Bioidentical Hormone Doctors Portland Oregon | Functional Medicine Doctor

HormoneSynergy is Portland Oregon 's premier concierge, anti-aging and functional medicine, and bioidentical hormone doctors clinic. Doctor Retzler focuses on the underlying causes of aging and disease, integrating evidence-based therapies and recommendations based on physiology. Treatment is individualized and comprehensive. Your treatment may include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, testosterone replacement therapy, nutraceutical therapies, diet and lifestyle modifications, cardiovascular, neurotransmitter and brain support.  Some prescription medications may be prescribed to lower risk for existing disease processes until optimal health is restored.

What your doctor isn't telling you about optimal aging

Learn what your doctor may not tell you about bioidentical hormones, slowing the aging process and preventing disease!       I will teach you.  For FREE!  Join the thousands who've read my book and find out.    For your free downloadable copy please enter your first name and email below:   First Name * Email *   Share:

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormone

Thyroid Hormone

The thyroid gland produces two hormones (T4 and T3) that control body development, growth, and metabolism. More than 90% of the hormones secreted by the thyroid is T4 (thyroxine); however, T4 is mostly inactive. To become active, T4 must be converted by the body into its active form, T3 (triiodothyronine). Regulation of thyroid hormone is controlled by the brain (via the hypothalamus and pituitary), the thyroid gland itself, and peripheral conversion of inactive T4 into active T3. Therefore, low thyroid (hypothyroid) symptoms can result from multiple causes:

• a problem in the brain
• a problem in the thyroid gland
• poor conversion of thyroid hormone from T4 into T3

Thyroid hormone is essential for contraction of your heart; low thyroid hormone (“hypothyroidism”) can cause heart enlargement, congestive heart failure, and low pulse rate. Hypothyroidism can also cause high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, the type of cholesterol that can become oxidized, leading to plaques in the arteries or "atherosclerosis."Thyroid hormone is needed by every cell of your body. Without it, cells cannot function normally—this is why thyroid hormone deficiency can cause problems in nearly every body system. Thyroid hormone is the main hormone responsible for your metabolism and energy level. It’s also critical for normal immune function, as well as healthy skin, hair, and nails. 

Muscles require thyroid hormone for strength and function—in fact, insufficient production of thyroid hormone is commonly associated with muscle aching or weakness.

Lastly, thyroid hormone is vital for the health of your brain—it maintains a positive, stable mood and improves the speed of thinking. Without enough thyroid hormone, you can become depressed or anxious. This is in part due to T3 (active thyroid hormone) working between neurons to regulate the amount and activity of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) such as serotonin and GABA.[i]^,[ii]

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[i] Kirkegaard C, Faber J. The role of thyroid hormones in depression. Eur J Endocrinol. 1998;138(1):1–9.

[ii] Dratman M, Gordon J. Thyroid hormones as neurotransmitters.  Thyroid.  1996;6(6):639–47. 

Watch Dr. Retzler discuss symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormone at a recent HormoneSynergy Seminar in Portland Oregon

Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer's - Brain Health

Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer's - Brain Health 

Optimal aging means more than just achieving peak physical health—it also means having a healthy brain. Much like physical health, brain health can be viewed along a continuum—from optimal function to mild cognitive impairment, to severe dementia or Alzheimer's. Brain or "cognitive function" includes your intelligence, memory, and creativity, and your ability to concentrate, communication, and interact with the world. Although you may notice some brain changes--memory lapses, decreased mental sharpness, slowed processing speed, poor attention span, or changes in mood--many forms of cognitive decline are too subtle to notice.

Mental decline does not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Early detection of cognitive decline is critical to reverse it, and to prevent further decline or dementia. Neurocognitive function testing establishes a baseline, and enables us to target treatments to your specific deficits. Follow up testing helps determine treatment success and guides future brain enhancement protocols.

HormoneSynergy offers inexpensive, thorough, computer-based neurocognitive function testing for patients and non-patients. This testing can be performed in our office or on your own home computer.

Watch Dr. Retzler's short video on Preventing Dementia and Alzheimer's below and let us know what you think!