srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #1 |
Welcome to the message board.
Please visit our website to get a feel for what we are all about.
AGS WEBSITE
To sum it up in a few words, it is about educating you to all the options you have for being well.
We have a regular presentation every third Tuesday of the month at Northside Hospital with topics ranging from Happy Hormones and Healthy Skin to Sex and Chocolate. (Really!)
Share your thoughts, your experiences and ideas here and invite others who may share your interests in finding your own best path towards optimal health and balance.
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #2 |
I hope everyone is well!
You are welcome to post your ideas, questions and experiences here on this message board.
This week I had several patients show up with positive antibodies to Gluten! This is actually a common sensitivity but most people don't know they have it. instead, they suffer with a low-level chronic inflammatory process in their intestines that drains the life out of them. It can cause bloating, fatigue, headaches and bowel changes.
The treatment is so simple; avoid gluten! The testing is easy too.. There are bod tests (but they don't turn positive until the condition has progressed further along). There are also stool and saliva tests available.
I routinely include testing for gluten sensitivity (Anti-Gliadin IgA) when I screen for adrenal fatigue with the Adrenal Stress Index. In this test we check Cortisol levels at 4 specific times during one day, and also check fasting insulin and DHEA.
As you know, we can mail out a test kit to you; just call us. In about 1 week we will have our E-store up and running. You can order any of our 4 hormone test kits. You may also e-mail me if you need a custom designed hormone test where we pick from 5 to 20 different test to help uncover hormone imbalances, food sensitivities and even insulin resistance!
Let's get to the cause of your symptoms!
Yours,
Dr. Rabin
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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lauramergens
Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #3 |
I am so confused about my health. I am trying to get to the main causes of my problems. I finally made an appointment with an endocrinologist and I see her tomorrow. [two month waiting list]
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 12.
I have had a serious 'series of unfortunate events' in the last twelve years that have left me feeling pretty hopeless and afraid that I won't live much longer.
I've had about 10+ surgeries, ranging from appendectomy, 3 c-sections, bladder repair, prolapse repair, bowel resection, ventral hernia repair, varicose vein surgery, shoulder repair, and last but not least.... a uterine aneurysm that nearly killed me [my hemaglobin dropped to 5] and I had to have an emergency hysterectomy after giving me 6 units of blood.
The idiot physician in the ER threw a pack of birth control pills at me and wouldn't listen when I said this is not a hormone problem... I haven't had a period in two years! you don't start bleeding like a garden hose because of hormones! Finally my OB did an ultrasound. His eyes about popped out of his head when he saw what was going on, and thankfully his office was connected to the hospital.
After every surgery I've ever had I would always get an infection and would get sicker and sicker.
They did take my ovaries because I have a BAD family history.
My mom had breast cancer at age 50, and my dad was diagnosed with leukemia in his forties an died around age 50. My grandmother died from cervical cancer, my uncle died from colon cancer....
My family physic an has been treating my hypothyroidism just based on a TSH and changes the dose every time he draws my blood [every 6 months]
He reluctantly switched me to Armour but I have been better and not getting as sick as much as I used to... but he still would rather have me on synthroid.. [which is more expensive I imagine...] When I am on a higher dose, I feel better, then he lowers it,,,, and I gain weight, then he raises it. I'm on a freaking roller coaster.
I have been on wellbutrin off and on for many years, and when I try to go off of it and wean down, I feel like awful. I have been taking drugs for ADD because I just can't seem to focus or have energy, and I have had trouble sleeping and usually take some melatonin and benadryl to fall asleep.
My cholesterol is high, I am over weight, and I really don't like myself much when I feel like this. And, my husband isn't too happy with me either. My love life is a bit frustrating... I don't know if it's all hormonal or what.
Other than that.... things are just fine!!!!!
I just want to find out what the best things to do are... I have four daughters and I don't want them to have to go down the same road.
I can't imagine what an endocrinologist would do or change but I'm going to give it a shot.
Sorry to rant and complain so much. I am thankful for the surgeries and recovering, and the medicine that does help some.
I just want to be a better wife and mother.
The emotional stuff makes me feel crazy.... but I don't like to be treated as though 'it's all in your head'.... and not getting my needs met.
Sorry to dump so much on this message board!!!!
I generally am a happy and pleasant person!!! When I get chocolate!!LOLOL!!! and coffee!!! that is probably an addiction!!!!
we'll see what the endocrinologist says tomorrow.
the Mom
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Laura Mergens |
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #4 |
in Reply to The Mom,
You do not sound confused at all. It sounds like a very coherent story line.
Wow, thanks for sharing all that with us. The biggest message here is that you are having symptoms like fatigue and insomnia, weight problems and need for antidepressant meds and even meds for attention!
