AIM: Experience a healthier, better quality of life with Hormone Therapy

THYROID HORMONE THERAPY

Approximately 12% of the U.S. population contends with thyroid dysfunction, yet a staggering 60% remain undiagnosed. This often results from the vague nature of symptoms, which can mimic stress, aging, depression, or anxiety. Untreated thyroid dysfunction poses risks to overall health and can exacerbate conditions like diabetes or heart disease. If you experience persistent fatigue, sleep troubles, weight gain, depression, anxiety, or mood swings, a hormonal imbalance related to your thyroid might be the cause. The thyroid significantly influences nearly every cell in the body, making dysfunction a substantial concern.The positive news is that thyroid hormone imbalances can be addressed. However, the treatment must commence with precise lab testing encompassing all hormones influencing thyroid function, including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, freeT4, and reverse T3. Comprehensive evaluation throughout the treatment process allows practitioners to accurately assess thyroid function and track progress.

 

ESTRADIOL HORMONE THERAPY

As women age, estrogen levels decline, particularly around middle age. Reduced estrogen levels are linked to uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, weight gain, and mood swings. Although these symptoms are commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause, low estrogen can manifest before middle age. Women experiencing symptoms of low estrogen should seek evaluation by an expert capable of carefully analyzing lab results. Providers versed in hormone balance understand the crucial distinction between "normal" and optimal hormone levels. Low estrogen can impact overall health and contribute to discomfort, making estradiol therapy a viable solution. 

 

TESTOSTERONE HORMONE THERAPY

While testosterone is often perceived as the male hormone, both men and women require it for optimal health. Testosterone plays a crucial role in sexual health, brain function, and weight management for both men and women. With declining testosterone levels as individuals age, symptoms like lack of focus, brain fog, low libido, muscle loss, and weight gain may arise. Testosterone therapy identifies and restores hormone levels to an optimal state, alleviating symptoms and enhancing overall health. This therapy also supports a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack. Available as a cream for both men and women, optimal testosterone levels can be easily and effectively achieved and maintained.

 

METHODS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY DELIVERY

When hormone replacement therapy becomes necessary, various delivery methods cater to individual needs. Options include pills, patches, and creams. Consulting with a hormone therapy expert helps determine the most effective method aligned with lifestyle choices and medical history.

 

CREAMS AND GELS

Custom-compounded creams or gels are applied as directed by the provider to specific areas of the body, depending on the hormone type. While creams and gels offer certain advantages, transference-related risks to others, such as a partner, family members, or pets, may occur after application. 

 

PATCHES

Patches provide a convenient delivery method, avoiding dosing errors. Commonly used for estrogen therapy, a patch, akin to a bandaid, adheres to the skin, delivering the prescribed hormone dose until replacement.Visible patches and the risk of detachment may dissuade some patients from choosing this method. 

 

CAPSULES

A familiar form of hormone therapy, capsules are compounded to the prescribed dose and ingested at specified intervals, similar to other oral medications. To achieve advanced disease prevention with aging, oral forms of estradiol progesterone and thyroid are preferred. A thorough discussion with an expert about your specific medical history will determine the most effective hormone replacement options for your individual case.

 

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU NEED HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?

Men and women who feel they may have lost their “zeal for life,” or frequently experience low energy, sleepless nights, hair loss, low or no desire for sex, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability and more are candidates for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone imbalance is often an unfortunate side effect of aging that can diminish your quality of life and impact relationships. Bioidentical hormone optimization has been shown to be particularly effective for both women and men with few side effects and added benefits, such as reduced risk of disease.

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The list of symptoms goes on and on, which is why it’s important you speak with your trusted medical provider to see if your symptoms are indicative of hormonal imbalance. If your PCP and other specialists have ruled out other causes for your symptoms, you must consider bioidentical hormone replacement as an extremely effective treatment for otherwise unexplained symptoms you may be feeling. To help prevent or reduce the development of avoidable diseases that often accompany aging like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, colon cancer, and diseases of the brain, bioidentical hormone replacement should be considered by all men and women aged 40+.

 

SYMPTOMS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE IN MEN

Hormone imbalance in men can occur at any age and is as common among men as it is among women. Men who choose to pursue male hormone replacement therapy experience a number of benefits, including improved strength and muscle mass, healthier sex drive and performance, more energy, better sleep, and better weight management. Anderson Integrative Medicine does not provide testosterone replacement for men under age 40 or men who desire to have more children. 

