Medical Articles
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, […]
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 […]
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, […]
Understanding the Adrenal Glands and Hormones 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 […]
Measurements of testosterone in women are quite important for Dr. Friedman’s patients as it enables him to help distinguish between 2 types of conditions, both of which lead to irregular or absent menses. High testosterone is associated with a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS have high total and bioavailable testosterone and […]
The pituitary makes several hormones, and if the pituitary is damaged, such as in cases of surgery, radiation, a pituitary tumor, or if the pituitary is small from conditions like Sheehan’s syndrome and empty sella syndrome, hormone deficiencies occur. There is a set order of these hormone deficiencies, and growth hormone is the first hormone […]
Understanding Glucocorticoid Replacement for Adrenal Insufficiency Patients with adrenal insufficiency, either due to a pituitary problem or an adrenal problem, need glucocorticoid replacement. Patients with adrenal causes of adrenal insufficiency, such as those who have had an bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing’s disease, need both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement. Glucocorticoid replacement is usually given in the […]
America has a serious weight problem, with more than 60% of adults classified as overweight or obese. Starting at age 30, most people gain about a pound per year despite efforts to keep it off. We are bombarded with countless books, articles and infomercials touting the latest fad diet. Despite all of this advice, the […]
