suzanne somers life extension
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Pearlstrand
Cathlete
I have.
I've used Life Extension blood tests, but just for a thorough check-up; not for modifying hormones.
It's easy -- you order them, they send the paperwork, and you go to a clinic in your area that draws the blood. Then you get the results back from LEF in a week or so.
I take my results when I go for my annual physical.
DH and I have also been using Life Extension supplements for years -- probably longer than Suzanne Somers has!
I've used Life Extension blood tests, but just for a thorough check-up; not for modifying hormones.
It's easy -- you order them, they send the paperwork, and you go to a clinic in your area that draws the blood. Then you get the results back from LEF in a week or so.
I take my results when I go for my annual physical.
DH and I have also been using Life Extension supplements for years -- probably longer than Suzanne Somers has!
Liann
Cathlete
janiejoey
Cathlete
Suzanne Somers is an actress not a doctor. She may have experience with this sort of thing, but it's with her body, and every body is different.
She was on Oprah a couple of times, and talked about the hormones that she takes, she also takes 45-50 supplements during the day. To me that is so excessive and tells me she is just nutty. Why would anyone take so many supplements? That in itself can be dangerous! She even said (on Oprah) that she was a nut, and that it's her and you don't have to do that.
I wouldn't trust her at all.
Now that I said that, I've taken the plant derivative hormones and they worked for me for many years. I did go to a compound pharmacist and we both (doctor and pharmacist) figured out what was good for me without a blood test. Also after 15 years, I only take a small amount of estrogen now, and only once a week and only on a part of my body that is private. I'm just saying what is good for one person might not be good for another person.
Don't trust anyone that is not a health profession. She is giving them a bad wrap. My doctor's listen to me and we both try things and if it doesn't work, then we try something else. It's an area that is unclear for doctors and laymen alike. You can of course, get the blood test if you feel you need to. I do have to say, though, be careful to not take too much. If you feel like you've been drugged, or heart palpitations or feel funny in any way, either stop, or decrease the amount you are taking. It took me awhile to figure it out but once you do, it is better. Maybe that's why the blood test can help you, it may tell you how low you are on the estrogen. If you have a uterus, make sure when you are taking hormone therapy, that you also take progesterone too. I only take estrogen now because it's such a small amount and it helps me not be so dry. Everything else has cooled down and not a problem anymore.
Janie
She was on Oprah a couple of times, and talked about the hormones that she takes, she also takes 45-50 supplements during the day. To me that is so excessive and tells me she is just nutty. Why would anyone take so many supplements? That in itself can be dangerous! She even said (on Oprah) that she was a nut, and that it's her and you don't have to do that.
I wouldn't trust her at all.
Now that I said that, I've taken the plant derivative hormones and they worked for me for many years. I did go to a compound pharmacist and we both (doctor and pharmacist) figured out what was good for me without a blood test. Also after 15 years, I only take a small amount of estrogen now, and only once a week and only on a part of my body that is private. I'm just saying what is good for one person might not be good for another person.
Don't trust anyone that is not a health profession. She is giving them a bad wrap. My doctor's listen to me and we both try things and if it doesn't work, then we try something else. It's an area that is unclear for doctors and laymen alike. You can of course, get the blood test if you feel you need to. I do have to say, though, be careful to not take too much. If you feel like you've been drugged, or heart palpitations or feel funny in any way, either stop, or decrease the amount you are taking. It took me awhile to figure it out but once you do, it is better. Maybe that's why the blood test can help you, it may tell you how low you are on the estrogen. If you have a uterus, make sure when you are taking hormone therapy, that you also take progesterone too. I only take estrogen now because it's such a small amount and it helps me not be so dry. Everything else has cooled down and not a problem anymore.
Janie
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hiitdogs
Cathlete
Really? I haven't been very impressed with some of the doctors I have encountered. I would not trust them as far as I can throw them
Just because someone is a doctor or health professional doesn't mean that I can check out my common sense at the entry and trust them. Just sayin'I don't know which tests SS recommends, Life Extension offers a whole bunch of blood tests and supplements. I get the Life Extension Magazine and they have some great articles.
I think it depends on which tests you want to get and why. If you have any health concerns you will probably be better off to find a good health care professional. I don't think it will do much good to do the tests without having someone who can read and interpret them and also interpret it in conjuncton with anything else that is going on with you.
