Hormone
Therapy
for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Part Two
by Barbara D. Allan
Author of Conquering Arthritis
In the last newsletter, I described how two types of
hormones, estrogens and androgens, are important in
rheumatoid arthritis.
Estrogens at normal (non-pregnant) levels enhance the
type of immune responses that cause RA. Androgens suppress
these responses. If you have normal levels of estrogens
but don't have enough androgens, it is much harder for
the body to stop the out of control immune responses
that cause RA.
If this is true for you, hormone therapy may help.
(To know if this is true, you will need to have a doctor
check your estrogen and androgen levels.)
The major androgens in men are the sex hormones testosterone
and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Indeed, studies show
that men with RA often experience an improvement in
their RA when they take testosterone supplements.
The major androgens in women are dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). DHEA
and DHEAS are made by the adrenal gland. When this gland
is not functioning well it creates a condition known
as adrenal fatigue. Many things can cause adrenal fatigue,
most commonly high stress or bouts of chronic infection.
The primary symptom of adrenal fatigue is a general
sense of lethargy and enduring tiredness.
Several women have written me that treating adrenal
fatigue was one of the critical factors in their recovery
from RA.
I experienced adrenal fatigue after a bout with meningitis.
I was given a product called AdrenaStim by my naturopathic
doctor. It has worked wonders getting my DHEA levels
back up to normal. I simply smeared a little of the
cream behind my knees or inside my elbows three times
a day. It is absorbed through the skin and is a gentle
way to help restore adrenal function.
Because RA is a complex disease with many causes, only
restoring the androgens to normal levels in the body
and doing nothing else to treat your RA will not result
in a cure. However, if low androgen levels are one of
your contributing factors, bringing these levels back
to normal is likely to result in an improvement in your
condition.
All information in this newsletter is for informational
purposes only. See a doctor or other health care professional
for actual treatment advice.
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