• Testosterone: supports mood, energy, and self-esteem; aids in muscle recovery, increases sex drive.
• DHEA: supports testosterone and corti- sol manufacturing, thereby increasing muscle mass and improving energy and focus.
• Cortisol: your energy hormone! It helps you wake up in the morning and gets the inflammatory cascade going with neurotransmitters like epinephrine in stressful situations (Think: running from a bear!).
Why treat hormone imbalance? There are many reasons to address hor- mone imbalance, not least of all to relieve symptoms of imbalance. Certain hormone deficiencies, for example estrogen and pro- gesterone, can increase risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Additionally, certain imbalances such as estrogen dominance, can increase your risk of certain cancers when left untreated.
What does treatment look like? Hormone imbalance, depending
on the severity of the imbalance and the severity of symptoms, can be addressed in different ways. There are natural ways to enhance your own hormone production in some cases if you have mild symptoms or imbalance. For example, increasing your muscle mass through weight lifting can boost your testosterone levels, and adher- ing to a diet low in simple carbohydrates can help regulate cortisol levels. You can also treat deficiencies by directly replacing the deficient hormones with prescription bioidentical hormones. Certain hormones like progesterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA, can also be found in small doses over the counter. If you feel you may have a hormone imbalance, it is critical that you undergo baseline testing and discuss the options with your doctor. Just like hormone deficiencies can be problematic, so can hormone excess. It is important to have your levels monitored throughout therapy for this reason.
If you are prescribed bioidentical hormones, the hormones are made into a formulation at a compounding pharmacy. Most often they are made into a topical for- mulation. Compounding allows the therapy to be customized to each patient by dose, formulation, and combination of hor- mones. Your doctor will choose a formula, dosage, and combination for you based on your symptoms, risk factors, lifestyle, and measured levels of hormone. Hormones
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE FOR WOMEN Restoring Beautiful Balance
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info@jessicaweimd.com
18 North Main Street, Third Floor. West Hartford, CT 06107
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34 Jerome Avenue, Suite 305, Bloomfield CT 06002 / (860)519-1916
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