Hormone Imbalance Symptoms and Bioidentical Hormones

As a primary care physician who specializes in natural medicine, I think the most important role doctors can play is that of teacher – to provide complete, unbiased information so that patients can make their own informed decisions.

Symptoms of hormone imbalance in women include:

• Heavy, irregular, or painful periods
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Mood swings
• Anxiety or depression
• Foggy thinking
• Memory problems
• Breast tenderness
• Water retention or bloating
• Weight gain
• Low libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Acne or oily skin
• Increased facial hair
• Thinning skin or wrinkles
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Cold body temperature
• Urinary incontinence
• Infertility
• Bone loss
• Ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids

It makes sense to test baseline hormone production, and then if low levels and/or hormone imbalance symptoms deem necessary, to prescribe low dosages of bioidentical hormones that eliminate or minimize symptoms, or to bring a patient’s hormone levels to within physiological range. There is no established protocol for such treatment and potential risks exist; therefore, a conservative approach to treatment is most prudent.

Choosing an doctor who listens, provides you with information, and respects your treatment decisions is your right and responsibility. Expect your physician to provide you with available research, benefits, and risks of any treatment you choose. Do not be afraid to question any treatment or to make your own healthcare decisions

 

For additional information about hormone imbalance symptoms, anti-aging and bioidentical hormones replacement therapy, please visit my clinic website at:

http://www.hormonesynergy.com/

or read my new book: HormoneSynergy, Optiomal Aging and Hormone Balance.

 

In Health

Dr. Kathryn Retzler
Portland, Oregon

 

What you should know about Vitamin D

You may be surprised to learn that active vitamin D is actually a hormone. Vitamin D receptors have been found in the brain, heart, skin, and white blood cells. The reproductive organs such as the ovaries, breasts, testes, and prostate gland also contain vitamin D receptors.

Vitamin D performs several functions in your body. It has long been known that vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorous in the bloodstream and promotes bone formation and mineralization. New research is revealing the role vitamin D plays in the immune system. For example, vitamin D enhances phagocytosis, a process by which certain white blood cells engulf bacteria, dead cells, and other debris. Vitamin D also plays a role in preventing autoimmune diseases. Low vitamin D has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and fibromyalgia. People who suffer from muscle and chronic pain, psoriasis, heart disease, and breast, prostate, and colon cancers are also more likely to have low vitamin D levels.

Perhaps the most exciting research about vitamin D is its ability to prevent some cancers. Vitamin D appears to play a role in cell proliferation (division) and differentiation (making sure dividing cells don’t become cancerous cells). In addition, vitamin D is involved in proper death of unhealthy or old cells, a process known as "apoptosis," and in the prevention of blood vessel formation to feed existing cancers, known as "angiogenesis."

The first randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating vitamin D supplementation and the incidence of cancer was published, in 2007—in that study, women using 1100 IU of vitamin D3 daily for 4 years had a 60% lower cancer risk than the placebo group. When patients who were diagnosed with cancer during the first year of the study were excluded (with the assumption that they likely had cancer when they entered the study), the reduction was 77%. This is exciting news since there aren’t many supplements that have been shown to lower cancer risk by such a large margin.

Vitamin D is also an important anti-aging hormone since it actually slows the shortening of your telomeres —the end segments of chromosomes that protect your DNA. Optimal vitamin D levels are thought to slow your speed of aging by at least 5 years.

Your skin makes vitamin D from exposure to the sun. As you age, however, your skin becomes less able to make vitamin D. When taking vitamin D, it’s important to measure and monitor vitamin D levels closely. Too much vitamin D can cause calcification of soft tissues and an increased risk of kidney stones. It’s especially important to monitor your levels if you are supplementing with doses greater than 2,000 IU of D3 per day.

You can find additional information about Vitamin D3, Hormones, and Optimal Aging please visit my website or purchase a copy of my new book by calling our office.

In Health.

Dr. Kathryn Retzler
www.hormonesynergy.com

What to look for when purchasing supplements

In my practice I've seen many patients come in with a shopping bag or tackle box full of pills, proudly showcasing the huge number of supplements they take. Many supplement takers eat an unhealthy diet, skimp on sleep, remain sedentary, and live high stress lives. I'm dismayed that people think taking pills or dietary supplements, natural or pharmaceutical, is a reasonable substitute for a healthy lifestyle and life-affirming diet. Therefore, if you're hoping to find the magic herbs, supplements or nutrients that will enable you to skip the the first 6 steps to optimal aging and hormone balance as outlined in my new book, you'll be disappointed to know there aren't any. If you are already following the first 6 steps as much as possible, there are exceptional quality supplements, often referred to as "nutraceuticals," that can certainly help in your quest to attain hormone balance and optimal aging.

It's important to keep in mind that not all supplements are alike, no matter what the manufacturer or label may claim. Make sure the supplements you take are made in facilities that have pharmaceutical certification or are certified for good manufacturing practices (GMP) by the NPA (Natural Products Association), NSF (National Sanitation Foundation International), or TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia). This certification ensures that the products you use are of exceptional quality.

Besides coming from GMP-certified companies, ideally the supplements you take should be scientifically evaluated to verify the presence and concentration of active constituents. Few supplement manufacturers conduct clinical trials on their formulas to document safety and effectiveness. This is because research is very expensive to perform. However, purchasing supplements that are documented for safety and effectiveness is a reliable investment in your health.

In addition to quality assurance and evaluation via clinical trials, look for bioavailable forms of nutrients and dosages. Consider the supplements you take to be as important as any medications prescribed by your doctor. In fact, you may consider them to be more important than medications since they can help you prevent the "polypharmacy" that is standard of care for aging Americans (remember, 25% of all Medicare patients use six or more drugs every day).

Using one of the most respected pharmaceutical supplement companies in the country, I have created my own unique anti-aging formula (based on what myself and my husband take every day) that contains what I believe to be the essentials for Optimal Aging and Hormone Balance. This unique daily formula was designed to support adrenal gland function and resistance to stress, and to promote optimal brain, bone, cardiovascular, hormone, and immune function.

These twice-a-day packets contain a multivitamin and mineral supplement and a potent antioxidant "green food" that includes the ORAC equivalent of 4-5 servings of organic fruits and vegetables. Extra vitamin D, bioavailable folate, reduced Coenzyme Q10, fish oil, and resveratrol enhance optimal aging and youthful energy levels.

To find out additional information, please visit my clinic website.

In Health.