Autumn is upon us, ripe with potential. What shall you harvest the glorious fall? I am redefining myself as a professional. Of course, I'll always be a healer--it is my soul purpose. Yet how to bring my healing vibration into the world at large? That is the question I face now.

I believed this summer I would have discovered the answer to… "what do I want to be when I grow up?", yet life happened. Family took precedence. I had some more growing to do. What I did discover was how very blessed I am as a healer, a mother, a wife, a human being. How supported I am by the universe and how loved I am! I was blessed with a crisis that showed me the face of my greatest fear. A gift that allowed me to practice joyous service.

And it wasn't work. It was more like Being Joy.

For the next 21 days, I will be away with my beloved husband celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. I pray you will be safe and well, happy and free from fear, and filled with abundant Love.

May you be blessed with Hormones in Harmony,

Deborah

Are you tired, run down, gaining weight? Do you suffer from brain fog, low motivation, insomnia? Finally after all these years living with a sluggish metabolism has your blood panel revealed low thyroid levels? Or worse yet--Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

What is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thryroiditis is an auto-immune condition in which the body makes antibodies against enzymes that produce thyroid hormones leading to hypothyroidism.

Thyroiditis describes an inflamed thyroid.
Hashimoto was the physician who first named the condition.

Conventional medicine treats Hashimoto's Thyroiditis with synthetic thyroid hormones in high enough doses to suppress TSH--thyroid stimulating hormone.

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland in response to circulating thyroid hormone levels of both T4--thyroxine and T3--lieothyrodine.

The autoimmune antibodies including antithyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies are elevated in thyroiditis. These antibodies destroy the enzymes necessary to convert the large protein molecule called thyroglobulin into thyroid hormone.

Conventional thought is to suppress TSH to suppress thyroid enzyme production and thus suppress antibody production. The result is lifelong dependency on thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The antibody levels take a very long time to normalize if ever using conventional therapy.

What might be the root cause of thyroiditis?

The roots of any dis-ease are multifaceted.

• Environmental--toxins have long been implicated as causal factors in auto immune disease. Viral invasion is thought to be the cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, but functional medicine has discovered heavy metal and pesticide toxicity to play a major role in thyroiditis.

• Hormonal--the endocrine system is intimately orchestrated with the neuro-imune system. No gland functions on its own. In fact thyroid function is highly dependent on healthy adrenal and pancreatic function. The hypothalamus which is the maestro of the entire neuro-immune-endocrine system produces master hormones that orchestrate the symphony of hormones in the body. It is the hypothalamus which tells the pituitary gland what to do. One hypothalamic hormone called proopiomelanocortin (POMC) breaks down into thyroid releasing factor which controls the pituitary production of thyroid stimulating hormone. POMC also controls the adrenals, glucose metabolism, and endorphin production. Sex steroids can also influence thyroid function and thyroid hormones in turn influence ovarian and testicular function.

• Psycho-spiritual--belief becomes. The thyroid lies in the fifth chakra, the place of speaking your truth. Many patients have difficulty expressing themselves and the thyroid becomes dysfunctional after years of not speaking their truth. Autoimmune thyroiditis is a rejection of self. Healing begins by acknowledging the power of the throat chakra, opening up to expressing oneself honestly, and having compassion for self.

In yoga class, something was off. A sorrow emanated from behind me. During down dog pose, I could see that the sorrowful one was not really participating. At the end of class, I felt moved to approach her.

"Just thought I'd say Hi." I offered. She looked up from rolling her mat and stood. I impulsively hugged her. That's when the tears began to flow.

"I just found out today…" she sobbed into my ear, "that I have breast cancer."

Parting from her that I might look into her eyes, I said, "Your dis-ease does not define you."

"What?"

"You are not your dis-ease. In fact, this dis-ease is a gift in a rather ugly wrapping, but still a gift if you are willing to receive."

She dried her tears and whispered, "Other women have said the same. But what am I to learn?"

"To love yourself. To not be the proverbial breast suckling the rest of your world, but turn that nurturing inward."

