Understanding Estrogen Stimulation and Hormonal Grades (formerly Vascular Display Grades)

According to the National Institutes of Health, breast tissue can hold 10 to 50 times more estrogen than a typical blood test may reveal. Since prolonged exposure to excess estrogens is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, many women seek a way of monitoring the estrogen in their breasts, not just in their blood, urine, or saliva.

The Thermogram Center provides images of the vascular dilation of the breasts and grades the level of vascular dilation seen, relative to a state of lactation, when estrogen levels are high. Excess estrogen stimulates breast tissue and dilates blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels are more visible on thermograms than non-dilated vessels because they have more blood and heat flowing through them. (Our thermograms measure heat and map 76,000+ temperature readings to 0.06°C sensitivity and 1.3mrad spatial resolution.)

During lactation, dilation is necessary for an adequate supply of blood to be converted to breast milk. But if a woman's thermograms look as though she is lactating when she is not, then the breasts may be unnecessarily stimulated by estrogen, resulting in an increased supply of blood, estrogen stimulation, and risk for developing breast cancer. (High homocysteine levels and systemic chronic inflammation, i.e. from dietary and/or environmental sensitivities, can also make blood vessels look dilated in a thermogram, but such a dilation appearance would not be limited to the breasts.)

If a woman has a higher than expected Hormonal Grade, she can work with a qualified health provider to determine if excess estrogen stimulation is suspected. Qualified health providers are those who are proficient at estrogen metabolism and elimination, not just estrogen support or HRT (hormone replacement therapy). While there are prescription drugs available to reduce estrogen stimulation, there are also many effective natural and nutritional methods.

*NOTE: The Thermogram Center is not a treatment or diagnosing center. While these clients may have been imaged at The Thermogram Center with the images analyzed/interpreted by its interpretive service provider, any treatment and/or diagnoses obtained by the client were through his/her health provider(s).

Example: Conspicuous Vascular Patterns in the Breasts and Estrogen Stimulation

Note the extensive vasodilation in the left image. The right image followed 3 months of nutritionally-based estrogen metabolism support.* Note the significant reduction in vasodilation, suggesting a decrease in estrogen stimulation. Her Hormonal Grade decreased from 3 to 1.

Example: Effect of Birth Control Pills in One client

This 38 year old client had no breast complaints, but had previously used birth control pills for 15 years. While she had not used birth control pills for about a year, her Hormonal Grade is 4, consistent with stimulation by estrogen as seen during lactation.

Without her imaging, the client would not have been aware of her potential estrogen stimulation and breast cancer risk. She is now considering treatment to reduce her breast estrogen stimulation.*

Hormonal Grades at The Thermogram Center:

The Thermogram Center uses Hormonal Grades (formerly Vascular Display Grades) to assess the level of vascular dilation in the breasts, which increases with estrogen stimulation:

12

3 4

Grade 1 is commonly seen in postmenopausal women, while Grade 2 is commonly seen between puberty and menopause. Grade 3 is commonly seen with HRT, birth control pill use, hormone imbalance, and large breast size. Grade 4 is commonly seen in lactation, pregnancy, and exogenous estrogen usage.

Since there are many factors that can contribute to increased blood flow to the breasts, it is important that clients consult with an informed and qualified health provider to correlate thermal findings with the client's particular situation before deciding on any course of action.

Example: Imaging Demonstrates Effectiveness of Treatment

This 40 year old female experienced swollen and painful breasts with several large fibrocysts. After 2 months of treatment involving natural support for hormonal balance and optimal estrogen metabolism,* her fibrocysts and symptoms drastically diminished. Note the improved symmetry in colors and thermal patterns from the left to right image.

*NOTE: While these clients may have been imaged at The Thermogram Center with the images analyzed/interpreted by its interpretive service provider, any treatment and/or diagnoses obtained by the client were through his/her health provider(s).