Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), involves supplementing hormones that are deficient due to natural aging or other factors. Maintaining optimal hormonal balance is key for overall health and preventing chronic disease.
At Optimal Hormone Health Center of DeRidder, our hrt specialists take an integrative approach to hormone optimization therapy, addressing lifestyle factors alongside natural hormone replacement to help patients regain energy, mental clarity, healthy weight, sex drive, and an overall sense of wellbeing.
There are several reasons why hormones like testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, thyroid, growth hormone, and others start to decline, typically beginning around age 30.
* As part of the natural aging process, hormone production slowly starts to decrease over time. This accelerated decline begins around age 40-50 for both men and women
* Lack of exercise, poor diet, chronic stress, and lack of sleep can all contribute to hormone imbalance
* Exposure to toxic chemicals in food, personal care products, and the environment can disrupt the endocrine system and hormone signaling
* Conditions like obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, infections, trauma, pituitary disorders, and others negatively impact hormone production
Detecting hormone deficiencies early on is crucial to halt or reverse associated symptoms and health risks. Hrt endocrinologist lab testing provides accurate analysis, but being aware of common signs and symptoms can prompt patients to get levels checked:
* Feeling constantly tired despite adequate sleep
* Difficulty losing or managing weight despite diet and exercise
* Reduced muscle mass, tone, strength
* Foggy thinking, poor concentration and recall
* Lack of libido, sexual dysfunction
* Depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings
* Difficulty falling or staying asleep, frequent waking
* Hot flashes, night sweats * Vaginal dryness, pain during sex * Hair loss, thinning, reduced growth * Dry skin, wrinkling * Digestive issues * Frequent illness and infection
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy using hormones chemically identical to those naturally produced in the body effectively relieves symptoms of hormone imbalance when levels are optimized under medical supervision.
* Eliminate fatigue by restoring cellular metabolism
* Clear brain fog to sharpen focus, memory, cognition
* Stimulate metabolism supporting healthy weight
* Restore sex drive, function for men and women
* Hormone balance stabilizes emotions
* Fall asleep faster, stay asleep, feel refreshed
* Increased exercise tolerance * Healthier skin, fuller hair * Improved cholesterol ratios * Better body composition * Disease prevention * Overall sense of wellbeing
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Studies show that when started at a young age, hormone therapy allows transgender youth to develop self-confidence and have mental health outcomes comparable to their cisgender peers.
There are a variety of hormones that can be supplemented to restore balance, with the most common being testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, thyroid (T3/T4), growth hormone, and melatonin. HRT involves determining which hormones are deficient based on symptoms and lab testing, then developing a customized treatment plan.
* Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men uses bioidentical testosterone to relieve Low T symptoms
* Bioidentical estradiol in appropriate ratios with progesterone addresses menopausal symptoms
* Balancing T3 and T4 is essential for regulating metabolism
* DHEA, progesterone, growth hormone also decline with age and contribute to symptoms
* An integrative approach addresses diet, exercise, stress, and other lifestyle factors alongside hormone optimization therapy to balance hormones.
Treatment plans are fully customized to the patient's needs and hormonal status, using conservative doses to reach optimal - not necessarily "normal" - levels. Follow-up testing ensures hormones are balanced within safe ranges to maximize benefits and minimize risks.
* Initial laboratory tests assess patient's hormone levels * Symptoms are evaluated to determine which hormones may be deficient * Custom treatment plan addresses deficient hormones and lifestyle factors * Hormones administered to reach optimal levels * Follow up testing ensures treatment efficacy and safety
There are several delivery methods used to administer bioidentical hormones: * Injections - Intramuscular injection or subcutaneous pellets implanted under the skin slowly release hormones * Oral - Capsules, tablets or sublingual drops taken daily * Topical - Gels, creams or patches applied to the skin * Other - Suppositories, pellet implants, nasal sprays
The pros and cons of each method are considered to choose the optimal delivery system for each patient.
Recognizing declining hormones early and promptly starting treatment provides the greatest benefits while minimizing risks from prolonged imbalance.
* Optimizing hormones prevents complications of deficiencies * Reducing risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's * Preserving vitality, function, independence into later years
* Relieving current symptoms improves quality of life * Stopping continued worsening of fatigue, cognitive issues, sexual problems
* Hormones regulate all organs and physiological processes * Balanced hormones enables gracefully adapting to age-related changes
HRT facilitates continued engagement and contributions with vigour well into later years. Initiating therapy sooner enhances treatment benefits.
The integrative practitioners at Optimal Hormone Health Center have extensive training in anti-aging medicine, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), nutrition, and lifestyle medicine. We've helped numerous patients find relief from symptoms to restore energy, mental sharpness, healthy weight, sex drive and overall wellbeing.
Our nurses and physicians have advanced certifications as hrt endocrinologists, aging/functional experts to provide exceptional patient-centered care.
In addition to standard labs, specialized tests like genetic assays uncover individual biomarkers guiding precision treatment plans.
We don't take a simple "one hormone fixes all" approach. Plans are tailored to each patient's unique needs targeting lifestyle modifications alongside hormone balance.
Close follow up care fine-tunes treatment based on patient feedback and follow up testing to ensure safety and efficacy.
We treat every patient with courtesy, sensitivity and confidentiality. Our modern office infrastructure and caring staff facilitate efficient, streamlined visits.
Optimal Hormone Health Center provides specialized testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), bioidentical estrogen therapy, thyroid balance, and other hormone optimization treatments to residents of DeRidder and surrounding towns.
Local labs for initial testing before treatment include: * Beauregard Health System Clinic Lab * Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center
After establishing care at our clinic, follow up tests are conveniently performed on-site.
We also collaborate with colleagues specializing in integrative psychiatry, fitness training, physical therapy, weight loss programs, and other services supporting total wellness conveniently located in DeRidder and surrounding towns.
Optimal Hormone Health Center provides exceptional care, cutting edge testing and treatments to help patients optimize hormones as part of graceful aging. Reach out today to see how we can help you regain health, function and joyful living!
