HouseCall: Perimenopause & Birth Control, Organic & Pesticides, Low Alkaline Phosphatase, Thyroid Symptoms During Winter, Supplements & Male Fertility 

Welcome back to our weekend Cabral HouseCall shows!

This is where we answer our community’s wellness, weight loss, and anti-aging questions to help people get back on track!

Check out today’s questions:

Sheena: Hi Dr C! Hope you and your team are well. I’m 45 yo and currently on low dose birth control pill to help control the severe perimenopause symptoms I was experiencing. It has REALLY helped which I am thankful for. Obviously I know I cant be on it forever, but the thought of going off and going through all the symptoms is so scary to me. I also know being on the BCP will mask when I’m actually in menopause. Do you have a suggestion as to how I can find out? Is it possible to figure out while on the pill? As instructed by my endocrinologist, I take the pill for 42 day straight, stop for 4 and start again. Could I test my fsh during that 4

Anonymous: Hi Dr. Cabral – I’m hoping you can help me. I keep hearing people say organic doesn’t really matter because they’re still able to spray the produce with some level of herbicides. Can you help me understand what they could be talking about and confirm that organic is definitely better/ worth the cost? Thanks for all you do!

Sierra: Hello Dr. Cabral. My father and four of his kids have chronically low Alk Phos. We have tried supplementing (Zinc, mag, Vit C, DNS, Omegas, etc) for years without any improvement. We are leaning into thinking its a genetic issue (hypophosphotasia). My father has had significant blood calcification, bow legged, bad teeth. Do you have any knowledge on genetically low alk phos, and how to increase our levels or adjust nutrients to help offset issues from low levels of alkphos? We do live fairly healthy, active lives. We do qtrly detoxes, we work to empty our “rain barrel”, but is there any other advice you can give us? We would love to figure out how to navigate this. Thank you! day break and be able to tell? Hope this makes sense. Looking forward to your suggestion. Thanks!

Adam: Hello, I’ve noticed during the winter months, I get more symptoms, especially thyroid related issues (dry skin, cold extremities). During the summer, these are substantially less pronounced. I’ve ran the Stress Mood and Metabolism test (during FEBruary), TSH 2.5, Free T3-3.8, Free T4-1.5, normal cortisol all day, low DHEAS, but are there any specific interventions I can do during the winter months to support my body? Warmer denser foods, different types of exercises, certain supplements etc? Thank you.

Desiree: Hi Dr. Cabral, My husband and I are planning to start trying for a baby this June. We are prepping starting now with 3 week detox, followed by heavy metal and parasite detoxes. I will follow that with 3 months of prenatal vitamins. Are there any male specific supplements that improve sperm health and male fertility? Like prenatal supplements but for men. Thanks!

Thank you for tuning into today’s Cabral HouseCall and be sure to check back tomorrow where we answer more of our community’s questions!