Hormones are essential chemical messengers that regulate many processes in the body. As we age or due to medical conditions, hormonal imbalances can occur causing undesirable symptoms. Getting tested and pursuing hormone therapy may help restore optimal hormonal balance.
Pay attention to potential signs of a hormonal disorder like:
Timely evaluation and treatment can greatly improve these symptoms and optimize wellbeing.
Hormone therapy (HT) aims to supplement deficient hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormone.
HT is very effective for relieving bothersome menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep problems and mood changes. It can improve quality of life when these symptoms disrupt daily activities.
Estrogen therapy started early in menopause can prevent bone loss, preserving bone strength and density. It also reduces LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol, both of which promote cardiovascular health.
Restoring optimal testosterone levels helps build lean muscle mass and strength while reducing excess body fat and cellulite. It also boosts motivation, focus and sexual function for both men and women.
Balancing key reproductive hormones through HT can regulate menstrual cycles and optimize fertility in both women and men struggling with infertility.
Supplemental thyroid hormone treats an underactive thyroid gland, helping reverse a slow metabolism manifesting as fatigue, fluid retention, weight gain and feeling cold.
Comprehensive hormone panel testing is crucial for identifying specific hormonal deficits suitable for supplementation.
Salivary hormone tests effectively evaluate bioavailable levels of cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen and DHEA. These correlate well with symptoms and guide precise HT dosing.
Repeat lab testing done periodically during HT allows fine-tuning supplement doses to keep hormones within optimal ranges for ideal symptom relief.
Accurately assessing hormone status is key to successful, personalized hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy aims to replenish hormones matching identified deficiencies for symptom relief while keeping levels within safe ranges.
Bioidentical hormones derived from plant sources have a molecular structure identical to endogenous human hormones. As the perfect structural analogs, they offer the closest fit and function.
Bioidentical hormones can be administered as pills, sublingual drops, topical creams, injectable pellets and intravaginal rings. This allows customizing treatment based on patient risks, preferences and convenience.
HT employs a start low, go slow dosing approach with gradual titration based on follow-up lab results and symptom tracking. This prevents overshooting targets while achieving optimal balance tailored to the individual.
Comprehensive treatment combines HT with a healthy lifestyle prescription outlining ideal diet, targeted nutraceuticals, sleep hygiene, movement plan and stress reduction for supporting hormone health.
A personalized, multi-modal hormone optimization plan improves outcomes.
Successfully navigating hormone testing and replacement therapy involves specialized expertise for optimal safety and efficacy.
Seeking care from an experienced hormone therapy specialist is prudent given the complexity of accurately diagnosing and addressing hormonal disorders. They stay abreast of the latest advancements in precision balancing.
While endocrinologists focus on pathology and disease, a dedicated hormone optimization specialist proactively restores ideal balance for symptom relief and wellness using a root cause, functional medicine model.