Blood Test/Anti-Estogen Food

Anonymous · August 2008

I'm sorry I didn't know where else to post these questions.

What is the name of the blood test to check your estrogen level. Also, what would be a good score for a women's estogen level - not above what number?

I really want to find a naturopath or someone that can tell me what anti-estrogen foods to eat and what vitamin supplements would be good after menopause.

Does anyone have a list of Yes and No foods? Or a site that gives a sample menu.

Any help would be so appreciated

southtx · August 2008

Thats such a wonderful question. I hope somebody can answer it. I'll research it myself too, because the breast cancer I HAD, was estrogen/progesterone, almost 100%.

I know not to eat soy, or use T tree oil.

If I'm able to find anything, I'll get back to you

BridgetO · August 2008

Hi Rose,

I suggest you look up DIM on the internet. It's a component of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc), and can also be taken as a supplement. It's not exactly anti-estrogen. As I understand it (and this may not be accurate) DIM causes the body to produce more of a kind of estrogen that doesn't stimulate estrogen receptive tumors, instead of the kind that does. A naturopath suggested DIM supplements to me, and I'm now trying to find out as much as I can about it before I decide whether to take it. I am getting a lot of good info from my naturopath. I am trying to decide whether to take Arimidex. I really appreciate it that my naturopath gives me lots of information and suggestions and doesn't really advocate for taking it or not taking it. She says that there is a supplement that can help with side effects of aromatase inhibitors, but we didn't get to the details of that yet.

AMANN · August 2008

Hi southtx, can you tell me what is wrong with Tree oil? I never heard this one.

Thank you,

Amann

anondenet · August 2008

It is a myth that so-called "estrogenic foods" make breast cancer worse.

The myth keeps circulating and it seems we will never stop it. No one has ever demonstrated this myth. I've been looking for the source for years.

wishiwere · August 2008

Bridget, if you find a cure for the bone/joint aches and pains, please share them!

Rose, if you look this thread, I gave the name of the test and what the different #'s show, hope this helps you out: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/719570?page=1#idx_5

Scroll down to my post on it if it works There is a LH (lutenizing hormone level), Estrodial (E2) and FSH level that they check.

Anonymous · August 2008

Hi

wishIwere- thanks for trying but the link doesn't work but I appreciate the names.

It's so hard to find a naturapath - I think I may have found one but she is over 100 miles away from me. I wish I lived in a big city. But I have got to find one - I just can't make myself take those anti-estrogen hormones - way too many long sideaffects.

Thanks Bridget I will

vision4utoo · August 2008

Check the MD Anderson Website for alternative studies - they have excellent information and I am getting the Shitake, Mitake mushroom serum soon (from local healthfood store)(Chinese have some things really right!)

vision4utoo · August 2008

PS: I believe the MD Anderson site calls it Complimentary/Alternative methods.

AMANN · August 2008

Thankyou, may I ask what is the picture of for your post?

enjoyeachday · October 2008

I just read an article on CancerCompass yesterday titled, "Study Suggests Soy Prevents Some Breast Cancers". It cautiously relates that women with the highest soy intake had a "significantly reduced risk" of ER+, HER2 negative or both. I didn't see any mention of the use of soy in women with BC. Just google cancer compass and you should find it on their blog.

bmdaley · October 2008

My nutrionist had me tested for good/bad estrogen by a company called Metametrix. As she explained it, a fairly high percentage of women (I think she said 30%) are not able to metabolize estrogen as well, causing it to build up in our system and become toxic (or something like that). My estrogen ratios were not as high as they should have been. According to the report from Metametrix, the following have been shown to raise the ratio: "Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), suplementation of indole-3-carbino or diindolylmethane (I have no idea what that is), soy isoflavones, flax seeds (not oil), omega-3-fatty acids (DHA & EPA) found in fish."

Here's some information from Metametrix and a link if you want to learn more:

http://www.metametrix.com/content/DirectoryOfServices/Estronex216OHRatio

Every Woman Should Know Her Risk for Breast Cancer.

Now She Can with a Simple Urine Test!

When a major study of hormone replacement therapy in women was recently discontinued, clinicians and patients alike were left with unanswered questions. Why are certain tissues, such as the breast, susceptible to estrogen-induced cancer? Why are some women susceptible, but not others? Researchers at Rockefeller University have found that the body metabolizes estrogens into several different metabolites that can impact cancer development.

One metabolite, 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1), tends to inhibit cancer growth. Another, 16-a-hydroxyestrone (16-a-OHE1), actually encourages tumor development. A woman's "biochemical individuality" determines which of these metabolites predominates. Studies have shown that measuring the ratio of these two metabolites provides an important indication of risk for future development of estrogen-sensitive cancers. The studies also show that this risk is modifiable!

