Prehypertension linked to low vitamin D

Check out this article from EndocrineToday.com---it discusses a research study done to see if there was a correlation between prehypertension (the borderline area before a patient is diagnosed with hypertension/high blood pressure) and low levels of Vitamin D3. Just one more reason to keep up your Vitamin D3 levels! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday---it's beautiful here in Charlotte--got in a fitness walk this morning!

Infant Estrogen Levels Tracked Through Diaper Research

I've found quite a few articles on this topic over the last few days ---- hormone levels in infants. It's being studied now by using fecal matter found in the babies diapers....and may provide some important clues about hormonal development from infancy forward. It doesn't particularly relate to menopausal issues, but I find it interesting nonetheless---check out this article from HealthNewsDigest.com.

Choosing apples over cookies may help bone health

Yeah, but the cookies taste better (just kidding, calm down.) Here's a study published by the American Journal of Nutrition that seems to indicate a correlation between healthier eating and bone density (not that it's a big surprise). I'm glad I finally got my act together and started taking care of myself before my osteopenia (former osteopenia) got any worse---I'm seeing an increase in fractures in women not that much older than my sprightly 52 years. I do not want to be in that category. Check out this article from The VancouverSun.com for more details----and then go eat an apple!

Gwyneth dances great on 'Glee,' despite osteopenia

I'm a fan of Glee---and I really enjoyed Gwyneth Paltrow's appearance on the show Tuesday night. However, it never occured to me that her dance moves were "despite" her osteopenia. This article in the WashingtonPost.com caught my eye when it popped up on the newsfeed yesterday.

Osteopenia, for those of you who aren't familiar with the term, is a condition that is a precursor to osteoporosis, thinning of the bones, making patients more susceptible to fractures as they age. I had mild osteopenia about 4 years ago, just before I started bioidentical hormones, exercising regularly (and it has to be resistance/weight training, just walking won't help and neither will swimming--although each has its benefits), Vitamin D3, and eating healthier (I'm not perfect but way better than I used to be). I had a repeat bone density test done in the summer of 2009---and it showed that not only do I no longer have osteopenia, but that my bone density was comfortably in the normal range. Both Dr. Carr and my pain management doctor, Mark Hines, were thrilled!

I just had a Vitamin D test done with my regular blood work, and it showed that my level was 62 ng/mL (and that was after a summer of being out in the condo pool at least 4 days a week for 45 minutes, and 5000 IUs of Vitamin D daily). Dr. Carr likes his patients to be at a range of 70-100 ng/mL, so I am now on 10,000 IUs daily at least through the winter.

Good news, ladies: Estrogen makes you smarter

Oh, I have so many smark aleck remarks I could make about the headline from this article on MSNBC.com----but I will refrain. I think you will be hearing more about this in the upcoming months, as scientists are desperately looking for solutions to Alzheimer's and dementia.

How to Sleep Through Menopause

Even with hormonal balance, my sleep is not quite where I would like it to be, but far better than it was. I share that issue with a huge percentage of menopausal women---and next to hot flashes, sleep disturbances are the most common complaint I hear from my "hormonal" readers.

Check out this new article by Saness Jonekos from The HuffingtonPost.com. One of the points that struck me is that many menopausal women (including the author) have not discussed their sleep disturbances with their doctor. You are paying your practitioner to take care of you---there should be no topic concerning your health that you do not feel comfortable talking about. Sleep is hugely important to your physical and mental well being---I cannot overemphasize this point enough ----- and believe me, I speak from first hand experience! The article also has some good tips for what is known as "sleep hygeine"---keeping the room dark and cool, don't exercise too close to bedtime, things like that. I take Melatonin every night, and it has helped me (along with the balanced hormones) far more than any of the prescription meds I used to take (and with no side effects, something none of the sleeping meds can claim).

Sweet dreams to all!

I'm back!

I've been away from the computer for a few days ---- as I am sure you have noticed! I flew to Rancho Mirage, CA last Wednesday (11/10) for a visit/consult with my hormone physician John Carr. It was a great experience---I finally got to meet Audrey, Dr. Carr's medical assistant:

She is utterly delightful!

