Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Bioidentical hormone therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy that uses hormones that are chemically identical to the natural hormones produced by the human body.

Bioidentical hormone therapy can help relieve symptoms commonly associated with hormonal imbalances, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, fatigue, and muscle loss.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance.

In integrative and functional medicine our goal is to uncover the root cause of patients' hormonal symptoms as well as support the body's natural mechanisms for healthy hormone balance. Doesn't that make a lot more sense? There can be multiple underlying causes of hormone imbalance including:

• Chronic inflammation 
• Methylation impairments like MTHFR
• Nutrient deficiencies 
• Stress overload 
• Toxin exposure

Bioidentical hormones used in therapy include estradiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones.

Bioidentical hormone therapy is considered generally safe, but like any medical treatment, it does have potential side effects. Patients are closely monitored on Meraki’s bioidentical hormone therapy and changes are made as needed to the dosages and protocol.

It can take a few weeks to a few months for patients to see significant improvement in symptoms, depending on their individual response to the therapy.

Patients typically have their hormone levels checked regularly during the early stages of treatment to ensure optimal dosing. Depending on individual needs, hormone levels may need to be monitored periodically after that. Meraki utilizes multiple diagnostic tests to uncover where the imbalance is taking place and if there is a possible hormone receptor or conversion issue

Bioidentical hormone therapy has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety in some patients with hormone imbalances.

1. Cortisol: Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands responsible for managing stress. Adrenal fatigue is a condition when cortisol levels become too high or too low, or when the cortisol rhythm is imbalanced, ultimately causing dysfunction in how the brain communicates with the adrenals. Symptoms of

adrenal fatigue might include difficulty waking up in the morning, craving salty or sugary foods, low sex drive, afternoon fatigue followed by a rise in energy levels in the evening, trouble sleeping, sudden dizziness, afternoon headaches, blood sugar issues, chronic inflammation, weak nails and brittle hair, mood swings, and difficulty losing weight. Tests such as 24-Hour Adrenal Stress Index, which tracks cortisol levels, and HPA axis quality lab, can diagnose adrenal fatigue.

2. Thyroid: Thyroid hormones are necessary for optimal cellular function. Underlying thyroid problems that standard lab tests cannot detect include thyroid conversion issues, thyroid resistance, or autoimmune attacks against the thyroid such as Hashimoto's or Grave's disease. Symptoms of thyroid problems might include fatigue, feeling cold, requiring extra sleep, weight gain, constipation, lack of motivation, headaches in the morning and are alleviated as the day goes on, thinning of the outer third of eyebrows, excessive hair loss, dry skin, and brain fog. A functional medicine thyroid panel, involving more tests than TSH and T4, can help diagnose these problems.

3. Estrogen: The ratio of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) is important for both men and women. Imbalances can cause increased mortality rates in those with heart disease and the progression of some cancers. Symptoms of low estrogen might include vaginal dryness, night sweats, brain fog, recurrent bladder infections, lethargy, and depression. High estrogen might cause bloating, rapid weight gain, breast tenderness, mood swings, heavy menstrual bleeding, anxiety, depression, migraines, abnormal pap smear, insomnia, brain fog, and gallbladder problems. A full blood and salivary female hormone panel can diagnose estrogen imbalances.

4. Progesterone: Progesterone helps balance estrogen levels. Without proper progesterone levels, estrogen becomes uncontrollable, which is also known as estrogen dominance. Symptoms may include PMS, insomnia, poor complexion, painful breasts, stubborn weight gain, cyclical headaches, and anxiety. A full blood and salivary female hormone panel can diagnose progesterone imbalances.

5. Testosterone: Abnormal levels of testosterone can be experienced by both men and women. Low testosterone in women have been associated with heart disease, low sex drive, and breast cancer. Low testosterone in men may increase the risk of mortality. Excess testosterone in women might result in acne, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), excessive hair growth on face and arms, hypoglycemia, thinning hair, infertility, ovarian cysts, and mid-cycle pain.