Post by brussie on Dec 11, 2011 16:39:25 GMT -5
I am working with my holistic MD to try to reduce my estrogen levels. Both my estradiol is high at 272 (ref range: 43-211, doc says she's not comfortable until it goes under 200) and my estrone is high at 16-OH: 24.4 (ref range: 4-24) and 2-OH: too high to calculate (ref range: 3-33).
My MD says that the keys to fighting endo for many (though not all) women involves reducing estrogen and reducing inflammation. (Apparently, there is a horrible feedback loop where high estrogen causes higher prostaglandins and the prostaglandins cause more aromatase activity which creates even more estrogen. Sometimes I doubt the wisdom of the body...)
I was hoping other ladies might have some tips that have helped them to reduce their estrogen levels. Here is what I am doing/taking:
1. Whole food/Paleo diet (but with less meat and emphasis on brassicas)
2. 1 tbsp. flaxseed/day
3. Fish Oil .5 tbsp/day (to reduce inflammation and in turn estrogen)
4. 200mg DIM/day (this is what gave me the good 2-OH to 16-OH ratio, but doesn't reduce estrone, just changes the type from bad to good)
5. Metagenics EstroFactors 3/day (I just started this, I hope it helps, it's pretty pricey!)
6. Exercise (30 min/biking 5 days/wk and yoga 3 days/wk)
7. Vitex daily (this alone increased my progesterone from .5 to 18!)
8. Progesterone cream (apparently progesterone is also an anti-estrogen)
I tried taking Chinese herbs, but the licorice in them makes me retain water.
I'm really really hoping that my next blood test will show that these strategies have made at least some dent in my estrogen levels.
Does anyone else have any proven strategies for estrogen reduction?
My MD says that the keys to fighting endo for many (though not all) women involves reducing estrogen and reducing inflammation. (Apparently, there is a horrible feedback loop where high estrogen causes higher prostaglandins and the prostaglandins cause more aromatase activity which creates even more estrogen. Sometimes I doubt the wisdom of the body...)
I was hoping other ladies might have some tips that have helped them to reduce their estrogen levels. Here is what I am doing/taking:
1. Whole food/Paleo diet (but with less meat and emphasis on brassicas)
2. 1 tbsp. flaxseed/day
3. Fish Oil .5 tbsp/day (to reduce inflammation and in turn estrogen)
4. 200mg DIM/day (this is what gave me the good 2-OH to 16-OH ratio, but doesn't reduce estrone, just changes the type from bad to good)
5. Metagenics EstroFactors 3/day (I just started this, I hope it helps, it's pretty pricey!)
6. Exercise (30 min/biking 5 days/wk and yoga 3 days/wk)
7. Vitex daily (this alone increased my progesterone from .5 to 18!)
8. Progesterone cream (apparently progesterone is also an anti-estrogen)
I tried taking Chinese herbs, but the licorice in them makes me retain water.
I'm really really hoping that my next blood test will show that these strategies have made at least some dent in my estrogen levels.
Does anyone else have any proven strategies for estrogen reduction?