not
that significant. You
can purchase moducare from www.thorne.com. I look forward to meeting you next year.
QUESTION 6: After
coming of the pill in 2000, and failing to resume a
regular menstrual cycle I was eventually diagnosed with
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) based on a high free
androgen index and the presence of 2 large ovarian
cysts. My
insulin and glucose levels were normal. I drastically
changed my diet to low GI and began taking many
supplements including natural progesterone cream. I lost
weight, felt much better and began getting regular
periods. Then after about 6 months my periods stopped
and I seemed to get worse again despite maintaining
those changes. An
ultrasound showed that the cysts had increased in size
and although my androgen levels were normal, my
previously normal LH: FSH ratio was high. I had a
laparoscopy to remove the cysts and it turns out that
one was growing from my fallopian tube.
3 months later I have stopped the progesterone
cream as my naturopath says it prevents the ovary from
producing its own progesterone and I haven’t had a
period since February.
After much research I don’t
believe I have PCOS, but I do believe I have a
problem with my hypothalamus/pituitary feedback. I also
have many symptoms of underactive thyroid yet I’m
unsure if this is the cause or a result of the problem.
I also have low SHBG levels and slight macrocytosis
despite an excellent diet and B complex supplements. Can
you advise me on possible testing or treatments and if
natural progesterone can negatively affect the ovaries?
Answer: What you should
have assessed are your oestrogen/progesterone ratios as
these may be out of balance.
It still sounds like you are suffering from
insulin resistance and this should be evaluated by means
of a test which measures glucose tolerance together with
insulin levels over a two hour period following an
overnight fast. Gluten
intolerance should also be investigated.
It is possible that the progesterone dose you
were taking needed to be changed over time.
When you commence this type of treatment it is a
good idea to have your progesterone and oestrogen levels
monitored. In
your case a thorough hormone evaluation would be
helpful.
QUESTION
7: I take a large number of prescribed
drugs following a heart valve transplant surgery
(8/2001) and have just entered a new relationship.
I suffer from erectile dysfunction since surgery
and do NOT want to take drugs such as Viagra and Cialis.
Can you recommend a similar herbal medication to achieve
same effect?
Answer: Herbs
such as tribulus terrestris are reputed to boost
testosterone levels.
Yohimbe an arginine are natural remedies, which
can improve erectile function.
However these are not without their problems,
which include elevating blood pressure in the case of
yohimbe. Having
your testosterone levels measured would give you some
indication as to whether it’s worthwhile taking those
substances which increase testosterone including
testosterone itself.
I strongly recommend that you enlist the guidance
of a physician who is familiar with these tests and this
type of approach before commencing such therapies.
Once again ‘Eternal Health’ has a good
chapter on this.
QUESTION 8: I am
feeling very sluggish and feel a colonic treatment would
be beneficial. Could you please recommend the name
of some suitable herbal colonic preparations that I may
use?
Answer: My favourites are vitamin C, aloe vera
juice and magnesium as these really get the bowels
going.
QUESTION 9:
My mother (80) has been diagnosed with liver cancer,
which has also spread to various other organs.
She is terminal and starting to experience
obvious, distressing pain.
Panadeine forte makes her ill.
Can you suggest something else until she requires
liquid morphine? Or
something taken with the panadeine forte that may stop
the nausea?
Answer: Ginger tea would stop the nausea.
DL-phenylalanine is a natural pain reliever but
might not be as effective as panadeine forte.
QUESTION 10:
Is serc safe to take if I’m pregnant?
Can I buy mobic and neurobion here in the UK? Is
there a generic form of mobic and neurobion? Why is it that even when I take serc for vertigo it keeps on
coming back? What’s the reason for this?
Answer: Serc
is contraindicated in pregnancy. With regard to your questions re mobic and neurobion you will have to
consult your doctor who would be familiar with the
availability of these medications in the United Kingdom.
I suggest that you have the appropriate tests to
investigate the underlying cause of your vertigo
especially if your response to treatment is
unsatisfactory. Neurazest,
which is a natural product and is found on this site at
‘New Product Launch,’ might be helpful.
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Chakra
Phone 02 93680888
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Woolloomooloo
Sydney
AUSTRALIA
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