Re: Hormones and breast implants

[Guest guest]

Here is that entry from the website I listed below:

November 18, 2001

Question: My fibromyalgia (hypothyroid) symptoms started six months after I had

silicone breast implants put in. Several months later my doctor found that I had

high thyroid antibodies. Tests over the next three years showed that my

antibodies stayed high. Several months after I had the implants removed, two

different tests showed that my antibodies were normal again. My doctor told me

there's no relation between fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, and breast implants.

Instinctively, I don't believe him, but I'd like to know what you think.

Dr. Lowe: Many patients with silicone breast implants have fibromyalgia

symptoms. These symptoms are the same as those of many patients with

hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroid disease. Some implant patients have

positive immune function test results. The most common positive immune test

result is a high level of anti-nuclear antibodies. This test result, however,

isn't specific to any of the body's organ systems. Some implant patients have

high levels of " anti-thyroglobulin " and " thyroid peroxidase " antibodies. These

antibodies, of course, are highly specific to the thyroid gland.

As I wrote at length in The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia, studies clearly

show that silicone implants commonly rupture and leak, and bacteria often

colonize the implants. These findings make it plausible that decomposing

implants activate the immune system, and that this activation leads to

autoimmune disease in susceptible women. It's equally tenable that the

autoimmune disease in some breast implant patients involves the thyroid gland.

If the autoimmune disease suppresses thyroid gland function, the women may

develop so-called " fibromyalgia " symptoms. If the women had fibromyalgia before

getting the implants, their symptoms may worsen.

In 1997, researchers published a report of two patients who developed

Hashimoto's thyroiditis after receiving silicone breast implants for cosmetic

purposes.[1] A 45-year-old woman received her implants 1976. In 1991, she

developed Hashimoto's thyroiditis that led to a deficiency of thyroid hormone.

For treatment, she took T4 alone. As often happens, the T4 alone was

ineffective, and her symptoms continued. She was chronically fatigued and had

joint pain and morning stiffness; her eyes were so dry that she had to use

artificial tears. In 1995, she had a high level of both antinuclear antibodies

and thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Her gamma globulin level was elevated by

22.6%, and her thyroid gland was diffusely enlarged. Because her implants were

painful, she had them removed in 1996. A pathologist performed a microscopic

exam of the implant materials from the woman. He reported that each implant had

a fibrous capsule with extremely dense connective tissue and fibrosis. This, of

course, is evidence of immune reaction to the implant materials. The second

patient was 55 years old. She received silicone breast implants in 1984. In

1995, she developed Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Her thyroid gland was painful and

tender when palpated. She had mild hyperthyroidism and positive

anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. She underwent corticosteroid treatment for five

months. In 1996, her test for antinuclear antibodies was positive. She had the

implants removed because her breasts were painful.

The researchers who reported these two cases wrote that Hashimoto's thyroiditis

is only rarely associated with silicone breast implants. They also wrote that

the patients' implants may have had nothing to do with the thyroiditis.[1] If

silicone implants have nothing to do with patients' autoimmune thyroiditis,

however, we could accurately predict that women with breast implants would have

no higher incidence of anti-thyroid antibodies than women in the general

population. But this prediction is refuted by a report I just read from AAL

Reference Laboratories. The report states, " We have found [thyroglobulin and

thyroid peroxidase antibodies] present in the sera of 24% of patients with

silicone gel breast implants. " [2]

For comparison, let's consider the percentages of 1,314 health individuals with

high levels of the antithyroid antibodies. Of 870 males, 2.6% had high

thyroglobulin antibodies, 3.9% had high thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and 2.2%

had high levels of both. Of 484 females, 6.2% had high thyroglobulin antibodies,

9.5% had high thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and 6.0% had high levels of

both.[3]

Obviously, by comparison, the 24% incidence of antithyroid antibodies among

implant patients is a far higher than in the population at large. The higher

percentage suggests that silicone implants leads to autoimmune thyroid disease

in a significant percentage of women. We certainly need more studies of this

issue by unbiased researchers. For the time being, though, I personally believe

women with silicone implants have reasonable concerns—despite firm reassurances

of medical researchers with financial ties to the silicone implant industry.

References

[1] Vayssairat, M., Mimoun, M., Houot, B., Abuaf, N., Rouquette, A.M., and

Chaouat, M.: Hashimoto's thyroiditis and silicone breast implants: two cases. J.

Mal. Vasc., 22(3): 198-199, 1997.

[2] AAL Reference Laboratories, Inc., in Santa Ana, California, May 8, 2001.

[3]Tajiri, J., Higashi, K., Morita, M,., et al.: Thyroid antibodies in healthy

blood donors. Endocrinol. Jpn., 31(6):837-843, 1984.

