Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

What are Hormones?

 

  • Hormones are the body’s messengers that transport information from the brain to the glands, from the glands to the cells and from the cells to the brain.
  • Hormones rejuvenate, regenerate and restore our bodies.
  • As doctors, we were taught that as we age, our hormones decline. It is now becoming clear that as our hormones decline, we age!
  • Hormones are considered the strongest at from age 25-30 years, the same period when the body is at its strongest and healthiest.
  • Diet and exercise will not be as effective if your hormones are not balanced correctly.

 

The first in treatment of allergies is to identify the substances that are causing your allergy. At BodyMed Wellness Center, we work with Alletess Medical Laboratory. They can determine the specific allergens IgE anti-bodies that are responsible for symptoms with a single blood sample.

 

Why Hormones Decline?

 

  • Hormones decline as we age every year after the age of 30.
  • The human body was never designed to live as long as we are living today. Advances in healthcare, vaccinations, sanitation, and food preservatives have drastically increased life span. However, the glands that produce our hormones do not regenerate and continue to decline, producing fewer hormones with each passing year.
  • As we age, it becomes increasingly important for both men and women to keep their hormones balanced to protect against fatigue, mood swings, disease, obesity, and to enjoy an overall healthier sense of well being.

 

Natural vs. Synthetic Hormones

 

  • Synthetic hormones, like Provera or Premarin, derived from plant progesterone and animal estrogens, are chemicals that act as toxins in the body. Because they are not natural to the human body, we cannot metabolize them properly.
  • BodyMed only uses natural bioidentical hormones. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones or natural hormones are replicas of the body’s own natural hormones. They’re made from soy, yams and other plant extracts, which are changed in a lab to be biologically identical to the same hormones your body makes.
  • For optimal safety and results, BodyMed supplements only hormones that are low, evaluates client’s symptoms and retests hormone levels regularly.

Why does a woman need hormones during and after menopause?

 

 No matter what your age, if your female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) are unbalanced, you may suffer ill effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, depression, vaginal dryness, fatigue, and weight gain.

 

What are the side effects associated with bio-identical hormones?

 

Because bio-identical hormones are just like the ones made in your body, there are relatively few side effects. Side effects occur mainly when the dosage of hormone is too high for the individual. BodyMed monitors and evaluates each patient consistently to assure balanced dosage.

 

How long until I see results using bio-identical hormones?

 

While it varies with each person, and depends on which hormone therapy you are using, generally you can expect to see results within three to six months.

 

What is the best age to consider bioidentical hormone therapy?

 

People should have their hormones checked by the age of 40 or earlier if they have symptoms of hormonal loss. The way to prevent illness and to optimize one’s health is to take an active role in addressing health care risks before they become a problem.

 

Do I need to take these hormones forever?

 

No. If you decide to stop, your body will simply return to where it was before starting hormone therapy.

 

Will this treatment interfere with my currently prescribed medications?

 

Generally not. Some medicines may actually be reduced or no longer needed.

 

Will you take over as my doctor?

 

Although we are happy to communicate with your current physician, we encourage you to continue your usual visits with him or her.

 

If I decide to start on a hormone therapy program, what can I expect to pay?

 

The cost varies depending on each patient and their individual needs. There are three parts to the cost of therapy:

 

First, $200 for the first visit and $100 for follow up visits. Follow-up visits usually occur about every three months until your hormones are stable.

 

Second, there are lab costs ranging from $100 to $300 each visit, depending on which hormone therapy you are taking or might need. Each visit you may have labs done to determine your response and are needed to adjust the dosage. The labs required are as individual as you are.

 

Finally, the cost of the hormones and medications can cost as little as $30 a month, while on average are approximately $100, but this is again individualized to your specific needs.

 

Is this covered by my health insurance?

 

Most of the insurances do not pay for Hormone Replacement Therapy, but lab tests and some medications may be covered by your health insurance. However, patients cannot submit these bills to Medicare or Medicaid.

 

Hormones: what they mean and what they do

 

HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE – the growth hormone

  • Decreases body fat
  • Increases muscle mass
  • Improves tissue healing and protein synthesis
  • Increases bone density
  • Quicker illness recovery
  • Increases capacity to exercise
  • Increases skin hydration and elasticity
  • Improves sense of well being
  • Decreases incidence of illness

 

TESTOSTERONE – the male hormone

  • Improves brain function
  • Increases energy
  • Increases strength
  • Increases bone density
  • Increases libido
  • Improves sexual sensitivity
  • Improves sexual function
  • Improves HDL and LDL levels
  • Improves cardiovascular health

 

DHEA – the mother of hormones

  • Improves neurological function
  • Increases sense of well being
  • Improves immune function
  • Improves stress tolerance
  • Increases metabolism

 

ESTROGENS – the female hormone

  • Protects against heart disease, stroke
  • Decreases cholesterol
  • Lowers incidence of Alzheimer’s
  • Improves memory
  • Alleviates symptoms of menopause: headaches, mood swings, bloating, hot flashes, fatigue, waning libido

 

PROGESTERONE – the hormone of pregnancy

  • Protects against breast and uterine cancer
  • Protects against fibrocystic disease
  • Helps fat metabolism
  • Helps normalize blood sugar
  • Helps reverse osteoporosis
  • Helps thyroid hormone function
  • Acts as a natural antidepressant
  • Protects against nervousness
  • Protects against anxiety and irritability

 

PREGNENELONE – the gateway hormone

  • Promotes formation of other hormones
  • Repairs brain and nerve tissue
  • Enhances many brain functions
  • Reduces aging skin
  • Improves sense of well being Increases energy and mobility
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Reduces harmful stress effects
  • Reduces aging brain deficiencies

 

THYROID – the hormone of metabolism

  • Increases energy
  • Increases fat burning, and controls weight
  • Increases your heart rate Increases your appetite

 

INSULIN – the hormone of storage

  • Responsible for getting blood sugar into all cells
  • Increases fat storage
  • Increases risk of diabetes, hypertension and stroke

 

MELATONIN – the hormone of sleep

  • Responsible for maintaining sleep
  • Helps alleviate “jet-lag”
  • Improves one mood
  • Improves the immune system (by decreasing cortisol)

 

CORTISOL – the hormone of stress

  • Responsible for responding to stress
  • Helps protect you against your environment (allergens)
  • Mobilizes energy, improves fatigue
  • Increases your appetite for sugar
  •  Decreases bone mass, muscle mass, and slows down your metabolism