Newsweek on Oprah: Pot calling the kettle black when it comes to bioidentical hormones?

A recent article in Newsweek by Weston Kosova and Pat Wingert titled "Why Health Advice on 'Oprah' Could Make You Sick" listed a number of beefs that some have with Oprah's approach to medical coverage. They led off with a slam on Oprah's bioidentical hormone episodes featuring Suzanne Somers. Unfortunately, the writers of the article made some logical leaps of their own. Our bioidentical hormone expert in Boca Raton, Dr. Mitchell Matez, took umbrage and wrote the following response:

"The Newsweek article is a complete and total "Oprah Bashing". Either Newsweek or the authors clearly have an axe to grind with Oprah that goes way beyond her opinions on hormones.

Just about everything they offer here with respect to Bioidentical Hormone therapy can be easily disputed beginning with the concept that there ISN'T a raging debate over hormones today. This debate has been raged prominently and publicly for more than a decade. Also the concept that "Menopause" has been shown not to be a "hormone deficiency" problem is ludicrous and defies science. Menopause means "cessation of menstruation" and this CLEARLY occurs as a result of diminishing Estrogen levels as we age.

"Unless a woman has significant discomfort from hot flashes -and most women don't - there is little reason to prescribe them". Another ridiculous statement - this one from a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I guess in her world after your reproductive years sleep, energy, libido, strength, sex, night sweats, headaches, cognitive decline, and weight gain are either normal or natural. Clearly to her they are irrelevant. ALL of my female patients would take exception to this!

Oprah's personal claim of successful treatment (and presumably that of tens of thousands of women) are treated here as propaganda and lies. WHY?? What possible motive could Oprah have for being anything less than honest and forthright about her own personal experience? I also find it interesting that after researching and writing FOUR books on the subject Suzanne Somers is so easily discredited by these people. In my opinion her books are generally well written and for the most part backed up by science, research, and clinical experience.

A final note to the authors... next time do a little research on your own. The importance of Iodine in thyroid health is crystal clear in any basic science text. Your thyroid gland produces Thyroxine (T4) which is INERT in the human body. In order for the hormone to be functional it
must be converted to TriIODOthyronine (T3) by adding 3 iodine molecules. The United States Congress mandated iodonizing our salt supply for precisely this reason. This doctor is WRONG. In many cases mild hypothyroidism can be cured with iodine. When used and monitored properly it is extremely safe."

Dr. Mitchell Matez, D.O.
Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center, Boca Raton