Hormone imbalance can cause various uncomfortable signs and symptoms that negatively impact quality of life. Identifying deficiencies early and seeking proper treatment can alleviate issues before they worsen.
Low testosterone, or hypogonadism, happens when the testes do not produce enough of the essential male sex hormone testosterone. This progressive condition tends to develop over many years and common symptoms include:
Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, determined after 12 consecutive months without a period. As the ovaries decrease estrogen production, uncomfortable symptoms may emerge including:
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by releasing triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones. Both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroids cause concerning symptoms:
If left untreated, thyroid disorders can trigger severe mood problems, heart disease risk, and fertility issues. Consulting an endocrinologist for proper diagnosis and hormone balancing provides relief.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) supplements the body with plant-derived hormones molecularly identical to those the human body produces. This natural treatment addresses hormone imbalance helping patients feel healthy, energetic and youthful again.
BHRT for women increases estrogen, progesterone and/or testosterone as needed to resolve uncomfortable perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause symptoms. Benefits include:
In short, BHRT empowers middle-aged women to feel healthy, vibrant and wholly themselves again.
Men's BHRT focuses on ensuring optimal testosterone levels to resolve inconvenient symptoms of andropause which mirrors female menopause. Advantages include:
Ultimately, properly administered testosterone therapy grants men increased vigor, a competitive edge and an overall sense of vitality.
The first step in implementing appropriate treatment involves diagnosing current hormone levels through trusted blood analysis and physical exams.
Measuring circulating hormones via blood tests performed at reputable laboratories like AnyLab Diagnostics delivers objective data for developing customized treatment plans. Key markers checked include:
For women: - Estradiol - the strongest natural estrogen - Estrone - a weaker, secondary estrogen - Progesterone - supports pregnancy and regulates cycles - Testosterone - impacts libido and vitality
For men: - Total testosterone - overall amount in circulation - Free testosterone - readily usable portion - Estradiol - some aids function but too much reduces testosterone - Luteinizing hormone (LH) - signals testosterone production - Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) - binds to hormones impacting availability
Blood drawings must be handled properly for accurate results. Balance Hormone Clinic coordinates closely with top labs like AnyLab Diagnostics to ensure precision.
Since symptoms occur well before critical deficits manifest on labs, a thorough case history and physical provide additional insight. Balance Hormone Clinic doctors skillfully:
With holistic data from both blood labs and skilled examination, our practitioners precisely diagnose suboptimal hormone balance.
Located conveniently in Robbins, Balance Hormone Clinic brings over 25 years collective experience successfully treating hormone disorders through personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
We only prescribe natural human-identical hormones, not synthetic ones with increased side effect risks. Our extensive specialty training includes:
This integrative approach achieves optimal restoration of hormone balance and relief of deficiency symptoms.
Moreover, Balance Hormone Clinic doctors maintain close partnerships with top compounding pharmacists skilled at customizing unique oral, sublingual (absorbed under the tongue), transdermal (through the skin) and pellet bioidentical hormone preparations meeting each patient&39;s biochemistry.
We also coordinate care with trusted psychologists to support any mood issues, acupuncturists to reduce hot flashes, nutritionists to advise dietary adjustments and fitness trainers knowledgeable in safely building strength, stamina and lean muscle mass.
This collaborative process delivers lasting solutions to hormone dysfunction. Contact us today to begin your journey!
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Studies show that after transitioning with hormones, rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation are significantly lower. Hormone therapy allows many transgender people to feel more comfortable in their own skin.
Allowing hormone imbalance to persist untreated enables progressive deterioration that grows harder to stabilize over time. Therefore, promptly consulting an endocrinologist at the first signs of deficiency provides the best opportunity for full recovery.
As estrogen and progesterone drop beginning up to 10 years before the final menstrual period in perimenopause, women may silently suffer thinking nothing can be done. However, proactively supplementing declining hormones during the menopausal transition prevents full-blown deficiencies that damage long-term health. Steadily worsening symptoms should not be considered normal or inevitable!
Likewise, persisting menopausal discomforts responding poorly to lifestyle measures indicate the need for professional hormone balancing assistance. Waiting in hopes symptoms self-resolve risks bone loss, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and dementia.