"Sounds like you know me."

"I know the symbology of dis-ease and I've worked with many women with breast cancer. The ones who receive its gift are amazing!"

When hormones desynchronize with age or stress or toxicity, the body's communication network becomes so disrupted that some cells try to adapt. Cancer is a distressed cell's way of rebuilding the ship. We may see cancer as mutiny on the bounty, but to the mutated cell it is doing the best it can to survive in a hormonally incompetent body.

With my cancer patients, I strive to get to the root of the issue, be it physical, psychological or spiritual. One of my most challenging cases came to me a year and a half ago. With stage IV cancer, she came for a spiritual healing. What I "saw" was a woman who had manifested her grief into an invasive tumor. We didn't have time to waste, so I dove into the murky waters of bio-psycho-spiritual connection and asked her point blank if she wanted to live. She hesitated to answer. So I inquired as to when her mother died. She cried and admitted that is when the death wish began. And that grief spurred a mass biochemical miscommunication, so one little cell in her neck attempted to rebuild the ship.

In eighteen months, this lovely lady has done a lot of work. Last fall with the tumor out of control, I suggested she get a dog. She had lost her beloved shepherd just before being diagnosed with cancer (another grief). Her mother raised German Shepherds and that dog was their last connection. She wasn't ready then, so we worked some more on learning to speak her truth, finding her purpose, embodying hope.

On her last visit, I again mentioned the need for a shepherd. Torn between going on a trip with her husband and staying home to protect her young adult daughter from a potential encounter with her stepson, she wasn't sure what to do. It was time for her to take care of herself. . I assigned her an exercise called "Q&A" to get in touch with her Divine Self. Recently she wrote me this letter…

Dear Deborah,

I wanted to share with you that yesterday my daughter took her dog to the groomers and I had asked her to see if they knew of anyone looking for a good home for a Shepherd. She was told that a local rescue had just taken in a 1-year old who had puppies a week ago. I called and she sounded like what I may be looking for so we went and saw her. She is as sweet as can be, but frightened by a lot of things as I think she's been on her own for a while. But after being at this place for only two days she already was starting to trust the woman taking care of her. After being with her about 15 minutes she really took a liking to my daughter and even started playing with her a bit. I need to be "approved" for the adoption, but I've decided to put down the deposit for her so I'll be first pick for her.

I wanted to let you know because I felt after talking with you, you may have said prayers for me.

Also, the other good news .... After doing the Q&A regarding the trip to Phoenix, it was amazing how God worked. I was emailing a friend of mine yesterday morning and as I was doing it I thought maybe she would be interested in house sitting for the days we would be gone. And she was. So I talked to my husband later to say I had decided to go with him because I found someone to take care of the animals as my daughter had been undecided of her plans for that weekend, which was true. Then he said that his son was going with him. He thought he had told me that, but hadn't. So God truly blessed me yesterday!

I wanted to share these good things with you. Back when I had originally thought of getting a dog I had a name picked out and can't remember what it was, but I think I'm going to name her Faith (my daughter's suggestion that really fits her). She needs a lot of emotional healing, which will give me a purpose again, which in turn is what I need for healing. What a gift.

Thank you for being such an amazing healer in all aspects.

Love, A

Dear A,

How wonderful you found Faith!!!!
Last year when we talked about needing a purpose and how a shepherd would help, you weren't yet open to receive her. Now you have ripened to receive healing through the love of a dog and your own "faith".

I just love Q&A. Thank you for taking the homework assignment seriously. The Divine was so ready to give you all you desire, but until you were ready to receive the abundance, God's hands were tied. Thank you for ripening so beautifully. I believe this life is meant to be one of ease, of joy, of love. Life is a gift and our Divine connection is the greatest gift of all.

As always, you are in my prayers.

