Many adults experience a decline in key hormones as they age, leading to undesirable symptoms. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help restore optimal hormone levels to minimize these symptoms and promote better health and wellbeing. This article will provide an overview of common hormone deficiencies, detail the wide-ranging benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement, summarize the basics of treatment, and highlight why Balance Health Clinic is a premier option for therapy in Dartmouth.
Testosterone
Testosterone levels naturally decline with age, causing various symptoms like low energy, reduced muscle mass, weight gain, poor concentration, and low libido. Low testosterone affects close to 40% of men over age 45.
Menopause marks a steep drop in estrogen and progesterone for women. This commonly causes hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disruption, among other issues. Estrogen deficiency can presage serious health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease as well.
Thyroid
An underactive thyroid gland leads to hypothyroidism, marked by unexplained weight gain, constant fatigue, hair loss, sensitivity to cold temperatures, and an array of other nonspecific symptoms. Hypothyroidism grows more prevalent with age.
Growth Hormone
After age 30, growth hormone secretion declines steadily. Deficiency can adversely impact body composition, cholesterol levels, bone density, heart function and more. Lacking growth hormone also plays a role in age-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
DHEA, or dehydroepiandrosterone, peaks around age 25 then drops. This prohormone precursor gets converted to estrogen and testosterone in the body. Low DHEA accentuates the effects of declining sex hormones.
The symptoms above can severely undermine one’s quality of life. More importantly, hormone deficiencies that persist long term elevate risks for various diseases. Osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression constitute just a partial list.
Thankfully, restoring hormones to optimal levels can prevent or outright reverse many issues wrought by deficiency. The key lies in getting tested to determine which hormones are lacking. Balance Health Clinic partners with top area labs for accurate deficiency diagnoses.
From there, custom-compounded bioidentical hormones can be prescribed in precise doses to resolve symptoms and support long-lasting wellness. When initiated shortly after deficiency develops, treatment can help patients avoid irreversible effects.
Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical replicas of native human hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and so forth. This makes them inherently compatible with the body’s natural hormone receptors. BHRT confers both general benefits and ones specific to whichever hormone gets replaced:
These enhancements to health and function often translate to measurable gains in quality of life. Patients report substantially higher satisfaction across all domains after a few months of properly administered bioidentical hormone replacement.
Distinct blood and saliva tests are available to accurately diagnose deficiencies in key hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone and DHEA. Balance Health Clinic partners with premium area labs to give patients convenient access to comprehensive testing. We also interpret test results to pinpoint where patients fall short.
Once deficiencies are established by testing, we craft fully customized hormone replacement using top-quality bioidentical hormones in unique ratios and delivery methods to suit each patient’s needs:
- Testosterone - Estrogen - Progesterone - DHEA - Thyroid (T3 and T4) - Growth hormone
- Oral capsules - Sublingual drops - Transdermal gels - Patches - Pellets - Injections
We fuse clinical expertise with compounding artistry to formulate the optimal bioidentical blend for you. After an initial trial period, follow up testing helps finalize ideal dosing. Ongoing monitoring ensures treatment stays on track long term.
Bioidentical hormones are not necessarily safer or more effective than synthetic hormones for menopausal symptoms. Although marketed as "natural," the body processes bioidentical estradiol and progesterone the same as synthetic versions. More research is needed to compare health outcomes between the two types of hormone therapy.
When seeking testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or bioidentical hormones for any deficiency, the right provider makes all the difference. Balance Health Clinic stands out as a top choice for multiple reasons:
Our physicians and nurses specialize exclusively in hormone replacement and optimization. We understand deficiencies inside and out and constantly refine replacement protocols through rigorous study of the latest medical research.
Balance Health Clinic maintains an on-site compounding pharmacy staffed by expert pharmacists. We personally quality check every bioidentical hormone preparation for quality control.
You’ll have consistent access to the same clinical team from initial consultation and diagnosis through ongoing treatment. We take a highly personalized, cooperative approach focused on your long-term wellbeing.
Nestled on the coastline overlooking stunning ocean vistas, Dartmouth offers an abundance of walking paths, beaches, parks and attractions to enjoy. Our harbor town setting provides a peaceful backdrop to support the inner transformation spurred by balancing your hormones.
Hormone Deficiency Symptoms and Health Risks
Imbalances in key hormones like testosterone, estrogen and thyroid can negatively impact nearly all aspects of health. Left untreated, deficiencies impart significant long term disease risks as well. This section details common deficiency symptoms and associated health dangers.
