The human body has an interconnected network of glands and hormones that regulate many essential functions. As we age or due to medical conditions, these hormone levels can become imbalanced, leading to undesirable symptoms. Replacing deficient hormones through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help restore optimal levels and improve wellbeing.
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands into the bloodstream. They deliver signals to organs and tissues to coordinate biological processes like:
When hormone levels become too high or low, you may experience:
If you notice multiple ongoing symptoms, a hormone balance test can check levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and DHEA. Identifying imbalances early provides the best opportunity for treatment success.
These primary hormones often become imbalanced and supplementing them can resolve related symptoms:
Estrogen regulates the female reproductive system, bone density, cholesterol levels, body fat distribution, and more. Declining estrogen is the main driver of menopause symptoms in middle-aged women.
Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen in both women and men. It plays essential roles in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy in women. Low progesterone is linked to several concerning health impacts.
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone but is important for both men and women. It influences libido, energy, strength, bone density, and cognition. Testosterone levels begin decreasing around age 30.
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, weight management, body temperature, and heart rate. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cause disruptive symptoms.
Cortisol is released in response to stress. Elevated cortisol causes hormone dysfunction and is linked to high blood pressure, high blood sugar, weakened immunity, and impaired memory.
DHEA provides the foundation to produce other key hormones. DHEA levels peak around age 25 then decline, sometimes leading to hormone imbalance symptoms in older adults.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body. In comparison, non-bioidentical/synthetic hormones have a different molecular makeup. Research shows bioidentical hormones:
For these reasons, many medical providers view bioidentical hormone therapy as the preferred choice over synthetic hormone replacement. Continue reading to learn more about bioidentical hormone treatment protocols.
Since hormone imbalance symptoms can be vague or overlap with other conditions, testing hormone blood serum levels directly through blood and saliva tests is the most definitive way to check for deficiencies or excess.
Some key hormone tests to identify imbalances include:
Endocrinologists can also administer additional diagnostic exams like physical exams, questionnaires about family history, and imaging tests if tumors on glands are suspected.
Getting proper testing helps create customized and effective hormone replacement therapy (HRT) plans. Monitoring progress with follow-up bloodwork allows modifying treatment to achieve ideal hormone balance.
If testing reveals one or more hormone deficiencies, bioidentical hormone pellets, creams, patches, tablets, or injections can restore levels.
Custom-compounded hormone pellets provide continuous long-acting hormone delivery. The pellets are about the size of a grain of rice and contain pure pharmaceutical-grade bioidentical estradiol, testosterone, progesterone or combinations. A simple non-surgical procedure is performed to insert pellets under the skin, typically in the hip. The hormones then dissolve slowly to elevate supply for 3-6 months before a provider administers fresh pellets. This approach eliminates frequent application of creams. Blood tests help tailor dosages to the patient’s needs.
Topical bioidentical hormones also effectively normalize levels. These involve applying bioidentical estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA or blends as:
Creams and gels provide flexible dosing while patches promote steady absorption without daily effort. Follow-up bloodwork helps gauge if adjustment in strength or delivery method would optimize results.
Swallowing bioidentical micronized progesterone tablets effectively elevates progesterone levels. Custom BIO-T pellets prescribed for both women and men contain estradiol and testosterone to improve deficient hormone levels.
For those desiring non-daily therapy, testosterone injections every 10-14 weeks commonly treat low testosterone (Low T) in men instead of applying gels or skin patches daily.
Estrogen injections may help stabilize significant hot flashes or estrogen deficiency symptoms in some women when starting treatment.
Doctors closely supervise hormone injections and modify approach if needed based on follow-up bloodwork and symptom tracking.
Treating hormone deficiency requires testing, choosing delivery methods for the indicated bioidentical hormones, attenuating doses to optimal zones, tracking progress, and modifying the plan when necessary. Here is an overview of beginning BHRT:
Check baseline hormone status through diagnostic blood and saliva tests (see diagnosing section). Screen for any contraindicated conditions.
The medical provider analyzes results, identifies deficiencies to target, chooses suitable bioidentical hormones/delivery methods, calculates initial doses, creates a customized treatment plan, prescribes needed medications.
Schedule follow-up blood testing, measure progress tracking symptoms, titrate bioidentical hormone dosing as required, switch delivery methods if advantageous. Continue monitoring long-term for best maintenance of hormone balance.
Note: Protocols must be individualized and overseen by a trained anti-aging, regenerative, or hormone specialty provider. Supporting lifestyle measures also help optimize hormone health.
