High estrogen levels?

[wannabeBB]

Do you think it's possible for a female to have very high estrogen levels? My doctor says I may have really high estrogen levels. I gain weight VERY easily and have had my thyroid checked twice.
She suggested I switch to a birth control pill with low estrogen.
I also heard that women with higher estrogen gain wieght more in the lower half. This is me. My hips are big compared to the rest of me.

So what can I do? I read about the body type workouts where if you have big hips dont lift heavy. That makes no sense to me cause I dont have much muscle there just alot of fat. Besides I love to lift heavy and workout with my husband.
Also, I heard something about DHEA. What does this supplement do?

 

[alexsmom]

If you already have high estrogen, doesn't just adding a bc pill, even if low dose, just add more estrogen? I don't know...just what I would think though. But I do think that yes, it is possible for some women to have naturally more estrogen than others.

 

[makedah]

I think alexsmom is saying that her doc says she should switch from a higher estrogen pill to a lower estrogen pill.

 

[wilson6]

A low dose E OC is likely to decrease your own estrogen levels so it may be of benefit.

Yes estrogen contributes to lower body fat distributions.

DHEA may increase your estrogen levels. It does nothing to alter body composition.

W6

 

[wannabeBB]

What is E OC ?

 

[makedah]

"(low dose) Estrogen Oral Contraceptive"

That's my guess...

 

[FitFossil]

So what can I do? I read about the body type workouts where if you have big hips dont lift heavy. That makes no sense to me cause I dont have much muscle there just alot of fat. Besides I love to lift heavy and workout with my husband....

You're right - it does not make sense! If you love to lift heavy, then DO it. I'm convinced it's THE secret! I tried the light weight/high reps for YEARS, because I was afraid for my legs to get any bigger. My upper body and lower body looked like they belonged to different people. Two years ago, I got tired of the light weights and figured big and muscular was far preferable to big and fat. Lifting heavier actually made my legs smaller, but they are also stronger, leaner, and more shapely. You can see my before & afters pics here:
http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=146618