Sometimes called low T or hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency affects close to 40% of men over 45. Gradual drops in testosterone accompany aging, but deficiency becomes medically problematic when levels dip below 300 ng/dL.
- Low sex drive - Erectile dysfunction - Depressed mood - Mental fog, trouble concentrating - Fatigue, low energy - Increased body fat, reduced muscle
- Cardiovascular disease - Type 2 diabetes - Osteoporosis - Alzheimer’s disease
Most women develop estrogen deficiency during perimenopause and menopause thanks to ovaries producing less estrogen. About 65% of postmenopausal women battle moderate to severe estrogen deficiency.
- Hot flashes - Night sweats that disrupt sleep - Vaginal dryness and pain - Urinary issues like frequent urination - Anxiety or depression - Memory problems, brain fog - Weight gain - Palpitations - Headaches
- Cardiovascular disease - Osteoporosis - Joint inflammation - Type 2 diabetes - Certain cancers - Alzheimer’s disease - Premature death
Estrogen patches, gels and pellets can effectively treat deficiencies while supporting graceful aging. When started early in menopause, estrogen replacement therapy carries additional anti-aging and protective benefits.
Hypothyroidism stems from an underactive thyroid gland that doesn’t secrete enough thyroid hormone. Blood testing reveals elevated TSH over 4.5 mIU/L coupled with low free T3 and free T4 levels.
- Constant fatigue - Weight gain or difficulty losing weight - Hair thinning or loss - Feeling cold all the time - Muscle cramps - Pain, stiffness or swelling in joints - Constipation - Heavy menstruation - Problems becoming pregnant
- Heart disease - Mental health issues – depression, anxiety - Peripheral neuropathy - Breathing difficulties - Vision problems - Birth defects (untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy)
Restoring thyroid hormone to optimal levels relieves symptoms of hypothyroidism and greatly lessens associated health risks. Note that many hypothyroid patients don’t respond sufficiently to synthetic T4-only medications like levothyroxine. We often recommend natural desiccated thyroid or custom compounded T3/T4 to normalize thyroid function.
After peaking around age 25, the adrenal glands steadily taper off DHEA in the body. Levels commonly decrease 80% to 95% by age 75. DHEA deficiency can exacerbate age-related drops in sex hormones and negatively affect body composition, immune function and wellbeing.
- Loss of muscle mass - Increased body fat - Low libido - Erectile dysfunction - Vaginal dryness - Mood issues – irritability, depression - Poor concentration and memory - Reduced strength and exercise capacity
- Cardiovascular disease - Metabolic syndrome - Osteoporosis - Autoimmune disorders - Alzheimer’s disease
DHEA capsules or sublingual tablets can restore youthful levels of this critical prohormone to combat advancing age. Patients notice better body composition, less fatigue, improved mood and mental clarity, and more consistent energy during exercise.
Growth hormone and related insulin growth factors orchestrate many vital processes – regulating body composition, supporting bone density, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, preserving heart function and more. After 30, growth hormone declines steadily, fostering unwanted changes. Complete adult deficiency is defined below 190 pg/mL blood levels.
- Increased belly fat - Muscle loss - Thinning skin - Hair loss - Reduced bone density - Higher LDL and total cholesterol - Impaired cardiac function - Insulin resistance - Lethargy, reduced stamina
- Cardiovascular disease - Osteoporosis - Metabolic syndrome - Premature death
While testing reveals clear growth hormone declines with age, mainstream medicine only recognizes “complete” deficiency as clinically problematic. We assert patients see substantial wellness and anti-aging benefits from restoring levels to a more youthful state.
Imbalances in key hormones negatively impact nearly all aspects of men’s and women’s health after age 30. Deficiency symptoms reduce quality of life today, while associated long term health risks are anything but benign.
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s all link back to suboptimal hormone levels. Restoring balance through bioidentical hormone replacement helps ensure healthy aging on all fronts – body, mind and spirit.
The first step lies in comprehensive testing to reveal your current hormone status. From there, custom-crafted hormones can help you feel vibrant, negate disease risks and actively pursue longevity.
Diagnosing Hormone Imbalances
Pinpointing exactly which hormones are out of balance requires specialized blood, saliva and urine testing. We utilize top area labs to deliver accurate, encompassing results that paint a complete picture of your hormone profile. This section details key tests available to accurately assess common deficiencies.
Balance Health Clinic maintains partnerships with two exceptional testing labs used by functional and anti-aging medical practices across the country: - LabCorp – 400 conveniently located patient service centers - ZRT Laboratory – specialty lab for dried blood spot tests
Both labs deliver gold-standard results you and your clinician can rely on when formulating precise treatment plans. We dispatch test kits directly to your home for utmost convenience.
