Hormone Optimization – Particularly how the law of averages can hurt us. All medical testing is based on statistical averages. How you fit into those averages is unquestionably of critical importantance.
Test results do not determine how you feel or the symptoms you have. once the significance of seeing a doctor to evaluate how well your system functions are working together. In addition to analyzing your test results this is vital for your overall well-being.
Anti-Aging & Functional Medicine includes hormone optimization services in greater Triangle area Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Surely it is focused on helping you look and feel more youthful and energetic.
Services include:
- Hormone Optimization
- Testosterone Therapy
- Chelation Therapy
- Hair Transplantation
- Restoration of Hair
- Doctor Assisted Weight Loss
- Treatment for Nutrition Deficiency
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Thyroid Problems
- Aesthetic Dermal Fillers
Hormone Optimization
Significantly, hormone optimization is not a quick fix. Nevertheless, if you are interested in taking charge of your body, and helping it to perform its best, hormone optimization is a great start. Therefore, having an anti-aging physician who will fully understands your results is of the upmost importance. Additionally, a Dr. that completely comprehends the impact you personally experience now and over time, is the key to feeling better.
Obviously, it is important that your hormone levels are optimized. Simply falling into a normal range for your age group might not be sufficient for you to feel and be your best. Rather the problem is that traditional medicine aims for your hormonal levels to fall within usual or “normal” limits for your age group. At AAFM we optimize your hormonal levels. So, more specifically, over treatment is NOT our goal at Anti Aging & Functional Medicine.
Other areas of Hormone Optimization include:
THYROID:
We will completely evaluate your thyroid by measuring levels of TSH, T3, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, Thyroid Antibodies. We also measure and treat supporting nutrients (Selenium, Iodine, Zinc, etc.). <<learn more about your Thyroid>>
ESTROGENS:
Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), 16 OH Estrone, 4 OH Estrone, 2 OH Estrone Estrogen is responsible for keeping the female body healthy in too many ways to mention here. However, most notably, it maintains bones and muscle mass, keeps the skin and vaginal mucosa healthy and minimizes breast droopiness. Therefore, if a woman or man has a family or personal history of breast cancer, evaluation & treatment of their estrogen metabolism is of great significance . <<learn more about Estrogens>>
TESTOSTERONE:
Testosterone is responsible for keeping both the male and female body healthy. This hormone’s composition is cholesterol. It has an important function in both males and females. Particularly important to many, Testosterone enhances sex drive, builds muscles and bones, helps maintain self-confidence, enhances a feeling of well being, minimizes anxiety/depression, enhances exercise performance, supports the immune system, etc. Unfortunately, many cholesterol-lowering medications such as Statins can decrease your production of cholesterol and thus can lower your testosterone production/level.<<learn more about Testosterone>>
PROGESTERONE:
Because progesterone deficiency will cause insomnia and poor superficial sleep, this correspondingly results in chronic sleepiness and fatigue. A deficiency can also result in anxiety and mood swings. This is why post-menopausal women frequently have poor superficial sleep and anxiety disorders. Frequently traditional medicine doctors prescribe Estrogen without Progesterone in women who have hysterectomies since almost every cell in the human body has progesterone receptors, the entire body responds to this estrogen dominant arrangement resulting in an increase in belly fat, weight gain, irritability, insomnia, non-restful sleep, etc. Whenever possible, progesterone should be given whenever estrogen is given. <<learn more about Progesterone>>
GROWTH HORMONE (GH OR HGH)
Many consider growth hormones to be one of the most important hormones of the human body. In fact, of us are familiar with the effects of growth hormone in children, it makes them grow. If a deficiency is left untreated, it can result in short stature adults. Many times, those same adults have growth hormone deficiencies that are life long. AAFM treats these individuals once they become adults as well as Adult-Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency. <<learn more about Growth Hormones>>
DHEA:
DHEA is indeed the most abundant hormone in your body. Production of DHEA peaks at around the age of 20. And overall, from that point on, as we age, the level of DHEA decreases. DHEA can be considered a parent hormone of all other sex hormones (Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, etc.). So if DHEA is low, so can the hormones that result from its production. Many cholesterol medications, can result in this deficiency.
DHEA replacement therapy can in some cases:
Not only decrease the risk of heart disease, but also defend against some Cancers, plus decrease the risk of diabetes. Lastly this therapy may also prevent and sometimes reverse Osteoporosis.
CORTISOL:
Certainly overlooking Cortisol levels occurs all too often.
Low cortisol levels will cause you to suffer from:
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Chronic Fatigue
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Sleepiness
- Hair Loss
- Mood Swings
- And more…..
Adrenal Fatigue is a situation where Cortisol levels are chronically low. When your adrenal glands aren’t able to keep up with chronic demands, the result is that they get fatigued and can’t produce enough Cortisol. << Learn more about Cortisol>>
Adrenal Fatigue
Because symptoms for Adrenal Fatigue are so common, many people believe that their everyday life is to blame. Hence their belief, that they do not actually have a health problem.
Cortisol levels that are too high will certainly cause:
- Weight Gain (around abdomen area)
- Insomnia
- Mood Swings
- Sugar & Salt Cravings
- Low Libido
- Erectile Dysfunction
- and many others….
Overall, overworking adrenal glands initially result in higher Cortisol levels. However, long term fatigue on Adrenal glands or Adrenal Fatigue, cause in additional symptoms. <<learn more about Adrenal Fatigue>>
Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue Generally Include:
- Fatigue
- Mood Swings
- Decreased Libido/Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Depression/Sadness
- Body Aches
- Digestive Problems
- Anxiety/Nervousness
- Sugar and Salt Cravings
- Low Blood Pressure
- Light-Headedness
- Loss of Body Hair
- Sleep Disturbances
- Exercise Intolerance
