Hormone therapy (HT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or endocrine therapy, is the medical treatment of hormone deficiency through external administration of hormones into the body. Hormone therapy can help alleviate unpleasant signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance while also providing protective benefits against age-related diseases.
There are several types of hormone therapies available to treat deficiencies in key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormones:
Declining estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep problems, and osteoporosis. Estrogen therapy (ET) and especially estrogen-progesterone therapy (EPT) can effectively manage these menopausal symptoms while also protecting long-term bone and heart health.
EPT combines estrogen with the hormone progesterone to prevent overgrowth of the uterus lining which can occur with estrogen alone. Bioidentical hormones closely match natural hormones produced by the ovaries are considered optimal for hormone therapy in menopausal women.
In men, low testosterone (low T) is a condition that occurs with normal aging, causing symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, depression, and foggy thinking.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) relieves low T symptoms and has also been found in studies to improve overall quality of life, cardiometabolic parameters, and bone density in deficient men. TRT can be administered as injections, gels, patches and pellets to return testosterone to optimal levels.
An underactive thyroid gland leads to a deficiency in thyroid hormones like thyroxine (T4). Low thyroid function causes symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, hair loss, impaired memory and concentration.
Thyroid hormone replacement with levothyroxine (T4) tablets can successfully treat hypothyroidism and reverse associated signs and symptoms. Regular monitoring of TSH and free T4 levels allows for titrating thyroid medication dosage as needed.
Balance Health Clinic provides cutting edge bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) tailored specifically to your unique hormone needs, lifestyle and health goals. We offer both conventional and natural desiccated thyroid medication as well as micronutrient testing and natural thyroid support.
Our clinic focuses on preventative, regenerative treatments to help you feel your best while optimizing wellness from the inside out. We partner with specialty compounding pharmacies to provide customized BHRT including pills, sublingual tablets, creams, troches and injections. Balance Health Clinic guides patients through complementary lifestyle changes to work synergistically with hormone therapy for optimal results.
Reasons to choose Balance Health Clinic:
Detecting hormone deficiencies begins with a thorough history, physical examination and review of signs and symptoms potentially attributable to low hormone levels. Initial laboratory tests are then ordered to accurately diagnose and characterize the specific hormone imbalance.
Common lab tests our clinicians order include:
- Estradiol - most important estrogen - FSH - signals menopause - Progesterone - vital for uterine protection - Testosterone - essential for libido and vitality - Thyroid panel (TSH, free T4) – screens thyroid function
- Total and free testosterone - diagnoses low testosterone - Estradiol - checks for aromatization of testosterone - LH and FSH – evaluates pituitary signaling - PSA – screens prostate cancer risk - Complete metabolic panel – assesses cardiometabolic status - Thyroid panel (TSH, free T4) – screens thyroid function
Follow up testing is conducted at regular intervals during therapy to ensure optimal hormone levels are achieved and maintained long term. We utilize both blood serum and salivary testing for real-time hormone monitoring.
What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical hormone therapy involves plant-derived hormones that are biosynthesized to be molecularly identical to endogenous human hormones. This allows body recognition and optimal physiologic activation of hormone receptors.
Common bioidentical hormones include:
These hormones can be custom-formulated into FDA-approved natural medications including creams, gels, sublingual drops, troches, injectables and pellet implants according to your individual needs.
Benefits of bioidentical HRT:
Balance Health Clinic physicians have advanced training in anti-aging medicine with expertise in the nuances of precision BHRT. We partner with specialty compounding pharmacies to access patented bioidentical hormone preparations tailored to your physiology.
Our bioidentical hormone therapy process:
We utilize an array of bioidentical hormone delivery methods including:
- Absorbed through the skin - Applied daily - Easy self-administration - Allows flexible dosing adjustments
- Rapid absorption under the tongue - Bypasses first pass liver metabolism - Convenient frequent administration
- Dissolve slowly in mouth - Improves absorption compared to swallowed pills - Enables precise dosing titrations
- Administered subcutaneously - Time released medication depot - Avoids gastrointestinal inactivation - Steady sustained blood levels
- Bioidentical hormone crystals - Inserted under the skin - Long acting 3-6 month release - Most stable serum hormone levels
We thoughtfully determine which method is most appropriate for your physiology and lifestyle needs through shared decision making. The goal is to return depleted hormone levels back into optimal ranges so you can feel healthy and energized again!
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Surprisingly, some of the emotional changes, like feeling more at ease, confident and happy, start occurring within the first few months even before major physical changes happen.
