BHRT - Bio-Identical Hormone Restoration Therapy
What are hormones?
There is a lot of hype about hormones and aging. Suzanne Somers, Oprah, Dr. Phil, Sylvester Stallone... as a lay person, how do you know what this is, is it 'good' or 'bad' or do you even need it.
From a Medical Doctor, here is some information on bio-identical hormones.
Hormones are chemical messengers that direct every function in your body. From energy and metabolism, to blood pressure and sugar regulation; from how you gain or lose weight to your sex drive and vitality - hormones keep you alive and feeling your best.
HOW DO HORMONES WORK?
Hormones work like a lock and key, the "lock" being the receptor site at the cell and the "key" being the hormone. Just like a key cannot open just any lock; when we replace hormones; the hormone should be identical to what the receptor is used to seeing as it's "key".
WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO HORMONAL IMBALANCE?
1. INADEQUATE NUTRITION.
I'm in shock!!! The protein and vitamins worked within 3 days!!! My energy level is better so my depression is not that bad. I can't wait to start the hormones." Pam Harry, Calgary, AB. 51 years old.
You make your hormones from nutrients. Protein molecules provide the building blocks to make hormones. Vitamins and minerals attach to these protein molecules to make the different hormones. Hormone balance starts with adequate nutrition.
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY:
Eat adequate protein. Make sure you know what a full serving of protein looks like. A quick easy way to start your day with adequate protein is to make a smoothie with protein powder, berries and avocados.
2. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISTURBANCES
If you cannot digest and absorb food and supplements: you will not be able to make or use your hormones well. It is very important to look after your digestive health.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:
- Make sure you have regular, daily bowel movements.
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3. ENVIRONMENT
Ensure that you live in a 'low toxic load' environment.
Make sure you pay attention to your physical and emotional environment. Dr. Iyer believes that your mind and body are equally important to your best health and getting into your SUCCESS ZONES. Rememebr, people can be as toxic as chemicals and poisons!!!
Dr. Deb Heald specialises in environmental toxicities and other toxins that affect your health. Not only can environmental toxins act as hormonal disruptors in your body, but they can affect all functions in your body. Book your appointment with Dr. Heald today.
4. STRESS
Stress is a word tht is losing it's meaning. However, it is a word everyone knows and can realte to. Many people say they don't have stress. Being very busy and taking on too many projects; running children around from place to place and fighting through traffic and personality clashes can all be stress to the body because they all affect your release of stress hormones!
What symptoms will I have?
Because hormones are responsible for every function in the body, when you experience a hormonal imbalance, you may experience a variety of symptoms including:
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Low energy and fatigue
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PMS
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Infertility
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Early or difficult menopause or andropause (male menopause)
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Poor mood and irritability
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Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
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Low or NO sex drive
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Reduced interest and enjoyment in activities
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Reduced strength and muscle mass
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Weak bones (osteopenia/osteoporosis)
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Insomnia and sleep difficulties
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Anxiety
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Thinning and aging skin
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Inflammation
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Hypoglycemia
Poor stress coping and feeling overwhelmed, recurrent illnesses, undiagnosed nausea and digestive issues, IBS, trouble getting going in the mornings and fatigue that is not relieved by rest...AND MORE!!!
What are bio-identical hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are chemically identical to those found in the human body. The treatment is tailored to each person and targeted to specifically remedy your unique symptoms. Dosing is monitored and adjusted according to your individual needs, as measured by laboratory testing. Bio-Identical hormone replacement is the mainstay of anti-aging medicine.
What does this mean?
Traditionally, we accept aging as a natural process. We accept that it is 'normal' to have falling levels of hormones. Well, hormones keep you alive! Hormones help you feel well. Hormones keep your mood stable, your energy great and direct every vital function that keeps you going. So, why should we simply accept falling levels; when we have the ability to 'top up' back to levels that kept you at YOUR PEAK, physically, mentally and sexually?
Synthetic hormones do not look like your own hormones. So your receptors (the locks) do not see them as the correct 'key'. This is why so many people do not get good results from synthetic hormones. Even more important is the understanding that hormones do not function by themselves! For the many hormones in your body - they all interact with each other to some extent. Specifically, the hormones that keep you alive are the most important. They impact how the other hormones are in balance and whether your body can 'use' them efficiently.
Simply trying to take just one hormone to correct an imbalance without attention to the effects on other hormones can lead to problems: either poor results right off the bat; or problems later. Sometimes, the problems could be seemingly unrelated: like developing diabetes or developing thyroid problems.
This is why having your hormones balanced requires special followup, testing and education.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHY DOES MY FAMILY DOCTOR NOT TREAT ME WITH BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES?
