Hormone Descriptions

Estrogen

Your levels of estrogen begin to decrease in perimenopause and continue to decline as you reach menopause.

• Estradiol is the most prevalent and active metabolite of estrogen. Since the ovaries mainly produce it, estrogen can become quite depleted for post-menopausal women.
• Estrone, a weaker form of estrogen, is found in fat and muscle tissue after menopause.

Estrogen affects sleep quality, mood, libido, focus, and memory. It also protects bones, the heart, the urinary tract, vaginal health, and skin.

A deficiency also produces hot flashes, an uncomfortable symptom that so many women experience.

Estrogen also aids in the production of collagen, which affects the elasticity of skin and hair growth.

Supplementing estrogen deficiencies with bioidentical hormones can prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis. It also increases HDL, the good cholesterol.

Some studies have indicated that a deficiency in estrogen can contribute to metabolic syndrome, obesity, and even cardiovascular disease.

You can take bioidentical estrogen as a capsule or use it as a cream, where it will be absorbed through the skin. You should take it in the morning, and dosages are determined by your labs and by your symptoms.

Side effects are not common but can include breast tenderness, hot flashes, irregular menses, and mood swings.

Progesterone

Progesterone is often thought of as the miracle hormone. It is one of the first hormones to decline as we age.

This is one reason that women going through perimenopause can start to have heavy periods and trouble sleeping.

The ovaries primarily produce progesterone, but the adrenal glands also make a small amount.

Progesterone supplementation has a calming effect on the mind and body. And depleted amounts can cause insomnia, mood swings, and increased anxiety and/or depression.

Long-term health benefits of progesterone include:

• Preventing the overgrowth of certain cells (which can protect against some cancers).
• Protecting against nerve damage.
• Acting as a neurosteroid which plays an important part in brain function and the ability to handle stress.
• Affecting metabolism by contributing to the use of fat for energy.
• Helping to block plaque from forming on arterial walls and can help lower triglycerides.
• Essential for helping to build bone.
• Aiding in the proper function of the thyroid gland.

We prescribe progesterone as a capsule, triturate (powder), or cream. Doses can range from 50 to 300 mg, depending on your labs and symptoms. Progesterone is best taken before bed because it helps with sleep, but you can also take it in the morning.

Side effects are not common but may include stomach upset, headache, bloating, and breast tenderness.

Testosterone

Both men and women need healthy levels of testosterone, as it helps with maintaining muscle and bone mass. By age 50, most women and men are producing about half of the amount that was produced in their 20s. Hormone production declines gradually over a long period. 

Some women have too much testosterone, which can cause symptoms of acne, hair loss, unwanted hair on other parts of the body, and infertility.

Testosterone deficiencies can cause feeling sluggish, fatigued, having a low mood, and contributing to weight gain. Imbalances also can cause a poor tolerance for exercise and a lack of motivation.

The benefits of testosterone supplementation include:

• providing heart protection
• improving libido and desire
• enhancing lean body mass

It also provides an increase in energy and adds more pep to your step!

We prescribe bioidentical testosterone in a cream form to be administered topically. Women are typically prescribed only about a fourth of what men are given.

It’s important to rotate application sites. Be sure to wash your hands after application, as you can transfer this medication to others through contact.

Side effects can include oily skin, acne, headaches, hirsutism (too much-unwanted hair on the body), and irritability.

Melatonin

Melatonin is an important hormone crucial to getting quality sleep. It is produced in the pineal gland and triggered by exposure to sunlight. It’s also produced in the gut.

Exposure to “blue light” devices at night, such as televisions, smartphones, or computers, can disrupt melatonin regulation and cause sleep problems.

Melatonin can be supplemented and is recommended to take at night before going to bed. Most people need about 3 to 10 mg. You can increase your dose each night until you achieve your desired sleep. The maximum dose is 30 mg per night.

Some people can’t take melatonin supplements because it has the reverse effect on their sleep — it keeps them awake. It may cause very vivid dreams and headaches or grogginess in the mornings.

Thyroid

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front part of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that are carried out in the blood to every tissue in the body. It helps regulate metabolism, or how the body turns food into energy. It also plays a role in keeping the organs functioning properly and helping the body conserve heat.

Your thyroid gland is your life force; you need it in order to survive.

The thyroid is considered the master gland but is controlled by the pituitary gland. Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulating energy production.

The normal thyroid gland produces about 80 – 90% T4 and about 10 – 20% T3. However, T3 possesses about four times the hormone strength as T4. This is one reason Synthroid doesn’t work for most people, as it’s only composed of T4.

Some people’s bodies aren’t able to convert the T4 hormone into T3, which causes symptoms of hypothyroidism. Drugs like Synthroid or Levothyroxine will not help this condition either.

Hashimoto’s Disease is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system views the thyroid gland as a foreign invader and produces antibodies to attack the thyroid. About 80% of people who have hypothyroid symptoms actually have Hashimoto’s disease. It’s important to identify the cause of the thyroid problem so that it can be treated correctly.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

• Fatigue
• Sluggish metabolism
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Feeling cold all the time
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Dry skin

Our lab testing tests for TSH, T3, T4, and Reverse T3. We also test for antibodies that would show a Hashimoto’s diagnosis. By doing this comprehensive testing, we can provide an accurate diagnosis and treat your condition correctly.

For the best absorption, it’s important to take your thyroid medication on an empty stomach and by itself. Wait at least one hour until you eat breakfast or take any other medications or supplements.

We prescribe only bioidentical thyroid medications such as Armour™ or Naturethroid™. We can also prescribe compounded T3 medications.

Side effects can include anxiety, shakiness, headaches, and heart palpitations. These often go away once your body becomes used to the thyroid medication. However, if you experience these side effects, we ask that you immediately contact our office for further instructions.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is considered a precursor hormone. 

Taking a Vitamin D supplement is an easy and effective way to ensure that you have adequate levels of this very important vitamin in your system.

Vitamin D is essential to having a healthy immune system. It’s also crucial for strong bones and for its multiple protective qualities.

Your skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. How much vitamin D you make depends on your age, your skin tone, and how much skin you uncover.

Without sunblock and with arms and legs exposed, your skin will make 10,000 to 15,000 units of vitamin D in one sun exposure, on average. (Sunblock with an SPF of over 15 blocks 100% of vitamin D production in the skin.)

There are so many advantages to taking Vitamin D3. It helps to maintain calcium balance, boosts immunity, and has a role in preventing Type II diabetes, cancer prevention, autoimmune diseases, and hypertension.

We carry both liquid and capsule forms of Vitamin D3. Your daily recommended amount is determined by your lab levels and symptoms. Since a large body of science shows vitamin D works closely with calcium and magnesium, it is best to take your vitamin D in combination with calcium and magnesium to maintain a proper balance.

Research published since 1997 suggests that the upper limit for adults is overly conservative and that vitamin D toxicity is very unlikely in healthy people. People can take up to 10,000 units per day for six months and not have adverse effects.

However, people with Sarcoidosis, Tuberculosis, Lyme disease, Lymphoma, and Kidney Disease have to be supplemented carefully because of an increased risk of their blood calcium level becoming too high.

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