You know you feel better on good doses of Armour, but they keep treating the lab value, not you!
You also must consider that many of your symptoms fall under the descriptions of adrenal fatigue and estrogen dominance. To find out for sure you can have hormone testing done.
In about 1 week, we will have several new pages about this on the website!
Of course calling my office is always a good idea as well (404-851-0028). We can suggest testing and then with the results we can discuss all of your options for treatment so you can feel like yourself again. E-mail a request by clicking here.
This is the take home message:
Labs give us half of the picture, your symptoms & how you actually feel paint the rest of the picture. We physicians do our best when we consider the WHOLE PERSON and not focus in on just a single lab value or a single physical finding.
Yours in health,
Dr. Rabin
(No specific medical advice is being given nor implied. This is an educational forum. You should discuss any diagnostic testing or medical treatment with your physician)
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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CR
Registered: 12/01/07
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #5 |
HELLO---
Is this not the greatest way to deal with the disgusting ordeal of seeing the gyno?
Where did this guy come from? I found Dr. Rabin through a dear friend who heard him on the radio. This was the most insightful consultation and then Ihad my annual with his (never on the first date!) two weeks later. I think it was the most comfortable and easy times ever and I hate these things...
Let me tell you something ladies- if you wondered why the doctor can't just slow down and listen to you and then talk to you like an intelligent person who need to make an important decisions, you will see that it is all done right at this place.
Make your appointment already ... bring your test results with you and get ready to have a real doctor visit-- the kind you always needed but could never have when they make you wait 85 minutes and then see you while youo are naked for about 6 minutes and seem annoyed if you ask them anything that challenges their preset routine for treating everyone. you can tell I was bitter at the whole process, now I found the answer.
Everyone should find a doctor and and office like this one. I have never seen anything like this before.
Trust me now and thank me later!
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CR |
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lauramergens
Registered: 11/07/07
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #6 |
well...........I went to the appointment with the endocrinologist and she took me off of Armour, and put me on synthroid & cytomel. I take the cytomel twice a day. However, it is rarely 12 hours apart! I have to wait 6 weekes to get my levels checked again.
Meanwhile.... I am wondering about the use of natural balancing cream because I have had a complete hysterectomy... no ovaries... I am 45.
I have been using one with phytoestrogens and progestrone.
Should I go back to taking hormone replacement? I am hesitant because of my family history. breast cancer [my mom and her sister], ovarian, cervica [my mom's mom} and colon cancer. [my moms brother]
Thanks!
Laura
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Laura Mergens |
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #7 |
The benefit of using Synthroid (or Levoxyl) and Cytomel is that you have more control over the ratio of the T4 to the T3. In Armour it is a fixed ratio, and some feel the T3 is a bit high in Armour. The benefits of Armour: the convenience, and it contains additional forms of thyroid hormone (T1 and T2) but the exact function of those are not well defined. Everyone responds differently, so find YOUR correct dose. Make sure that your symptoms and side effects are being considered along with the labs; not one to the exclusion of the other.
As for the over the counter progesterone and phytoestrogen products; please realize that these are hormonally active substances. They really can produce an estrogenic effect. Breast cell growth, uterine lining (endometrium) growth and many other estrogen sensitive tissues are stimulated by estrogenic compounds (plant, bio-identical and synthetic- all of them).
The progesterone in the non-prescription creams is real USP progesterone, just like we prescribe in bio-identical prescriptions, and just like the active ingredient in Prometrium and others. Why don't you need an Rx for it? I have not learned that answer yet! Progesterone does balance many of the effects of estrogen and most physicians agree there needs to be a balance of the two.
Please consider finding a physician who will work with you on hormone balance that includes the missing ovarian hormones (the estrogens, progesterone, testosterone) as well as the thyroid issues. There are other hormones too; sometimes the Adrenal hormones excessive or deficient due to acute or chronic stress (cortisol). The various hormones depend on each other to stay in balance so you feel well and don't age prematurely!
Testing really helps, especially when the symptoms don't paint an obvious picture!
There is a HIDDEN page on my web site that can only be seen by going to: http://www.HormoneTruth.com Check it out!
I'm glad you wrote on the message board, as it gives me the opportunity to answer these very commonly asked questions.
Good luck and keep us posted!
(No specific medical advice is being given nor implied. This is an educational forum. You should discuss any diagnostic testing or medical treatment with your physician)
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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Lizzypoo
Registered: 12/20/07
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #8 |
Hello,
I am new here. I didn't know how to start a new post, so i just clicked on reply. I hope that is ok.
