(Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.'s 22nd visit)

Dearest: My guest tonight is Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. Pete has been a Registered Pharmacist for 30+ years. Although Pete is a registered pharmacist and dispenses all sorts of prescription medications, he's focused his area of expertise on women's healthcare, and naturally compounded, bio-identical hormones, such as estradiol, estriol, estrone, bi-estrogen (bi-est), tri-estrogen (tri-est), micronized progesterone, DHEA, testosterone, pregnenolone.

Pete specializes in counseling patients and physicians on the use of natural hormones. He advises patients and physicians, nationwide, and is an acknowledged expert on the use of *natural* hormones or NHRT (natural hormone replacement therapy). Pete is professionally associated with NAMS, the Academy of Alternative Medicine, Alternative and Complementary Medicine Association, and is registered with more than one professional Pharmacist's Association. Pete also is co-owner of Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions.

But, most of all, everyone LOVES Pete. He's been Power Surge's Pharmaceutical consultant for nearly 10 years and has been a Godsend to so many women :)

Pete, once again, welcome back to Power Surge :)

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Thank you for the kind introduction. It is great to be back.

Dearest: You're most welcome.

After the Women's Health Initiative Study was abruptly halted, everyone was afraid to go near Premarin or PremPro - the HRT used in the study. Suddenly, we're being inundated with commercials on television for Premarin and PremPro. Why the resurfacing of these products?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: It is what is taught in the medical schools, and now they have lowered the dose, so as to help alleviate symptoms for all the women who are afraid of using it at the old dose. They are trying to say it is now safer, since it's a lower dose.

They are also trying to recapture the hormone market.

Dearest: Amazing what money can buy, huh, Pete? Money and marketing.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Premarin was the number 1 selling prescription for many years.

Yes it is amazing, the lower dose will only delay the bad side effects.

Dearest: Thanks, Pete. Pete, at least a few times a week I come across another site selling another "over the counter" natural progesterone cream. How does a woman know the source of the ingredients and if it's a safe, viable product?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: They are mostly all very safe, but probably most are very ineffective. The ingredients used in these is dioscorea (derived from the Mexican Yam plant), and it can NOT actually convert into progesterone without the proper enzymes; therefore most of them are expensive moisturizing creams only.

Dearest: Many women in the early stages of perimenopause rely on natural progesterone cream -- but as they enter the throes of perimenopause and estrogen decreases, will that same progesterone cream still be effective in alleviating their menopausal symptoms?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Years ago, Aeron labs did a test on about 20 of the products and only found a few to have any real progesterone in them. That same cream alone will not help with symptoms for most women as they approach closer to menopause.

Dearest: So, progesterone, alone, is pretty much for the earliest stages of perimenopause and then estrogen supplementation would need to be added?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: That is correct, most will need some dose of natural bioidentical estrogens.

HeartofDE: What is recommended for women who have had hysterectomies--other than estrogen?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: We usually test and offer when needed Testosterone, DHEA, and sometimes Pregnenolone. On occasion some low dose progesterone too.

HeartofDE: What is the last thing--Pregnenolone?

Dearest: You can call Pete at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mail him at ConsultPH@bpharmacysolutions.com, or you can ask him a question at www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts.htm.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Pregnenolone or the progesterone? Pregnenolone is the precursor to DHEA and Progesterone, and derived from Cholesterol in the body, the Mother Hormone; and helps with joint pains and memory.

Linda55: Please, your advice on cyclical vs. continuous Bio-identical HRT. I'm 55, my last period was 4/04. I just received bioidentical stuff on 5/31/05. I have Bi-EST, 2 mg, DHEA, 15mg, Progesterone Triturate, 50mg and Poetaster 100mg. I feel in this short period of time that the progesterone has acted more of a stimulant: the 3 or 4 days I've taken it, the flashes were worse. I just don't know.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: I think if you have gone 1 year or longer, then try the continuous. If problems of weight gain, breast tenderness, and bloating, then cycle it. Most women know how to handle a period by now. Your symptoms after 4 or 5 days should subside with time if the doses are correct for you. Give it some time. Your will feel a burst of energy if the hormones are working correctly.

JeanieM: I am having trouble collecting enough saliva for the test. Is there anything that will help? Tomorrow morning will be my third time trying.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: The saliva test that we send, and it is Aeron Labs test, comes with a piece of sugarless gum to chew, and help generate enough saliva to fill the tube.

