Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy Q and A’s
What is menopause?
Menopause is the point in a women’s life in which she stops menstruating. At this point, the amount of estrogen secreted by the ovaries decreases and progesterone also declines. The reproductive hormonal cycle becomes irregular until eventually ovulation and menstruation stops.
What are some of the symptoms of menopause?
Some of the symptoms of menopause are: hot flashes, perspiration, insomnia, vaginal dryness, bone loss leading to osteoporosis, decrease skin thickness, urinary tract problems, cardio-vascular problems and mood swings.
How do we treat menopause?
Because most of the symptoms of menopause are related to the declining hormone levels, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way of managing menopause. Estrogen and progesterone hormone replacement stops (in most cases) hot flashes, vaginal and urinary tract dryness, sleeplessness and mood swings. There are also cardio-vascular benefits to HRT, protecting against premature heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol. HRT can help prevent osteoporosis if treatment is started early. It has been well established that estrogen and progesterone in combination in menopausal women results in a lesser incidence of cancer of the uterus and possibly of the breast.
What are Bio-Identical hormones?
Bio-Identical Hormones are derived from plant source and are modified to the exact human molecule as human estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone and testosterone. Estrogens that are derived from plant source are called phyto-estrogens derived from soy. Progesterone is a phytoestrogen derived from yams. Bio-Identical hormones are available at a compounding pharmacy and are different from pharmaceutical synthetic hormones.
Why use Bio-Identical estrogen?
Studies show that women have an increase in breast cancer when using high doses of synthetic estrogens. By contrast, Bio-Identical estrogen used postmenopausal are about 10 to 20 times lower in strength than the synthetic estrogens of birth control pills. Premarin is an estrogen made from a pregnant mare, it is Bio-Identical for horses but not necessarily for humans, and can cause side effects. Premarin may work well for some women but others have side effects from this medication. Women who are sensitive to hormones and experience side effects such as headaches and depression should not be afraid to try other estrogens if Premarin does not work.
Why use Bio-Identical progesterone?
Bio-Identical progesterone and synthetic progesterone (Provera medroxy-progesterone) differ greatly. Synthetic progestins do not match the body’s chemistry and can inhibit ovulation, suppressing the body’s production of its own hormone, progesterone. Synthetic progestins, like Provera, may aggravate women’s symptoms rather than eliminate them. Many women become irritable and emotionally unstable on Provera. Other side effects are headaches fluid retention, weight gain, facial hair and acne. Most women feel better when they substitute the Bio-Identical progesterone for Provera. New studies show that Bio-Identical progesterone may be more important than estrogen in the prevention of osteoporosis. Bio-Identical progesterone can be purchased through our compounding pharmacy in micronized capsules, oil filled capsules and transdermal creams. Bio-Identical Progesterone is better absorbed if used as a transdermal cream.
Why use Bio-Identical estrogens and progesterone in combination?
There are 3 types of estrogen produced by the body, estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Most specialists recommend an estrogen formulation of 80% estriol, 10% estrone and 10% estradiol along with Bio-Identical progesterone. This combination of estrogens and progesterone are similar to the Bio-Identical hormones of your body. By using hormone replacement you will relieve the symptoms of menopause and reduce the hormone imbalances. These hormones will also reduce your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, memory loss and cancer. These Bio-Identical hormones can only be purchased from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor. NOTICE: Many studies show that estrogen taken alone without progesterone may increase the risk of uterine cancer. Women should take Bio-Identical progesterone if they are taking estrogens. If you are taking estrogen, ask your doctor about taking Bio-Identical progesterone
What is the most commonly ordered “Bio-Identical hormone” prescription medication to treat menopause?
Bi-Est 2.5mg with 100mg of progesterone in an oral capsule or a transdermal cream usually used once a day.
How do I take my hormones?
Many hormones are placed into creams or gels and are applied transdermally to upper inner arms, inner thighs or shoulder area and it should be rubbed in very well. 1 gram is equal to ¼ level teaspoon and ½ gram is equal to 1/8 level teaspoon. A measuring teaspoon is supplied with the prescription.
What is PMS?
PMS is referred to the physical and emotional changes a woman goes through every month because of their hormonal cycle. PMS is cyclical which means you will notice physical and emotional symptoms at the same time every month.
What are the symptoms of PMS?
Typical symptoms are: breast feeling a little tender, your fingers and feet may be swollen, headaches, craving for sweets, mild anxiety and irritability, not being yourself, feeling desperate and out of control, crying for no apparent reason, anger, outburst at friends and family, depressed and unable to function.
What causes PMS?
Although we do not know what causes PMS, most authorities agree PMS has to do with the hormone progesterone, which is produced by the ovaries in the second half of the monthly cycle. Recent research shows relationships between the hormone that controls ovulation and a specific antibody. Women with PMS were found to have significantly lower levels of this antibody as compared to women without symptoms. Bio-Identical progesterone supplements control the symptoms of PMS including migraine headaches associated with PMS.