Do you prescribe bioidentical estrogen which has a good percentage of Estradiol? (spell?). Estradiol is called the "bad" estrogen, but it is not bad when you need it desperatly. I use progesterone cream. I used to take biodentical hormones from a doctor in Boca Raton, but he has moved.
My siliva test showed all hormones where ok, except estrogen. I had the level of 10 year old. A blood test also revealed super low estrogen.
I also take a very good progesterone cream, but i definately need the estrogen.
Thanks
Liz
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LizK |
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Liz,
Thanks for writing!
Any estrogen is potentially "bad" if it is not given in a reasonable dose and if not balanced by progesterone. During the perimenopause, progesterone can correct the hormonal imbalances many women suffer.
As the ovarian function decreases, and minimal estrogen production or peripheral conversion takes place, there will be a multitude of estrogen deficiency symptoms. Now there will be a need for estrogen supplementation or else all the tissues and functions that depend on estrogen will begin to change (skin, brain, emotional, vaginal tissues, bladder, etc) . Estradiol and Estriol are the most common to replace. In my practice, we try to find the lowest effective dose. We base this on symptoms and will use laboratory testing when we have questions about absorption or when symptoms a do not seem to correspond to the dosages or the changes we are making.
We look forward to meeting with you Liz. Please call to find out more about our practice.
(No specific medical advice is being given nor implied. This is an educational forum. You should discuss any diagnostic testing or medical treatment with your physician)
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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srabin
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 33
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Hello to everyone!
I wanted to post a brief note to clarify the concept of a bioidentical hormone; that it is molecularly identical the the hormone molecules naturally produced in the human body. Same molecule.
In the humans, estradiol, estriol and estrone are produced as well as progesterone and testosterone among others. Each one of these named hormones is a specific molecule. There isn't a natural "estradiol" and a synthetic one. Estradiol is the specific name of the estrogen molecule found in humans. Once we have that molecule, you cannot tell where is came from. (You might care where it came from but your hormone receptors don't care as long as it is the real-deal molecule)
In contrast,these are some of the estrogens found in horses:
equilin,17 alpha-dihydroequilin, 17 beta-dihydroequilin sulfate, 17 alpha-dihydroequilenin... and many others. These are found in Premarin, made from pregnant horse urine.
But there are two other hormone preparations (Enjuvia and Cenestin) that are made from plants but have been processed to become horse estrogens! Can you believe that? From plants, and now they are horse estrogens. Not at all bioidentical, but they are marketed as being "naturally from plants!"
Clearly confusing.
Here's the bottom line... Bioidentical refers to what you are getting, not where it is from. Luckily, the bioidentical hormones we get from certain prescriptions are from plants. The hormones combined for us at the compounding pharmacy are from plants, and that's fine. What is most important is that they are no longer plant hormones; they are now molecularly-identical human hormones.
Last point... there are a handful of bioidentical hormones that we can write prescriptions for at the traditional pharmacy. Anything that has the singular ingredient Estradiol or 17-B Estradiol is truly really honestly bioidentical! The same goes for Progesterone USP, found in Prometrium and Crinone.
Make sure you sign up for my free E-book 10 things you can do right now to feel better. By signing up you will also receive invitations to my monthly talks/presentations on topics such as Bioidentical hormone replacement and supplementation.
Thanks for sharing this information with your friends, co-workers and family.
Dr. Rabin
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Steven A. Rabin, MD, FACOG |
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dwade
Registered: 04/16/09
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #11 |
I have been taking the bio identical hormones since the end of January, and I have experienced many positive effects  . However, there is one negative effect that I need advice on how to counter; Weight gain. I have added inches in the stomach and hip areas. My appetite hasn't changed much. I have lowered my caloric intake though in an effort to loose weight.
Is the weight gain a natural side effect of taking the hormones or is it coincidental that I put on weight after beginning the therapy? If weight gain is a side effect, am I going to be able to loose the weight while continuing the therapy?
Thanks
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Deborah Wade |
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sdowning
Registered: 04/17/09
Posts: 1
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Reply with quote | #12 |
I just starting taking 60 mg of Armour 1x/day and then ran across this information on this site: http://www.healthrecipes.com/armour_thyroid.htm
"Taking the Armour thyroid twice a day overcomes traditional medicine's major objection and resistance to using natural thyroid preparations - its variability in its blood-levels. Most doctors using Armour thyroid are not aware that Armour thyroid should be used twice daily and NOT once a day. The major reason is that the T3 component has such a short half life and needs to be taken twice daily to achieve consistent blood levels."
Should I be taking Armour 2x per day based on the above?
Thanks!!!
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Sherri Downing |
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dwade
Registered: 04/16/09
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #13 |
Dr. Rabin,
I posted a question (post # 11) several days ago that I hope you will address. Thanks
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Deborah Wade |
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