Reverse T3 (rT3): Should it be measured in patients with hypothyroidism. There is a lot of controversy about whether reverse T3 (rT3) should be measured to assess hypothyroidism. The normal thyroid gland secretes T4 (an inactive precursor), T3 (the active hormone), and reverse T3, a biologically inactive form of T3 that may block T3 from […]
What are the Optimal Levels of Vitamin D? Vitamin D is in the news frequently. It has been touted as a wonder hormone that can prevent cancers, aging, heart disease, and other maladies. However, scientific studies showing that vitamin D actually prevents these conditions are rare. Many patients come to me confused about what their […]
What is PCOS? PCOS is a hormone imbalance in women that impacts 1 out of 10 to 15 women. PCOS probably has several etiologies (ovary, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus) and has gradients from mild to severe. PCOS is part of the metabolic syndrome which includes insulin resistance, abnormal lipid measurements, obesity, [...]
Alopecia is the medical term for excessive or abnormal hair loss. Losing hair is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. The hair growth cycle is ongoing, and on an average day, 90% of your hair is in the resting phase while the other 10% is either growing or shedding. Hair loss occurs when the hair sheds, and no hair re-grows to replace it. [...]
Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) AMH is a protein produced by cells in the ovary. AMH is used to evaluate fertility and ovarian egg reserve in women. AMH measurements can be taken at any time during the menstrual cycle making it a better ovarian egg marker than FSH, which is also used to evaluate fertility in women, […]
Many patients with fatigue as a main complaint are eventually diagnosed as having an endocrine problem. However, an often overlooked reason for fatigue in women who are menstruating is iron-deficiency. Iron is needed for thyroid hormone biosynthesis, including the conversion from the inactive thyroid hormone, T4, to the active hormone, T3. Women taking thyroid hormone […]
There are risks and benefits with all medicines and estrogen replacement is no exception. In fact, estrogen replacement is one of the most controversial topics in Endocrinology. This is due to conflicting data on its benefits and side effects, the multitude of available hormone replacement products and regimens and the fact that most studies on […]
Hypothyroidism is a relatively common disorder. It affects more women then men, but I happen to be one of the men who does have it. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, gradual weight gain, constipation, muscle aches, joint pain, feeling cold, menstrual irregularities, weakness, hair loss, dry, cold skin and slow reaction time. Many patients will […]
Dr. Friedman has been running the Obesity Clinic at MLK Ambulatory Care Clinic in Los Angeles and has come up with a simplified strategy for weight loss for everyone who is serious about losing weight. This approach is to have a simplified food guide that everyone can follow that stresses eating healthy foods, especially vegetables, […]
The adrenals, small glands located above each kidney, produce a number of important hormones. The adrenals’ inner medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline). Tumors of the adrenal medulla which produce excess epinephrine and norepinephrine are called pheochromocytomas. Deficiencies of the adrenal medulla that reduce the levels of these hormones do not give rise to clinical […]
