Estrogen, Progesterone, Parathyroid and Osteopenia

Here are my thoughts and some things to recommend to your client, research and educate her about, as well as to give her some other routes:

1. The Parathyroid Glands (some say there are 4 of them, some say there are up to eight) release parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is the protein hormone of these glands and is important in controlling the Ca balance of the blood.  PTH is triggered by falling Ca blood levels and inhibited by hypercalcemia. In order to increase Ca levels in the blood (which this is all the MD’s are testing), the parathyroid targets the skeleton, kidneys and the intestine. The control of Ca is critical for homeostasis of nerve transmission, muscle contraction and blood clotting.
2. PTH stimulates Osteoclasts (bone reabsorbing cells) to digest the bony matrix and to release Ca in the blood, it also enhances the reabsorption of Xa by the kidneys and increased reabsorption of Ca by the intestinal mucosa. IN the intestine (so you can see if you have a GI issue how Ca can be affected), Ca absorption is directed related to the amount of Vit D that is there in order to facilitate this process. The Kidneys convert Vit D (that you get from food) into its inactive form, calcitrol, which is all stimulate by PTH.
3. I have found through research by Peate, Seyle, Lee, Ortho Med Society and from consulting with various Functional Medicine Practitioners that Osteoporosis and Osteopenia are highly correlated with estrogen dominance. I have written many times on this forum about the downfalls and side effects of this condition. It is not that estrogen is high, it can be, but it really means that progesterone is deficient and not able to counter balance estrogen. Estrogen facilitates osteoclasts (break bone down), while progesterone facilitates osteoblasts (rebuild bone). So you can see that if one is estrogen dominant, how this can happen. How does one become estrogen dominant? I have posted this many times, but I find it is from taking the pill, plastics, eating conventional foods, eating soy, stress (causing the body to steal pregnenolone to overproduce cortisol, leaving the body low in progest, since pregnenolone is its precursor) and so forth.
4. What to do: Well there is a lot you can do as an NLC. I would work with her food, making sure she is eating plenty of protein (which is important for bone growth) and fats (precursors to all hormones in the body). I would limit grainy carbs at this point, since the high intake of sugars of any kind can create estrogen dominance. Insulin goes up, so does estrogen! I would get her on a high quality mineral supplement, as well as find someone like myself, Dr. Kalish or someone you know does labs. She would need to run an adrenal test, full female hormone profile and possibly the Comp Organix Profile, which looks at NT, Anitox, Dysbiosis, cell metabolism, B complex and detoxification biomarkers. Using herbs, bio-idnetical homornes, and other supps can for sure help her. It will not fix the Osteopenia, but it will help. You can educate her and she can decide if she wants to exhaust all “holistic” options before giving into surgery.
5. I am not surprised that on the meds her Ca levels went up. That is what they are supposed to do. But, as most people think, Ca is a factor, but not the most important thing in bone production. It is more protein and hormonally based. All these meds did were to stimulate the Hypothalmus to release PRH to stimulate the Parathyroid to release PTH.
6. Below are a comparison of estrogen and progest for you:

Estrogen: 

Procreation effects: Creates proliferative endometrium, Necessary for proper ovulation, Decreases sex drive

Intrinsic effects: Causes breast stimulation, Increases body fat, Salt and fluid retention, Depression and headaches, Interferes with thyroid hormone, Increases blood clotting, Impairs blood sugar control, Loss of zinc and retention of copper, Reduces oxygen levels in all cells, Slightly restrains osteoclast (bone loss) function, Reduces vascular tone, Increases risk of endometrial cancer, Increases risk of breast cancer, Increase risk of gallbladder disease, Increases risk of autoimmune disorders  Progesterone: Procreation effects: Maintains secretory endometrium, Necessary for survival of embryo, Restores sex drive

Intrinsic effects: Protects against fibrocystic breasts, Helps use fat for energy, Natural diuretic, Natural antidepressant, Facilitates thyroid hormone action, Normalizes blood clotting, Normalizes blood sugar levels, Normalizes zinc and copper levels, Restores proper cell oxygen levels, Stimulates osteoblast bone building, Restores normal vascular tone, Prevents endometrial cancer, Helps prevent breast cancer, Protects against ovarian cancer, Restores normal sleep patterns, Skin moisturizer, Precursor of corticosteroids

Joshua Rubin

www.eastwesthealing.com