Hormones are chemicals made by glands that travel through the bloodstream and bind to receptors on or inside cells. For proper function, each hormone must fit its receptor like a key in a lock. When the key and lock don’t fit exactly, health problems can result. This is why your body’s own hormones (or “bioidentical” hormones) are better than synthetic, foreign ones.
Hormones are the language that cells use to communicate. They play a role in:
- Growth, development, & reproduction
- Repair of skin, muscle, & bone
- Immune system function
- Metabolism
- Blood sugar regulation
- Overall energy level
- Brain function & mood
When you consider that hormones are involved in nearly everything that goes on in your body, it’s no wonder that an imbalance in hormones can cause so many health problems.
The 5 HormoneSynergy Principles
- Hormone imbalance can occur at any age, and many hormones decline with age.
- Aging accelerates as hormone levels decline.
- As hormone levels decline, health declines.
- Hormone balance is greatly influenced by diet and lifestyle choices.
- Bioidentical hormones are best if supplementing.
How do you know if you have a hormone imbalance?
Review the symptoms listed on Menopause and Andropause to determine the possibility that you have a hormone imbalance. In addition, lab testing can determine your hormone levels, and can provide a blueprint for treatment.
How can hormone imbalance be corrected?
The first step is to treat the causes of hormone imbalance when possible. Providing your body with the elements needed to make its own hormones is fundamental. The next step is to supplement with bioidentical hormones to restore deficient hormones.
Bioidentical hormones are plant-derived, and are structurally identical to hormones produced by your body. Bioidentical hormone delivery methods and dosages are chosen based on testing and your individual symptoms and specific needs.
There are many types of bioidentical hormones including pharmaceuticals such as patches and gels, as well as compounded options including sustained-release capsules, topical creams or gels, sublingual lozenges, and subcutaneous pellet implants.
Historically, hormone replacement has involved the use of synthetic hormones, especially synthetic estrogen, progestins (e.g., Premarin® and Provera® or PremPro®) and testosterone (methyltestosterone in Estratest®). These synthetic hormones have been shown to increase the risk for health problems including breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and liver problems.
Bioidentical hormones are prescribed in individualized dosages (based on clinical symptoms and lab results). Because bioidentical hormones are identical in structure as those hormones produced by the human body, they are safer and more effective than synthetic hormones (this is especially true for bioidentical progesterone and testosterone).
Do women and men need bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT) for life?
Humans are a unique species when it comes to the fact that we live much of our lives outside our reproductive years. Most animals in the wild do not live beyond their ability to reproduce – many don’t even live beyond puberty. Our increased life expectancy is relatively recent – only women and men in the past couple of generations have a life expectancy beyond 50 years.
There is certainly much controversy about whether or not it’s appropriate to restore hormones to youthful levels as people age.
There are two main perspectives when it comes to hormone replacement: use the lowest dosage for the shortest time possible only to treat symptoms, or use individualized dosages for longer periods of time to maintain youthfulness and prevent diseases of aging. Both perspectives require proper evaluation of your specific risks, as well as appropriate follow-up.
Dr. Retzler believes it is your choice whether or not to replace deficient hormones, and supports you in becoming informed about risks, benefits, and treatment options.
As a HormoneSynergy patient, yearly lab tests and office visits are required to review your current health, BHRT prescription, and new research that may impact your treatment.
Dr. Kathryn Retzler and our staff at HormoneSynergy offer the following services:
- Optimal Aging Medicine
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men and women
- Ideal Weight Naturally Lifestyle Change Program
- HormoneSynergy Transformational Detox programs
- Health and Lifestyle Coaching
- Targeted Amino Acid Therapy
- Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Implants
Questions? Please call Dr. Kathryn Retzler, N.D. directly at 800-775-4902 Ext. 153 to schedule your initial appointment, discuss your symptoms, learn more about Menopause, Andropause, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement and decide on a course of treatment for your specific needs.
Congratulations on taking charge of your health and we look forward to meeting you!
