Is it possible to explain what happens when estrogen cell receptors are upgraded and cause a paradoxical effect?
A. Molecular biology is very complex, but in simple terms, each cell has receptors or “ports” on its surface (membrane), or within (cytoplasm), where hormones attach to regulate the cell’s process or processes. Synthetic hormones are not quite chemically the same as bio-identical ones, therefore sometimes attaching differently to the cell with less effect or creating more sensitive receptors that upgrade them. Additionally, synthetic hormones stimulate the liver to produce more sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) which attaches to other hormones, reducing available (free) hormones in the body. Q. In your article, The Medical Management of Aging: One Physician’s Experience with Bio-identical Hormones, you write about the benefits of bio-identical thyroid. Many IC patients, as well as fibromyalgia patients, suffer with hypothyroidism and can’t tolerate synthetic thyroid replacement. I am one. Many of us must take Armour thyroid which is made from pig’s thyroid. (I’ve heard of a few patie