Much love and light,

Deborah

In the mid summer heat, bikinis emerge. On the beach. At the pool. On city rooftops. Nothing motivates a woman more to get in shape than bikini season. Yet as bikinis shrink to bare more, women seek more drastic means to remove unwanted hair. Shaving, waxing, electrolysis, laser removal, depilating creams. It's never enough as bikini lines change as rapidly as the fashions industry dictates. Unfortunately Mother Nature has not caught up to shape female pubic hair to fit modestly beneath a teeny weenie bikini. What's a woman to do?

First, you must understand how hormones affect your bikini line. Early in puberty, the first hairs sprout below the waist under the influence of adrenal hormones. Adrenal DHEA surges well before the pubescent ovaries wake up. DHEA is largely responsible for body hair distributed in female proportions. (DHEA is also responsible for male body hair as it easily converts to testosterone.) The pubic line is fully mature by the age of 25... which is why teenagers can often get away with much smaller bikinis.

After puberty, the ovaries take over to hormonally direct hair growth. It's not too much hormones that makes your bikini line out of control; it's the imbalance of estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen causes the liver to create sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG handcuffs testosterone. Only free testosterone unbound by SHBG acts on the skin and hair follicles. Testosterone influences oil production in the skin and male pattern hair growth. The more unbound testosterone the wider the pubic line, the oilier the skin, the more acne, the more unwanted hairs sprouting on female chins and chests.

Women of different ethnicities have different natural bikini lines. It matters where on your skin you have testosterone receptors that largely dictate where the hair will show up. While body hair grows under the influence of testosterone, scalp hair is largely influenced by estrogen.

Hair removal is often accompanied by irritating rashes. Washing the area before and after with a tea tree oil based soap can decrease the bacteria on the skin to prevent folliculitis and razor burn.

If your bikini line is unmanageable seek a hormonal evaluation from a qualified health practitioner. She can help balance your hormones and advise the best hair removal technique for you.

Naturally balancing your estrogen to testosterone can be accomplished through bio-identical hormones, nutritional, and herbal therapies.

May you enjoy your beautiful female form this lovely summer.

Dear Friends,

Hope you are enjoying a sizzling summer…filled with all the luscious joys of life.

Last weekend, I brought my new book and my product to the California Literary Arts Book Festival in Ventura. What a beautiful day at the beach. I dressed the part….complete with a jingling belly dance hip belt, draped the standard issue table with purple veils and along with my associate Holly (also my belly dance teacher) who offered yummy flower infused hydrosols…enlightened the book festival with our sacred feminine energy!

People are hungry for healing. The feedback I'm getting from my readers is amazing. LoveDance is fulfilling my dreams of healing through story. Thanks to all who purchased my debut novel: enjoy the passion, savor the journey, receive the healing.

My deepest gratitude to Holly. Embodying the healing from Genesis Gold and LoveDance, Holly danced her way into the hearts of the public. Plus, she sold quite a few hydrosols and rose garlands--our display was the most lovely and smelled delicious too!

To my delight, Genesis Gold was a big hit. Honestly if it wasn't for Genesis Gold providing the nutritional foundation for molecular vitality, harmonic hormones, genetic opulence, I could never have created so much joy in my life. I am truly living my dream.

And I manifested one of my goals for the festival--a speaking engagement. I was approached by Borders and Ventura Bank of Books to present my healing magic. It was wonderful. Already I have been approached by other authors for advice on selling books. I would love to share my insights at the next CLAS Book Festival.

My former publisher could not understand how I would dovetail my book into my healing work, but I have my book rights back now and I'm going out on my own. I've done it before with my health care practice and I can do it again. Seems like I'm always pioneering.

It was perfect for the California Literary Arts to hold its annual Book Festival this past week. The same time we celebrate Mary Magdalen's Feast Day--in the heat of summer!

The most passionate woman forgotten by history is the hottest role model of sacred femininity today. What's HERstory?

In the beginning, humans worshipped the Divine as a Mother embodied in the earth.
Then we looked to the stars and envisioned the spirit of the Divine as a Father.
Over two millennia, the Divine Son engaged our minds. Now the time is ripe for the Divine Daughter. She is passionate emotion, dancing the body, mind, and soul into
Sacred Unity.