Treating hormonal imbalances in a timely manner is critical for halting and reversing undesirable signs and symptoms. Prolonged periods in a hormone-deficient state can exacerbate symptoms and increase risks of other health complications.
Let’s review key advantages to promptly addressing hormone deficiencies through replacement therapy:
Alleviates unpleasant symptoms
Low hormone states commonly cause disruptive symptoms negatively impacting quality of life - fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, weight gain, low libido, anxiety.
Normalizes metabolism
Imbalanced hormone levels wreak havoc on metabolic processes regulating weight, blood sugar and lipids. Restored hormone concentrations optimize these parameters.
Enhances mental health
Depleted hormones are linked to depressive disorders and fuzzy thinking. Optimizing hormones recovers cognitive capacity and emotional wellbeing.
Strengthens muscles and bones
Deficiencies accelerate sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Replacing key hormones strengthens musculoskeletal fitness.
Boosts cardiovascular health
HRT offers anti-inflammatory vascular effects and improved lipid profiles with healthy hormone status.
Prevents chronic disease
Hormonal decline is involved in pathogenesis of many diseases. Maintaining youthful hormone profiles can help deter these processes.
In summary, restoring your hormones to optimal zones not only relieves miserable symptoms ruining your quality of life, but also imparts protective benefits across many aspects of health spanning mental, metabolic, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular wellness!
Balance Health Clinic offers cutting edge hormone balancing tailored to your individual needs. Call today to schedule your evaluation and get your hormones optimized!
There are several key topics that can significantly impact the safety and efficacy of your hormone replacement therapy. Optimizing these areas will enhance how well treatment works for you:
Following a nutritious anti-inflammatory diet high in produce, lean proteins, fiber and healthy fats allows hormones to work most effectively. Certain supplements like DHEA, melatonin, saw palmetto, magnesium, zinc and adaptogens can also help balance hormones. We offer guidance on beneficial nutritional plans and supplements to complement your therapy.
Regular exercise maintains a healthy weight, builds muscle, strengthens bones and keeps your cardiovascular system in top shape - all of which enable hormones to work optimally. We suggest weekly goals for aerobic, strength training and flexibility activities catered to your needs and abilities. The natural endorphin release with sustained activity also boosts mood!
Unmanaged chronic stress raises inflammatory hormones like cortisol that disrupt circadian rhythms, metabolism and the HPA axis. Prioritizing stress resilience through sufficient sleep, relaxation, and mindfulness lowers your allostatic load so that hormone therapy has maximal benefits. We provide personalized plans to better cope with and recover from life’s demands.
Frequent lab testing allows us to carefully assess your hormone levels including signs of excess or deficiency in order to properly adjust dosages over time for ideal results. This may require changing delivery preparations, cycling therapy, or adding supporting medications. We collaborate closely to find your optimal regimen.
Together we will leverage diet, activity, stress reduction and careful testing to create the ideal internal terrain for your bioidentical hormone therapy to thrive!
Nestled along the coast north of charming Charleston, Daniel Island provides a picturesque backdrop brimming with amenities to perfectly compliment hormone optimization during treatment.
Daniel Island enjoys warm temperatures year round with average highs in the 60s and 70s. This mild weather is optimal for regular outdoor exercise and recreation critical for supporting hormone balance. The low humidity also feels rejuvenating.
Daniel Island is known for its abundant scenic walking trails weaving through oak forests and marshes with wildlife sightings. Nearby parks like Fairfield Green spaces and Governors Park offer aquatic centers, sports fields and golf courses for activity. Peaceful nature walks boost relaxation while parks enable group activities.
State-of-the-art workout facilities like EVO Strength and Conditioning, Orangetheory Fitness and Planet Fitness provide every resource needed for strength training, swimming, indoor cycling and flexibility - perfect for your prescribed fitness regimen. Many apartment complexes also have their own fitness centers.
The island offers farm-to-table restaurants featuring fresh local seafood, produce and ethical meats perfect for nourishing your hormones. The new Parish ParkCircle has a variety of healthy cafes and grocers with grab-and-go items for snacking between meals. The downtown center is also lined with diverse delicious dining.
Daniel Island hosts NeighborMD Urgent Care clinics equipped to handle any acute illness or injury. Roper St. Francis Healthcare also operates specialty services on the island with multidisciplinary medical care across most disciplines. Labdraw stations conveniently allow local phlebotomy for follow up blood testing during therapy.
With its vibrant community fused with small town charm and emphasis on active living, Daniel Island's sights, amenities and supportive medical establishments provide an exemplarily backdrop to fully leverage the rejuvenating benefits of expertly administered hormone therapy. Call today to begin your revitalizing transformation!