That being said, I am in treatment with a naturopathic doctor and I get many of the tests that are run and which end up not being covered by health insurance at a significant discount.
janiejoey
Cathlete
Really? I haven't been very impressed with some of the doctors I have encountered. I would not trust them as far as I can throw them
Carola,
I'm not saying to not trust your instincts or common sense. I always go by my gut feelings. I guess what I'm trying to say is for me, I have doctors that talk with me and together we figure things out. Or at least try to. They don't pretend to me that they know it all and so we work together. Between the years they have studied to become doctors, the experience with other patience and putting our heads together, we find a solution to my medical problems. If people can have a relationship like that with their health care providers wouldn't it be better to trust them instead of Suzzanne Somers? That is who we are talking about and the subject of HRP. I would be very skeptical of people who doesn't have that kind of experience under their belt. Just my opinion, and you do have a point there.
Pugn: "Has anyone used the life extension blood tests? If so how do you feel about the experience. I am reading her book breakthrough and it makes you doubt the drugs and doctors in todays world. Any comments on this?"
The book of Somers, I think is a book on HRP, so I'm assuming she was referring to that topic and the blood tests to know for certain how much a person needs to help with their symptoms.
.
Janie
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hiitdogs
Cathlete
I don't know, I guess to me the question is if 20 years experience is really 20 years of experience or is it 2 years experience and 18 years of repetition.
I have found that with a handful of exceptions most doctors will not think outside the box and outside the box these days is anything other than drugs.
What you describe would be nice but the way our current health care system works it rarely happens. If you go to your regular doctor the average time you will get is 6 minutes plus a prescription. I wonder how much a doctor can really find out in 5 minutes? As you said, every body is different!
It appears you are one of the lucky ones. On the other hand there is nothing wrong with reading and learning outside from your doctor's advice, even from people like Suzanne Sommers. If she doesn't do anything else, at least she raised awareness.
I know of quite a few people without a medical degree who in my opinion know a lot more about specific diseases than some doctors that I have encountered. That being said, I don't think Suzanne Somers is one of them.
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janiejoey
Cathlete
Carola,
Agreed, knowledge is very powerful. I guess I am lucky to have doctors that spend the time to listen and work with me. Reading about things is a must. You/me everyone should do that and take responsibility to learn about things that are happening in our lives. Family doctors are suppose to know about everything,(I guess) but it's almost impossible to know everything. Some people do know about specific things when they can concentrate/make time on them. There fore knowing more than a regular doctor would, I agree.
I like the way you think. Makes me think beyond the box.
Janie
Agreed, knowledge is very powerful. I guess I am lucky to have doctors that spend the time to listen and work with me. Reading about things is a must. You/me everyone should do that and take responsibility to learn about things that are happening in our lives. Family doctors are suppose to know about everything,(I guess) but it's almost impossible to know everything. Some people do know about specific things when they can concentrate/make time on them. There fore knowing more than a regular doctor would, I agree.
I like the way you think. Makes me think beyond the box.
Janie
Ladies, I felt compelled to add a comment on this one.
SS prefaces what she shares with the very fact she is not a doctor. She states that what she is presenting is research she has conducted, talking to various "experts" in the field. She states she is blessed to be a celebrity who has access to the doctors she interviews, as the average person would not, and she felt it was important to share the information with the general public.
I, too, feel knowledge is power and believe people need to do their own research and advocate for themselves. I believe natural hormone replacement is an extremely important topic and was quite happy to see it presented on Oprah, because if you want information disseminated, Oprah is the forum to use.
Back to the original question about LEF blood tests - to confuse things even more, the doctor I am working with uses saliva tests to check hormone levels. I know for me, this method was more accurate than the blood work. I had checked with LEF, prior to going through my doctor to see if they offered the saliva tests; however, they do not. I am a member of LEF and believe their research is solid and greatly appreciate the information they share in their publication as well as on their website. I would venture to guess their blood tests would be as good as what you would have drawn at your doctor’s office.
Janie, you are very blessed to have doctors that you have a good rapport with. I must admit I have had some bad experiences in my past; however, the good that came out of it was me learning I know my body better than anyone and to not simply trust the word/advice of someone because they have MD after their name.
Have a great week, group.
SS prefaces what she shares with the very fact she is not a doctor. She states that what she is presenting is research she has conducted, talking to various "experts" in the field. She states she is blessed to be a celebrity who has access to the doctors she interviews, as the average person would not, and she felt it was important to share the information with the general public.