Mary Magdalen was the embodiment of the Divine Daughter:
Sensual, passionate, the perfect partner to the Divine Son. LoveDance is HERstory.

Heartfelt thanks to those of you who joined my dance at the Book Festival. For the rest, the music is playing, come on--let's dance!

Many Blessings of Abundant Joy,

Deborah

Deborah Maragopoulos MN FNP
Intuitive Integrative Medicine
Full Circle Family Health
www.lovedance.com

I am so impressed at the level of interest many have shown in regards to the connection between the hypothalamus and hormones. Weekly, I have been receiving letters from you. This letter demonstrates the devastating effect of hypothalamic dysfunction on a young man's life.

Dear Deborah,

I'm writing you for some advice for a very dear friend of mine who asked me to contact you. But let me introduce myself first. I'm a graduated nurse and although I'm not practicing anymore I'm still very concerned about people's physical and mental health, especially about this young man. He already contacted you a short while ago and ordered Genesis Gold. But let me try to explain the whole situation first.

His current symptoms all seem related to a hypothalamus dysfunction: overweight, slow digestion, constipation, breathing problems, lack of sweating, not able to cry, dry mouth, hypertension, tachycardia, urinating problems, erection problems. These are the physical symptoms so far. There's also panic attacks, mood changes, anxiety, depressions (there's even a trace of paranoia lately), suicidal periods.

The physical symptoms started about 2 years ago (except for the overweight and hypertension) after a heat stroke, but I asked a neurologist and he told me this heat stroke can't be the trigger for these problems.

The fact is that the mental problems have been there for almost his entire life but I have the impression it's getting worse since I meat him 5 years ago. There's an history of several antidepressants without real satisfying results (too many side effects also).

This whole situation makes him deal with a lot of stress (not able to socialize or start a relationship in a proper way). About a year ago we suggested to check his cortisol level and it turned out this was much too high. He went trough the complete Cushing tests but the result was negative but they didn't treat the cause of the high cortisol level though: STRESS.

I'm almost 100% sure that this long term stress and the antidepressants are the main catalysts of these hypothalamus related conditions. The problem is that most doctors don't take him serious although his mental and physical condition is getting worse. He's just a poor Hispanic guy with no money for a proper health insurance if you know what I mean.

In the mean time he's searching for a solution on the internet. He also contacted you and ordered Genesis Gold to try out but he only took it for a day (which I regret very much) complaining that it made him feel dehydrated and a bit out of reality (?)

My question is: can Genesis Gold restore his condition if he takes it long enough and what to do about the side effect he feels? Although I doubt that taking it for just one day can already give such a reaction like dehydration and feeling out of reality.
The neurologist also told me to get his hypothalamus function checked by an endocrinologist (blood tests) but is it possible to get it tested with a PET scan to see what part of the hypothalamus is affected and what causes the malfunctions?

I am aware of the complexity of the nervous system but I'm out of the medical sector for too long already and a lot has changed since that time.

My sincere respect,
J

Dear J,

Thank you so much for writing in concern for your friend. He did not give me his full history, so your disclosure helps.

I explained to him that although you cannot directly test hypothalamic function via blood tests, if the practitioner has experience treating hypothalamic disorders certain blood tests will suggest hypothalamic dysfunction. Unfortunately, there are no imaging techniques that will diagnose hypothalamic dysfunction. A PET scan involves injecting the patient with a radioactive metal (gandolinium) which is bound to glucose. Typically PET scans are used to stage cancer as malignant cells utilize glucose in much greater quantities than healthy cells. The brain also utilizes high levels of glucose which can confound the PET scan results. Your friend's symptoms are highly suggestive and honestly in reading the history you provided, I believe the heat stroke did trigger the condition although it is not the root of the problem.

My intuition is that he has heavy metal toxicity most likely mercury in the central nervous system. The gold standard test is a provoked urine challenge, blood and hair analysis are not accurate. Provocation requires an oral chelator that will need to be prescribed properly to protect the brain.

