Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estradiol is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body, but its concentration decreases as you age. Estradiol is essential for healthy bones, helps prevent cardiovascular disease, reproductive organ, and tissue health, has a role in memory, along with supporting energy and mood. 

Estradiol in oral form provides the best effect but may also be given in other forms such as cream and vaginal troches/suppositories. As estradiol’s role is much greater than just uterine health, it should never be prescribed without progesterone.

The body converts testosterone into estradiol. When cortisol levels are elevated then this process is accelerated. When too much testosterone is converted into estradiol, low testosterone symptoms such as decreased sex drive, breast enlargement, increased belly fat, tiredness and depression may occur. This may be more prevalent in males. The imbalance created correlates with an increase in inflammation, which is the root cause of many diseases.

Progesterone, like estradiol is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body but declines in as you age. Progesterone is essential for healthy tissue, supports bone formation and/or increase bone turnover, protects blood vessels, endometrial/uterine lining, and breast tissue. It is also known to support restful sleep and peaceful mood. It is essential to balance estradiol. Progesterone must be taken orally for best effect.

Thyroid hormones are a group of hormones that are produced naturally in the body. With age, and because of other health problems, thyroid hormones may become less effective. Thyroid hormones support metabolism and energy. Standard laboratory thyroid tests are often insufficient to identify all cases of low thyroid function. A suboptimal thyroid, or deficient thyroid may present as fatigue, loss of energy, brain fog, memory/concentration issues, brittle hairs and nails, constipation, depression/anxiety, sleep problems, and weight gain along with others. 

Thyroid disorders may also lead to Hashimoto’s or hypothyroidism or Graves or hyperthyroidism. Comprehensive lab work will be ordered, reviewed, and monitored to ensure correct treatment is provided. 

Thyroid treatment may include medications called: T4 (Synthroid, levothyroxine, eltroxin), T3 (Cytomel), T4/T3 compounded thyroid, and/or dessicated T4/T3. Compounded and dessicated thyroid are ordered via a compounding pharmacy only.

When levels of cortisol are too high, the effect of other hormones is disturbed. In men, high cortisol can suppress testosterone production, causing men to have low testosterone symptoms even when their testosterone level is normal. It is common for men to have low testosterone and low DHEA at the same time.