Signs of Imbalanced Progesterone
Causes of Hormone Imbalance
Thyroid Replacement
Thyroid
Pregnenolone
Signs of Low Vitamin D3
Signs of Imbalanced Melatonin
Both men and women need testosterone for optimal health. Testosterone is needed for libido, muscle strength, leanness, and sense of well-being.
Menopausal women have low to non-detectable testosterone levels with resultant loss of libido and increase in body fat. Return of libido and improved mood return within days of testosterone replacement by transdermal cream. Regrowth of muscle and bone occurs within months and is facilitated by a weight resistance training program.
The testosterone level in males peaks at age 17 and declines 1% per year thereafter. A middle-aged male can therefore have a testosterone level 40% below his peak in young adulthood. This problem can be compounded by the increased production of sex binding globulins, which make the lowered testosterone that is present even less effective. Loss of testosterone in males leads to atherosclerosis and heart attacks, obesity, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms come on long before the male loses his sex drive or becomes impotent. There is no evidence that testosterone replacement therapy in males causes prostate cancer or prostate enlargement. In fact, some Urologist-Oncologists say that testosterone may decrease the incidence of prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer. CHI uses testosterone replacement as an essential part of Hormone Replacement Theory (HRT) program for both men and women based on the patient’s total and free testosterone levels and their levels of sex binding globulins.
All cells are receptors for Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). It controls phosphorus, calcium, bone metabolism and neuromuscular function. Vitamin D3 is the only vitamin the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB). Yet, with today’s indoor living and the extensive use of sunscreens due to concern about skin cancer, we are deficient in life-sustaining, bone building and immune modulating Vitamin D3.
DHEA is produced by the adrenal glands. It begins to drop when we are thirty years old and declines linearly until we die. In fact, death ensues as soon as the DHEA levels hit zero. Some people, therefore, use DHEA levels as a biomarker for aging. DHEA plays a critical role in lowering our cholesterol, keeping our hearts healthy, minimizing fat deposition, preventing the development of diabetes, arthritis, and senility. CHI uses DHEA as an essential part of our treatment program and monitors DHEA sulfate levels to assure optimal blood DHEA levels.
Signs of Imbalanced Estrogen
Fatigue
High blood sugar
Insomnia
Inability to fight infection
Decreased memory, reaction time, problem-solving & learning
Feeling burned out
Can’t lose fat with exercise
Signs of Imbalanced Thyroid
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Progesterone is also a sex hormone that keeps estrogen in balance and necessary in the female hormone replacement program, even for women who have had a hysterectomy. Some men require progesterone to balance their hormones. Progesterone increases bone mass, reverses osteoporosis, and burns fat. CHI uses natural Progesterone replacement in our female Bioidentical HRT program as indicated by the individual’s blood levels.
Progesterone Replacement
Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and is stimulated by darkness. This is why we have a pulse of melatonin release several hours after sundown. Melatonin plays a crucial role in restful, restorative sleep, regulating our 24 hour sleep-awake cycle, and in facilitating our immune system. Studies have shown that Melatonin increased the lifespan of mice by 25%. Similar studies have shown Melatonin to reduce the risk of breast cancer in mice. Melatonin may also decrease the chance of other cancers such as prostate cancer in males. Melatonin is an extremely powerful antioxidant that is able to enter the mitochondria of cells and neutralize free radicals.
Vitamin D3
Melatonin
Signs of Imbalanced Pregnenolone
Estrogen
Benefits of BHRT
Listed in alphabetical order. Not every patient will need all of these balanced.
Replacement is based on clinical symptoms, physical examination and diagnostic testing.
Goals of BHRT
Vitamin D3 Optimization
Melatonin Replacement
Estrogen is an essential sex hormone that declines abruptly in women during their menopause. When women do not initiate a prompt estrogen replacement program at the time of menopause, they undergo accelerated aging manifested by: osteoporosis, senility, heart disease, loss of muscle mass, loss of skin elasticity and thickness, atrophy of the female genitalia, and depression.
Estrogen replacement therapy significantly delays or prevents this accelerated aging process seen in women following menopause. In fact, women who take estrogen replacement have half the degenerative diseases of women who do not take estrogen replacement and live an average of 3.5 years longer. CHI uses natural estrogen replacement. We measure estradiol levels and adjust dosages to pre-menopausal levels.
The confusion about estrogen comes from the Women’s Health Initiative Study which evaluated horse derived estrogen (Premarin) and a synthetic progestin (Medroxyacetate Progesterone or Provera). These results do not apply to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy which has been proven to be safe.
The definition of a bioidentical hormone is simply a hormone that is atom for atom the same hormone that is endogenously produced in the human body. It is produced in a lab from the active ingredients of the wild yam and it looks and acts just like our natural hormone.
Progesterone
Signs of Imbalanced Testosterone
Testosterone
Pregnenolone Replacement
Increased alertness
Increased energy
Improved mood & ability to handle stress
Improved digestion
Eases inflammation & pain
Improved immune response
Better body composition
Testosterone Replacement
Pregnenolone is produced from cholesterol and is the “grandmother hormone” of all steroid hormones in the body. Pregnenolone acts as a precursor to our essential steroid hormones such as DHEA, Testosterone, Estrogen, Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids and therefore an ample supply is critical
Pregnenolone also has significant direct effects. It is extremely important for optimal mental performance and is synthesized by the supporting neuronal cells in the brain. Studies have shown that when Pregnenolone is administered, memory is enhanced and mood is improved. Pregnenolone has nerve growth factor ability and has been used in spinal cord injury patients and stroke patients.
Estrogen Replacement
Thyroid hormone is essential for life. Proper thyroid levels are needed for optimal functioning. Conventional medicine replaces thyroid only when indirect laboratory measurements indicate that it is low. At CHI, we perform more in-depth thyroid testing including measuring the free thyroid hormone and thyroid antibodies.
The Trusted Source for Preventive / Regenerative Medicine
320 Santa Fe Drive, Suite 211
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-635-1996
800-943-3331
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands. It is released in response to stress and controlled by the hypothalamus. Most of us have high levels of cortisol due to our high stress lifestyles. Sustained cortisol release can raise your blood pressure and sap your energy. In the short-term, high levels of cortisol can create insulin resistance, weight gain and decrease your immunity to illness and disease. Long term, it can lead to stroke, heart attack or diabetes.