> > >

> > >

> > >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>

> > >>Subject: MARIA

> > >>

> > >>Date: Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> 

> > >>Hi ,

> > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!

> > >>I would love to connect with you.

> > >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to totally

ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!

> > >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or

don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.

> > >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath hospital

by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had drains.

> > >>

> > >>Would love to speak to you

> > >>

> > >>Sue.

> > >>

> > >>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I guess it's very complicated issue for women with breast implant. Definitely seems to be a link between implant and hormonal imbalance. Implant + hormonal imbalance seems to trigger all sort of symtoms. It is also very difficult to balance the hormones even with HRT. One would have to monitor hormone levels daily to accomplish this.

From: glory2glory1401 <glory2glory1401@...> Sent: Wed, June 30, 2010 12:30:14 PMSubject: Hormones and breast implants

Sun Lee,I've often mentioned the hormonal issues that we've struggled with from implants, and have posted info in the files and links section regarding the various hormones that we need to check into...from thyroid to adrenal, to estrogen, progesterone, testosterone....these hormones are like a finely tuned orchestra!!! When one gets out of whack it can cascade into other areas.There are several doctors besides Dr. Lee that have given us insight into the hormonal connection and our implants. Dr. Shames has written a book called "Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled" which I found to be instructive.Dr. C Lowe specifically states that breast implants cause fibromyalgia and ties it into the thyroid:http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/antibody.htm (scroll down to the November 18,2001 entry) Dr. Vliet has

written a book called, "Screaming to Be Heard" and suggests that most women who are on anti-depressants really in fact need to be receiving bioidentical hormone replacement therapy instead! She makes a very convincing case. Dr. has focused on the adrenal gland and how adrenal exhaustion is a greatly underdiagnosed condition in our society due to excess stress and chemical exposures. There is credibility to the suggestion that hydrocortisone is a much preferred hormone replacement for underperforming adrenal glands than toxic prednisone! This is because hydrocortisone is bioidentical, while prednisone is synthetic. Hydrocortisone can be used in small quantities to allow the adrenal glands the opportunity to recover. The endocrine glands are particularly susceptible to chemical injury. Like from breast implants!I myself have used all of these hormones on a trial basis to see if they would help. I've undergone testing

to see where my hormone levels were, using both saliva and blood tests. I used progesterone after reading both of Dr. Lee's books about pre-menopause and menopause. I still use Life Flo Progesterone Cream, but at one time I had to stop using it because it was causing break-through bleeding while I was still having periods. Now that I am in menopause, I have tried various estrogens (both pills and creams), following Suzanne Somers in her books on natural hormone replacement. I have used testosterone cream ordered from Australia in small doses. I have basically tried supporting every hormone that I could to see if I could feel better. The bottom line? It is a finely tuned orchestra that needs very close monitoring to find the best combination! What we all need is an expert doctor that KNOWS how to monitor hormonal activity precisely....a very rare gem to find indeed. But there are more and more doctors climbing on the bio-identical hormone

replacement therapy bandwagon. I'm glad to see it. It is true that some autoimmune diseases become much worse during pregnancy..this is particularly true of women suffering from lupus. Other women, however, experience a much welcomed relief of symptoms due to the presence of higher levels of the hormones during pregnancy. This is particularly true of women who have suffered from MS-like symptoms. The medical literature supports the concept of hormones being significantly involved in the activity of autoimmune diseases, primarily because autoimmunity affects way more women than men, and usually occurs later in life when women approach perimenopausal years. There are also studies that have shown benefits of using hormonal therapy for some autoimmune diseases.So you are definitely on the right track!!!! I think our hormones are an important area of focus as we heal from implant illness. Detoxing is important to remove those

pollutants that shouldn't be there, followed by support through vitamins and hormone replacement where necessary. It's a complicated, but completely do-able journey.Thanks Sun Lee!Patty> >> >> >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>> >>Subject: MARIA> >> > >>Date:

Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44 > >>> >>> >>> >> > >>Hi , > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!> >>I would love to connect with you.> >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to totally ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!> >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.> >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath hospital by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had drains.> >>> >>Would love to speak to you> >>> >>Sue.> >>> >>>

[Guest guest]

Other hormones not to be overlooked are DHEA and pregnenolone.

You can have too much or too little. Too much is as problematic as having too

little, and that is why it needs close monitoring.

It is helpful to research the symptoms of hormonal dominance vs. hormonal

depletion, and try to assess which direction you may be going with them, but

sometimes the symptoms can be the same. For instance, if you have too much

thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism, present in Grave's disease) you can have hair

loss, which you can also have with hypothyroidism (which is present in

Hashimoto's).