In short, at the first indication of hormone deficiency, seek an endocrinologist&39;s guidance to confirm optimal hormone levels and commence treatment if warranted. This timely intervention prevents progressive deterioration in health.
Male testosterone production similarly tapers, dropping approximately 1% yearly after age 30 in a process known as andropause. Unfortunately symptoms like waning strength and endurance, weight gain, low libido and emotional flatness are often chalked up to &39;just getting older&39;. Yet supplementing the declining hormone preserves vitality.
Allowing low testosterone levels to persist untested and untreated enables muscle loss, props up excess body fat (especially visceral belly fat), overworks the heart, intensifies insulin resistance raising diabetes odds, hinders weight management, drags down mood and weakens bones over time. What once was readily reversible becomes increasingly harder to fully stabilize, like trying to steer an oil tanker.
Accordingly, men should consult an endocrinologist specializing in andropause at the emergence of any low testosterone symptoms. Restoring balance promptly provides the best odds of regaining full vigor while protecting long-range health.
The foundational premise of bioidentical hormone therapy involves scientifically customizing treatment to match each patient&39;s physiology using a &39;start low, titrate slowly&39; approach while carefully monitoring progress. Safety remains the priority.
1. Baseline blood labs are drawn on day 2-4 of the menstrual cycle when not on hormones to measure circulating estrogen, progesterone and testosterone without interference. 2. A compounding pharmacist formulates bioidentical preparations starting with low doses to avoid overshooting ideal levels. 3. Progress labs are rechecked after 6 weeks of therapy, adjusted and repeated every 1-3 months until optimal balance stabilizes. 4. Once stabilized, we monitor 2-4 times yearly to ensure continuity of balance as the body's needs evolve.
Adjustments may include modifying delivery method, hormone ratios or dose strength based on patient symptoms and blood level trends. Our goal is maintaining hormones within youthful parameters through peri/menopause into advanced age for optimal wellbeing.
1. We first check total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG and other labs in the early morning when levels peak. 2. Custom compounded treatments commence conservatively, avoiding excessive buildup, starting with short-acting creams. 3. We retest blood levels after 6 weeks, adjust formulations accordingly and repeat every 1-3 months until balance optimizes symptoms. 4. Once stabilized, we monitor 2-4 times yearly, modifying the therapy plan as needed over the years.
Our individualized process sustains testosterone status matching the patient&39;s needs for supporting ideal vitality long term.
Balancing hormones pharmacologically forms only part of successful treatment. Equally important lifestyle measures fortify overall wellness synergistically improving BHRT results. Our clinicians provide personalized guidance regarding:
Nutrition: What we eat exerts powerful influence over hormone pathways. We help craft anti-inflammatory diets optimized for each patient&39;s needs based on health conditions, body composition and fitness goals.
Exercise: Remaining physically active facilitates regulating weight, mood, energy and sleep which all tie into hormone health. We offer tips on building lean muscles without overtraining.
Stress modulation: Unmanaged anxiety disrupts endocrine pathways. We teach methods like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, deep breathing and getting outdoors in nature to activate the relaxation response.
High quality sleep: Restorative sleep enables optimal hormonal cascade timing. We provide sleep hygiene techniques to reduce insomnia triggers like electronics use, large late-day meals, noise and light pollution.
Following individualized lifestyle plans magnifies the benefits of BHRT by supporting the body&39;s innate self-healing abilities. Contact us to begin developing your custom treatment strategy.
To help patients fully engage in positive lifestyle adjustments during their hormone balancing program, we compiled a list of helpful local Robbins establishments providing services facilitating wellbeing.
Fitness: The Exercise Coach Fitspo Gym
Relaxation: Robbins Healing Arts Center Comfort Quest Spa
Healthy Dining: Clean Eats Cafe Nature&39;s Fare
Patrons of Balance Hormone Clinic qualify for exclusive discounts at some locations above. Inquire at scheduling.
We hope this informative guide better equips those from Robbins struggling with hormone deficiency symptoms to seek timely treatment from a qualified endocrinologist such as Balance Hormone Clinic. Reach out with any questions!
