Standard Process Inc. sponsors these webinars to provide healthcare information to practitioners and to provide them the opportunity to hear about the views, recommendations and experiences of other practitioners. Standard Process has not evaluated the legal status of any products, services or recommendations with respect to State or Federal laws, including scope of practice. Standard Process does not and cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions or for any consequences from applications of the information provided and makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the information provided.

Diagnostic Resources for the

Patient Dealing with Reproductive

Concerns

Michael C Gaeta, DAc, MS, CDN

Doctor of Acupuncture (RI)

Licensed Dietician-Nutritionist (NY)

Licensed Acupuncturist (NY, CO)

Diplomate in Acupuncture & Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM)

Herbalist

January 2012 Edition

© Gaeta IP, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Gaeta Seminars

Optimal Reproductive Health

Part One:

Overview &

Statistics

Gaeta Seminars

Infertility - Definition

Primary

• Couples who have not been able to become

pregnant after at least one year of unprotected sex

Secondary

• Couples who have been pregnant at least once,

but have not been able to become pregnant again

Additional Consideration

• Habitual miscarriage

Gaeta Seminars

Infertility Statistics

• According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 10%

of women of childbearing age have impaired fertility

• 7.3 million are using drug-based fertility services

• Fertility doctors estimate that 20% of infertility related

to the male partner, and that

• Another 20% is due to low progesterone in the

female.

Gaeta Seminars

Infertility – Two Primary Causes

Structural

• e.g., blocked fallopian tubes, tipped uterus, uterine

lining problems, etc

• Least common

• Surgery often indicated

Functional

• e.g. hormone imbalance, poor sperm,

• Most common

• Natural therapies more indicated

Infertility – Two Primary Causes

Structural (least common):

Physical obstacle to fertilization

• Sexually transmitted disease

• Low sperm count/quality

• Autoimmune disorders

• Uterine abnormalities like

fibroids, polyps, myomas,

lining disorders, scarring, and

endometriosis

• Pelvic infection/inflammation

Functional:

Systemic obstacle to fertilization

• Hypothyroid/Hypoadrenia

• Excessive exercise/fat loss

• Low progesterone

• Obesity

• Diabetes

• Smoking, alcohol, marujuana,

cocaine

• Environmental toxins

Gaeta Seminars

Endocrine/Hormonal Health Adapted from Stuart White, DC, CCN

• The hormones are the most powerful control system

of the body and must be balanced in order to activate

the body’s other powerful systems of repair and healing.

• Most people lead challenging lives complicated by

hormonal disruption and glandular depression.

• Elimination of the hormone disruptors that interfere with

normal hormone activation is necessary, as is

strengthening and repairing the glands of the

endocrine system

Gaeta Seminars

Two Aspects of Endocrine Care

1. Nutritional support for optimal

hormone production/endocrine

function

2. Remove barriers to optimal

function through detoxification

Gaeta Seminars

Reproductive & Adrenal Cortex

Hormone Pathways

http://e.hormone.tulane.edu/learning/progestins.html 10

Gaeta Seminars

Endogenous Estrogen Phases

E2 – Estradiol: primarily premenopause

- most proliferative

E3 – Estriol: primarily pregnancy

E1 – Estrone: primarily postmenopause

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Gaeta Seminars

The Endocrine System

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• Pineal gland

• Hypothalamus

• Pituitary gland

• Thyroid/Parathyroid gland

• Pancreas

• Adrenal

• Ovaries/Testes

Non-endocrine

Hormone Contributors:

• Brain

• Heart

• Kidneys

• Liver

• Thymus

• Skin

• Placenta

Chart of Endocrine Relationships By Henry Harrower, MD

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Gaeta Seminars

Optimal Reproductive Health

Part Two:

Fertility Assessment

Methods

Gaeta Seminars

Lab Evaluation – Structural

A patient’s physician may use a number of

techniques to determine if structural

blockages are present:

• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

• Pelvic ultrasound

• Laparoscopy (esp. if suspected endometriosis)

• Pelvic exam

Gaeta Seminars

Lab Evaluation – Conventional

• Blood hormone levels

– FSH, LH, estrogens,

progesterone, testosterone

• Semen analysis – count, motility, morphology

Gaeta Seminars

Lab Evaluation

• Hair mineral analysis (ARL)

• Expanded Female Hormone Panel (EFHP)

(Diagnos-Techs 800 878 3787)

• Thyroid evaluation

- blood, basal temp, hair minerals

• Adrenal evaluation

- Ragland’s, pupillary reflex, blood, hair,

Adrenal Stress Index (Diagnos-Techs)

• Blood hormone levels

– FSH, LH, estrogens, progesterone, testosterone

Gaeta Seminars

Online Lab Access

• No doctor’s prescription necessary

• Patient orders and pays for tests online,

goes to local draw center, gets results online

• Not available in NY, NJ, MA or RI

www.privatemdlabs.com

• Reusable 10% discount code: wellness10

• Blood and urine testing

www.directlabs.com/online

• Blood, urine and more

• Discounted combination profiles for cardio, thyroid, sugar

Note: These companies are not affiliated with Standard Process and were chosen by the speaker based on his/her experience. Standard

Process does not endorse or have a formal business arrangement with any of these businesses and cannot vouch for the practices or

products offered by these businesses. In addition to the ones listed, there are other companies that may offer the same services.

