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Many people would be surprised to find out just how much impact hormones have on the functions of the human body. The brain gets an immense amount of credit for deciding where the body goes and how the human acts. However, hormones have control over a vast variety of goings on inside each of us. Their most famous, or infamous, claim to fame is over our mood. Many outbursts and embarrassing moments have been blamed on “raging” hormones. Lesser known impacts include regulation and coordination between all our organs. When operating efficiently and correctly, our hormones keep things like digestion, growth, sex drive or libido, and immune system on track. It is when something creates an imbalance or malfunction in our hormones that they become noticeable.
With diagnosis of hormone imbalance or irregularity on the rise, hormone replacement therapy has also become a hot button topic. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has been thrust to the forefront of the conversation, as it promises a natural, effective replacement therapy that lacks some of the risks of traditional hormone replacement therapy.
The major difference between synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and BHRT, is clearly indicated in their names. We use bioidentical hormones in our program. Those who have experienced BHRT consistently provide positive feedback regarding their outcomes. Let’s look closely at the differences between the two.
BHRT, or bioidentical hormones used in replacement therapies, are compounded at compounding pharmacies. These hormones use plant derivatives and are identical to human molecular structure. The elimination of synthetics in these hormones allows doctors to recommend them for extended periods of time. Physicians will often inspire patients to use them for their long-term benefits including decreasing the risk of heart disease, stroke and dementia. BHRT has also been shown to aid in maintaining bone density and reducing the occurrence of breast and uterine cancers.
The sole positive outcome of the extensive list of side-effects from synthetic hormone replacement has been further study and education for alternative options. One such option discovered is BHRT and its more effective, safer therapies.
In most cases, a patient decides to see a doctor after the onset of symptoms commonly associated with hormone disorders. Unfortunately, many physicians send patients away undiagnosed because the lab results have come back “normal”. Lab results are read based on normal limit ranges and can miss changes in hormone levels that would impact someone’s health. A patient’s lab test for hormones related to thyroid, testosterone, adrenaline, estrogen or progesterone may come back normal but the patient may still feel symptomatic. Only the sickest 5% of patients end up with abnormal labs. Let’s look at several hormonal indicators where BHRT could be used to improve a patient’s symptoms and hormonal balance.
Adrenals
Adrenal gland disfunction is quite noticeable, as it controls blood sugar, energy levels, sleep habits and stress reactions. Often, adrenal exhaustion is brought on by major fatigue. Consistent stressors found in our world today can bring about chronic stress, which leads to excessive fatigue, as our bodies cannot return to normal often enough. BHRT can help with reduction of symptoms including aches, anxiety, fatigue, and issues with digestion.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)Produced by the adrenal glands, DHEA moves through the blood and can turn into other hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Known as a precursor hormone, DHEA is vital to sexual development.
EstrogenEstrogen levels in women begin to fluctuate, either up or down, as perimenopause begins. This fluctuation creates the classic menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, loose skin, and mood swings. The steady progression to menopause accompanied by a consistent decline in estrogen production. Eventually, lab tests may find little to no estrogen production.
Pregnenolone
Known as the “mother of hormones”, pregnenolone is the base from which the body creates cortisol, the precursor DHEA, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Cholesterol from the brain and adrenal glands produce pregnenolone. This hormone assists with the maintenance of other key hormone levels, enhances memory and mood, and facilitates sufficient energy.
Progesterone
Progesterone is important to all of humanity, as it is known as the happy hormone for women. If progesterone and estrogen are properly balanced, women lack or see a reduction in PMS symptoms like anxiety, cystic breasts and ovaries, headaches, heavier bleeding, and moodiness. Deficiency can occur after starting menses for younger women or after childbirth. Natural progesterone declination occurs in most woman around age 35 and the effects of imbalance can begin to occur.
Testosterone
While most often thought of as a male hormone, testosterone also impacts women’s health. For females, testosterone is produced by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. It is used for bone and muscle strength and endurance. It also impacts the energy level in women and a sense of well-being.
Famously, testosterone impacts male libido. There are also studies that show BHRT treatment with testosterone improves libido and sexual satisfaction in women.
Commonly, men with low testosterone will feel fatigued, a loss of sex drive or function, and a decreased sense of clarity. For men, testosterone contributes to:
There are over 25 million men, ages 35 to 55 who have experienced some negative impact of low testosterone (also called low T). With the obviously impactful loss of libido, there are other risks of low T, including increased risk of:
Thyroid
The thyroid is responsible for control and regulation of metabolism and caloric burn. The thyroid determines when to generate heat to effectively burn off calories for use by the body. Low thyroid level results in fatigue, weight gain or difficulty losing weight and depression. Ultimately, low levels can increase risk of heart disease and cancer. And guess what? 90% of blood tests ordered on a normal clinic visit does not detect low levels of thyroid hormones.
Do you know what helps fight infection, heal injuries, control sweating, put us to sleep, keep us sexually interested, and deal with the everyday chaos around us? You guessed it. Hormones! The key to overall health is ensuring hormonal balance and efficiency.
BHRT positively impacts a myriad of problematic symptoms that both women and men face like:
Women:
Men:
We customize biomedical hormone replacement therapy to each client and their needs. Treatment plans are created based on both test results and a description of symptoms. BHRT offers the benefit of being compounded by pharmacies, ensuring any dosage or strength can be created as required. Compounding also provides clients the opportunity to specify the delivery method – a pill, nasal spray, cream, or gel. Each of our clients gets to be involved in their therapy, making an informed decision with the pros and cons laid before them. Contact us to discuss how BHRT can help with your symptoms and get you back in balance.
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