The fact your friend had initial side effects with Genesis Gold suggests toxicity. Yes, Genesis Gold in combination with Sacred Seven amino acids will balance the hypothalamus and restore neuro-immune-endocrine function, but there are layers to healing. As you alluded to his childhood trauma, your friend has much healing work to do before he releases the dis-ease.

In order to practice Integrative Medicine, I left the traditional setting including being tied down by insurance companies. An in depth history from birth to the present helps to shorten the time it takes me to illicit a history. The information you provided is helpful, but in his own words tells me more about where he struggles and how "ripe" he is for healing. Seeing him in person would hasten the healing as his "body" gives me more information than often he is able or willing to reveal.

The hypothalamic connection is underappreciated in medicine, but I find that working with the hypothalamus as the core of dis-ease allows the patient to heal themselves. That is why I created the Genesis Gold to provide all the micronutrients necessary to address hypothalamic needs, improve its function and thus improve the harmony of hormones, neurotransmitters, and immune factors. Genesis Gold provides support of the detoxification and assimilation pathways, as well as increases mitochondrial energy output.

Your friend is probably so depleted, the fact he "felt" out of reality speaks to his lack of healthy molecular foundation that sorely needs to be laid. I do not agree with rapid heavy detoxification, but to carefully pull out the toxins while rebuilding and rejuvenating the system. I also strongly focus on the psycho-spiritual roots of dis-ease and Genesis Gold tends to bring those up to be examined, understood and finally released.

I have seen the hypothalamus respond to "chemical" stimulation via the Genesis Gold and Sacred Seven. I have also prescribed a "water wand" to help Genesis Gold get into the cell water gates. The one I use has been electromagnetically set to resonate with the hypothalamus and has been a great addition for those patients who clearly need Genesis Gold but cannot seem to get it in. He's "dehydration" suggests that his cell water gate channels are also affected.

I hope I have been of some assistance.

Be Well,

Deborah Maragopoulos MN FNP
Intuitive Integrative Medicine
Full Circle Family Health
www.lovedance.com

This week, I had a patient come in looking for a miracle. I smiled and explained that there are no magic cures, but she insisted that I would get to the root of her ailment. Well, during the two hour consult, we dove deeply into her life, the history of her problem, the hormonal symptoms that others had attempted to treat. I took her hand and heart to heart, we emerged from the darkness of her despair and into the light of understanding.

I am blessed with a new wave of patients that are open to receive me. The healing begins when they acknowledge their ailments as symbolic representations of their beliefs.

Yes, I support them biochemically with natural hormones and nutraceutical supplementation.

Yes, I help them see how their lifestyle choices are affecting their health.

But I do more, much, much more.

All dis-ease has energetic roots tied to a patient's belief about herself. If she believes in her vulnerability, she will be susceptible to infectious agents. If she feels unworthy, she will attract toxic relationships and be abused by others. Each dis-ease has its own vibration, its own energy, often cloaked by the disharmonious energies of an imbalanced system. Harmonizing the hormones and balancing the biochemistry is only part of a holistic treatment plan.

If the healer does not attend to the patient's belief system, there will not be enough remedies to prescribe to relieve the patient's suffering. Perhaps physical symptoms may diminish but the imbalance will rear its ugly head somewhere else in the system.

This time of year promises challenging patients who shall present unique opportunities for me. By fall I anticipate a rich harvest!

Why is your brain in a fog? You might be hormonally challenged. If you ever "lost" something you just put down or entered a room and forgot why you went, you have experienced mental fog. It's common when the sex steroids--specifically estrogen--decline, whether briefly in the premenstrual period or permanently at menopause or andropause (the male equivalence).

The link between brain function and hormones is well established. Elevated prolactin levels are associated with bipolar depression, shizophrenia, and mood disorders. Prolactin is naturally elevated in preganant and lactating women - its name is derived from promoting lactation. In the rest of us, prolactin is naturally high at night providing the necessary anesthetic effect for our immune system to function properly. Prolactin blocks the receptor sites for steroid hormones making the brain impermeable to estrogen. Without estrogen, thought is impaired, serotonin levels drop, sleep becomes disturbed.