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Gaeta Seminars

Reproductive Health

Lab Analysis:

Hair

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Gaeta Seminars • Lab Analysis

Blood vs Hair Analysis

● Hair mineral analysis reflects tissue status

● The body prioritizes blood over tissues & organs

● Blood reveals late stage imbalance

● Tissue/hair reveals early stage imbalance

● The best approach is to use both

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Gaeta Seminars • Lab Analysis

Blood vs Hair Analysis – 2

● Blood reveals relatively more biochemistry

● Tissue/hair reveals relatively more physiology

and toxicity

● Many markers, but not minerals, are measured

well in the blood (e.g. thyroid hormones, sugar)

● Mostly minerals are measured well in hair

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Analysis Scientific Validation

EPA: Hair is a “meaningful and representative tissue for biological

monitoring for most of the toxic metals.”

Masters RD. Dartmouth College: “The advantages of hair analysis

include the non-invasiveness, low cost and the ability to measure a

large number of, potentially interacting, toxic and biologically

essential elements.”

Biological Trace Elem Research: (journal) “…hair concentrations

of Ca, Fe, and Zn could reflect the effects of supplementation.”

CDC: “The presence of a substance in hair may indicate exposure

(both internal and external)…”

Gaeta Seminars

Hair Analysis Basics

● Hair analysis provides a unique cellular

reading; cells, not blood or urine, are the major

site of metabolic activity

● Hair is a very stable material

● Analysis is inexpensive and is done at home

● Controversy around hair analysis reliability is

about lab procedures and hair preparation,

not the basic validity of testing hair minerals

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Analysis – 1 Areas of Measurement

1. Macro Minerals: calcium, magnesium,

sodium and potassium

- correcting these levels helps restore

trace mineral balance

2. Trace Minerals: iron, copper, manganese,

zinc, chromium, selenium, phosphorous,

nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, lithium, boron

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Analysis – 2

Areas of Measurement

3. Toxic Minerals/Metals: lead, mercury,

cadmium, arsenic, aluminum

4. Key Mineral Ratios & one related function

Ca/Mg: blood sugar handling

Ca/K: thyroid function

Ca/P: protein intake & assimilation

Na/Mg: overall adrenal function

Na/K: adrenal cortex function; inflammation

Zn/Cu: sex hormone function

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Ratios & Clinical Significance

Source: Analytical Research Laboratories

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Analysis Findings Common with Female Hormone Imbalances

Source: Analytical Research Laboratories

Primary:

• Zn:Cu ratio < 7:1 or > 9:1 = reproductive

hormone/organ imbalance (optimal is 8:1)

Secondary:

• Ca:K ratio > 4 = hypothyroid

• Na:Mg ratio < 3 = adrenal fatigue

• Na:K ratio < 2 = burnout,

weakened immunity

> 4 = inflammation

Gaeta Seminars

Heavy Metals and Endocrine Health

• In the 1930s, Dr Royal Lee wrote that a primary

function of the endocrine system is

detoxification (Source: Vitamin News)

• Toxic elements, especially in today’s

environment, accumulate in fatty tissue (e.g.

glands, nerves) and can impair

endocrine function

Organ support & annual detoxification

is essential!

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Gaeta Seminars

Hair Mineral Analysis Next Steps

• Hair mineral analysis for assessment of cellular metal

toxicity and nutritional mineral status

- Analytical Research Labs, 800 528 4067

- Based on the genius work of Dr Paul Eck

- Be sure to use your two free analyses

(usually $69 each – Profile 2 test)

- Practitioners get their own hair analyzed at no charge

- Can add Profile 5 (diet plan) for $25 (recommended)

- Follow-up tests on same patient are $64 (Profile 4)

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Gaeta Seminars

Salivary Hormone

Analysis

Gaeta Seminars

Why Saliva?

● Blood contains primarily water-soluble

elements, since it is mostly (78%) water

● Thyroid hormones are amino-acid-based, and

so are measured well in the blood

● Saliva contains both water- and fat-soluble

elements, including hormones

● Adrenal cortical & sex hormones are

fat/cholesterol-based, and so are better

measured in saliva

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Gaeta Seminars

Salivary Hormone Analysis Diagnos-Techs, 425 251 0596

Cycling Women: Expanded Female Hormone

Panel (EFHP)

Men: Expanded Male Hormone Panel (EMHP)

Adrenal Stress Index

Gaeta Seminars

The ASI – Adrenal Stress Index Profile & Info Provided by Diagnos-Techs, 800 878 3787

Reliable Assessment of Six Markers:

