2003 - John R. Lee, M.D. Medical Letter Back Issues

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2003 January

Looking back at 2002: Birth control patch; new research showing that progesterone cream protects the uterus; vindications and ripples from the Women's Health Initiative Study, predictions, and a wish for a real study on progesterone and bone loss.
An Open Letter to the Women of Marin County: The breast cancer bogeyman isn’t there. Estrogen dominance cuased by conventional HRT is the key.
The Hopkins Health Watch: Prozac for kids, statin lowers LDL but not the death rate, C-reactive protein predicts some strokes, more on insulin and PCOS.
Experts in the Field: Dr. Dean Raffelock on postpartum depression, the baby blues, and why it doesn't work to use SSRIs for treatment.
Letters: The biochemistry of pregnenolone, why high progesterone in a saliva test, chemo and infertility.

2003 February

You have the answers.
Are You Allergic to Fake Fragrances? Just because it smells good doesn't mean it's good for you.
The Hopkins Health Watch: Take your vitamin zzz ‘s; vitamin E foods for Alzheimer’s; mother's exposure to POPs associated with testicular cancer.
Experts in the Field: Robert J. Rowen, M.D. on an herb extract that kills cancer cells.
Letters: Saliva tests and Medicare; which hormone is the "happy pill"?; will phytoestrogens block xenoestrogens?
And There’s More… An overactive p53 gene may accelerate aging.

2003 March

2003 April

The Princess of Premature Births
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premature Birth: An ounce of prevention can add pounds to potential preemies.
Premature Birth and Progesterone
The Perils of Eclampsia: There’s danger in the disease, and danger in pharmaceutical treatments.
Lobular Breast Cancer Rates Skyrocketing
Eating Meat and Eggs Does not Increase Breast Cancer Risk
HRT Does not Improve Quality of Life in Women Without Menopausal Symptoms
Marijuana Use in Pregnancy May Harm the Brain
Atkins is Vindicated
Some Migraines May be Caused by Wheat
Experts in the Field: Dr. Dean Raffelock on fats, oils and postpartum health.
Breastfeeding and progesterone use.
BRCA and hormone replacement.

2003 May

Dear Reader: Stories from the road.
What Women Want to Know: Answers to some questions I get at talks.
Absorption of Transdermal Progesterone: An excellent new study settles the argument.
What's the Right Dose of Estrogen? A little goes a long, long way.
Hopkins Health Watch: Two more reasons to take magnesium; Brain chemicals--to tweak or not to tweak; oral contraceptives increase risk of cervical cancer;
Experts in the Field: The FDA is on the move--how you can take action to protect your nutritional supplements.
Letters: Does Forteo build bone, prostate cancer, progesterone and birth control pills, and more on electromagnetic radiation.

2003 June

Dear Reader: Censored on PBS radio.
New Insights on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Is Ciguatera Toxin a Cause of CFS?
Take Travel Precautions: Pack common sense before you walk out the door and take along some extra health insurance in the form of supplements.
The Hopkins Health Watch: An ironic twist to the autism debate; antioxidants improve vision in macular degeneration; later menopause, longer life?
Experts in the Field: Jill McLaughlin on Understanding Chronic Fatigue.
Letters: Does progesterone convert to estrogen; will natural hormones start up periods again; more on weaning off HRT.

2003 July-August

Dear Reader: A long overdue ban on soda pop.
This Is Your Brain on Hormones: Does estrogen prevent Alzheimer's? Whether hormones help or hurt your brain depends on the type and the dose.
The Fundamentals of Optimal Brain Health: Hormones, nutrients and avoiding toxins.
The Hopkins Health Watch: Dilantin decreases estrogen, grapefruit juice increases hormone levels, HRT increases breast density.
Experts in the Field: Fluoridation Update
Coral Calcium: Help or hype?
Letters: MSM in cream causes rash, can I switch from Premarin to black cohosh?, histamine and hormones.

2003 September

Hormones in dog food may be a good thing.
The Death of Conventional HRT: Where do we go from here? Three rules for using bioidentical hormones.
The Million Women Study: New Insights on Breast Cancer and HRT
Why you should get some sunshine without sunblock.
Building an unprocessed food pyramid.
Experts in the Field: Alfred Plechner DVM on Pets’ Hormonal Imbalance
Cyclical epilepsy fades with progesterone use.
Advice on fibroids.

2003 October

Marin County redux on Cape Cod: The high breast cancer rates in these communities are probably caused primarily by HRT, not toxins.
A Contraceptive that Stops Menstruation: Will Seasonale be harmful or helpful?
What the Research on Contraceptive Hormones Says about Safety and Side Effects
Is the Pregnant Brain Really More Forgetful and Inattentive?
Seizure Medication and How it Affects Your Ovaries
FDA Sends Warning on Star Anise Tea
Teens May Get More Addicited to Nicotine
Study Shows High Levels of Toxins in Cape Cod Homes: Is this what's causing the high breast cancer rates there?
Five Things You Can Do to Avoid Toxins in Your Home
Progesterone May Help Reduce Hair Loss in Men
Managing Premenstrual Migraines
Tweaking the Data to Make Estrogen Seem Safe