Creating Hormone balance and the low down on Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
How would you like to live with vim and vigor past 100 years old? In order to optimally live past that age you need to be hormonally and nutritionally balanced. Many people do live to or past 100 years old, but their quality of life has been significantly reduced through illness or mobility issues. All of the hormones in our body act in synergy, like a symphony, where all of the instruments must be in tune with each other. Hormonal imbalance can cause symptoms in women and men of all ages. If balanced, these hormones can help you to create a optimal health and a vibrant life.
What is a bio-identical hormone?
A hormone is a chemical released by a cell in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the body. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism.  It is essentially a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one cell to another.  A bio-identical hormone is an exact match to those in our body. A non bio-identical hormone has been altered in order to be a patented medication. It is my deep understanding that the body can tell the difference and the change from the original blueprint is more toxic to the body. The closer we stay to the original match in nature the safer the effects.
What are the major hormones in our body?
We have many hormones involved in creating balance in our bodies, here are a few:
Thyroid hormones (T3 & T4)
Estrogens (Estrone, Estradiol & Estriol)
Progesterone
Testosterone & DHEA
Cortisol
Pregnenolone
These are the major hormones that are tested for and used in hormone replacement therapy. Many doctors will test these hormones only through blood, which is not an accurate measure of what is truly happening over a 24 hour period in the body. Most hormones are released into the bloodstream sporadically based on the body’s need. Once a hormone is release by a gland it slowly decreases until a feedback loop tells the gland to release more. This is the biggest problem with solely relying on blood tests to evaluate hormone levels. You can have your blood drawn several times per day in order to test for a single hormone and the results will change with each draw. 24 hour urine hormone assessments and salivary hormone testing has revolutionized hormonal testing by producing a much more accurate result of what is going on with your hormones.
What are some symptoms of hormone imbalance?
| Acne | Menstral irregularities |
| Anxiety | Mood swings / Irritability |
| Arthritis | Poor sleep and memory |
| Blood pressure changes | Premenstral syndrome |
| Elevated cholesterol | Poly cystic ovarian syndrome |
| Depression | Osteoporosis |
| Fatigue | Weight gain |
| Fibromyalgia | Excessive wrinkles |
| Headaches | Vaginal dryness |
| Chronic infections | And many more |
Can I just take the same hormone replacement pill as everyone else?
Our bodies need hormones to maintain optimal health. They are safe and effective when used in small physiological doses and making sure the body is processing them effectively.  As Naturopathic Doctors, we will assess how your individual body is processing and utilizing hormones. Then we will use only the smallest dose of natural bio-identical hormones to get your body into optimal physiological hormone levels. These small biological doses allow support and balance where your body is missing the hormones all with few to no side effects as opposed to mega dosing or using non bio-identical therapies.
Hormone replacement therapy is not safe as a one size fits all treatment. By assessing your individual levels and hormone processing a perfect balance for your body can be found and prescribed.
Keys to making hormone therapy safe and effective:
- Use only Bio-identical Hormones: A true copy of nature.
- Use topical hormones to decrease liver processing of hormones which will in turn increase side effects and toxicity.
- Every body has an individualized level of hormones that creates perfect balance. It is important to make sure your hormone support is individualized for your body.
- Make sure that your prescription for hormones is in the smallest physiological dose in order to create balance.
- Ask doctor to retest levels of your hormones every year.
- Ask your doctor to test your liver processing of hormones every 1-2 years if you are taking any form of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).
