Age Management - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This is not a comprehensive list of questions, because we believe in building personal relationships with our patients. The best way to answer your questions is during your private consultation.
What is Age Managment?
Age Management is about the early detection, prevention and reversal of age related disease. With age comes the decline of hormone production by the organs in the body. Replacement of hormones helps to maintain the health of body organs, while effectively treating numerous symptoms.
Age Management is the creation of a health program, unique to you, that allows you greater control over the aging process. The result of this program is more energy, better moods and coping, improved cognition, increased lean body mass, revitalized sex drive and an overall improvement in the quality of life.
What are Hormones and Why Do I Need Them?
From the Greek root “hormoa,” which means to “set in motion,” hormones literally are chemical messengers that control and regulate the activity of other cells or organs. Each hormone travels in the blood or extra-cellular fluid to one or more specific tissue or organ (containing target cells with special receptors) where it elicits a particular response. The hormones secreted by specialized glands such as the thyroid gland, the ovaries, the pancreas or the testes are essential for every activity of daily living, including digestion, metabolism, growth, reproduction, mood control, aging and sexual function.
As we age our hormone production declines (menopause for women or andropause for men); it may also decline as a result of disease, exposure to toxins or trauma. This decline causes the aging process to accelerate and may cause deterioration, both physically and mentally.
Loss of hormones is one of the major reasons for our deterioration as we get older.
How Do I Know if I Need to Optimize My Hormones?
Appropriate testing, interpreted correctly, is an accurate means of identifying hormone imbalances. You will be evaluated through comprehensive testing to uncover your unique make up and what may predispose you to certain conditions. You will undergo biochemical evaluations using blood to uncover nutritional deficiencies, the earliest signs of a disease, as well as, a full endocrine work up to understand how your hormones may be impacting your vitality, diet, stress and skin aging.
Just as vitamins and minerals decline with age, the organs in women and men alike produce declining hormones with age. These include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, melatonin, DHEA, brain hormones and the list goes on.
It is known that if we do not replace hormones, our brain, bones, heart, vessels, joints, skin, mood and most importantly, quality of life, decline more rapidly.
What are Bio-Identical Hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are accepted and absorbed by the human body as its own and their composition is identical to that produced by the human body. The body does not know the difference between the hormone it makes and bio-identical hormones, because they are exactly identical in molecular structure to the hormones which are made in the body. They are compounded from yam and soy by removing and adding extra molecules so they are recognized by your cells and tissues as your own. Just like Humulin insulin instead of pork insulin.
In women, synthetic hormone replacement dominated the scene for the last several decades until a few years ago when media attention was called to the risks of synthetic hormone replacement. Many patients who were on hormone replacement stopped taking them and started feeling miserable.
Synthetic hormones have extra molecules which are not recognized by the body. They are not broken down by our body's enzymes and they may stay in the body for long periods of time as toxins and carcinogens. Although, soy and yam hormones, which are available over the counter, have many health benefits; they are barely recognized by human estrogen and progesterone receptors. Therefore, they do not effectively reverse or treat the hormone deficiency.
Do Bio-Identical Hormones have Risks like Synthetic Hormones?
A recent study by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was performed using Synthetic Hormones. This study found that Synthetic Hormones increase the risks of strokes, heart attacks, breast cancer, and blood clots. However, Bio-identical hormone replacement has not been shown to increase these risks. In many studies hormonal balance with BHRT has been shown to be protective.
What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is the art and science of giving back to the body what it is no longer efficiently producing. Bio-identical hormones are compounded by prescription only. Healthcare providers evaluate hormone requirements through clinical symptoms, and possibly, blood or saliva tests. The prescription is tailored to the exact amount of each hormone needed for the individual's balance. Hormones, which are initially evaluated for replacement, include the three estrogens (estrone, estradiol, estriol), progesterone and testosterone. These can be taken orally, by patch or as a cream. Additional hormones which should be considered include melatonin, DHEA, thyroid hormone and growth hormone.
The hormones that we use are exactly bio-identical to the hormones that your body makes. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can help you restore your hormones to their optimal levels through a symptoms-based approach.
