HealthBeat News

Category: Health Questions

  • Scary Chemical, Scary Advice

     

    Scary Chemicals, Scary Advice

    By Nurse Mark

    It never ceases to amaze us. Not that so many obviously unqualified people are so willing to dispense advice, but that so many of those that this advice is dispensed to allow themselves to blindly believe it without considering it’s source.

    Folks, I am a Nurse. I would not presume to advise you as to the best way to conduct your IRS audit – that is a job for your accountant. I would not presume to advise you as to the best way to conduct your defense in court – that is a job for your lawyer. I would not presume to advise you on rewiring your home – that is a job for your electrician. And so it goes – there are people who have become educated and trained and expert in their fields of work – and even though an accountant may work for an electrical company this does not make him qualified to rewire your house – he is an accountant, not an electrician.

    Similarly, just because someone owns or operates a Health Store they are not qualified to dispense medical advice unless they are also a qualified medical practitioner. Ringing up vitamins all day long does not infer a deep knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, endocrinology, or cardiology, though that person may have some strongly held beliefs that they are more than happy to share.

    Fortunately, Janet and her husband were savvy enough to "get a second opinion" after hearing such frightening advice from their local Health Store owner – here is the letter that they sent us:

    Subject: dicalcium phosphate and magnesium stearate

    Dear Heathbeat Team,
    A Health Store owner told us the bovine, thyroid glandular my husband was taking was dangerous because it contains dicalcium phosphate, which, she said, can cause heart attacks. With TSH levels at -18.06 he has to take SOMEthing.  His doctor won’t prescribe anything but synthroid.  The bovine glandular mentioned above seemed to be helping, but now we’re afraid of it.  Should we be?

    Thank you so much for the wonderful, informative website; and a safe place to go to get the facts!
    Sincerely,
    Janet

    And here is the reply I sent back to Janet and her husband:

    Hi Janet,

    I’m assuming since this health store owner is apparently dispensing medical advice that she is a licensed medical practitioner, right? That would explain her obviously deep and cutting-edge knowledge of  chemistry, biochemistry, endocrinology and cardiology… NOT!

    Neither Dr. Myatt nor I are aware of any scientific evidence that dicalcium phosphate or magnesium stearate can cause heart attacks. We are aware that some people have a knee-jerk fear-and-loathing reaction toward anything with a scary-sounding chemical name. Please see my HealthBeat News article on this subject: http://healthbeatnews.com/news/archives/99 – while not specific to dicalcium phosphate and magnesium stearate it is an eye-opener with regard to scary-sounding chemicals and mineral names.

    I am happy to hear that the bovine glandular formulation that your husband is using is helping. Since it is helping, you should not be afraid of the very small amount of dicalcium phosphate and magnesium stearate that is used in the process of entabulation which is the binding the bovine glandular into a tablet form so that it is useable as a supplement. In an ideal world, neither of these things would be required, but since it is extremely difficult and hence very expensive to provide a supplement like bovine glandular thyroid formulations without these things we accept the trade-off that is the use of these fairly inert and innocuous "other ingredients".

    However, it sounds like you need some help with this issue – thyroid problems are quite involved, and are far more complicated than can be resolved by simply looking at a TSH level in isolation. T3, T4, iodine, and many other things come into consideration when Dr. Myatt evaluates thyroid issues. Why not consider making an investment in improved health by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Myatt? Please see her consultation information here: http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/consultations.htm

    Hope this helps,

    Cheers,
    Nurse Mark

  • Thyroid Questions again!

    Thyroid Questions again!

    Subtitled "Why we don’t work for free – episode number 687"

    By Nurse Mark

    The thyroid gland, and hypo/hyper thyroidism are very complicated and are misunderstood even by most doctors. With the wealth of information, misinformation and outright urban legend about thyroid function it is no wonder that this is such a difficult and frustrating and even dangerous area for the do-it-yourself health enthusiast to dabble in!

    The endocrine system (the hormone system) is a particular area of interest and specialty for Dr. Myatt as many of her very happy and satisfied patients know. The thyroid is a key player in that whole system, but it does not function in isolation.