What is DHEA?
DHEA is sometimes referred to as the mother of hormones. DHEA is the hormone, which the body uses to make other hormones such as estrogens and testosterone. In recent years low levels of DHEA have been found in many medical conditions including heart disease and osteoporosis. By supplementing DHEA you can increase your hormones naturally, letting your body produce the hormones that it may need. Only take DHEA if your doctor writes a prescription for you and monitors your hormone levels. You can do a saliva lab test to determine what your levels are and the doctor can adjust your dose with prescription DHEA that may be covered by your insurance.
What are Thyroid Hormones?
Thyroid Hormones are made by the thyroid gland, situated at the base of the neck. It primarily secretes (90 percent) thyroxine (T4) and the secondary thyroid hormone (about 10 percent) triiodothyronine (T3). The pituitary gland is part of the act, too, as it releases a hormone (called thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH) that stimulates the thyroid to release its hormones.
Since the greater part of thyroxine (T4) is converted into triiodothyronine (T3) in the liver, when I write about thyroid hormone, I am usually referring to triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the one that is truly active-between three and five times as active as T4.
Thyroid hormones speed up metabolism and help control weight, thinning the face, torso, and calves in particular. They boost blood circulation, thereby increasing the supply of nutrients, oxygen, water, and hormones to cells all over the body. They keep the skin soft, flexible, and warm thanks to a good blood supply and improved production of sweat by the sweat glands. Thyroid hormones also keep muscles and joints supple and pain-free with this increased blood supply. They prevent dry hair, hair loss, puffy faces, and swollen eyelids. They prevent memory and concentration problems. Thyroid hormones are important in keeping you looking and feeling young and healthy.
Thyroid hormones energize all the cells and organs by stimulating the mitochondria-the cells’ little powerhouses-freeing heat and energy. Thyroid hormones warm the body (especially the extremities) and prevent excessive sensitivity to cold. They prevent morning fatigue, fatigue at rest, low mood (particularly in the morning), and general slowness. Thyroid hormones provide a certain quickness of mind. They protect not only the brain, but also the kidneys and the digestive and immune system organs, among other body tissues-the heart and arteries prime among them. They stimulate fat-burning and dissolve cholesterol, thereby opening up the arteries and moderating blood pressure as they encourage the elimination of waste from the cells and prevent constipation by activating the smooth muscle cells of the intestinal walls. Thyroid hormones eliminate swelling; they help you avoid diffuse headaches and improving blood flow through the brain.
How do I take Thyroid Hormones?
If you do need a thyroid supplements, your doctor will offer one of a few types of products. Most, as I’ve said, use only thyroxine (T4), although better results are achieved by adding a little triiodothyronine (T3) to the mix. The natural conversion in the body of the nearly inactive precursor (thyroxine) into the active hormone (triiodothyronine) generally slows as we age. Most people with a deficiency need more help than the thyroxine alone can provide. Our bodies simply can’t convert enough thyroxine, or can’t do it fast enough. The combination, my first choice in therapies, is actually a more old-fashioned preparation, and it is available either in factory-made molecules or in a powder made from animal glands (with very tight quality control, necessarily).
Some doctors prescribe triiodothyronine alone; to be taken three or four times a day. If triiodothyronine is more powerful than thyroxine, you might think this is the best option of all. But determining the right dosage is very difficult. If you get a quick response, you also get a quick loss of effect. When you take mostly thyroxine and a little triiodothyronine, the body converts exactly what it needs, no more and no less. Whatever you take, you should start with a small dose, increasing it every ten tofourteen days until you find the right level. You should avoid caffeine while you take thyroid hormones, as adequate levels of thyroid will make you very sensitive to the stimulant. You might find you need to decrease your dose in the summer, during stress, or when you are inactive and increase it in the winter and during periods of intense physical activity (which you should do only under the guidance of a health-care professional).
What are the side effects of Thyroid Hormone Therapy?
When taking thyroid hormones, as the more than nine million Americans who are hypothyroid should do, you need to be alert to signs you are taking too much and cut back accordingly. (Some estimates put the number higher still, at 30 to 40 percent of the population with low thyroid hormone levels). Watch out for a heartbeat that is too hard and too fast, a feeling of suffocating, overheating, intense sweating, moist and humid skin, abnormal thirst, enormous appetite, unintentional weight loss, jumpiness, feverishness, poor sleep, and trembling fingers. The nutritional supplements of selenium and zinc are very important in the production of triiodothyronine. This is the most important thyroid hormone. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please contact your doctor or our pharmacist.
A simple home test may help too determine if you have a thyroid disorder. Take your body temperature before arising out of bed 3 mornings in a row. If you are consistently below 97 degrees, there is a good chance you are thyroid deficient.