I, too, feel knowledge is power and believe people need to do their own research and advocate for themselves. I believe natural hormone replacement is an extremely important topic and was quite happy to see it presented on Oprah, because if you want information disseminated, Oprah is the forum to use.
Back to the original question about LEF blood tests - to confuse things even more, the doctor I am working with uses saliva tests to check hormone levels. I know for me, this method was more accurate than the blood work. I had checked with LEF, prior to going through my doctor to see if they offered the saliva tests; however, they do not. I am a member of LEF and believe their research is solid and greatly appreciate the information they share in their publication as well as on their website. I would venture to guess their blood tests would be as good as what you would have drawn at your doctor’s office.
Janie, you are very blessed to have doctors that you have a good rapport with. I must admit I have had some bad experiences in my past; however, the good that came out of it was me learning I know my body better than anyone and to not simply trust the word/advice of someone because they have MD after their name.
Have a great week, group.
Tamrahan
Cathlete
There was some guy and his wife that did the talk show circuit a couple of decades ago. Seems like his first name was Dirk or something odd like that, anyway, he and his wife advocated popping massive amounts of vitamin/mineral supplements and whatnot. I haven't seen him around in years but I wonder what ever happened to him (and his kidney's or liver or whatever processes all those vitamins). Does anyone know who i'm talking about?
morningstar
Cathlete
I have to say, Carola, I find it very interesting that someone that is as skeptical as you about everything is going to a naturopathic doctor- who I consider to be the modern day equivalent of snake oil salesmen.
hiitdogs
Cathlete
A naturopath a snake oil sales man? I am sure someone like you would think so.
Yes, I am in treatment with a Naturopathic Oncologist for breast cancer and I have refused chemotherapy and radiation treatment and after months of research opted for a change in diet and alternative treatments instead. Any other questions?
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Pearlstrand
Cathlete
Carola, wishing you a quick and complete recovery.
morningstar
Cathlete
I hope that snake oil turns out to be just what you need to get better- sincerely.
hiitdogs
Cathlete
That is correct! But let's also point out that my surgeon and one of the two conventional oncologists that I consulted told me that I had just signed my death sentence by turning down chemotherapy and radiation.
Of course, if I will be cured the conventional medical community will say that I was cured by surgery alone. Which is what they said about Suzanne Somers. However, in all reality if the cancer doesn't come back conventional doctors would have needlessly subjected me to months of toxic treatment with potentially life threatening effects, long term effects like heart failure and secondary cancers (chemotherapy, radiation and estrogen blockers are proven and documented carcinogenics and mutagenics).
It never made any sense to me if cancer is a result of the failure of my immune system why on earth I would bombard it with drugs that totally destroy my immune system. So much so that the common cold can kill me. With the naturopathic treatment the main focus is on boosting my immune system and a more systemic treatment. There was a very significant improvement in my bloodwork from the time that I started naturopathic treatment to the bloodwork that came back just a couple of weeks ago.
Having read the results of chemotherapy clinical trials and statistics in this country and others I would say it is chemotherapy that is the snake oil treatment in many cases.
Thanks for pointing out that surgery in most cases is curative without any further toxic treatment. There are not many in the medical profession who I have encountered who will admit that.
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janiejoey
Cathlete
Carola,
I once saw on Oprah, an educated woman who is treating her cancer with green food and drinks (vegan)...but opted not to use chemo or radiation. You might have heard about her, Sera Beak. The blog is Crazy Sexy Cancer. Lots and lots of information that you are already doing, but might want to check it out for further reading.
You are an amazing/brave and strong woman. I know you don't have a choice, but, still...You are incredible to go through this and share your findings on how you are combating this serious illness.
I can't even imagine what you are going through. My good vibes, prayers and hopes are with you, so you may have a complete recovery.
Keep us posted, OK?
Janie
I once saw on Oprah, an educated woman who is treating her cancer with green food and drinks (vegan)...but opted not to use chemo or radiation. You might have heard about her, Sera Beak. The blog is Crazy Sexy Cancer. Lots and lots of information that you are already doing, but might want to check it out for further reading.
You are an amazing/brave and strong woman. I know you don't have a choice, but, still...You are incredible to go through this and share your findings on how you are combating this serious illness.
I can't even imagine what you are going through. My good vibes, prayers and hopes are with you, so you may have a complete recovery.
Keep us posted, OK?
Janie