Are you experiencing hormone imbalance?

 
According to the  American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), 1 in 10 Americans – more than the number of Americans with diabetes and cancer combined – suffer from thyroid disease, yet half remain undiagnosed. Thyroid disease is a condition that is relatively easy to diagnose and treat but still remains undetected.
 

Thyroid hormones control the efficiency and speed at which all our cells work.  Of all your hormones, the thyroid is the most important!  Without the crucial influence of thyroid hormones, proper maturation and function of the other hormone glands is not possible. ~ Mark Starr, M.D. – author of Hypothyroidism Type 2
Many factors can contribute to the development of thyroid problems. 

Some of the symptoms and signs associated with hypothyroidism are:  

• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• Sleepiness
• Mental Impairment
• Depression
• Cold Intolerance
• Hoarseness
• Dry Skin
• Decreased Perspiration
• Weight Gain
• Decreased Appetite
• Constipation
• Menstrual Disturbances
• Arthralgia
• Paresthesia

Signs:

• Slow Movements  
• Slow Speech
• Hoarseness
• Bradycardia
• Dry Skin
• Non-pitting Edema (Myxedema)
• Hyporeflexia
• Delayed Relaxation of Reflexes

 
Bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure as hormones that are made by the human body. The term "bio-identical" does not indicate the source of the hormone, it rather refers to the chemical structure. For a replacement hormone to fully replicate the function of hormones produced in the body, the chemical structure must exactly match the original. Bio-identical hormones follow normal metabolic pathways to duplicate your boy'es functions.

There are significant differences between bio-identical hormones and synthetic hormones (including horse) preparations. Side chains are often added to the molecule so the drug can be patented by a manufacturer. However, bio-identical hormones cannot be patented by a manufacturer. The structural differences between synthetic and bio-identical hormones may be responsible for the side effects that are experienced when using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Synthetic estrogen such as Premarin is derived from the urine of pregnant horses. Although it has similar effects in humans, horse estrogen is not the same as human estrogen, and is not necessarily safe or effective. Estrace is a synthetic estrogen that is not a balanced form of estrogen. It only includes estriol. The human female produces three estrogens in a very specific ratio that also includes estrone and estradiol in addition to estriol.

Bio-identical hormones that are in the proper ratio and naturally derived are not sold by drug companies. Physicians must prescribe which hormone in what amount they want to a pharmacist who then custom makes it for each patient. This is called compounding and is one of the methods used by our physicians at the clinic.

Thyroid replacement therapy is also very complex and requires expert help to resolve. We only use natural thyroid replacement such as Armor Thyroid, Nature Thyroid, or naturally derived replacement therapy. If necessary we will use compounded thyroid replacement to achieve specific balances of the medication the patient might require.