Letter to Suzanne Somers

October 11, 2006

Suzanne Somers
c/o Amy Boorstein, Managing Editor
Crown Publishers
Corporate Headquarters
1745 Broadway
New York, New York 10019

Dear Ms Somers:

       We are a group of practicing physicians and researchers who have dedicated a large portion of our careers to the safe and scientifically based practice of utilizing bioidentical hormone therapies to address health issues in women.

       Some of us are quoted in your new book: Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones (Crown, October 2006).

      We recognize the role you have played in raising awareness about the use of biodentical hormone therapy. However, we want to ensure that women are not confused, nor harmed by some of the non-medical, misleading and unsubstantiated information contained in your book.

       While some of us were interviewed for the book, a significant portion of the material in the book relies on information and opinion from T.S. Wiley, an actress with a B.A. in anthropology. Wiley has no medical or clinical qualifications. To our dismay, Wiley dispenses gratuitous advice on significant medical issues including the use of bioidentical hormone therapies, areas that are legally and ethically the domain of licensed medical practitioners.

        Many of the claims throughout the book are scientifically unproven and dangerous. By mixing quotes from qualified physicians who are experts in their fields and bioidentical hormone treatments, with those of a person with no medical or scientific background, this book will further confuse women and we believe, may potentially put their health at risk.

        We believe Ageless is detrimental and dangerous to the thousands of women who  read it because the book freely and repeatedly blurs the line of medical ethics and science with hearsay. The so-called "protocols" endorsed and promulgated throughout the book may expose women to serious health dangers. They offer a "one size fits all" approach, endorsing dangerously high levels of estrogen.

        We know that many women will read this book and so we will strongly encourage them to keep the following points in mind:

  1. Biodentical hormones are prescription medications that can only be prescribed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner (in certain states).

  2. Not all women need to supplement their hormones: There are a range of nutritional and lifestyle approaches that can help women improve their health and hormone balance.

  3. If considering biodentical hormone therapy, women (and men) should work with qualified health professionals experienced and trained in the treatments with bioidentical hormones, a trained medical practitioner who understands disease states, their diagnosis and treatment. In addition, if bioidentical hormone therapy is prescribed it should be based on an assessment of the woman's hormone levels and then physiologic doses should be prescribed.

  4. The practice of utilizing bioidentical hormone therapies is part of developing areas in conventional medicine, women's health and integrative medicine. It is not the purview of  alternative practices by nonphysicians or lay experimenters.

         Our collective goal is to advance our knowledge base of information on beneficial, efficacious and safe options for women to alleviate menopausal symptoms and help them achieve their best health status. Bioidentical hormone therapy is proving to be a beneficial treatment approach for many women.

        It is vital that we conduct further research on this crucial area of women's health. The research and clinical data necessary to evaluate and treat women must come from the medical community. We, the physicians,
are committed to helping women by providing safe, scientifically and clinically sound treatments.

        We encourage every woman to take responsibility for creating a positive health outcome in her own life.  To insure this outcome, women must educate themselves and carefully choose to work with a licensed medical provider in the area of prescription bioidentical hormone treatments.

        We support the many celebrities who endorse health causes, raise funds for research, education and increased awareness. But,we  cannot standby and allow non-experts to dispense medical advice that could
potentially harm women.

Sincerely,

Erika Schwartz, M.D.                              
Board of Managers                                  
SUNY Downstate College of Medicine      
NAMC
Author of The Hormone Solution               
                                                               
Diana Schwarzbein, M.D.                           
Endocrinologist                                       
Author of The Schwarzbein Principle         

Daved Rosensweet M.D.                           
Private Holistic Medical Practice                
Author of Menopause and Natural Hormones

C.W. Randy Randolph, Jr., M.D.,R.Ph
Founder of The Natural Hormone Institute of America
Authour of Hormone Hell Hormone Well

Christiane Northrup, M.D.
FACOG
Author of The Wisdom of Menopause

Jane Murray, M.D.
Board Chair, Women in Balance
Medical Director Sastun Center of Integrative Health

Helene Leonetti, M.D.
Bethlehem GYN Associates

New York Times October 15, 2006 :

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/15/fashion/15suzanne.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin

New York Post Page Six October 13,2006 :

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10132006/gossip/pagesix/pagesix.htm

Comments

[DrErika]

Dear Amy:
We will post your comment on our message board. If you need more help with problems created by taking Wiley hormone treatments, please call 212-873-3420. All the best
DrErika

[Jeanine Dermer]

Hello

I live in Los Gatos, CA
Is there a doctor that you recommend for Hormone treatment, I want one of the best.
I am willing to travel out of State.

Thank you very much
Jeanine

[Amy]

Susan, is it? PLEASE tell me what you did to "detox" from the WP. Are you undergoing an actual detox program? I CANNOT get rid of the estrogen dominance. Before WP, I had no estrogen, but at least I didn't have all these symptoms, and absolute-physiologically-impossible non-ability to lose weight. I feel I am fat forever. It has almost been 2 years since WP, and I only took it for about 6 weeks! Took progesterone (natural) after but weaned off about 5 months ago...STILL estrogen dominant!!! HELP!!

[D_in_BigD]

I am seeking a qualified physician in the Dallas, TX area who will treat me with bioidentical hormones. Can you help?

[lisa otts]

I am looking for a female wellness Dr. in the Dallas Fort Worth area that prescribes bio-identical hormone therapy.

[Jan]

I am seeking a physician in the Dallas, TX area who will treat me with bioidentical hormones. Can you help?

[lois regante]

Thank you for all the wonderful
information. I want to start
bio-identical horomones, but, do
not know how to find a M.D. well
versed in the area, that I can trust. I live in Largo, Floirda.
Can you refer me to someone.