Complementing bioidentical HRT with positive lifestyle measures can enhance treatment effectiveness. Recommendations include:
Nutrition: Follow an anti-inflammatory diet high in produce, lean proteins, healthy fats while minimizing sugar, refined carbs, alcohol, caffeine. Ensure adequate micronutrients like magnesium, zinc, and B-vitamins.
Exercise: Perform regular cardio, strength training and HIIT workouts appropriate for your fitness level. This encourages weight management and endorphin release.
Stress Management: Make time for relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, massage, forest bathing in local nature trails and parks. Learning stress resilience promotes hormone and overall wellness.
Sleep Hygiene: Prioritize 7-9 hours nightly. Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet. Avoid electronics before bed. Consider melatonin if sleep remains problematic.
Supplements: Ask providers about anti-inflammatory herbs, adaptogens, melatonin, vitamin D, omega-3s or other supplements targeting specific hormone-related symptoms.
Convenient locations for hormone testing in Suches or nearby cities include: AnyLabTestNow and Quest Diagnostics.
Top-rated wellness spas and retreats in North Georgia offering massage, bodywork, yoga classes, hiking excursions, farm-to-table dining, nutritional support, and stress reduction include: The Spa at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, Montaluce Winery & Enoteca, Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Meeting Place, and Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant. The glorious Blue Ridge mountains provide plenty of scenic trails and parks for walking, adventure and restoring mind-body balance like Falls Branch Falls Trail, Appalachian Trail, Bell Mountain, Dockery Lake trail, and Amicalola Falls trails.
State-of-the-art fitness centers, gyms and pools are available at local spots like: The Fitness Lodge, Fannin County Aquatic Center, and Young Harris College Recreation and Fitness Center.
Get your needed diagnostic lab tests and bloodwork at Any Lab Test Now and Quest Diagnostics.
Be sure to schedule regular progress tracking tests with your HRT provider as you proceed with bioidentical therapy for ideal results.
"Bioidentical hormones derived from plants such as soy and yams are chemically identical to endogenous human hormones, allowing them to bind to receptors in the body and mimic the activity of our natural hormones. However, there is still much debate within the medical community about their long-term safety and efficacy."
Since balancing hormones commonly improves many aspects of health and vitality, seeking treatment in the early stages of decline or deficiency is wise instead of waiting until symptoms advance.
Here are compelling reasons to prioritize early detection and timely hormone therapy:
Restoring hormones promptly can help prevent current mild symptoms like intermittent hot flashes or low libido from becoming more pervasive and disruptive over time.
Studies reveal that ongoing hormone imbalance raises dangers for weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, frailty, fractures, dementia and certain cancers. Correcting levels early on promotes better long-range health.
Keeping hormones balanced enhances strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness and metabolism for improved daily function and sports performance as we age. Timely treatment maintains highest potential.
Since hormones influence mood, motivation, stress resilience and cognition, preserving optimal function through HRT alleviates disposition changes and mental decline seen with aging.
Research confirms the highest bioidentical hormone therapy success rates occur when deficiency is addressed early before deep imbalance progresses. This minimizes need for aggressive treatment if the window is missed.
By diagnosing and treating hormone imbalance in initial stages, patients often avoid became accustomed to feeling poorly. Supporting hormones promptly is the proactive approach for best restoration of health, quality of life and wellbeing short and long-term. Contact a trained HRT provider today if you suspect hormone issues.
As a top clinic focusing specifically on hormone-related conditions, Balance & Renew Clinic of Suches offers cutting-edge testing, proven bioidentical therapies, complementary lifestyle guidance, and attentive continued care for optimizing hormone health.
Our clinic focuses exclusively on precision identification and treatment of hormone imbalances. As national leaders in anti-aging and regenerative medicine, our providers continually expand their mastery through the latest medical training and research developments.
We take time to uncover the unique root causes, lifestyle factors and preferences influencing each individual’s hormone status and wellbeing goals to create fully customized plans. Ongoing support helps implement positive lifestyle upgrades for supporting optimal hormone health.
We provide advanced hormone balancing options like pellet implants to stabilize hormones long-term with less frequent dosing. Cutting-edge genetic testing helps predict responses to facilitate precision treatment plans.
From streamlined appointment booking to prompt lab test processing, we structure our clinic to deliver excellent medical care efficiently while making your experience as stress-free as possible.
Rather than merely viewing lab results and symptoms in isolation, our practitioners invest extensive efforts to understand, educate and motivate patients for sustaining all-encompassing wellbeing.
Contact Balance & Renew Clinic today to explore how expert bioidentical hormone therapy can help you reclaim your healthiest, most vibrant and capable self!