    We get a lot of endocrine and thyroid questions, and it seems that most people with thyroid concerns are "armed" with at least minimal (and misleading and misunderstood) lab results that they want us to interpret via email and then use to provide them with a detailed plan by which to sort out their problems. Further, they generally want us to do so without their having to incur any further expense. Since they have been to a conventional doctor who has done conventional testing which has not solved the problem we are expected to somehow be able to use their minimal symptom list and the often inappropriate lab testing results done in isolation to conjure up an answer that will solve this medical dilemma (which has obviously stumped their regular doctor or they would not be writing to us for help!) – all at no cost.

    Folks, this is asking us to "shoot in the dark" and we just won’t do it – it is not fair to us, and certainly not fair to you!

    Just as conventional medicine does not have a "one pill cure" neither does Natural Medicine have a magic "one herb solution" to these very complicated problems. And even with Dr. Myatt’s knowledge and experience, she will never guess or offer "off-the-cuff" recommendations – good health is too important for guesswork!

    Further, let’s be very clear about something: "Natural Medicine" is NOT "no cost medicine". We rely on research and science not guesswork and tests, herbs and supplements are not free. (Though they are far less costly than patented prescription drugs!)

    Here is a series of emails that went back and forth here recently:

    Marilyn wrote to ask:

    Does your thyroid cytotrophin contain literally T3 and T4 hormones?  Also, does Maca inhibit the thyroid since it is a cruciferous vegetable and contains glucosinates?  Please let me know as soon as possible.  Thanks so much!

    Dr. Myatt took some time out of her schedule to answer Marilyn:

    Hi Marilyn:

    Cytotrophin does indeed contain T3 and T4, approximately 1/2 grain per tablet in a 1:5 ratio (T3:T4) as is the ratio made by the body. It cannot be listed on the label (or my website!) because then it is considered a drug and not a supplement.

    Glucosinolates can cause goiter (swollen thyroid gland with decreased activity) if taken in excess combined with a low-iodine diet. Though this is documented to occur with other glucosinolate-rich foods, it is not known if maca causes goiter.

    Anyone who has demonstrated low thyroid function should have an iodine test to determine if iodine deficiency is the cause of their hypothyroidism, but you probably knew that. And of course, if your iodine levels are low, they should be brought up to sufficiency.

    Almost a year later Marilyn wrote again to ask:

    Dear Dr. Myatt:  I was diagnosed with borderline hyperthyroidism a few months ago because my TSH levels were 0.3 even though I have every symptom of hypothyroidism.  Last month and the months before my basil body temperature has been consistently 97.6.  This month it is 97.  How could it go that low in just one month?  The only thing I’ve been taking is MACA and I’ve been on 5,000 mg for almost a year.  What can I do?  I took the Iodine Patch Test and within 10 hours, the patch was considerably faded.  Please let me know what I can do naturally as I cannot afford to go through more testing.  Please let me know as soon as possible what your opinion is.  Thanks!

    Dr. Myatt forwarded this to me with her comments – since she is up to her eyebrows in consultations and research and reports these days:

    In addition to needing T3 and T4 (the REAL thyroid hormone numbers), and probably iodine testing, she should stop maca, which is theoretically a possible goitrogen. And why is she taking such a high dose of this to begin with? She needs a consult, at least a brief one…

    Please let her know this,
    Dr. Myatt

    So, Marilyn, here is our opinion, at no cost:

    1. Stop the Maca – you are taking a very large dose and it is a possible goitrogen
    2. Get proper thyroid hormone testing done – not just the TSH which is misleading
    3. Have a proper iodine level test done – including bromide levels which can significantly affect health
    4. Stop worrying about your body temperature – it can be misleading and research shows that lower body temperatures can be a positive factor in longevity
    5. Book a consultation with Dr. Myatt! How long are you going to stumble around in the dark trying to find a no-cost do-it-yourself answer to your serious health issue? Would you go to court without a lawyer? Would you go to an IRS audit without an accountant? Would you build a skyscraper without an architect or a sewage plant without an engineer? Would you drive your car at night with broken headlights or in a rainstorm without windshield wipers?

    C’mon folks, there are plenty of things that qualify to be do-it-yourself projects and hobbies. Your health though is too important for you to think that you can fix through on-the-job-training and stumbling from one good idea to the next!