I had a wonderful visit with Dr. Carr, we went over my lab work, and my numbers looked great (including a further drop in my cholesterol---yes, I am bragging!) He was impressed and excited over my weight loss (over 110 pounds altogether)----I told him without being hormonally balanced, it never would have happened, and I am very grateful.

I am finally, officially post menopausal----my FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is now 34 (up from 5.4 in the spring), and my estrodiol level is 40.6 (down from 89.5 in the spring). Since I am not having symptoms of estrogen deficiency (hot flashes, night sweats, etc) I don't need any further estrogen supplementation. All my other levels were great----but I need to up my Vitiamin D3 intake for a while, I am still at the low end of optimal, and of course, this winter I won't get as much D3 from the sun.

After my appointment, I headed off to San Diego to visit the zoo and do some sightseeing---it was a wonderful, fun trip (will share the vacation photos in a separate post). I'm pretty jet lagged today, so bear with me, I will be back on track in a couple days with articles to share with you!

Menopause and insomnia

Oh, believe me, from first hand experience I know how awful insomnia in menopause can be! I still struggle some with sleep issues, although I am far better now that I am hormonally balanced (I have a chronic pain issue from my back that makes sleeping tough). Check out this article on menopause and insomnia from BellaOnline.com ---- some good suggestions for what is known as sleep hygeine.

Women better at surviving trauma than men

More good news about being a woman--and from the Johns Hopkins Newsletter, no less! It seems that the hormone estrogen helps women survive trauma better than men (in fact, according to this study, their high levels of testosterone work against them). I'm very curious to ask my doctor about this, as I survived a very bad car crash almost 19 years ago, and I have been way estrogen dominant all of my adult life.

Estrogen Not Associated With Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality Among Postmenopausal Women, Study Finds

Two caveats in this study reported by ScienceDaily.com --- one, the study was conducted on a small number of women (about 10,700---not a large number for a study this size) and two, the hormones they are talking about these women taking are NOT bioidentical hormones---the progestin discussed in the article is far different than bioidentical progesterone.

Lack of vitamin D in patients with leukemia 'ups death risk'

I sure hope none of you are dealing with this issue (or ever have to, be it personally or with a loved one) ---- but check out this article from NewKerela.com. It deals with a study on the correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and progession of decline in leukemia patients. I was just giving the Vitamin D3 "pep talk" to one of my friends last night!

Have a great weekend everyone! It's very chilly here in NC----

Sex 101 -- for Midlifers

Good grief, I thought Dr. Ruth (Westheimer) was old back when I was a teenager (and she first became popular in mainstream culture) but she is still going strong. I enjoyed reading this article she wrote for FamilyGoesStrong.com about how to incorporate the changes, both physiological and psychological that come with midlife into our sex lives. Read it with your partner!

Hormones and Breast Cancer: The Latest Findings from WHI

I want to thank my friend and reader Jane for passing this article along to me from Health Watchers News and Views (I got a broken link on it from my own newsfeed, so this link was doubly welcomed!) ---- important clarification about all the media hype on HRT and how it differs from BHRT (bioidential hormone replacement therapy) as it relates to the risk of breast cancer. Be sure to read it---and enjoy the rest of your day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I'll be back later with a real post-----but I wanted to share this picture with all my readers.

My mom would have been 90 years old today (she passed in 1998)---and this picture is her being awarded the Bronze Star while serving as a nurse in World War II. That was at a time when women didn't have the opportunities that they have today, and I always say a lot of people can say their dads/granddads were in WW2, but not an awful lot can say their moms were!

Mom, her brother Jack, and sister Betty (I called her Aunt Rocky) were all in the service at the same time---I cannot imagine what my maternal grandmother went through. Mom never talked much about her time in the Army (she had me about 12 years after she was discharged, she married relatively late in life) but I am so glad I have these pictures. I love you and miss you!

Doctor appointment tips every patient can use

I'm working on Dr. Carr (my hormone physician) to write a guest post for me about the top 10 questions you should ask a new bioidentical hormone physician. I can guide you as to how to find a doctor, check his board certification status, and any activity with the state medical board, but Dr. Carr's input into what makes a good hormone physician will be a valuable tool for every patient. Don't worry, I am tenacious and will keep after him

Meanwhile, I found this interesting article on KevinMD.com --- written by a nephrologist. Some very good tips for working with any doctor, new or familiar. Check it out, well worth reading.