Hormone Junkie: Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

The MS solution, a book written by Kathryn R. Simpson, tells the gripping story about the author's own experience with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how she renders herself symptom free. Using hers and other case studies she illustrates the point: replacing hormones treats the disease. Written for people with MS, it guides the patient through the medical realm of neuroendocrinology.

I have read about studies -clinical trials even- that use estrogen or testosterone to treat multiple sclerosis and only wonder, why, if it works so well, it's not used more. Why aren't neurologists pouncing on this technique? She writes to this in the final words:

I will be the first to admit that this is a cutting-edge medical approach to MS; there aren't many doctors who specialize in treating hormone deficiencies, let alone have experience with using them in treating MS. You may be lucky and have an open-minded neurologist who will work with you on testing your endocrine system to see if this is a potential solution for your symptoms, but truthfully, I have found that this may not be the best medical specialty to work with in this approach. It's so far removed from a neurologist's medical training and clinical practice that it may be easier to find a forward-looking general practitioner or endocrinologist who has some exposure to hormone testing and treatment.

Simpson relates the disease to hormone equilibrium discussing the roles of estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones and others. Through her story, she touches on each and every hormone, how they decline with age, and how this relates to disease. By carefully replacing her hormones (lots of them -maybe, most of them), she describes how her symptoms vanish.

The book is inspiring and easy to navigate, while based in real science and believable anecdote. My only criticism is the cutting-edge research is cut a little short. Clinical studies were left without mention. This does not at all diminish the potential the “solution”. In fact, should I develop the devastating symptoms that accompany such a neurological disease, I'd soon be a hormone junkie.