 

SYMPTOMS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE IN MEN

Men may experience low levels of any number of hormones, but low testosterone is the most common. Testosterone production naturally reduces in men as they age, making it difficult to enjoy the benefits of natural testosterone later in life. Conditions and symptoms of hormone imbalance in men include:

• Muscle Loss

• Weight Gain

• Low Energy

• Gynecomastia (Man Boobs)

• Poor Sleep

• Night Sweats in Men

• Lower Sex Drive

• Irritability

• Depression

• Hair Loss

• Erectile Dysfunction

• Impaired Sexual Performance

• Difficulty Urinating

• Lack of Focus

 

IS HORMONE THERAPY EFFECTIVE?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) has been proven effective for the treatment of hormone imbalance related to conditions such as andropause (low testosterone in men), menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD), and thyroid dysfunction. BHRT has also been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate symptoms of aging such as:

• Hot Flashes

• Night Sweats

• Mood Swings

• Muscle Loss

• Abdominal Belly Fat

• Poor Sleep

• Fatigue

• Low Energy

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Irritability

• Lack of Focus

• Low Libido

• Foggy Thinking

 

When you choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you are making a choice for a healthier, higher quality of life. Hormonal imbalances can be difficult to identify because the symptoms present very differently in different people. When you’re working on a tough project or getting ready for a big event, it’s normal to feel tired or moody, but when you are losing sleep night after night, chronically on edge with your spouse, or enduring hot flashes and inexplicable weight gain, it’s time to ask yourself, “How long have I been feeling like this?” 

A hormone imbalance will not simply go away on its own. Seek the care of an expert in hormonal health who can help you get to the root of your problems and support your wellbeing with effective solutions. Anderson Integrative Medicine looks at the whole picture, reviewing hormone health and related dependencies to create a treatment that is specifically designed to help you reach your personal level of optimization.

 

IS HORMONE THERAPY SAFE?

There have been a number of studies and meta-analyses reviewing the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy and bioidentical hormones. The outcomes suggest that bioidentical hormones are the safer, more effective option for treating conditions and symptoms of hormone imbalance when compared to methods of hormone therapy that use non-bioidentical hormone therapies.

In addition to effectively treating hormone imbalance, other studies have linked bioidentical hormones to a reduced risk of cardiovascular complications, osteoporosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's/dementia, and breast cancer when compared to non-bioidentical hormone therapies.

 

ARE THERE HORMONE THERAPY SIDE EFFECTS?

For most patients, the benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement are positive and transformative. However, when starting any new medication or treatment, it is important to talk to your medical provider about your medical history and make them aware of all details of your health. 

 

HOW MUCH DOES HORMONE THERAPY COST?

Hormone therapy can cost up to several hundred dollars per month for the replacement of the 3-5 of the most deficient hormones. In fact, many treatment plans cost less per day than you might pay for one of those fancy cups of coffee at popular coffeehouses. 

In many cases, your labs are covered by insurance, meaning it doesn’t cost you anything to identify the areas where your body may be deficient. Membership options include 30-45 minute visits with your provider to review the results and tailor your treatment plan for better optimization, if needed. 

 

UNDERSTANDING HORMONES

Hormones act as chemical messengers traveling through the bloodstream, affecting cells with specific hormone receptors. Various cells, such as those in the brain, bones, and heart, can modify hormones once absorbed. For instance, cells can easily absorb testosterone and convert it to estrogen as needed.

 

DECODING BIO-IDENTICAL

Bio-identical hormones share the same chemical structure as those produced by the human body. In contrast, synthetic hormone supplements in pill form are not bio-identical, often leading to side effects and health risks. Biologically identical hormones have been accessible in the U.S. since the 1930s. 

Despite scientific research showcasing the superiority of bio-identical hormones over non-human hormones, their adoption has been gradual. BHRT significantly enhances the quality of life and overall health for many patients, as supported by numerous recent scientific studies.

Tested and safe, bio-identical hormones offer potential benefits for individuals grappling with low or imbalanced hormone production. As hormone levels decline with age, symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, weight gain, and sleep problems can arise. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate these symptoms, manage menopausal effects, restore protective benefits of hormones, and even reverse aging-associated diseases.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES

These hormones, sourced from yams and obtained through a reputable compounding pharmacy, come in various doses. Testosterone, crucial for both men and women, is delivered through a cream that is thoroughly rubbed into the skin. Hand washing following administration is critical to eliminate the possibility of transference to others, especially children and animals. 

Essential for both genders, testosterone maintains muscle mass, decreases fat, enhances exercise tolerance, and contributes to psychological well-being. Similarly, estradiol plays a vital role in protecting against various health issues. While post-menapausal women require estradiol supplementation, it's crucial to ensure it's bio-identical to avoid potential harm.

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Results vary among patients, but bio-identical hormone replacement can significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms. The timeline for improvement varies, with some experiencing changes within weeks and others up to a few months. Full optimization can take up to one year. Health optimization/disease prevention starts to peak around year 5 of hormone optimization. Individual results depend on specific health conditions and symptoms.

Personalized treatment plans determine overall cost, influenced by factors like symptom severity, overall health, and treatment goals.

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GETTING STARTED ON HORMONE THERAPY

Ready to get started on your journey to a healthier, better quality of life? Anderson Integrative Medicine in Chesapeake, VA can help you transform your life with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy combined with integrated functional medicine treatment plans from our highly-trained provider.