The Estronex^TM 2/16 Test from Metametrix Clinical Laboratory measures the ratio of these two critical estrogen metabolites from a single urine specimen. Estronex 2/16 ratios less than 2.0 indicate increasing long-term risk for breast, cervical, and other estrogen-sensitive cancers. Importantly, nutritional interventions can help raise Estronex 2/16 ratios and decrease long-term risk.

bmdaley · October 2008

I wanted to add that those suggestions on how to lower the estrogen ratios from Metametrix are directed to the general public and don't take into consideration our special circumstances as ER+ breast cancer survivors. So, some of those suggestions might not be appropriate for us. There is a lot of controversy about soy and even flax I've noticed.

findacure · November 2008

Bmdaley,

Coincidentally, I just got my results from a similar test via urine speciment that checked on the estrogen metabolism in my body. My naturopath ordered this test called EstroEssence (FMV) and the lab was Genova Diagnostics on the east coast. I just saw her this week. The test results are very interesting and of course I sent my results to my onc who neither weighed in to comment yea or nay for that matter. Don't you just love the oncs that say that "because this testing is not in the standard of care" that the results cannot tell him anything other than western medecine. I'm frustrated. Since I didn't have an ooph & am premenopausal, still wondering if I have done absolutely everything to prevent any recurrence. Although I received a path report of a favorable breast cancer (I can't imagine any cancer to be "favorable"), he says that the risk for any breast cancer cells floating around in my body are about nil. (Had a BM almost two years ago for a grade 1 stage 1 tubular and am currently on Tamoxifen.)

My concern now is whether this naturopath of mine has some real solid backup on her treatment plan for me. She want to put me on something called MethylSP (K-14) that is suppose to help metabolize the bad estrogen out of my system. THe only thing is that this MethylSP has choline in it which is a derivative of soy. I was told to stay away from soy. PM me if you have any more questions on this. I am really curious to know if any of us who sees a naturopath has had a similar test and what their doctor told them. Just drives me crazy. Tomorrow by the way is my two year anniversary of my diagnosis.

ibeejojo · November 2008

Hi Ladies.....I can recommend a few books. The first has become my "way of life" for the past few months. It's called The Anti-Estrogenic Diet" by Ori Hofmekler...the author of the "Warrior Diet". He lost his mom to estrogen receptor BC years ago and has a clearly written easy to follow multi level eating program that has dropped at least 15 lbs of my belly fat and my blood pressure in just a short time. I also have very few hotflashes since starting the program. It's primarily organic vegan w/fish, bean/grains and eggs. Never hungry on it...just love it. He believes in DIM which is basically for young women...postmenapausal women do better on Myomin. I've done Tamoxifen...then Arimidex...then Tamoxifen again and was put on Femara a few months ago that recently bought me to my knees in pain. I'm on a two week break before I try Aromasin but after looking into this natural aromatase inhibitor (Myomin) I'm on the fence. I have 3 years behind me but they've been pretty rough with the side effects....Suzzanne Sommers latest book supports the info in this book. I got a free copy when I was part of the survivor audiance on "The Ellen Show" and she was on.....good stuff. You can get tons of info from the "ask the doctor" web site...www.ATDonline.org.....good luck....jo

Anonymous · November 2008

Thanks so much for your imput. I'm going to get Sommer's book.

I still haven't found a naturopath Frown

bmdaley · November 2008

Hi findacure. Wanted to let you know that my nutritionist had recommended that I take something called Methyl Protect which sounds similar to what your naturopath had rec'd. But, my nutritionist is not putting me on it until after my chemotherapy because there has been some research showing that the ingredients can interfere with chemo treatment.

Anyway, here is an article which explains how Methyl Protect works which may interest you: http://www.xymogen.com/drr/RR-010-1004-04.pdf

In my experience as well, traditional medical doctors do not address VITAL nutrional aspects of our health -- its so below their pay grade. They'd rather just write us another prescription without addressing the underlying causes of our various illnesses. For example, I had acid reflux and was prescribed Prilosec. But my nutrionist helped me figure out that I am allergic to gluten and dairy. As a result, I was able to go off the Prilosec, which, by the way, can block acid in your stomach and thus prevent it from breaking down important minerals. This can lead to problems like anemia, etc (something we obviously don't need when we are already getting hammered with chemo).

findacure · November 2008

Thanks for your input Bmdaley. I'll take a look at the link on Methyl Protect. I'm having complete blood work done but have been procrastinating going to the lab as I'm trying to detox before the test. I should just go in have it done. I'm so obsessve in that way, that is trying to clean up just because I'm being tested. I have a follow up with my naturopath in a couple of weeks. I haven't been consistent in taking the Methyl as I'm nervous about the choline content.

Blood Test/Anti-Estogen Food

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