Balancing Hormones

By Marilyn Zink

A crowd of mostly women crowded into the civic center in Qualicum recently to listen to a medical doctor shed some light on the mystery of balancing hormones.

Dr. George Gillson, president and medical directory of Rocky Mountain Analytical labs in Calgary, said we have learned much about the mistakes of taking HRT, which were outlined in the Women's Health Initiative Study made public in 2002. These findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA.

"Menopause was made into a disease that everybody gets if you're female," said Gillson. "We have to find a new standard of care. Our only guidepost is what has worked in our bodies."
The proof of estrogen overload in our society is that women menstruate at an earlier age, there is an earlier onset of breast cancer in women with increased breast cancer in men and lower sperm counts.

Examples of hormone imbalances in both genders are; estrogen excess/progesterone deficiency, estrogen deficiency and excess or deficient testosterone.

"Progesterone should be the first hormone we look at (for women)" said Dr. Gillson. "If estrogen is needed, give it efficiently in the lowest possible dose. Reduce stress, pay attention to lifestyle." For men, the issues are often too much estrogen and too much stress. "If testosterone is indicated, give it through the skin," said Dr. Gillson.

Dr. Gillson said what's needed now are bio-identical hormones, a physiology-based hormone replacement made from soy and yams. Bio-identical hormones to authenticate human molecules have worked in the past for other areas of endocrinology, such as diabetes.

The type of hormone replacement is determined from devices such as saliva testing. Saliva testing measures the amount of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone and estrogen therapy can lead to increased cortisol levels.

He said women's hormones of estrogen and progesterone should be balanced. If a woman is taking estrogen, she should take progesterone to prevent cellular overgrowth and uterine cancer. But she should avoid progestin, the synthetic form of progesterone, as it has dangerous side effects.

There are three types of estrogen; estradiol, estrone and estriol. The type of estrogen a woman needs to supplement with would depend on her symptoms. Bio-identical hormones are often given transdermally (through the skin) or with sublingual tablets (tongue).

Asked about the effect of herbs for hormone balancing, Dr. Gillson said black cohosh given on its own can modulate the severity of hot flashes but is not a strong effect. However, he said herbs given in a formula could likely have a stronger effect.

He noted cleansing programs can also help the liver to balance hormones, and naturopathic and nutritional advice is also helpful for women. "The ability to try different hormone formulations is very helpful," said Gillson.

The lecture by Dr. Gillson was given in the afternoon and evening and sponsored by Qualicum Medicine Centre. All proceeds from the event were donated to breast cancer research.