What are hormones?
Hormones are molecules that are secreted by specialized cells in our body. Hormones are released into the blood stream and exert biochemical effects on target cells. Hormones turn on the cellular machinery that makes our body function.
Hormones control virtually all of the functions of our body including our reproductive, immune and metabolic systems. Hormones can control our overall physical and mental health. As the levels of hormones decline so do we decline both physically and mentally. We lose our energy, vitality, and health as well as our longevity. By restoring these hormones to their youthful level, it is possible to restore our youthful zeal and energy and to strengthen and bolster our bodies and our minds.
What are Bio-Identical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are identical to the ones your body makes. Synthetic hormones are hormones that are chemically altered often for the purpose of making a product to sell.
What Hormones Can Bio-Identicals Replace?
Bio-identical hormones can be the solution to rapidly declining hormone levels caused by menopause including the following:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone & Pregnenolone
- DHEA
- Thyroid
- Human Growth Hormone
- Melatonin
- Insulin
- Testosterone
What is the safety of synthetic hormones vs bioidentical hormones?
Many studies have confirmed that synthetic hormones don’t have the safety profile of bioidentical hormones. A classic example was the Women’s Health Initiative study in 2002 that showed an increase risk of stroke, heart attacks and breast cancer in women using Premarin and Provera (a synthetic Progestin).
Unfortunately, the fallout from this published study caused a large reaction by the medical community to label all hormones as bad and consequently many women were taken off of their hormones. A recent Yale study estimates that up to 90,000 women died unnecessarily by being taken off of their hormones which took away their known cardiovascular benefits. What did not get as much attention from that WHI study was that the women who took the Premarin only without the Provera had a 23% lower risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. In this study, women who developed breast cancer had better survival rate if they were on hormones.
What causes aging?
One of the leading theories of aging is that we age because our hormones decline. With hormone replacement, the downward spiral of physical and mental decline that we have come to accept as a natural part of growing older is becoming recognized as somewhat controllable and preventable.
What's the benefit of optimizing hormone replacement?
Our traditional health care approach is to wait until we develop a disease or condition and then find a way to treat it. Preventative medicine means that you try to prevent the disease or condition prior to it happening. This is a much more efficient and cost-effective approach to health care. Research has proven that hormone therapies are valid means to improve and prolong quality of life.
What is the benefit of BioTe ® Hormone Replacement?
Hormone levels decline in all people as they age. No one wants the hormone levels of an 80-year-old but lab reports will state that your hormones are “normal” for your age, even if that level is now only 20% of a 30-year-old. Optimizing your hormone levels just means returning those levels back to the levels you were in your 30’s when; your hormones were at their peak, you felt the best and were in your healthiest years. Individualizing the hormone therapy is necessary as each patient will require different amounts based on their own laboratory values. If you take a randomly prescribed dose or a dose too small to achieve optimal levels, then you won’t achieve its maximum health benefits. If you want to go swimming, throwing a few buckets of water into the empty pool won’t help you, you have to fill the pool up.
What is the benefit of BioTe ® Hormone Replacement?
Unlike pills, patches, creams and shots, BioTe ® provides a consistent release of hormones as needed by your body. In addition to consistent optimization, BioTe ® only requires 3 to 4 insertions per year, unlike other methods that require weekly or daily treatment.
How do I get started on Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Make an appointment for a consultation with our team by calling (352) 333 – 6161. A simple blood test will evaluate your hormone levels and help us create a custom plan for you. Improvements in your symptoms typically occur within a few weeks once you’ve reached optimal hormone levels. We are committed to providing the safest and most beneficial treatment for you.
The Benefits of Estrogen
Benefits of bioidentical estrogen (estradiol) include: Protection against osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, and heart disease. As you approach menopause, estrogen levels reduce by up to 80%. The risk of developing vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, fatigue, depression, saggy skin and mood swings all increases as estrogen levels drop.
The Benefits of Testosterone (Yes, women need testosterone too!)
Benefits of testosterone therapy include: Improvement in energy, libido, concentration, sleep and mood. Women lose 50% of their testosterone between the ages of 25 and 40. Loss of testosterone increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, “brain fog”, insomnia, and belly fat.
The Benefits of Progesterone
Bioidentical Progesterone is important for post-menopausal women that still have their uterus. The progesterone helps protect estrogen from overstimulating the endometrium (lining of the uterus). This can help protect you from endometrial cancer or resuming your menstrual cycle. Bioidentical progesterone is not linked with an increased risk of cancer, unlike synthetic progesterone (progestins).
Information about the Thyroid
If you are interested in having your hormones checked, we will also include a thyroid panel. Disorders of the thyroid are responsible for a multitude of symptoms including: fatigue, hair loss, brittle nails and always feeling cold.