What are the Benefits of BHRT?
For Women - Bio-identical hormone replacement will significantly reduce symptoms associated with hormonal decline before, during and after menopause including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, skin thinning, memory loss, concentration loss, anxiety, depression, weight gain, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, decreased sex drive, urine loss, muscle weakness and joint pain. In addition to symptom relief, Bio-identical hormones protect your brain, heart, vessels, bones, skin, hair follicles and muscles from decline. Most patients who start on bio-identical hormones feel emotionally and physically better within two weeks.
For Men - Clinical studies support the use of exercise, nutritional replacement, testosterone and growth hormone to treat symptoms and prevent disease. Hormone replacement with testosterone and growth hormone has been shown to significantly improve sexual performance, libido, energy, mood, memory, brain function, heart disease, vessel disease, muscle strength, muscle tone, muscle mass, abdominal fat, bone density and overall sense of well-being. These effects are usually noted within just a few weeks.
What Is The Data?
So far, there is more data on synthetic hormones than bio-identical hormones because synthetic hormones are patented and drug companies pay for the studies. Bio-identical hormones are generic to the human body, like vitamins. They cannot be patented and therefore drug companies have not been interested in footing the bill thus far. We do know that bio-identical hormones have been used in Europe for over 60 years and studies show that they are both safe and effective.
They have been shown to protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and mental decline. They do not increase the risk of breast cancer, and, in fact, there is data showing that they may protect against breast cancer. At precise doses that exactly replace your body's deficiency, there are no known side effects. They have the exact same action on the body as our own hormones.
Who Makes Bio-Identical Hormones?
Bio-identical hormones are made by expert pharmacists in a Compounding Pharmacy by prescription only. Healthcare providers evaluate hormone requirements through clinical symptoms, and possibly, blood or saliva tests, and then a prescription is tailored to the exact amount of each hormone needed for the individual's balance.
Why Should I Replace Hormones? Isn’t Exercise & Diet Good Enough?
While exercise and diet are an integral part of any Age Management program, without hormones, an individual is catapulted into accelerated aging. Estradiol alone has over 400 jobs in the body.
For women, there will be changes in memory, mood, pain threshold, inflammation, hair, skin, bones, body shape, energy and sex drive.
For men, a loss of testosterone brings self-doubt, increase in body fat, with a loss in lean body mass, sexual desire and function, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
The risks of not taking hormone replacement therapy, when needed, may include elevated cholesterol, increased risk of heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis, tooth loss, depression, Alzheimer Disease, and menopausal symptoms such as PMS, bloating, headaches, cramping, mood swings, breast tenderness and irritability. Overall health and well-being may be improved with hormone therapy and quality of life thereby greatly enhanced. You should consult with your physician to determine whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you and whether pharmacy compounded hormones more suitably meet your specific medical needs.
Why Didn't My Physician Suggest Bio-Identical Hormones?
When it comes to managing the symptoms of hormone imbalance, the majority of physician training continues to be primarily on synthetic hormones. More than likely they have never been trained on the use of bio-identical hormone restoration. Physicians who effectively manage their patients' hormone imbalances utilizing BHRT had the courage to step away from the familiar to do what we know to be safe and effective for our patients. Physicians need to be proactive and make the paradigm shift in the interest of better health for their patients.
Will this Treatment Interfere with my current Medications?
Generally not. Some medicines may actually be reduced or no longer needed once optimum hormonal balance is achieved.
How Long will I be on Hormone Replacement Therapy?
The length of your particular program depends on the severity of your symptoms and your individualized therapy. We will also explore other factors, including lifestyle choices, as a means to identify the source of the imbalance and correct it. Our hope is to eventually wean you off the bio-identical hormones, at which point, you will indeed be naturally balanced.
Does Insurance Pay for my Evaluation and Hormone Treatment?
Some insurance companies may reimburse part of your fees, such as some of the routine laboratory evaluations, however, many of the tests performed are not routine and may not be covered. This evaluation is an investment in your future.
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