Common hormone imbalances include low testosterone, estrogen dominance or deficiency, poor thyroid function, low DHEA and declining growth hormone levels. We selectively test hormones that correspond to your presenting symptoms and health history.
- Estrogen – low estrogen implicates menopause - Progesterone – ensures proper estrogen to progesterone ratio - Testosterone – boosts libido, energy in women too - Thyroid panel – checks TSH, free T4, free T3, antibodies - DHEA-S, DHEA – prohormone converts to sex hormones - IGF-1 – dropping levels indicate growth hormone deficiency - Cortisol – screens for high stress hormones
- Total and free testosterone – flags low T - Estradiol – keeps masculinization on track - Thyroid panel - DHEA-S, DHEA - IGF-1 - Cortisol - PSA – screens prostate cancer risk with T therapy
We also assess key nutritional markers like vitamin D, B12, folate and iron status to uncover common deficiencies that hinder hormone balance.
Testing establishes a baseline to compare against optimal ranges. Follow up testing during treatment lets us perfect dosing over time. Ongoing monitoring helps ensure continual progress.
Blood and saliva constitute the main testing mediums to evaluate hormone status. We also employ specialty urine testing to garner additional clues:
This leading-edge urine test paints a highly detailed picture of daily cortisol patterns plus key hormone metabolites. It also checks neurotransmitter turnover linked to mood disorders and flags gut infections that disrupt endocrine function.
The most comprehensive profile available analyzes a dozen different sex and adrenal hormones, 20 metabolites, melatonin, neurotransmitters and oxidative stress markers. This single test substitutes for over $1500 worth of conventional blood panels.
Advanced testing shines extra light on potential issues that undermine hormone health. Targeted treatment of these ancillary factors helps ensure optimal outcomes from bioidentical hormone replacement.
Crafting a Custom Bioidentical Hormone Plan
Once you complete testing, our physicians analyze results to pinpoint where your hormones fall short. We blend this data with your signs and symptoms to create fully customized treatment plans using premier quality bioidentical hormones.
Bioidentical hormones constitute identical chemical replicas of hormones found naturally in the human body such as estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Sourced from plant compounds, these hormones seamlessly integrate in the body since they precisely match native hormones at a molecular level.
The prefix “bioidentical” serves to distinguish them from synthetic non-bioidentical hormones commonly used in mainstream medicine like CEEs (conjugated equine estrogens) derived from pregnant mare urine or the synthetic progestin Provera (medroxyprogesterone). The human body recognizes these foreign chemicals as xenobiotics which must be detoxified and expelled. Thus bioidenticals remain preferable.
Balance Health Clinic offers complete hormone optimization utilizing all key bioidenticals:
We also prescribe hormones like pregnenolone and cortisol on occasion when testing warrants.
Our personalized plans aim to balance all hormones using combinations and ratios tailored to your body and needs.
Modern medical compounding empowers us to administer bioidentical hormones through numerous delivery vehicles:
Mixed into powders or oils then encapsulated for convenient oral dosing. Helpful for thyroid, DHEA and melatonin.
Absorbed under the tongue into the extensive blood vessels there, bypassing the gut and liver. Good for estrogens, testosterone and DHEA.
Specialized creams pass hormones through skin into circulation. Useful for testosterone, estrogens, DHEA and others.
Sustained-release skin patches provide steady hormone delivery. We can compound low-dose estrogen, testosterone and more into patches.
Condensed hormones compressed into tiny inserts placed under the skin to offer steady-state dosing for 4-6 months per treatment. Best for testosterone and estrogens.
Where instant impact is needed, injectable versions administer hormones intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Growth hormone and testosterone highlight injectable options.
Oral capsules and sublingual drops serve as starter options when initiating hormone replacement. Creams allow easy self-administration and dosage tweaks at home. Patches, pellets and injections later provide steadier long-term maintenance dosing.
Initial hormone testing clues us in on what you need while monitoring tests during treatment enable perfecting your custom regimen. We utilize bloodwork, symptoms, and patient feedback to calibrate dosing until each hormone settles into optimal range. Ongoing testing thereafter helps ensure continual benefit.
Lifestyle Strategies That Support Hormone Balance
Balancing key hormones lays a robust foundation for improved wellness daily and longevity long-term. Certain lifestyle measures synergize beautifully with bioidentical hormone replacement to amplify and sustain benefits. This section details complementary tactics to supercharge your results.
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals hinder hormone production plus activation. We identify and treat common shortfalls like low vitamin D, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins to bolster treatment response.
