There was a report from the WHI that focused on breast cancer cases and risk of dying associated with the use of common hormones used in menopause….Prempro (combined conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate). The study consisted of an average treatment time of 5.6 years and followed patients for an average of 11 years.
The new data relates to the risk of dying from breast cancer. The study showed an extra 1 to 2 deaths from breast cancer per 10,000 women per year. Specifically, for every 10,000 women in the study who were randomized to placebo, there were 1.3 deaths from breast cancer per year. For every 10,000 women randomized to combined hormone therapy, there were 2.6 deaths from breast cancer per year.
Importantly, these results apply to the use of the combination of estrogen and progestin and not to estrogen alone. Therefore, for women who have had a hysterectomy and taking only estrogen…these results do not apply. Similarly, the study did not study all types of hormone therapy. Neither estradiol products or progesterone products were studied….therefore, no conclusion can be drawn about these products. Read more…
In women, estrogen loss found in the perimenopausal and menopausal transition can sometimes mimic symptoms of more serious illnesses, like Alzheimer’s Disease. Estrogen influences language skills, mood, attention, and a number of other functions in addition to memory. Estrogen related cognitive deficits may be differentiated from those associated with other conditions through a careful history, examination and testing, so see you doctor soon. Early differential diagnosis and treatment is key to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
For more information visit
http://www.alz.org/shriverreport/index.html
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What is Hypothyroidism?
The thyroid gland is one of the major endocrine (hormone secreting) glands of the body. It is a small gland located near the Adam’s apple and shaped like an “H”. Unless enlarged, it can barely be felt or seen. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that adjust the body’s metabolism. Your metabolism controls the speed at which chemical processes occur in the body, which affects many functions such as heart rate, temperature, and stamina/energy. The element iodine is needed to produce the two thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). The release of T4 and T3 is dependent on a hormone called TSH (thyroid secreting hormone).
What are the Risk Factors for Hypothyroidism?
In the U.S., between 7 and 10% of the population over the age of 55 are affected by a thyroid disorder, with Caucasians more commonly affected than African-Americans. Females are 5-8 times more likely to have a thyroid disorder compared to men.
Hypothyroidism can be due to a variety of causes, including history of thyroid radiation, treatment for an overactive thyroid (Graves disease), removal of thyroid gland, and certain medications, such as lithium, amiodarone and iodine. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is a medical condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
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