JeanieM: Thanks. Mine came from another lab.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Buy some sugarless gum to chew before using the test.

BABS777: I have been going through perimenopause, for over 5 years (I'm 42 now). Although I have done extensive research on my own, and have taken "natural progesterone cream" (which works, to some extent), yet, I have 3 boxes of "estradiol". I will not take them yet. How do I know if I have an EXCESS of Estrogen or depletion of it? Dr. Christiane Northrup believes an excess during perimenopause, others say a depletion. What is correct?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Babs, then I would call the Pharmacy tomorrow, and let's get you a saliva test to perform, and see what is low or not low. We can advise you from there.

Dearest: You can call Pete at 1-800-728-0288

BABS777: Thank you Doctor, but I am not sure I could afford the tests.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: 1-800-728-0288 CST from 9 AM to 6 PM

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Do you have insurance or on Medicare? Blue Cross and United Healthcare will cover the saliva test.

BABS777: I only have VA, Which is the Veteran's Hospital. They do not pay for outside services.

Hearts Hi Pete, I would like to know any and all side effects of bio identicals. I'm getting so confused reading all the literature. And what is the difference between them and "naturals"?

Dearest: (bioidenticals ARE naturals)

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: The side effects could be the same if the dose is too high for you: headaches, bloatedness, sore breasts, unscheduled bleeding. The difference is that natural or bioidentical are chemically identical to what your ovaries used to secrete. The synthetic are chemicals that have to be transformed into something usable by the body, and the side reactions could be carcinogenic to women.

Lumina500: Have you heard of hormone headaches? What causes them and what can be taken to alleviate them?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Hormone headaches are quite common, could be too low estrogen or progesterone at the different times of the month; and then it could be from too much estrogen once you start therapy. It is quite interesting to help each individual person fine tune the doses to them.

Bambi_Torres: I am 52 and have been on Progest cream for some time. Now I have osteoporosis in my left hip. I am working with a compounding pharmacist in Hollywood, Florida who wants to put me on sublingual progesterone after I stay off the cream for 4 weeks to bring it down. I am on DHEA. After seeing my saliva test, my progesterone is at 1000, also my testosterone level is a little high (24). He wants me to bring down my testosterone with apple pectin. What do you think?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Bambi, I have never recommended Apple Pectin for anything. The testosterone will come down if you stop the DHEA for a while also. It is hard to say what you need from these levels, not knowing which lab you used. It looks like ZRT saliva test though.

Bambi_Torres: No, but I will find out.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: The progesterone dose does need to be lowered, and sublinguals may not happen too easily either. Just lower the dose of the progesterone.

LadyJulia: What is the best and safest product for breast enlargement?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: You have the enlargement. Do you know what has caused it, or have you always had it? It sounds like possibly heredity or too much hormones.

If you are trying to get larger, other than surgery (implants), I know of nothing that works very well at all.

Dearest: You can read more about Pete and Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions bioidentical hormones at www.power-surge.com/educate/naturalhormones.htm.

ShellBelle: I have an appointment with a new NP (Naturopath) tomorrow (previous NP refused to give me natural hormones, put me on Ortho-Est and Provera. It was horrible). My neighbor takes EST-Tri and says it's natural. Is this what I should ask for for estrogen?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Triest and Progest could be a possible solution, but I may have something better for you once I know more. At the end I will send you my cell number. Stay with us.

Bambi_Torres: DHEA will raise my testosterone? That is what I have read. If it is high now I shouldn't take it?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Bambi: that is correct, stop taking it for now.

Bambi_Torres: I haven't started, thanks.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Then don't start the DHEA.

CLTaylor5: I'm 49 and about 2 years into perimenopause. I'm 25 lbs heavier and haven't been able to do one successful thing to lose it. In fact, eating low carb is what made me gain so much. Where do I go from here?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: I suggest you call me for a saliva test for the peri-panel. This is 5 saliva samples over 28 days, and we will see what is off which part of the month for you, and then I will also give some other suggestions. I will be in all day tomorrow, from 9 AM to about 5:30 PM CST, and all next week.

Hearts If one doesn't have the proper insurance, it appears the cost of bioidenticals could be high, is this true? What is the cost of the saliva testing ?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: We try to price the bioidenticals similar to the price of the synthetics, and not higher. The saliva tests are 3 hormones for $141.00; 4 for 184.00 and 5 for $225.00. This number of hormones usually is all we need to test.

