HORMONE HEALTH
ACHIEVING HORMONE BALANCE FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH

Reducing adrenal stress will improve energy levels, feelings of depression, sugar cravings, abdominal fat loss, bone health, immune system function, sleep quality and quantity, skin regeneration, thyroid function and muscle and joint function.

Improving thyroid function will help energy levels, dry skin and hair, cold intolerance, constipation, weight loss/gain, excessive menstrual flow, nervousness, palpitations, reduce excessive sweating, bowel hyperactivity and sleep disturbances.

Balancing female hormone levels through FE will help decrease mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, feelings of depression, nervousness, irritability, memory loss, inability to lose weight, vaginal dryness, impaired libido, infertility, heavy menses, incontinence, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, water retention, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, scalp hair loss, etc.

Balancing male hormone levels will help with impaired libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased stamina, thinning hair, prostate problems, decreased urinary flow, mood swings, decreased muscle mass, increased triglycerides and decreased HDL (good cholesterol), etc.

In the last 20 years, there have been many advances in the field of endocrinology—the study of glands and the hormones they secrete. A correct understanding of hormones and the role they play in overall health can be extremely valuable if used to support glandular and hormone health. Unfortunately, a little information in the wrong hands can be disastrous.

BEWARE OF THE PROMISE OF PERPETUAL YOUTH

A few years ago it was illegal to get Human Growth Hormone (HGH) unless you had a genetic disease. Today, anti-aging clinics are pedaling HGH, testosterone, and DHEA like they were the proverbial Fountain of Youth. But BEWARE: Not only are such treatments costly (up to $15,000 a year for injections), but their positive effects are fleeting at best.  They may help the patient feel younger temporarily, but long-term effects on the body can be disastrous. Many women in particular, have developed life-threatening conditions as a result of the popular Hormone Replacement therapy.
Traditional Clinical Endocrinology seeks to identify a gland that is deficient in producing a hormone and then uses a pharmaceutical agent or hormone to replace or suppress the dysfunctional endocrine system. While this treatment may be appropriate for certain genetic disorders or advanced stages of disease, it does not correct the underlying cause of an out–of-balance endocrine system and carries serious health risks.

THE PROMISING NEW SCIENCE OF FUNCTIONAL ENDOCRINOLOGY

Functional Endocrinology (FE) is a new model for understanding the endocrine system
and how it interacts with the rest of the body. It is based on extensive research that has
occurred over the last 20 years. FE diagnostic technology aims to identify alterations in the endocrine systems that are not necessarily in a disease state. These disorders are often missed in the standard diagnostic model, despite the presence of symptoms like fatigue or depression. Left untreated these disorders will eventually worsen until disease markers become more obvious to the physician who will then typically prescribe drug (chemical) therapy.

More importantly, FE doesn’t simply look at increased or decreased hormone levels. Rather, a comprehensive battery of lab tests reveals the underlying causes of the increased or decreased hormone production. Such causes of abnormal hormone formation include drugs, lack of nutrients, antibody reactions, and secondary effects from other malfunctioning organs. Many synthetic and natural compounds can also inhibit hormone transport and utilization by the body.

Often, Hormone Replacement therapy produces a temporary improvement in the way the patient “feels.” However, this is commonly followed by a significant worsening of symptoms. This is because the endocrine system is designed for balance and is controlled by negative feedback loops. For example, if you have too much of a particular hormone in the blood, it will inhibit the natural production of that hormone. This is why many women that have been on the pill for years will never get their period back even after they stop taking it. In addition, the hormone in excess will affect all other hormones and related organ systems creating a “domino effect” of hormonal imbalance and associated symptoms. Hormone replacement, whether by synthetic or natural hormones is always a dangerous game to play.


In the last 20 years, Saliva Testing has revolutionized hormone level science. Using this technology, the trained clinician can better understand the patient’s condition and provide more effective and safer treatment.
TESTING FOR HORMONE LEVELS
Saliva Testing is extremely sensitive and reliable for determining active hormone levels. We may also use blood, urine or stool testing to find out if other systems are contributing to the altered hormone values. Adrenal stress is also a contributing factor in many conditions. It is not uncommon to test for more than one hormone at a time since hormones affect each other.
TREATMENT FOR HORMONE DISORDERS
Our office specializes in Functional Endocrinology. Treatment generally consists of nutritional support to optimize the function of the compromised parts of the endocrine system. Nutritional support may also help other affected systems. For example, the digestive system may need to be repaired nutritionally if the natural flora has been overtaken by pathogenic bacteria, parasites, or yeast, and/or there are food sensitivities contributing to the adrenal stress. Lifestyle modifications may also be necessary for treatment success.