Hormones

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement

What are hormones?

• Hormones are chemicals that are produced by glands within the body that act like messengers to tell cells to perform or stop specific functions or jobs. Hormones are responsible for growth of tissue, organs and bones, control of mood, metabolism and regulation of sex drive. Some examples of hormones are insulin, thyroid stimulating hormone and sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone).

What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

• There are different stages in our lives when hormones are “out of balance”. They can be super high, like with puberty and pregnancy or they can be super low like in menopause/andropause. Even the smallest changes in our hormone levels can cause significant symptoms. • Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can vary between individuals, but the most common complaints include;fatigue, weight gain, sleep disturbances, memory issues, depression, loss of sex drive or sexual performance, hot flashes etc.

What are Bio-identical hormones?

• Bio-identical hormones are hormone medications that are made to look identical to our human hormone molecules that our body makes, which means that they act on the same receptors on our cells to perform all the functions of our naturally ocurring hormones. • They are made from natural substances, such as soy and yam oils, which undergo a compounding, pharmaceutical process to produce hormone powders. These powders are then put into pills, patches, creams etc that are prescribed by healthcare providers like any other medication.

Isn’t BiHRT dangerous? What is the Women’s Health Initiative (2002) and what did it mean for women?

• In 1993, the NIH started a 10 year study called the Women’s Health Initiative, to compare specific types of synthetic HRT (did NOT include BiHRT) with diet, exercise and calcium supplementation and their effects on cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis in women. In 2002, the study was stopped because it was found that there were increased dangers of heart attack, stroke and cancer in the women taking the synthetic HRT (Premarin, Prempro and Provera). The conclusion was that ALL hormone replacement was bad for women, and millions of women were removed from their HRT. • What were the main problems with this study? Most of the women in the study were 10 yrs past menopause, and much older than most of the women who are candidates for BiHRT. There was also no information about the women’s other health problems that could have contributed to increased risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Lastly, the study did not include BiHRT because the study was financially supported by pharmaceutical companies that manufactured the synthetic HRT medications.

Who is a candidate for BiHRT?

• Must be less than 10 years from last menstrual period • No personal history of breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer or cervical cancer. • Anyone who wants to improve overall wellness, weight management and sexual disfunction.

What does the LAB offer for patients as far as BiHRT?

• The process starts with comprehensive lab work and a personalized assessment of symptoms with our BiHRT/Weight Management form. After these 2 things have been completed, there is a consultation with me to go over lab results and discuss your specific symptoms and personalized wellness goals. As a certified Nurse Practitioner, I am able to order lab work and interpret those results, as well as prescribe medications needed for BiHRT. We also recommend supplements based on lab work as well. • You will have access to me, as your Functional/Wellness medical provider via email and during business hours by calling the LAB. • After the initial visit then we see you again for repeat lab work and follow up visits in 3 months and then every 6 months. If you decide to add on weight management, in addition to BiHRT, his will require more frequent visits.

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