    And here are some useful links for you Marilyn:

    IODINE – The "Missing Mineral" for Thyroid, Heart, Immune and Cancer Protection

    Iodine testing – ("Spot" and 24-hour loading) – Including Bromide

    Comprehensive Plus Hormone Profile with HGH and Thyroid Hormones

    Brief Phone Consultations With Dr. Myatt

  • Sulfa Vs. Sulfites Vs. Sulfur Allergies – Confusing Terminology

    Sulfa Vs. Sulfites Vs. Sulfur Allergies – Confusing Terminology

    By Dr. Myatt

    Someone wrote and asked me about Alpha-lipoic acid, to wit:

    "I have had a life long allergic reaction to sulpha – it crystallizes in my urine, making urination difficult. I just started taking ALA as an aide for glaucoma. I am 60 yrs. old.

    I understand that ALA is supha based. How should I proceed?

    Thank you,

    Sal"

    Hey Sal, there should be no problem with alpha lipoic acid, and “sulfa” (a drug) does not cause allergic reactions because of the sulfur content. Here’s the scoop.

    Sulfur (chemical symbol: S) is a naturally occurring non-metallic element that comprises 0.25% of the human body. It is the 8th most prevalent element in the body. (A)

    Elements found in the human body at their approximate amounts:

    • Oxygen (65%)
    • Carbon (18%)
    • Hydrogen (10%)
    • Nitrogen (3%)
    • Calcium (1.5%)
    • Phosphorus (1.0%)
    • Potassium (0.35%)
    • Sulfur (0.25%)
    • Sodium (0.15%)
    • Magnesium (0.05%)
    • Copper, Zinc, Selenium, Molybdenum, Fluorine, Chlorine, Iodine, Manganese, Cobalt, Iron (0.70%)
    • Lithium, Strontium, Aluminum, Silicon, Lead, Vanadium, Arsenic, Bromine (trace amounts)

    Sulfur is an essential mineral, meaning that the body MUST have it. Sulfur is found in two amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Methionine is an essential amino acid. (B)

    Sulfur is a component of many proteins, vitamins and hormones. Sulfur-containing compounds in humans include methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, cystathione, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), taurine, thiamin, biotin, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), coenzyme A, glutathione (GSH), chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate, fibrinogen, heparin, metallothionein, and inorganic sulfate. (C)

    There is no such thing as a sulfur allergy, just as there is no such thing as an allergy to oxygen , carbon or calcium, all of which also occur in the human body in high amounts. Anyone who was truly allergic to sulfur would be dead!

    Sulfate (SO4) is a molecule which contains sulfur and oxygen. It occurs in nature and is found in most natural water including rain water. It is also the form of sulfur most commonly used to fertilize plants. (D) Sulfate may have a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration, especially in infants. Adults become “acclimatized” to high sulfate levels. (E).The current U.S. EPA national Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level for sulfate, is 250 mg/L (U.S. EPA, 1990).

    Sulfite (SO3) is another molecule that contains sulfur. Sulfite is used on foods and some wines as antioxidants, and can cause asthmatic reactions. Sulfites are rare in medications.

    Sulfites are used as preservatives on vegetables, especially vegetables in salad bars. This is probably the most common source of sulfite allergy reactions.

    Sulfa drugs (sulfonamide class of antibiotics), contain sulfur but allergies and other reactions are not from the sulfur per se. Rather, the complex sulfonamine molecule can form proteins that are allergenic in some individuals. The sulfur atom is NOT the allergenic agent and being allergic to sulfa drugs does NOT imply having an allergy to sulfur.

    Sulfa antibiotics include Septra®, Bactrim® and Pediazole®.

    Go ahead, Sal, and take alpha-lipoic acid without concern for your history of sulfa drug allergy. And be sure to look for more in-depth information about proven treatments for glaucoma coming up in the next edition of HealthBeat News.

    In Health,

    Dr. Myatt

    References

    (A): Reference: H. A. Harper, V. W. Rodwell, P. A. Mayes, Review of Physiological Chemistry, 16th ed., Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, California 1977.

    B.) Reeds PJ. "Dispensable and indispensable amino acids for humans." J. Nutr. 130 (7): 1835S–40S, 2000.

