Principles of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRt)

• Establish your natural hormonal levels by getting a baseline test in your late thirties or early menopause.
• Replace only those hormones that need replacing.
• Use the lowest dose that does the job.
• Use bio-identical hormones that are an exact molecular match to those naturally occurring in your body.
• Support your HRT regime with a healthy diet, the right nutritional supplements and exercise.
• Be realistic. The goal is not to turn back the clock. Rather, the goal is to optimize your comfort and overall health so you can live the second half of your life with maximal vitality and mental clarity.

A new standard of care is emerging for men and women over the age 30. Hormone replacement is rapidly becoming an integral part of a program that manages aging. BioDezyne will prepare you an individual program using bio-identical hormones based your specific needs and medical indications.

Come visit us to begin your journey and help stall the hands of time!

Estrogen

Estrogen is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. Men usually produce estrogen from the conversion of testosterone although this is an extremely small amount. There are three types of estrogen found in a woman’s body and they are estrone, estradiol and estriol. The levels of these hormone fall dramatically at the onset of menopause. Symptoms characteristic of menopause are hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, bladder problems, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, rise in cholesterol and blood pressure. With time, many of the symptoms diminish. Unfortunately, the disease processes, such as Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, Osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s only increase in the absence of estrogen.

The rapid loss of bone after menopause has been attributed to the decline in the production of estrogen which is essential for bone growth. Osteoporotic fractures are one of many of the diseases of aging that result in significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, the loss of estrogen results in the development of heart disease which is the number one killer of both men and women. Estrogen has been shown to lower total blood cholesterol and raise HDL, the good cholesterol.

In summary, estrogen protects against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and memory disorders. It also protects against vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections and prevents symptoms of menopause and improves overall well-being. Estrogen deficiency results in urogenital atrophy, incontinence, sagging skin, sagging breasts, increased skin wrinkles, fatigue, depression, mood swings and decrease libido, all of which can be corrected by bio-identical estrogen replacement.

Progesterone

Progesterone is another female hormone of equal importance to women, although it is commonly overlooked. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands and is used in nature to balance the effects of estrogen. It, too, can safely and effectively relieve menopausal symptoms, protect against cancer, prevent osteoporosis and improve overall well-being. In the past physicians had been accustomed to prescribing the synthetic progesterone called progestin. This synthetic progestin causes the same problems and side effects as the synthetic estrogens and do not provide the benefits realized by natural (bio-identical) progesterone.

Natural progesterone enhances the action of estrogen as these two hormones were meant to work together to maintain normal hormonal balance. The lack of progesterone causes similar disease processes as does lack of estrogen, which include osteoporosis, heart disease, decrease in libido and significantly diminished quality of life. The combination of natural progesterone and estrogen can prevent this downward spiral by keeping women vital, strong and healthy.

Natural progesterone is a tremendous treatment for premenstrual syndrome which includes moodiness, irritability, bloating and headaches. These symptoms are due to erratic or abnormally low progesterone levels. Bio-identical progesterone eliminates both pre-menopausal and post menopausal side effects of estrogen, which include instability, headaches and mood swings. It has a mild tranquilizing effect and enhances an over-all well-being. Estrogen will only prevent bone loss and it is the natural progesterone that actually stimulates bone growth and new bone formation.

Testosterone (for women)

Testosterone is also a female sex hormone. Total hormone replacement means restoring the natural balance of all hormones to the levels of our physical and mental peaks. For women, this also includes testosterone. Even though many women take estrogen and progesterone, they still do not feel their youthful selves. Testosterone is produced both in the ovaries and adrenal glands of women, and is an important hormone for normal female sexual development. Replenishment of testosterone in women contributes to the enhancement of sexual drive, relief of menopausal symptoms, restoration of energy, strengthening of bone, prevention of osteoporosis and an overall sense of well being. Many women become surprised when they realize that testosterone improves their skin, muscles, bones, tendons and joints. A small amount of testosterone replacement can make an incredible difference that many women have not been able to enjoy until now.

Testosterone for women prolongs the quality of life by decreasing the diseases of aging such as cardiovascular disease by decreasing cholesterol and increasing HDL. It is equally as important and beneficial in females as well as in males.

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, brain and the skin. It is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body and has its own hormone effects. DHEA is also converted over to estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. It drops steadily as we age and can be used as a biomarker to measure the ageing process itself.

DHEA improves the function of the immune system, improves brain function, relieves stress and increases energy. Most of these effects are a result of a shift from a catabolic state to an anabolic or protein building state. It has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity which means less insulin is required which is important to diabetics. DHEA is now seen as the missing link between insulin-resistance and atherosclerosis.

