Bio-identical means that the hormones are an exact match to the hormones produced by the human body. They could also be called human-identical, Natural or plant-based.
Current example: Crystalline Insulin, Human Growth Hormone, Bioidentical Testosterone, Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, Prednisolone, Levo Thyroxine, TriiodoThyronine (Pure T3) Armour eqvivalent compounded Thyroids, Melatonin, etc
Every treatment regimen is custom-tailored to the individual based on the results of blood tests, medical history, physical exam, and symptoms presented. These hormones get their start in nature, found in soy beans and wild yams; they can then be easily converted into the exact hormones that the body makes. The body recognizes these Bio-identical hormones and uses them just as it would if they were being produced by the ovaries, testes, or adrenal glands.
By working with compounding pharmacies, physicians are able to prescribe dosages more precisely and then properly adjust the dosage, in response to symptoms and laboratory findings. In contrast to the Bio-identical hormones; non-bio-identical hormones are not easily accepted by the body, even though they may produce some similar effects. Hormone therapy requires appropriate testing, examination and discussion of symptoms with a healthcare practitioner.
Common symptoms include abnormal weight gain, chronic fatigue, Falling of hair, Dry Skin, depression and constipation. Hypothyrodism is often associated with PCOS, Insulin Resistance and Diabetes. In many cases the blood tests positive for Thyroid antibodies in which case the condition is known as Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) Thyroiditis The condition is diagnosed through lab tests and is treated by thyroid hormone replacement therapy, conventional by Levo thyroxine. A more progressive approach to Thyroid replacement is through use of combination of T3 and T4 through dessicated/Armour/Compounded Thyroid. Optimization of Vit D, Vit B12 along with supplementation with appropriate dose of Belle-OMEGA+ = Fish Oil Omega3 Fatty Acids, Iodine and Probiotics form an integral part of the Comprehensive management of Hypothyroidism through BHRT.
Infertility refers to an inability to conceive after having regular unprotected sex. Infertility can also refer to the biological inability of an individual to contribute to conception, or to a female who cannot carry a pregnancy to full term. In many countries infertility refers to a couple that has failed to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception.
Studies indicate that slightly over half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the rest are caused by either sperm disorders or unidentified factors.
A woman’s fertility starts to drop after she is about 32 years old, and continues doing so. A 50-year-old man is usually less fertile than a man in his 20s (male fertility progressively drops after the age of 40).
Risk factors for infertility are : Smoking , Alcohol consumption, Being obese or overweight , Eating disorders , Folic acid and Vit B12 deffiency, Over-exercising or Not exercising at all, Sexually transmitted infections, Exposure to some chemicals, Mental stress.
Optimization of Metabolic parameters through BHRT helps in promoting spontaneous conception and improves the success rate of assisted conception. It also helps maintain pregnancy in order to take it to a successful outcome of a healthy mother and child. Specifically T3, Vit B12 and Progesterone play important roles.
Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The process of menopause is a gradual process. The transition period is called perimenopause. It is important to address the hormonal imbalances during this period, particularly the relative Estrogen dominance. Symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause vary greatly from woman to woman. However, common symptoms of menopause include:
The average age of menopause is 51 years old, but menopause may occur as early as the 30s or as late as the 60s. If untreated, there is increased risk of typical age-related diseases like, Diabetes, Hypertension, Myocardial Inshemia, Stroke, Osteoporosis, Dementia, ARMD and Cancers.
Perimenopause, Menopause and postmenopause can be effectively and safely addressed by use of bioidentical hormones, Progesterone, Estradiol, Testosterone, DHEA along with optimization of other hormones and Nutrients.
Men after the age of 40 experience a phenomenon similar to the female menopause, called Andropause caused by a drop in testosterone . Low testosterone levels in men are responsible for the bulk of men’s physical and mental decline.
Symptoms of Andropause:
Studies show that this decline in testosterone can actually put one at risk for other health problems like heart disease, osteoprosis and Alzheimer’s.
A gradual hormonal decline, unlike menopause, which generally occurs in women during their mid-forties to mid-fifties, men’s “transition” may be much more gradual and expand over many decades. Attitude, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its onset and progression.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.
The cause of CFS is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors. There’s no single test to confirm a diagnosis of CFS. You may need a variety of medical tests to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief.
Clinical presentation of CFS consists of the following symptoms
People who have chronic fatigue syndrome also sometimes experience abnormal blood levels of hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary glands or adrenal glands. Optimization of Thyroid hormones, Testosterone, HGH, Vit D and B12 along with iron supplements, Coq10 and Omega-3 is the multipronged approach of BHRT.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.
The main fibromyalgia signs and symptoms include deep muscle pain, painful tender points, and morning stiffness. Other major symptoms of fibromyalgia include sleep problems, fatigue, and anxiety. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will need to review your symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia.
Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia involves Optimization of Thyroid hormones, Testosterone, HGH, Vit D and B12 along with iron supplements, Coq10 and Omega-3.
Exercise, Yoga, Meditation and stress-reduction measures also may help.
Effective management of Diabetes goes beyond the control of Blood Sugar Level. The approach to this disease management is to focus on balancing key metabolic parameters in the body and mitigate the risk of long term complications of the disease such as Retinopathy, Nephropathy, Neuropathy, Stroke, Hypertension, cardiovascular diseas e and Dementia. This involves recognizing and early treatment of Insulin resistance, Optimization of Thyroid and sex hormones, balancing of metabolic parameters, Optimizing key Vitamins along with Diet and exercise.
Role of Testosterone:
“Restoring normal healthy levels of testosterone may be helpful in preventing heart disease”
Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a disabling disease characterized by exercise intolerance and breathlessness. Disease progression arises from prolonged neurohormonal and pro-inflammatory cytokine activation and is associated with a metabolic shift favoring catabolism, vasodilator incapacity, and loss of skeletal muscle bulk and function. In men, androgens are important determinants of anabolic function and physical strength.
Adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is being recognized increasingly and has been thought to be associated with premature mortality. Pituitary tumors are the commonest cause for AGHD. Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) has been associated with neuropsychiatric-cognitive, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, metabolic, and skeletal abnormalities.
Most of these issues can be addressed with growth hormone therapy. Growth hormone is administered subcutaneously once-a-day, titrated to clinical symptoms, signs and IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor-1). It is generally well tolerated at the low-doses used in adults.