The Hormone Profile – What’s it all about?

October 4, 2011 0 Comments

By Susan J. Gregoire MN, ARNP

Sharon B, age 52, arrived at my LifeWorks Wellness Center office November 2006. She complained of 4 years of menopause fatigue, hot flashes, headaches, loss of libido, sadness and weight gain.

She became “weepy” and her husband, Jim, shared that other efforts to improve Sharon ‘s health issues had ended with disappointing and discouraging results.

So, what is it all about?

Gradually, during one ‘ s lifetime, symptoms of hormonal imbalance become more pronounced, and reflect the body’s biochemical pathway dysfunctions, which in turn impact hormone levels. The symptoms range from fatigue, to unexplained weight gain, mood swings, sleep depr i v ation, changes in libido, dry skin, thinning hair, hot flashes, low energy levels and more.

There is much discussion in the news, forums, and chat groups about the best methods to balance female hormones. One method is taking synthetic hormones such as Premarin (pregnant horse urine), Provera, or birth control pills. A second method is taking natural bioidentical hormones. A third method is taking nutritional supplements to support and enhance the biochemical pathway function, which helps to balance and regulate hormone output. Many use a combination of the methods two and three to handle their symptoms.

One of the issues regarding synthetic hormones is that female human bodies do not have receptor sites* for them. This concern is compounded by the negative results of the 2002 study conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative Research Study of synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The study was halted due to clinical outcomes linking synthetic HRT to increased rates of breast and uterine cancer, heart attacks, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Since 2002 there have been many studies on the carcinogenic (capable of causing cancer) properties of synthetic HRT.

Compounding bioidentical hormones match the female human body molecules though they are made from plants. As they are compounded, created for each patient from a prescription, the y can be taken in varying amounts as needed by each patient. The patient controls the amount used each day, so amounts needed can be quickly and easily adjusted up or down by the patient in coordination with their healthcare practitioner as life’s demands increase or decrease. Synthetic HRT, available only in pill form , is more of a one-size fits all dose with a couple of milligram options.

Now, this section may contain a surprise for you. The hormones regarding menopause that are typically being discussed in the news, chat rooms, etc. are the three estrogens, progesterone, testosterone and possibly but rarely DHEA. News Flash.These are actually the minor hormones and there is a list of major hormones that also need to be functioning and balanced before the minor ones can be fully balance d and function in a totally optim al way. Thes e major hormones are adrenaline, thyroid (TSH, T3 and T4), insulin, cortisol, human growth hormone and melatonin. The third method of help for menopause symptoms utilizing nutritional supplementation addresses all of the hormones as well as the organs and pathways that produce these hormones.

Hormonal balance and relief of symptoms is the goal of balancing all the biochemical pathways . Just replacing the deficient hormones does not fully correct the problems. Restoring the body’s system of balance overall is the key to long-term good health

There are many factors that can throw off hormone balance , like stress, poor diet and environmental pollutants. One example of an environmen tal pollutant is plastic and Styrofoam, which mimic estrogen. Food and beverages in plastic or Styrofoam is contaminated (especially when heated) with these substances and ingested. These estrogen mimics bind to estrogen receptors (within specialized cells) with roughly the same affinity as estrogen itself, setting up the potential to wreak havoc on biochemical pathways. They have therefore been labeled as disruptors of endocrine function. Simply drinking from glass containers and storing food in glass containers can be helpful to one ‘s health.

So, it’s all about hormones and balance. Simple tests reveal current hormone levels and provide direction on where to start and what exactly needs to be balanced.

What about Sharon ?

Tests were conducted along with a thorough evaluation. LifeWorks Wellness Center provides treatment in methods 2 (bioidentical hormone replacement) and 3 (nutritional supplementation) as above. With these methods, rebalancing of all hormones and biochemical pathways was undertaken with great results for Sharon.

She’s 20 pounds lighter, sleeps well, has no hot flashes, has a feeling of well-being and just returned from a fulfilling, loving vacation with Jim, who wrote us the following letter.

“Susan,

“Thank you for giving Sharon her life back. The results are phenomenal! I can’t wait to see what another month brings that will be moving into the 90 day duration. My hope is God continues to bless your profession and practice. Thanks again! Jim”

These methods of treatment and these type results are available. For more information Susan can be contacted at LifeWorks Wellness Center (727) 466-6789 or visit www.LifeWorksWellnessCenter.com

*receptor site – a point of attachment of viruses , hormones , or other activators to cell membranes . A location in the cell where molecules of a certain nature, such as hormones can take effect on the cell to alter its biochemical processes.

Patient permission was given to publish the story however names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality. Results may vary patient to patient.