Special training and study is needed to safely and effectively prescribe bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones and the intricate balance of all the different hormones is not taught in medical schools. Special post-graduate training is avaialable for MD's to learn safe and effective use of bio-identical homrones. Naturopathic Doctors are trained in the use of bio-identical hormones. Even though bio-identical hormones are safe, Bio-identical hormones are not made by drug companies. Bio-identical hormones are made in a special pharmacy called a compounding pharmacy. The use of bio-identical hormones has over 20 years of history; and in Europe, there are many studies and publications available. However, in N. America, drug companies predominate in the study and funding of medical studies.
NOTE: some pharmacy drugs are actually bio-identical. 17-B-estradiol is a bio-identical hormone. Prometrium is a bio-identical hormone. So, the use of these medications could still align with your desire for 'natural' hormones.
Premarin adn Provera are NOT bio-identical.
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO VISIT THE CLINIC?
After your treatment is started, you will be required to return for follow up within 3 months. Once we have proven that your cancer risk is not elevated; that your hormones are all balancing well; you can return at less frequent intervals. Dr. Heald is extensively trained to provide proper followup for your needs. Dr. Iyer is available to help you incorporate
WHY DO I NOT GET A PRESCRIPTION AT MY FIRST VISIT?
Your hormonal health is only part of what we assess at your Healthy Living Assessment.
Remember that it is a journey to achieve your SUCCESS ZONES. It is a process that takes time to rebalance and restore. Afterall, you didn't get to feel like a shadow of yourself in a week, did you?
We also look at your risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and other dreaded diseases of aging. We do this because we have sophisticated testing that can alert us to your risk years before your regular physical examination can detect these. Our philosophy is simple: why wait until it (ie. your health) is broken to fix it, when we can prevent it long before it breaks.
Depending on what we find and what needs attention - you will need to come in so we can look after your ENTIRE health and get you into your SUCCESS ZONES.
Rememebr that your general health, stress and diseases affect your hormonal health.
We do not simply recommend a hormone to get rid of a symptom. That is like putting a band aid on your problem. We believe in FIXING it, which means paying attention to, and restoring your physical, mental-emotional and hormonal health.
Dr. Iyer introduces the Triangle of Health and how to get to your SUCCESS ZONES at her seminar 'Health is Your First Wealth'.
"This information will save your life!" Joan S, 53 years old. Oil and Gas Executive.
"I thought I knew everything about hormones. I had already been on them and they helped me for a while. This talk changed my whole perspective on what I need to do and why." Nancy F. 48 years old. Calgary, AB. Consultant.
How are bio-identical hormones different from 'hormones'?
Synthetic hormones have a different molecular structure from what your own body makes and knows and you can have side effects to these drugs. But, Bio-identical means that there is no difference at a molecular level to your own hormones. This means your body recognizes them as familiar and your risk of side effects and cancer are not any different from when your body is making its own hormones. The goal of replacing hormones when necessary is to simply replenish what you are missing; and not take you to levels higher than what is normal.
BHRT Treatment
Your hormones are in a delicate balance. You have many, many hormones, and they all are like instruments in a symphony. The melody your body plays when your hormones are in perfect balance sounds awful when the 'instruments' play out of key.
This is why you may not get results from taking a single hormone. Some pharmacological hormones are identical to hormone metabolites (breakdown products of your hormones). Even with these, you may not feel like you are back to normal. This is because again, there are other hormones that need to be balanced for you to feel 'normal' again; like how you used to be.
It’s important to support your Bio-identical hormone restoration therapy with an overall wellness program. At Chronos Apollo, we will advise you on natural therapies that will support your hormone balance. Holistic Nutrition Principles, Naturopathy, homeopathy and Traditional Chinese Medicine are all used to help you maintain optimal hormone balance.
Nutritional therapy of vitamins, minerals, herbs and oils give your body everything it needs to use the hormones it makes, efficiently and optimally. Some medications are actually bio-identical as well.
Eating a wholesome diet of organic foods and whole grains, as well as avoiding chemicals and processed foods also help your body remain healthy and maintain good hormonal balance.
Does every person need hormones?
Yes! Every person needs the right amount of hormones to function at an optimal and healthy level. Some hormones are critical to life. BUT not every patient will end up needing a prescription for hormones.
This is why it is important to test and then treat for hormones. Regardless of symptoms. It could be a completely different reason you are having symptoms; and they can be resolved without hormones.
Just because 'bio-identical' hormones are 'natural' does not mean they can be used willy-nilly.
Bio-identical homrones when used incorrectly can still lead to an increased cancer risk; and other complications including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Your treatment needs to be monitored carefully and closely to make sure that you get healthier and live with vitality.