We do have lots of luck using people's prescription insurance for payment of the bioidenticals. We will try for any patient.

Dearest: You can find all this information on the Web site at: www.power-surge.com/educate/naturalhormones.htm This page includes the saliva tests, etc., and links to Pete's site.

HeartofDE: I had an hysterectomy in 12/03. Is Aeron labs still considered OK? I sent in a very old test, from 2000 last week. It was paid for through College Pharmacy. I wonder if this will work? The test was for estrogen and progesterone. Based on what you said earlier I may need more tests. Can they be purchased through your pharmacy?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: The test should still be honored by Aeron, and depending on your age and symptoms, maybe we need to add a test for DHEA and Testosterone. We can sell you the extra tests, yes.

HeartofDE: Does the test do pregnenolone?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: The saliva does NOT measure Pregnenolone, and have Aeron fax me a copy of the progesterone and estradiol results, and not to College.

HeartofDE: Thanks.

Lumina500: Can ovarian fibroids affect hormone production? If removed, would this again change hormone levels? If not removed, is there something I can take to normalize hormone levels?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Fibroids can become smaller with the use of natural progesterone, if not out of hand already. To remove them would make the hormones come back into line more easily for you, as we guide you with a hormone regimen.

Lumina500: Where do I go from here? All I know is I have them via ultrasound?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Find out the size, and have you done any other hormone testing to see what is too high or too low?

Lumina500: No, no hormone testing so far. Last time I did have them checked, they told me they were "within normal limits."

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Can you get me a copy of the latest test results, if within the last 6 months? My fax is 1-800-458-9182, and put your phone number with your name on the labs.

Lumina500: I will get them tested next week and send them to you. Thanks.

PyaGirl: I may be trying the saliva test and am using progesterone cream every other day or so. Should I stop using it to get more accurate results?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: No, don't stop using the cream, there is a place on the paperwork to note what you are using and the time of the last application. A 24 hour wait time is long enough. Let's see how you test out with what you are using.

AverageWoman: I've been using Vagifem recently for vaginal dryness and problems with intercourse. There is some improvement, but I'm still not able to have full penetration because of pain. Is there anything else I can do?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: We sell a combination of Estriol and Testosterone in a vaginal cream for this situation. It does require a prescription from your doctor, and seems to work quite well. If you want to talk about the doses and how to order, then please call me 1-800-728-0288.

Hearts: What about synthetics and saliva testing? How long should one be off before testing?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: For synthetics hormones, stay on them, do the test, and let's see what the levels are. Then it is easy to give a dose equivalent for the naturals to continue with from there.

Hearts: Thanks!!!

Lumina500: In the past 12 months, my cholesterol has jumped 40 points, which is unusual for me. Given maybe a slacking of diet and exercise, could this rise be a precursor to peri-menopausal changes? Other than a change of diet and exercise, is there anything natural I can take to get it under control?

Dearest: You'll find lots of information on the Recommendations page at www.power-surge.com/recommend.htm with numerous natural products recommended for cholesterol, including the Revival Soy Protein.

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: It could be from hormonal changes. If you go on our natural Bioidentical HRT, within 3 months you retest, also exercise, and watch the diet and see if it comes back down. We do have an excellent product, which I use and it lowered my cholesterol from 240 down to 156 in 6 months time and keeps it there, along with exercise and a better diet. The Cholestsure is taken as one capsule 3 times a day.

Lumina500: Thank you both so much for the information!

Dearest: By the way, elevated cholesterol is very common during perimenopause. What's the name of the product, Pete?

Pete Hueseman, R.Ph, P.D.: Cholestsure Capsules, 90 capsules per bottle. It is listed with all the info on it on our web site.

Dearest: If you E.mail Pete at ConsultPH@bpharmacysolutions.com, he can tell you more about it, Lumina.

Lumina500: I will. Thanks again!

Dearest: Pete, thank you once again for educating women about our hormones and menopause. If anyone has further questions about naturally compounded hormones, you can ask Pete by typing into your browser, www.power-surge.com/asktheexperts.htm and Pete will get back to you on any questions regarding natural hormones and menopause, or you can call him at 1-800-728-0288 or E.mail him at ConsultPH@bpharmacysolutions.com Thanks, Pete! :)