Hormones are not just a female phenenomena. Low testosterone has also been implicated in mood disorders. Many of my male patients come in with prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs or anti-depressants. No one checked their hormones. Many are suffering the effects of low testosterone production. With testosterone replacement or supplementation to encourage their own prodcution, these men are much happier.

Lush hormones keep young brains bright and juicy--it's a watery matrix that neurotransmitters float through to initiate electrical impulses in the brain. When hormones are properly balanced, you can teach an old dog new tricks. My hormonally challenged patients are often overwhelmed with information at the first consultation, but once we get their hormones harmonized, they retain the "endocrine 101" lecture material well enough to teach their friends about the importance of balanced hormones. Many of my fifty plus patients return to school to pursue graduate degrees, work on their doctorates, even start new careers but only after their physiology is optimized.

After introducing the hypothalamus as the maestro of hormones, I have been receiving correspondence from readers. Many are frustrated with the lack of attention their doctors are paying to their concerns. One reader writes…

Deborah,

After years of taking SSRI's I have a bit of a problem with my hypothalamus but no doctor wants to check it out. It's kinda depressing :(
I started taking 1 scoop of Genesis Gold® this morning and I felt a bit calmer.

Dear Reader,

Measuring hypothalamic function is difficult. Endocrinology is more of an art than a science. I use a variety of parameters to determine hypothalamic function including my intuition. Measuring thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, pituitary hormones and glucose metabolism helps me determine a patient's hypothalamic function. Even endocrinologists tend to ignore the hypothalamus since you cannot directly measure its hormonal output.

Antidepressants were meant as a rescue measure for seriously depressed patients. SSRI's have been prescribed for such prolonged periods that the central nervous system takes a long time to remember how to make its own neurotransmitters. Balancing the hypothalamus is critical in recovery of normal brain chemistry. I have worked with psychologists who use Genesis Gold® to help their patients get off SSRI's and other mood disorder meds naturally.

One of the nice parts of providing Genesis Gold® to the public is that my healing intentions are being carried into the world. You know how much better a homemade meal tastes...that's love infused into the food. Well, I believe what we create is a product of our intentions and when formulating Genesis Gold®, I hoped to upregulate our genetic potential to optimize hypothalamic function, hormones, immunity, brain chemistry, energy...health! For those who are ready to heal, Genesis Gold® has been a blessing.

Sounds like you are ripe to heal :)

Blessings of Abundant Health,


Deborah Maragopoulos MN FNP
Intuitive Integrative Medicine
Full Circle Family Health
deborah@lovedance.com
www.lovedance.com

Menopause can be the worst of times or the best of times. Why not use this hormonal transition to empower yourself? Although still basking in the joys of perimenopause, on that occasional night I wake up over heated, the dream I just had is profound, sometimes a premonition, but always insightful. Menopausal women are some of my most insightful patients. Their hormonal swings serve to highlight life's lessons and those who receive the blessings of such a profound transition journey far on their soul path. I love how eloquently hormones color the canvas of our lives. These tiny biochemical messengers have the power to transform us.

One of my dearest patients shared her menopausal moments with me. Time spent tuning her system with transdermal bio-identical hormones highlighted the void in her life. She had shut down the creative energies in her root chakra by refusing to use her gifts--a talented artist who spent most of her life pursuing what she believed to be more stable means of making a living. My goal in providing hormonal support is to use the bio-identicals to "sing" with the patient until her glands remember the tune and can perform a'capello. In that light, I recommended that this patient begin taking the nutraceutical I developed to balance the hypothalamus (the maestro of the entire neuro-immune-endocrine system). Within months of adding Genesis Gold® to her regime, this repressed artist emerged from hibernation with her own well balanced hormones and creative works multiplying in her office. Today she has her own studio and is one of the most beautifully vibrant women in my practice.