Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

The following is a brief description of many hormones that decrease as we age. Some or all of these hormones may be supplemented during hormone replacement therapy.

• Testosterone: Testosterone is an important hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries. It contributes to energy, muscle mass, strength, endurance, decreased fat, increased exercise tolerance, enhancement of well-being, and psychological status. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity and arthritis. It leads to improved lean muscle mass, increased libido, and sexual performance. It prolongs the quality of life by decreasing the diseases of aging. Testosterone levels dramatically decline after the age or forty in both men and women. The most common symptom of declining testosterone, andropause (male menopause) is fatigue and is often experienced by men in their mid-forties. Testosterone is extremely important in the female as well as the male, making supplementation absolutely recommended for both.
• Estrogens: Estrogens are secreted by the ovaries. Men also make a small amount of estrogen from the conversion of testosterone, but environmental factors called Xenoestrogens, have contributed significantly in the increase of estrogen in men causing symptoms of moodiness, fatigue, weight gain in the abdomen and gynecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue). In women, estrogen protects against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders. It protects against vaginal atrophy (skin thinning), incontinence and prevents symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and night sweats as well as improves balance by improving the visual somatosensory system in the central nervous system. Estrogen deficiency as well contributes to increased face wrinkles, decreased energy, depression, mood swings, decreased libido and insomnia. The use of estrogen replacement during menopause is a classic example of optimizing hormone levels to younger levels.
• Progesterone: Progesterone is secreted by the ovaries during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It is only produced from an ovulating ovary. During reproductive years, it prepares the uterine lining for embryo implantation. After menopause, progesterone supplementation protects against uterine and breast cancers, osteoporosis, fibrocystic breast disease and ovarian cysts. Most U.S. physicians prescribe synthetic progestins that cause side effects such as bloating, headaches, fatigue, and weight gain. Natural progesterones are as effective and generally do not cause these side effects.
• DHEA: DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys. This hormone is precursor to the sex hormones: testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. DHEA promotes an anabolic (protein building) state. It reduces cardiovascular risk by increasing fat metabolism, stimulates the immune system, restores sexual vitality, improves mood, lowers cholesterol and reduces body fat. Recent studies point to DHEA as an anti-stress hormone, reversing the effects of stress on the immune system.
• Thyroid Hormones: Thyroid hormones are metabolic hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that regulates blood circulation, body temperature, metabolism and cerebral function. It contributes to energy levels, temperature regulation, and body warmth. It increases fat breakdown, resulting in weight loss as well as lowering cholesterol. It protects against cardiovascular disease, improves cerebral metabolism and helps to prevent cognitive impairment. Thyroid hormone is probably the safest and most beneficial cholesterol lowering agent, yet it is infrequently used for this. Thyroid function is best evaluated by laboratory levels along with clinical correlation of symptoms to indicate primary hypothyroidism and tertiary hypothyroidism.
• Pregnenolone: Pregnenolone is a parent compound to many other hormones, mainly estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, and cortisol. Pregnenolone also functions as a memory enhancer and is a factor in cell repair, particularly in the brain and nerve tissue. Pregnenolone protects brain function and protects against brain cell injury.
• Cortisol: Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands. It is the hormone responsible for the body’s ability to handle stress. Stress can be emotional or physical, yet both have the same cortisol response. Prolonged stress can markedly deplete cortisol levels. This leads to adrenal fatigue and eventual “burn out”. Low cortisol levels contribute to fatigue, poor immune defenses and depression as well as inhibit the effectiveness of antidepressant medication often making depression more difficult to treat.
• Melatonin: Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland located at the base of the brain. It is a circadian rhythm hormone-fluctuation according to the amount of daylight and affects sleep patterns. Research has shown that cells rejuvenate and repair during the deeper stages of sleep. It is during these sleep stages that the body produces natural killer cells or CD4 cells. Melatonin increases the deep stage of sleep and stage IV sleep, thereby increasing and enhancing immunity. Improved sleep patterns serve to energize the body and improve mood. Melatonin has powerful antioxidant effects that contribute to a disease and cancer prevention.
• Insulin: Insulin is secreted from the pancreas gland and is critical for the glucose (sugar) transport to every cell for energy. If insulin levels are too low or too high, the functions of the cells are greatly impaired. Hyperinsulinemia (too high of insulin) contributes to a metabolic syndrome called Insulin Resistance Syndrome (IRS). Seventy- five percent of American adults have this hormone condition and IRS worsens with age. Insulin Resistance Syndrome often results in high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and/or triglycerides, obesity, gout, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Polycystic Ovarian (PCOS) is also now known to be caused by insulin resistance.