Our Method for Hormone Therapy encompasses:
- Direct replacement of hormones through prescriptive bio-identical doses tailored to your deficiencies
- Delivery system encompasses pellet therapy, creams and sub-lingual treatment.
- A holistic approach to managing stress is a key component to optimizing hormones (i.e. acupuncture, essential nutrients via IV's/IM/Oral, etc.)
Bio-identical hormones are exactly identical in molecular structure to the hormones which are made in the body. They are derived from plant based sources which are structurally altered so your body recognizes them as your own hormones.
Synthetic hormones have growing concerns to be toxic and carcinogenic.
Replacing bio-identical hormones has a systemic effect in preserving our organs (i.e. brain and heart), tissues, vessels, bones, muscle, ligaments, neurotransmitters, etc. Specifically we are able to ensure quality of life with hormone replacement.
Routes of replacement include orals, creams, troches, and pellets.
Hormone Therapy for Women and Men
As we make our journey through life, many medical symptoms occur because of hormonal fluctuations. To help us feel our best, our medical group focuses on regulating there hormones.
The main regulatory hormones consist of:
- Cortisol
- Thyroid
- Insulin
- Estrogen
- Testosterone
- Progesterone
- Growth hormone
- DHEA
- Melatonin
- Pregnenolone
Important ways of regulating hormones occur through lifestyle approaches which include optimizing your diet, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco/ alcohol and managing stress. In addition, hormone and nutrient replacement therapy should be considered for those who are experiencing clinical symptoms of hormone deficiency.
Psychological stress, alcohol, injuries, surgery, medications and obesity are often contributing factors to hormone decline.
- All cells and tissues have hormone receptors (i.e. brain, heart, blood vessels, etc) which decline as we age.
- Essential nutrients help serve as the key to unlock and optimize hormone function.
Our criteria for hormone regulation revolves around accurate diagnosis through clinical history, physical evaluation, and lab work to measure hormone levels.
Menopause and andropause has clearly been under-diagnosed due to woman and men not admitting that they have vague symptoms, and also clinicians not giving attention to investigating this problem.
Perimenopause and Menopause
As we age, a cascade of hormones including testosterone, human growth hormone, DHEA, thyroid hormone and others gradually begin to decline. With declining hormone levels, undesirable symptoms such as decline sexuality, mood, and overall energy usually start to present in the mid 30's to 50's. We also see increasing risk of serious medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.
Before, during ans after menopause hormonal regulation of estrogens, progesterone and testosterone will significantly reduce symptons including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, skin thinning, memory loss, lack of concentration, anxiety, depression, weight gain, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, decreased sex drive, urinary incontinence, muscle weakness, and joint pain.
Bio-identical hormone replacement of sex hormones has been shown to protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and mental decline.
Male Andropause
Andropause symptons usually set in gradually. Symptons include changes in attitude, modd, confidence, memory, energy level, sex drive, muscle tone, muscle mass, muscle strength, abdominal fat, and physical agility.
For men, at this time of age, questioning insecurities such as values, success, accomplishments, etc. can set in which can be confused with declining hormones.
It is important to understand that each hormone works on all organs and tissues receptor sites to aid in proper metabolic activities. For example, testosterone receptors in women and men are in the brain, muscle, skin, bone, joints, vessels, heart, etc. Testosterone is key in building protein, supporting normal sexual behavior, and producing erections.
Hormones Effecting Weight, Longevity and Quality of Life
Optimizing Thyroid function, Adrenal function and Glycemic control will delay the onset of Medical illness and Death.
The top Hormones to consider in this equation are Insulin, Cortisol, DHEA and Thyroxin.
Insulin:
- As we age we all develop insulin resistance to some degree
- HgA1c is a good measure of blood sugar control
- Insulin resistance means that the body is not able to utilize insulin for blood sugar uptake
- As a result glucose gets converted to fat in insulin dependent area: Abdomen, Hips, Thighs,
Arms, Chin etc
- Fluctuating Blood sugars and fluctuating insulin levels usually results in increased fat storage
and symptomatic body crashing (craving, fatigue, headaches, dizziness etc.-occurs when blood
glucose and insulin levels fall)
- Insulin levels are high-Fat gets stored : Insulin levels are more level and stable-Fat gets burned
- Foods high in glycemic food result in quick spikes in blood sugar levels
- Foods high in glycemic load result in more of a gradual spike in blood sugars
- Complex carbohydrates (Ex. vegetables, whole grains and lentils) are healthier than Simple
carbohydrates (Ex. high fructose syrup products, white flour breads and pastas)
- Unsaturated Fats (Ex. fish, avocados,nuts- almonds) are healthier than Saturated Fats (Ex. deep
fried foods, processed meats, rich dairy products)
- Healthy Fats have the highest sources of energy
- Good sources of Protein(Ex. lean unprocessed meats, unprocessed whey, nuts-walnuts
- Proteins and Healthy Fats can be converted to sugars-Therefore it is recommended to
limit carbohydrate intake
Cortisol:
- Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland
- High levels are good during acute stress (Ex. Finger in a door jam)
- Chronic stress and chronically elevated cortisol level may result in Adrenal fatigue
- Adrenal fatigue creates a vicious cycle of elevated cortisol levels --> elevated blood sugar --> elevated insulin levels --> increased inflammation and cell acidity --> which can lead to
catastrophic life events(Ex. heart attacks, strokes, cancer, etc)
- Good markers to measure silent chronic inflammation are hsCRP and homocysteine levels
- Some signs and symptoms of cortisol imbalance may manifest as increased fat storage, fatigue, brain fog, low sex drive, mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, aches and pains, etc
- Severe signs and symptoms of cortisol imbalance include thin skin, muscle loss, bone loss low blood sugars, low blood pressure, electrolyte imbalance, etc.
- Chronically elevated cortisol levels eat muscle
DHEA:
- DHEA is a counter-hormone to cortisol
- DHEA is released by the adrenal gland
- Direct DHEA replacement or replacement of precursors to DHEA will result in adrenal support
- It is important to have a good balance between DHEA and Cortisol.
- DHEA levels clearly decline as we age
Thyroxin:
- As we age, the thyroid gland burns out
- Many people are on thyroid medication or some supplementation to optimize thyroid function by the age of 40
- Thyroid gland is involved in all metabolic reactions throughout the body at every tissue level
- Optimizing thyroid hormone may have significant impact on weight loss
- Thyroxin is the active form of thyroid hormone that works at the receptor site
- Essential nutrients vital to optimal thyroxin productions are zinc, selenium and iodide
- 60-70% of thyroxin is made in the brain and skeletal muscle
- Good brain health (healthy mental activities and replenishment of essential fat-Fish oil) and
muscle health (resistance training) result in promoting optimal thyroxin