[Susan]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping to raise awareness about the possible dangers of bio-identical hormones. We need research and regulation in order for us, as women, to make well-informed decisions about the choices we have regarding treatment for menopause. Although Suzanne raises some excellent points about lifestyle, her endorsement of T.S. Wiley's program overshadows anything else that might be good about her book.

[Boo]

While I appreciate the efforts Ms. Somers has made to publicize the importance of balancing hormones, she needs to understand that treatment with hormones is very unique. Every woman has a very different experience from the onset of menses through menopause. A one-size-fits-all prescription will not work for everyone, and in some cases, it could do great harm. I hope that women everywhere will continue to have serious discussions with their physicians regarding appropriate treatments based upon individual needs.

[Katarine Bodnar]

Thank you for all the wonderful
information. I want to start
bio-identical horomones, but, do
mot know how to find a M.D. well
versed in the area, that I can trust. I live in Ventura, Calif.
Can you refer me to someone.

[Deborah Vanderstadt]

You might like to know that commentor "Steve" is Neil Raden, T.S. Wiley's husband. He has sent harassing e-mails from that address, "wilson_Pickett2001@yahoo.com", in the past. I caught him red-handed at it and he confessed that indeed it was him. (Curiously, it appears that he created that Yahoo identity shortly after the real Wilson Pickett, R&B great, died in January.)

[Marion Westoll]

Thank you Dr. Schwartz for standing up to Celebrities who make claims as if they are Doctors. I am a huge fan of your Book and website.

Thank you from Canada
Marion Westoll

[Pam]

Dr. Erika:

It is sad when someone purports to be something they are not and may be responsible for hurting literally millions of people with misinformation. The only thing that will stop this is hurting them in the wallet with lawsuits by people who have been injured. The worst part of it is that it will give bioidentical hormones an undeserved bad rap, putting those of us using them responsibly and those that are prescribing them responsibly at risk of being able to procure these essentials in the future. Isn't there some law against impersonating a Dr.?

Thanks for getting the word out on these dangerous people! I was disappointed that Katie Couric aparently edited heavily your segment, as I am certain that you would have made it very plain that bioidenticals are necessary to many but that Susan Somers book is just dangerous and why.

Pam

[debbie Carter]

T.S.Wiley is not the only person in the book. There are many other people and Drs. that have expressed their opinions about hormones and health. To say it is all about T. S. Wiley is a mistake. Suzanne somers has done years of research with the help of many Drs. Ithink it iws a good read!!!

[Caroline Farges]

Suzanne Somers has behaved irresponsibly towards the millions of desperate women who will buy her book. She probably likes Wiley, because she wants to consider herself an expert, and a Phd because she thinks she has made some research like Wiley. Geez, what a money making machine she is. She is obviously an unashamed liar(read her plastic surgery)> She is probably hiding her symptoms just to sell books, i wouldn't put it past her. It is sickening to make money using's women's despair. She is as bad as the evangalist preachers who prey on people's fear of god and death.
Bioidentical hormones have their merit. But, now Suzanne Somers/Wiley clouded all that, giving a bad name to bioidential hormones, creating doubt in all our minds. I hope she suffers for all the women who suffered rushing to Wiley's protocol. If she did research so diligently, how did she come to ignore the complaints of hundreds of women who used Wiley's protocol. Wiley and Somers belong together. Shame on you Somers and Wiley.. Shame on you.

[Peter]

Dr Schwartz,
I read your book several years ago and was impressed. I just read Suzanne's book and was looking at the wiley protocol with some interest. Could you outline your reasoning for rejecting her ideas? I have respect for your opinions and would like to hear these ideas debated on the merits rather than who has the best credentials.
Thank you.

[Susan B. A.]

I am a WPS (Wiley Protocol Survivor) as well as a doctor who has personally used the Wiley Protocol from 2001-04, in the method and doses dictated by Ms. Wiley. Sadly, she has misled, misrepresented and lied about her background, education and the research conducted on the protocol. I became so debilitated and ill from the toxic doses of these hormones that I no longer use the WP nor do I recommend it to my patients.

It has taken me several years to come down from the hormone high I was on because of Wiley. I suffered dramatic hair/eyebrow loss; a 35 lb weight gain from becoming Estrogen Dominant due to the WP Estrodial doses; my bones ached so badly I had difficulty walking; I became so ill that I basically was housebound, couldn't work, and had to quit school in the midst of my PhD program. Fortunately, I am happy to report that since I've begun to detox from the dangerous levels of WP Estrogen and Progesterone, I am beginning to balance my hormones and feel progressively better and better. I've been on an individual, more reasonable, bioidentical hormone replacement protocol...not the one-size-fits-all WP.

I cringe when I am notified of some seminar T.S. Wiley is speaking at...especially when she is now calling herself "Dr. Wiley". She is not a doctor, and may not even have successfully completed her BA in Anthropology, according to the college she claims to have attended. When confronted, she has some elusive, slick answer about her background...she'd make a good politician!

T.S. Wiley must be stopped. Her fellow B-actress, Suzanne Somers, has called herself the "Hormone Guru" and recently claimed on Larry King Live that she feels she now has a "PhD in Hormones because of all the research" she did on her books. For all the good she has done in the past, Somers has now gone too far.

[drerika]

Thank you Deborah:
Please let everyone know we are here to support women and protect them. We do not have the celebrity factor, but cumulatively we have more than 80 years of clinical experience in bioidentical hormone therapies and we are MDs.
Please feel free to contact any of us for more help.
Best
DrErika

[Deborah Vanderstadt]

Thank you, Erika, and thank you to the other signatories. I've linked to this from my site, as I think this is essential reading for anyone tempted to experiment on herself with the Wiley Protocol.