Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her period stops. It usually occurs naturally, most often after age 45. Menopause happens because the woman’s ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone
Background
Patient’s Symptoms
- Joints Pain
- Hair Loss
- Osteoporosis
- Hot Flushes & Dry Skin
- Loss of Libido
- Chronic Fatigue & Histamine Intolerance
- Mood Swings & Problems with Cognition
- Sleep Disturbance
Diagnosis
Abnormal value of homocysteine and diamine oxidase.
The value of homocysteine for normal people is <8 μmol/l.
Patient’s homocysteine level is at 12.4 μmol/l which exceeded almost 55%.
This suggests a high deficiency in Vitamin B, particularly Vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Studies have shown that high homocysteine is a risk factor of heart disease. Ganguly, 2015; Wierzbicki, 2007
Patient’s diamine oxidase (DAO) is very low at 7.9 U/ml. It is 21% lower than the minimum value of the standard. This explains why she has histamine intolerance. As DAO is the main enzyme for the metabolism of ingested histamine. Maintz & Novak, 2007
* Please refer histamine symptoms on appendix 1.
Improved fatigue from elevated MCHC value by 0.8g/dl.
MCHC stands for Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration. It refers to the average haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Haemoglobin is the protein molecule that carry oxygen to tissue within the body.
The normal range for MCHC is between 33-36 g/dl.
Before Treatment – March 2018
Patient’s MCHC is a little under the standard at 32.1 g/dl suggesting that he has signs of deficiency in Vitamin B12.
After Treatment – October 2018
Patient’s MCHC has improved by increasing 0.8 g/dl within 3 months,
Outcome
Allow more efficient oxygen delivery to tissues and subsequently reduces patient’s fatigue.
Reduced associated risks of low oestradiol level from elevated oestradiol by 8.4 times
Oestradiol is a sex hormone to maintain female reproductive system, promote breast tissue development and increases the density of bone and cartilage. Society for Endocrinology, 2018
The normal range of oestradiol is between 20-60 pg/ml.
Before Treatment – March 2018
Patient’s result is very low at <5.0 pg/ml which shows sign of menopause.
Research shows that low oestradiol encourages cholesterol build up on artery walls that can lead to increased risk of heart disease. The Office of Women’s Health, 2017
After Treatment – October 2018 7 months later, patient’s oestradiol level increased by 8.4 times, from <5.0 pg/ml to 47.2 pg/ml.
Outcome
Reduced associated risks of low oestradiol level.
Facilitate in improving steroid hormones via the increase of Pregnenolone by 15 times.
Pregnenolone is the precursors of steroid hormones that affect nerve cell growth and modulate moods. Goepp, 2007
The normal range for pregnenolone is between 24-50 μg/dl.
Before Treatment – March 2018
Pregnenolone level is very low at 14.9 μg/dl which is about 38% lower than the minimum value for standard.
After Treatment – Oct 2018
Pregnenolone level increased by 15 times from 14.9 μg/dl to 223 μg/dl.
Outcome
Stabilised mood swings, improved cognition problem and facilitated steroid hormone generation, such as oestradiol.
Treatment & Outcome
Regained strength and less fatigue from improved efficiency in oxygen delivery to tissue by the increased MCHC level.
Reduced associated risks of low oestradiol level.
Stabilized mood swing.
Alleviated cognition problem.
Improve in production of steroid hormones by elevated pregnenolone.
Patient’s MCHC improved by increasing 0.8g/dl.
Oestradiol level increased by 8.4 times.
Pregnenolone level increased by 15 times.
Histamine Intolerance
Histamine intolerance is not a sensitivity to histamine but an indication of excessive histamine within the body.
ANTHONY & MURRELL, 2018
Functions of Histamine
- Facilitate communication to the brain
- Stimulate the release of stomach acid to help digestion
- Releases after injury or allergic reaction as part the immune response
Causes of high histamine levels
- DAO deficiency – as DAO is responsible to breakdown histamine coming from food.
- Bacterial overgrowth
Symptoms of histamine intolerance
- Headaches or migraines
- Nasal congestion or sinus issues
- Fatigue
- Hives
- Digestive issues
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
In severe cases
- Abdominal cramping
- Tissue swelling
- High blood pressure
- Irregular heart rate
- Anxiety
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Dizziness
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