Norethisterone (Primolut-N) causes impaired glucose tolerance and lowers the good HDL Cholesterol, as well as alpha-lipoproteincholesterol

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6811837

"Lipid metabolic studies in oophorectomised women: effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins of three synthetic progestogens.

Silfverstolpe G, Gustafson A, Samsioe G, Svanborg A.

"Abstract

Norethisterone acetate, medroxyprogesterone acetate and levonorgestrel were administered to oophorectomised women to evaluate the effects they have on lipid metabolism. Blood samples were drawn after a 3 wk period without hormone therapy and after 3 wk on each progestogen. Serum and lipoprotein lipids were followed and an oral glucose tolerance test with blood glucose and plasma insulin determinations were performed. The nortestosterone derivatives, norethisterone acetate and levonorgestrel, decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as alpha-lipoproteincholesterol, while the 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivative medroxyprogesterone acetate did not. Norethisterone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate impaired glucose tolerance. A difference between nortestosterone derivatives and 17-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives having an effect on high density lipoproteins is suggested."

Women with Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia

"Many women with IC/PBS have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Scientists believe IC/PBS may be a bladder manifestation of a more general condition that causes inflammation in various organs and parts of the body."


source:http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/#cause

Stresses (including 'social subordination') increase serotonin and cortisol and result in 'less exploratory' and less 'spontaneous' behaviour

http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/fish511/Readings/Readings%202010/nsl230.pdf

Boron causes elevation in estrogen (17 beta-estradiol) and testosterone, reduction in urinary excretion of magnesium and calcium, increases plasma copper, SOD, and ceruloplasmin, (the last three are also raised by estrogen therapy, but by a lesser degree is boron is insufficient), and "it is possible that high dietary intakes of boron or molybdenum could regulate the rate of catabolism, or even the metabolic fate of the major estrogens." (i.e., could prevent methylation of estrogen by COMT)

sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/894.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3678698
http://www.ithyroid.com/boron.htm

Boswellia caused a reversal in brain metastasis - the anti-cancer potential of boswellia serrata

source: http://www.pinestreetfoundation.org/avenues/avenues1920/stritter1920.html

"Subsequently, Dr. Flavin has had two more women with brain metastases greatly improve using the same regimen. Reportedly, Harvard's Dana Farber Cancer Center is seeking approval for a clinical trial to study boswellia use in this setting."

"BOSWELLIA USE IN BRAIN METASTASES

Last year, Dr. Dana Flavin at the Foundation for Collaborative Medicine and Research in Greenwich, CT, reported on a remarkable case of a woman with breast cancer whose multiple brain metastases showed no improvement after two weeks of Xeloda and brain radiation.2 She was then started on boswellia 800 mg three times a day. (Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is an herbal supplement with anti-inflammatory properties and is generally available through retail and online health food stores.) Ten weeks later, a repeat brain CT showed complete resolution of the brain metastases. Impressively, she has been maintained on boswellia for the past four years with no recurrent brain metastasis.

Subsequently, Dr. Flavin has had two more women with brain metastases greatly improve using the same regimen. Reportedly, Harvard's Dana Farber Cancer Center is seeking approval for a clinical trial to study boswellia use in this setting."

serine to cysteine ratio is high in people suffering from any form of psychiatric disease

Source: http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/143/1/69.abstract
The British Journal of Psychiatry (1983)143: 69-73doi:10.1192/bjp.143.1.69

"

Plasma serine to cysteine ratio as a biological marker for psychosis.

1. R Waziri, 
2. R Wilson and 
3. A D Sherman

Abstract

In a study of plasma amino acids in psychiatric patients, serine to cysteine (S/C) ratio was higher (S/C = 1.57 +/- 0.28) in 57 psychotics compared to 27 nonpsychotics (S/C = 1.06 +/- 0.23). This difference was highly significant at P less than 0.001. Psychotic patients were given a psychosis score (p score) of 1-4. The S/C ratios of individual patients were significantly correlated to their p scores (r = 0.65, P less than 0.001). S/C ratios were not related to diagnosis, age, sex, food intake and medications. When the initial S/C ratio and p scores of 22 patients were compared to their S/C ratio and p score at the time when they were improved and ready to be discharged, there was a concomitant fall both in S/C ratios and p scores suggesting the high S/C ratios may be indicative of a state rather than a trait characteristic. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that S/C ratios may provide a marker for the presence of psychosis and an index of its severity."

Low levels of Testosterone, DHEA-S, and Cortisol together are indicative of chronically decreased adrenal function. And how to do saliva cortisol testing.

Source: Adrenal Fatigue The 21st Century 86 Stress Syndrome©
by James L. Wilson ND, DC, Ph.D.
ISBN: 0-9843635-0-5 978-0-9843635-0-6
Page 86

"How I Use the Saliva Hormone Tests

"I use the saliva hormone test to confirm other signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue. I start with a saliva cortisol screening test that measures cortisol levels at four different times during the day: between 6:00-8:00 AM (within 1 hour after waking) when cortisol levels are highest; between 11:00- 12:00AM; between 4:00-6:00 PM; and between 10:00-12:00 PM. This shows how your cortisol levels vary during the day (something else you cannot easily do with blood or urine tests).

"In addition, if I have a patient whose main symptom is fatigue and their questionnaire is inconclusive, or if someone has intermittent symptoms, I use the saliva test to determine if their symptoms are related to low adrenal function. Sometimes I have patients carry around some test vials with them so they can take saliva samples while they are experiencing a low period or other symptoms, at any time during the day. On each saliva sample they write the date and time. They also record, along with the date and time, information on a separate sheet of paper and send the vials off to the lab. When I get their test results back, I compare their saliva cortisol levels with the laboratory standards for the time they are
experiencing symptoms. If the cortisol levels are low at those times, we know that low adrenal function is involved in the symptom picture. This gives me a way to assess adrenal activity at the time they were
experiencing a symptom.

"Another way I like to use the saliva test, when possible, is to compare samples taken when a patient is experiencing an energy high or low with samples taken during a regular day, when the patient is feeling relatively normal (baseline samples). After we have a baseline, these patients carry around some spare vials to take saliva samples at times when they are feeling especially good or especially bad. Again, they record the symptom(s) they were experiencing as well as the date and time (on a separate sheet of paper). They also record the date and time on each vial and send them off to the lab. This is an excellent way to determine whether the lows and highs you experience correspond to relatively low and high cortisol levels. To my knowledge, no other physician uses this method, but it is quite a handy method of determining cortisol levels in relation to symptoms.

"I also usually measure DHEA-S levels with the saliva test as well because the adrenals are the primary source of DHEA-S (but not necessarily DHEA). Adrenal fatigue syndrome often involves decreased DHEA-S. The DHEA-S level is a direct indicator of the functioning of the area within the adrenal glands that produces sex hormones (the zona reticularis). Saliva tests for testosterone, the estrogens, progesterone and other hormones can also be done, if needed, and may be of value in working with adrenal fatigue. Testosterone and DHEA-S levels are two of the most reliable indicators of biological age. Testosterone and DHEA-S levels below the reference range for the person’s age may be indicators
of increased aging. If the cortisol levels are also decreased, the 3 tests together further indicate chronically decreased adrenal function."