Like red and white blood cells, hormones perform a vital function in facilitating necessary bodily functions. Hormones are chemicals distributed to your body by various glands in your endocrine system, consisting of the pancreas and thyroid gland. After producing these hormones, the chemicals travel through your bloodstream and manage bodily operations. For example, there are hormones responsible for metabolism and triggering growth.
Hormonal balance is essential for good overall health. Without it, there can be the risk of severe health difficulties, like heart disease and diabetes. However, there are several circumstances where the endocrine system is impaired and hormone production becomes off balance.
An absence or overabundance of hormones in your body can culminate in health issues and your physical and emotional well-being. Fortunately, hormone optimization therapy is a way to help remedy hormonal imbalances.
What Is Hormone Optimization?
Because hormone imbalances result from too much or too little of a particular hormone, the solution is simple. First, change those hormone levels to a normal amount. First, Dr. Key will assess your body’s hormone levels through a blood test.
After analyzing your blood, Dr. Key will determine the hormone causing your imbalance and you’re your appropriate dosage should be. The supplemental hormones are of an exact molecule structure, meaning your body won’t reject them. While many of these identical hormones are synthetic, in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), the hormones are derived from plants.
Once Dr. Key determines your correct hormone levels, he can administer hormonal balance therapy in multiple forms. Tablets taken daily is one method, as are topical gels. But many women and men have opted for hormone pellets. These pellets are tiny capsules containing hormones inserted into fatty tissue. Over several months, the pellets dissolve and enter your bloodstream consistently to restore hormonal balance.
Who Should Pursue Hormone Optimization Therapy?
There are several indicators that an individual may be experiencing improper hormonal balance in their body, such as the following conditions:
- Changes in mood
- Increased stress
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Metabolism changes
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Heart rate variations
- Changes in circadian rhythms
- High fatigue
Hormonal imbalances raise potential problems for any of the issues listed above. But why do these problematic hormone adjustments occur in the first place?
Aging is the most likely problem. As the body ages, hormone levels decrease, or their receptors weaken. In particular, your body reduces reproductive hormone production in your thirties and forties. While some men and women handle these changes well, others don’t, resulting in physical or emotional problems.
Men and women experience hormone imbalance differently. For example, women tend to produce fewer specific hormones during menopause. Then other endocrine system components will have excessive amounts of other hormones to counteract. This imbalance can lead to depression or other issues that would make hormone optimization necessary. Men may also need treatment if their testosterone levels decrease, causing reduced energy levels and less muscle mass.
Schedule Your Hormone Optimization Consultation Today
If you’re interested in hormone optimization or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), reach out to Key Laser Institute. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Douglas Key offers a wide range of treatments to help improve your quality of life. Call him today at (503) 291-1953 for more information and to schedule a consultation online.