    C.) Parcell Stephen. Sulfur in Human Nutrition

    and Applications in Medicine. Alternative Medicine Review Volume 7, Number 1 2002.

    D.) Sulfate -vs- Elemental Sulfur Part I: There Is A Difference. Educational brochure by Agri-Facts ™

    E.) Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality,

    Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences.

    “Sulfates and Hydrogen SulfideThat Rotten Egg / Sulfur Smell

    Sulfate Reducing Bacteria “(SRB).

  • Which Test Is Better For Hormones – Urine Or Saliva?

    Many of you know already that one of Dr. Myatt’s areas of specialty is endocrine health and function: hormones and bio-identical hormone replacement. The human endocrine system is an exquisitely complicated and elegant chemical equivalent to the human nervous system – hormones are the chemical messengers for our bodily functions. Indeed, without healthy hormones, even the nervous system cannot function correctly!

    While at first glance hormone balance looks like a fairly simple task, it truth it is not – there are too many things that are inter-dependant, and the do-it-yourself approach to correcting and maintaining hormone balance can be like walking blindfolded through a minefield.

    We offer hormone testing, and we also offer a very special service where Dr. Myatt will provide an analysis and interpretation of the results of that testing. For this service, Dr. Myatt spends up to an hour (and sometimes more!) consulting with top experts at the testing lab and then provides a written interpretation, report, and recommendations. This allows those who wish to attempt to manage their own hormone health to do so with the benefit of as much knowledge and understanding as possible – to keep them from stepping on any of those "hormonal land-mines" that await the unwary.

    Another question we often hear is which is better – blood, saliva, or urine testing for hormone levels?

    Will recently wrote to ask:

    Dr. Myatt

    Why do you recommend urine over saliva for male hormone test?  Dr. John Lee recommends saliva but nothing said about urine. I am 44 and am do bikram yoga 5 times a week eat mostly raw etc. and want to establish a "baseline" marker today and maintain using the bioidentical hormone therapy mode (I think). LEF.ORG has a list of markers that they recommend and yours are somewhat different.  Please advise!  Thanks in advance for your time.

    Thank you
    Will

    It is clear that Will is trying to do things right with his health, and he is correct to be wary of the conflicting information that can be found on the internet. One advantage that we have here at the Wellness Club is that Dr. Myatt’s knowledge is cutting-edge and very up-to-date.

    Here is Dr. Myatt’s response to Will:

    Hi Will:

    Sex hormones are released in "bursts" throughout a 24-hour period. Obviously, a blood test will be the least accurate. Saliva is next best for a baseline, but hormones are not always consistently concentrated in saliva in a way the is truly representative of the 24-hour average. Urine is the most accurate, because it factors in the "bursts" and tells us the true 24-hour average.

    The urine test was not available back when Dr. Lee started making recommendations about testing. I have used all three tests over the years and believe solidly in the value of the 24-hour urine.

    The Comp Plus urine test also gives much more information than just the sex hormones because it tells us "intermediates" (as one thing is converted to another), plus HGH, adrenal hormones and ratios of sex hormones that are known to be markers (preventive) for hormone-related cancers. This information gives a much more complete picture than just the sex hormones alone.

    I recommend you spend the extra dollars and get the "state-of-the-art" 24 hour urine test. That way, you’ll have an excellent baseline to refer back to.

    In Health,
    Dr. Myatt

    P.S. Here’s the link to my medical test page so you can read more about these tests. I still offer saliva hormone testing but feel it if far inferior to urine. http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/medicaltests.htm#CompPlus

  • I Feel A cold Coming On – Better Get An Antibiotic!

    By Nurse Mark

    There is no doubt or question that one of the medical miracles of the 20th century is the antibiotic – for antibiotics have truly saved lives in the face of overwhelming infections.

    Unfortunately, antibiotics are their own worst enemy too – for they are easily overused and inappropriately used, and that use diminishes their power and value as a life-saving drug. Part of the problem is human nature: we tend to take our health for granted when we feel well, and when we are ill and feeling miserable it is easy to believe that ours is the most severe of infections, requiring the most powerful of drugs – surely mother nature can be no match for this illness!

    (more…)