It really is a complicated dance....but thankfully, there are some over the

counter preparations of some hormones (such as Isocort for the adrenals, Life

Flo Progesterone cream, DHEA cream and estrogen creams for reproductive support,

and iodine, selenium and kelp for thyroid support) that can be tried to see if

any relief is possible.

Creams are preferrable to pills for reproductive support. (This is because our

hormones naturally do not go through the digestive tract.)

Just wanted to mention it...

Patty

> > >

> > >

> > >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>

> > >>Subject: MARIA

> > >>

> > >>Date: Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44

> > >>

> > >>

> > >>

> > >> 

> > >>Hi ,

> > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!

> > >>I would love to connect with you.

> > >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to totally

ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!

> > >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or

don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.

> > >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath hospital

by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had drains.

> > >>

> > >>Would love to speak to you

> > >>

> > >>Sue.

> > >>

> > >>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Just ALSO wanted to mention that if you want to do some testing on your hormone

levels, it is possible to get these tests done without going to a doctor. For

some women who are very proactive in their own care, and like to see the numbers

(like me) this is a welcome option.

I've used Direct Labs and I really like their service.

http://www.directlabs.com/

You can order various panels. I was able to go to the same lab that the doctors

send me to, and just have the results sent to me instead of to a doctor. It's

totally private, not too expensive, and completely reliable.

Patty

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>

> > > >>Subject: MARIA

> > > >>

> > > >>Date: Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> 

> > > >>Hi ,

> > > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!

> > > >>I would love to connect with you.

> > > >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to

totally ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!

> > > >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or

don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.

> > > >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath

hospital by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had

drains.

> > > >>

> > > >>Would love to speak to you

> > > >>

> > > >>Sue.

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi GG,

Isocort are pills.

The cream for the adrenals will surprise you....and I would encourage you to do

some reading about it first! There is a group that discusses using this

kind of therapy, among others for low adrenals. I'll give you the link.

NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/?yguid=19370\

0069

The cream is simply OTC hydrocortisone cream. Yes, the kind you buy at WalMart

for bug bites and rashes. (anti-itch cream.) There is a PDF file in their file

section called " HC Cream FAQ.pdf " that will discuss the use of it and the

dosing.

1cc (or 1ml) is equal to 10mg HC. Please be sure that before anyone attempts to

use this, you and your doctor have looked at all of the information available

regarding symptoms of exhausted adrenals, have done some saliva or blood testing

showing that you are suffering from low cortisol, and then know what time of day

to use it and where to put it on your body!

Patty

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>

> > > > >>Subject: MARIA

> > > > >>

> > > > >>Date: Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44

> > > > >>

> > > > >>

> > > > >>

> > > > >>Â

> > > > >>Hi ,

> > > > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!

> > > > >>I would love to connect with you.

> > > > >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to

totally ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!

> > > > >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or

don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.

> > > > >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath

hospital by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had

drains.

> > > > >>

> > > > >>Would love to speak to you

> > > > >>

> > > > >>Sue.

> > > > >>

> > > > >>

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I know it is so frustrating! And I know the feeling of deep regret and remorse

for having made the decision to get implants. It's a totally normal emotion,

but please don't let it affect you...you didn't know, you weren't aware of how

horrible this dysfunction in the body could be from implants. We all have made

the mistake, based on faulty information.

You've taken the right first steps to changing your life! You've recognized the

problem and are going to fix it by removing the source. The best thing we can

do for ourselves is to move forward with a positive goal of attaining health and

healing in constant focus.

I wish the answers were easier regarding the hormones and what heals us

completely. But it is a lot of reading and research, a lot of talking and

asking, and then a bit of work to get explanted and detox. But you can do it!

Many women have gone before you, so we've left lights along the way!

Patty

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >>From: Sue Gibbens <suegibbens21@ sky.com>

> > > >>Subject: MARIA

> > > >>

> > > >>Date: Monday, 28 June, 2010, 15:44

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > > >> 

> > > >>Hi ,

> > > >>my name is Sue I also live in London...... HELLO!

> > > >>I would love to connect with you.

> > > >>I have also had tests done through Myhill just for my Dr to

totally ignore the findings, my Dr asked why I was wasting good money!!!!!

> > > >> Myhill is very good,its just unfortunate that our Drs cannot or

don't want to see the truth...very frustrating.

> > > >>Have you had a removal yet? I had mine removed at the Blackheath

hospital by a Dr Chapman, he removed the scar capsule (en bloc) and I had

drains.

> > > >>

> > > >>Would love to speak to you

> > > >>

> > > >>Sue.

> > > >>

> > > >>

> > >

> >

>

>

>

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