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone that functions to keep our brains working at peak capacity. It improves memory and mental function, concentration and over-all well-being and is the precursor to DHEA. By the time We are 40 we produce half the amount we did when twenty and like other hormones they decline with age. When pregnenolone hormone production drops with age so does the production of other hormones in the steroid pathway.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain. It regulates the circadian rhythm as well as regulates the deep stages of sleep. It is in these deep stages of sleep that our immune system is stimulated. The pineal gland controls the activities of virtually every cell in the body affecting such diverse functions as reproduction, kidney functions, immunity, sleep, body temperature growth and development. In other words melatonin directs the cells in the body to do whatever it takes to keep the body running and in a state of homeostasis.

Thyroid Hormone

Thyroid hormone is a metabolic hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. It regulates temperature, metabolism and cerebral function which results in increased energy, temperature and warmth. It increases fat breakdown resulting in weight loss as well as lower cholesterol and protects against cardiovascular disease by its cholesterol lowering properties. It relieves symptoms of thin and sparse hair, dry skin and thin nails.

Thyroid hormone initially is produced in the thyroid gland as a storage form of thyroid called T-4. Once in the body, this circulating T-4 is converted to the active form of T-3 by an enzyme. As we age, the production of T-4 diminishes and in addition the conversion from T-4 to T-3 also diminishes resulting in less stimulation of the cells. Mitochondria need thyroid hormone to burn oxygen and produce ATP which is the fuel that runs the body. If the mitochondria are weakened due to an inadequate supply of thyroid hormone, then we will not be able to burn up proper amounts of oxygen, thereby giving us less energy symptoms of thyroid insufficiency. We will be unable to keep up mentally and physically as we once did.

Many patients seem to know there is something wrong with their thyroid but some physicians tend to rely on one thyroid test “TSH” thyroid stimulating hormone, which is an indirect measurement of the thyroid. The new paradigm is to measure the “free hormones” in our body such as the Free T-3 hormones. The free hormones are the active hormones, and are a more accurate indication of the body’s metabolism of the hormone. Many patients that are treated with synthetic T-4 products will still experience hypothyroid symptoms even though their values may appear normal because they are not given natural thyroid hormones containing both T-3 and T-4. Natural thyroid restores optimal thyroid levels in a more natural way.

Human Growth Hormone Therapy (GHRT)

Of the eight hormones, HGH or somatropin is by far the most controversial and, in my opinion, the most misunderstood. Human Growth Hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) has been used by Anti-Aging physicians for over a decade as the primary approach to managing the Somatopause. The reason for this choice is that pituitary dysfunction resulting in acquired or adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is perhaps the earliest event of aging, occurring in most people during their thirties. Progressive failure of the pituitary to produce and secrete HGH initiates a cascade of endocrine failures that contributes significantly to loss of health and vitality during aging. Logically, GHRT is intended to replace HGH and so as to oppose consequences of the somatopause. It is successful for that purpose and is effective for:

• Reducing excess body fat, especially abdominal fat. (The reduction of abdominal fat is the single most profound effect of GHRT)
• Increasing muscle mass (and physical strength if combined with moderate exercise)
• Reducing wrinkling of the skin and some other effects of skin aging
• Re-growing internal organs that have atrophied with age
• Increasing bone density
• Strengthening the immune system

Jens Sandahl Christiansen of the Aarthus Kommunehospital of Denmark stated in a report "untreated hGh deficient adults have been shown to have increased cardiovascular mortality, reduced exercise capacity, reduced muscle strength, subnormal glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, defective sweat secretion and defective thermoregulation, reduced energy expenditure and basal metabolic rate, abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism, reduced myocardial function and clinical signs of premature atherosclerosis. Body composition has been found abnormal with increased fat mass, decreased lean body mass, decreased muscle fat ratio, visceral obesity, reduced extracellular fluid volume, and reduced bone mineral content.

Improving the body's release of and use of HGH is known to help to improve the function of other organs in the body and help to stabilize other hormones in the body; this includes the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone. Many patients who undergo successful HGH therapy see improvements in their hypothyroidism condition. Supporters say that it is a panacea for virtually all that ails us and is a fountain of youth. They say that its effect on health is so remarkable it is well worth the high cost to use it.

Detractors say that it is over-hyped and overpriced. They want more studies on its long termed use. They believe it is possible to get the same results with the use of other hormones which are less expensive.

As it is often the case, the truth lies somewhere in between. I have studied growth hormone extensively through the years and believe there is a place for growth hormone because it does do specific things the other hormones cannot. Its benefits will be felt by those who are in the greatest need and suffering with the most severe problems. Hormone lab testing will reveal the need.