We all recognize the changes that take place as we age. There are changes in all of the organ systems. Our skin, bones, heart, and brains are all involved.
Starting as early as our teens, our bodies make fewer hormones with each passing decade. This progression contributes to the changes associated with aging.
Estrogen and testosterone levels in particular gradually decrease with undesirable consequences. There have been claims of increased risks of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers in women and prostate cancer in men.
What makes it difficult to assess the benefits and risks is that hormone replacement therapy over the years has been prescribed by a variety of hormone sources and routes of administration.
To keep things simple, one of the few effective and safe forms of hormone replacement therapy is the use of bioidentical hormones administered in the form of pellets inserted just beneath the skin.
Bioidentical hormones mean the hormones used are identical in chemical structure to the hormones our bodies provide. Many older preparations were derived from animal sources. These hormones were not identical to our natural hormones and this is the reason for the concerns about efficacy and cancer.
Inserting the pellets beneath the skin leads to a steady level of absorption into our system. Oral forms, creams, ointments, and intermuscular injections lead to wide fluctuations in blood levels which lead to a lack of effectiveness.
What are symptoms of low levels of hormones? Symptoms associated with hormone deficiencies may include:
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep
- Loss of energy
- Mental fog
- Low libido
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Muscular weakness
These symptoms are commonly seen in middle-aged men and women. Unfortunately, these symptoms are commonly misinterpreted. These patients are commonly placed on anti-anxiety medications which only worsen the situation.
It is important to recognize particularly in this age group, that these symptoms might be the signs of hormone deficiency. Hormone deficiencies are easily confirmed with appropriate blood tests. Not only should estrogen and testosterone levels be checked but also thyroid studies.
If a blood test confirms suboptimal hormone levels, most patients will benefit from appropriate bioidentical hormone replacement. The keyword is suboptimal hormone levels. Most blood tests report a “range of normal” levels. Operating at hormone levels “within the normal range” but at the lower level of the lower range can still be the cause of the troubling symptoms.
To achieve optimal results, hormone replacement therapy should be undertaken with the goal of restoring hormone levels to the upper range of normal. It only makes sense because when we were younger and had our most energy, hormone levels were at the upper range of normal.
Elite Medi Spa offers BioTE bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. BioTE uses plant-‐based compounds in the form of pellets, giving your body what it needs in a form it will use safely and effectively. Regain youthful energy and health benefits of optimized hormones. Call us today at 541.797.6306 to set up a consultation to learn more about hormone replacement therapy.
Read more about BioTE bioidentical hormone replacement therapy here.