● Cortisol Rhythm

● DHEA/DHEA-S (Free fraction)

● 17-Hydroxyprogesterone

● Insulin (Fasting and non-fasting)

● Salivary SIgA

● Gliadin antibodies

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Gaeta Seminars ● Lab Analysis

Hypothyroidism –

Integrated Assessment

Blood – High TSH, Low Free T3,

High or Low Free T4

Hair – High Ca:K ratio

Home Tests – Barnes’ Axillary Temp Test

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Gaeta Seminars ● Lab Analysis

Hypoadrenia –

Integrated Assessment

Blood: ● Low DHEA-S

Hair: ● Low Na:Mg ratio

● Low Na:K ratio

ASI (saliva): ● Low DHEA-S

● Low 16-OH Progesterone

● Low cortisol

In-Office: ● Ragland’s

● Sergent’s White Line

● Pupillary Reflex

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Gaeta Seminars

Paradoxical Pupillary Reflex Test Methodology & Interpretation

• Best done in dark room, with dilated pupils

• Shine flashlight into eye at 45 degree angle for 30 sec

• Wait 30 sec before repeating with the other eye

• Falling asleep in dark room = another adrenal sign

Interpretation

Pupil constriction Possible finding

Stays constricted for at least 20 sec. Healthy adrenal function

Fasciculates after 10 seconds Fair adrenal function

Fasciculates in 5-10 seconds Poor adrenal function

Immediate pulsation and dilation Adrenal exhaustion

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Gaeta Seminars

Sergent’s White Line Test Findings & Interpretation

• Primarily measures cortical function (esp. aldosterone)

• Lightly scrape the underarm or abdomen of your patient

with a fork or pen cap, about six inches long

• The white line that results, should turn red

(inflammation) within 30 seconds.

If it does not (delayed), likely = adrenal fatigue

Weak adrenals are slow to respond or create

inflammation

Gaeta Seminars

Home Tests to Predict Ovulation

• Cervical mucus to detect ovulation

• Luteinizing hormone urine test

- ovulation predictor kit

• Morning Basal Temperature

- basal body temperature charting

Gaeta Seminars

Female Infertility – Common Patterns

● Ovarian insufficiency/dysfunction

● Estrogen dominance

● Hypothyroidism

● Hypoadrenia

Gaeta Seminars

Causes of Male Infertility

• Varicocele • Infection

• Prostatitis • Retrograde ejaculation

• Lack of ejaculation • Antibodies that attack sperm

• Tumors • Undescended testicles

• Low testosterone • Sperm duct defects

• Chromosome defects • Erectile dysfunction

• Premature ejaculation • Celiac disease

• Certain medications: Testosterone, steroids, chemotherapy,

certain antibiotics, some ulcer medications, etc.

• Pesticides • Heavy metal exposure

• Radiation exposure • Prolonged bicycling

• Sperm overheating from frequent use of saunas, hot tubs tight clothing

• Illegal drug use, cigarettes • Alcohol abuse

• Emotional stress • Nutritional deficiency

• Obesity or underweight

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Gaeta Seminars

Optimal Reproductive Health

Part Three:

Patient Support

Strategies

Gaeta Seminars

Conventional Fertility Treatment

Performed by Physicians

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) without drugs

• In vitro fertilization (IVF)

• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) with drugs

Gaeta Seminars

Royal Lee on the Heart of the Matter

"One of the biggest tragedies of human civilization is

the precedence of chemical therapy over nutrition.

It's a substitution of artificial therapy over natural,

of poisons over food, in which we are feeding people

poison trying to correct the reactions of starvation.”

Dr. Royal Lee

January 12, 1951

Gaeta Seminars

Dietary Support

• Raw, organic wheat germ

• Animal fats

• Eggs

• Raw Oysters

• Sea vegetables

• Bone broths

Gaeta Seminars

Natural Treatments & Self-Care

• Acupuncture

• Chiropractic

• Bodywork Therapy

• Imagery

• Yoga

• T’ai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong

• Exercise

• Other stress reduction

Gaeta Seminars

Key Indicator of Female Fertility

The health of the menstrual cycle

is the best indicator,

other than pregnancy,

of reproductive function.

Gaeta Seminars for Health Professionals

Contact Information

Michael Gaeta, DAc, MS, CDN Deanna Waldron, Esq.

Gaeta Communications gaetacommunications.com

Live seminars, webinars, home learning programs, clinical consultations,

radio show & archives, blog, more

Gaeta Acupuncture & Nutrition

With locations in New York and Colorado

Phone consultation for patients and clinicians

Acupuncture for Veterans – free treatments

for US veterans in Kew Gardens, NY

acupunctureforveterans.org

3980 Broadway, Suite 103-129

Boulder, CO 80304

Phone 970 237 4512 Fax 970 237 3062

E-mail michael@gaetacommunications.com

Gaeta Seminars for Health Professionals

optimal reproductive health for men and women

Thank you!

Peace and success to you in the days ahead.