Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

It was a pleasure to to chat with Suzanne Somers at the November 2009 ACAM (American College for Advancement in Medicine) meeting in Las Vegas. We are quite fortunate to have a powerful advocate for bioidentical hormones turning out best-selling books explaining the pros and cons of treatment. I am sure that Suzanne’s writing has taken the wind out of the sails of the naysaying endocrinology community and Premarin maker Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Suzanne’s 2006 book Ageless is a insightful read for the patient and professional. There are more than a few pearls in it to recalibrate treatment dosing.  Perhaps the most controversial discussion in Ageless is the theory of rhythmic hormone supplementation as documented in the writings of T. S. Wiley. It is definitely a paradigm shift for women to accept a resumption of menstrual cycles after menopause.

Suzanne informed me that she will further explore cancer therapies during the upcoming year for her next book. To watch a video clip of her luncheon speech at ACAM, look at

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Testosterone Replacement

In this issue, Jason Barker, ND, reminds us that testosterone deficiency is a problem that is largely undiagnosed and untreated. For many men, the failure to be treated not only dramatically reduces libido, sexual function, and graceful demeanor, but increases lipid levels, cardiovascular, and osteoporosis risk, and may lead to depression and cognitive dysfunction. Barker examines the worry that testosterone supplementation heightens the risk for developing prostate cancer. Surprisingly, the evidence is lacking. Not discussed here is the equally important need for testosterone supplementation in women.

Jonathan Wright, MD, and his colleagues at the Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington, have devoted enormous energies over the past two decades studying the intricacies of bioidentical hormone replacement. Dr. Wright now offers weekend courses and workshops to learn those details. One of the troubling difficulties of hormone replacement is failing to achieve benefit from supplementation. In this issue Dr. Wright et al. isolate the problem to a peculiar need for a rare element. Additionally, Wright is concerned about hormone balancing and excessive hormone metabolites (breakdown products). He also worries about conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Enjoy a nice primer on the niceties of hormone therapy management with Wright’s article in this issue.

Jonathan Collin, MD