Re: Elaine and all Copper and aluminum!!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/14/03 11:15:44 AM Mountain Standard Time,

aj12thy@... writes:

Hi Alice,

I'm not familiar with the DMPS tests some of the naturopaths have been

running. We strictly run the 24 hour urine tests for aluminum and copper, and

these

should tell you what you want to know. If they're normal, I wouldn't worry

about them.

The important thing about copper is that it needs to be in balance with zinc

for optimal thryoid function. You ideally want an 8:1 ratio of zinc to copper.

When zinc is too high, hyperthryoidism develops. Copper is too high relative

to zinc in hypothyroidism and in the Nun's Study, it was seen in people who

later developed Alzheimer's Disease.

The balance of zinc to copper is correct in multivitamins and in a

nutrient-rich diet. Taking zinc alone can alter the balance contributing to

hyperT.

Since your thyroid hormone levels now are showing hypothyroidism, your doctor

might want to be more concerned about them since hypoT is a risk factor for

heart disease. According to the new AACE ranges, a TSH level >3.04 indicates

hypothyroidism. With your labs you'd be said to have subclinical hypothyroidism,

and with your low FT4 you're bordering on overt hypothyroidism.

I'd be leery of any doctor's office that pushes supplements. My doctor is

also a DO and carries supplements but he never pushes them. He teaches some

classes on aromatherapy and supplements but only to people who inquire about

them.

Also, most doctors wouldn't run such a random battery of tests unless they

were somehow profitting.

homocystine 15.64 (3.7-13.9) Homocysteine is one of the most

significant risk factors for cardiac disease. You can easily lower it with

vitamin B2

(folic acid), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. This is a test that you want to have

repeated after taking supplements for a while. This test came out in 1994 and

has proven to be very indicative of heart disease risk.

DHEA Sulfate 247 (19-205) This is a weak androgenic hormone produced

by the adrenal cortex. Excessive DHEA can produce acne, hirsutism, and

virilization because it's converted into testosterone. Have you been taking DHEA

or

any supplements that contain it? This would cause your level to rise. Other

causes include adrenal tumors, Cushing disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia,

and premature adrenarche. Since this level is only slightly elevated, it's one

you'd want to have repeated at some time. However, Quest lab and the lab where

I work use a range of 69-686 ng/dl for females. Did your lab include the unit

of measurement like ng/dl after the result? The range for males is 25-400. If

they only listed one range, it might be incorrect.

Testosterone ARUP 71 (4-70) Testosterone can be elevated in androgen

resistance, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovarian disease and in

ovarian tumors. Since your DHEA is also elevated, congenital adrenal

hyperplasia would fit, but with your only having a slight elevation, this is a

test to

repeat at some time. Or you could have a test for free testosterone, which

would be more accurate.

CPR High sensitivity .203 (level 4 relative heart event risk)

I think this might be CRP, which is C-Reactive Protein, which is another

marker for inflammation, specifically inflammation related to heart disease

risk.

If you're looking to change things, you might want to look into Dr.

Perricone's book The Perricone Prescription. It's designed for wrinkles but is

the best diet for inflammation out there.

If I were you, I'd try the dietary changes he recommends, add the B vitamins

I mentioned, and read up on other ways to lower homocysteine.

I'd also reduce your ATD to bring your thyroid hormone levels into the normal

range.

Then I'd have the sensitive CRP test and homocysteine tests repeated in a few

months to make sure you're seeing improvement. These levels aren't markedly

high, but you'd benefit from reducing them. I suspect that they'd also improve

if your thyroid hormone levels were improved, but I haven't seen any

documentation for this other than the fact that hypoT promotes inflammation.

I'd also check your supplements to make sure you're not taking any DHEA

before being concerned about the DHEA and testosterone levels. If you're not

taking

any supplements containing DHEA, then I'd show these results to your OB/GYN

or endocrinologist at your next appointment and see if they think further tests

are warranted.

You can email me if you have more questions on this,

mooredaisyelaine@.... Take care, Elaine