Hormone Testing and Info

Hormone Testing

Hormones play an important role in your overall health, at every stage of life - in both men and woman. Whether it is your reproductive health, sex drive, emotional balance, or just your overall energy level, hormones regulate our daily quality of life.

Because hormones play such a vital role, they are often among the first functions to be tested when you have a medical complaint. If a hormonal imbalance is indeed the culprit, Holman Wellness center and Dr. Holman can together with you to determine the best course of treatment with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Here's how it works: You pick up your hormone testing kit from Holman Chiropractic.  You provide a small saliva sample in the container provided, fill out the test form, and send both in a prepaid UPS envelope to the testing laboratory. In approximately 14 business days your test results will arrive in our office. Our staff will then call you and schedule an appointment with Dr. Holman and he will then discuss your results in detail with you.

Saliva Testing is available for the following hormones:

  • Estrogens: An imbalance of estrogen is often associated with menopause symptoms
  • Progesterone: A progesterone deficiency is also associated with menopause symptoms or reproductive system disorders
  • Testosterone: Low levels can indicate loss of energy, decreased libido, mood swings and loss of muscle tone
  • DHEA: Testing can indicate fatigue, depression, anxiety, decreased libido, dry skin, decreased muscle tone and hair loss
  • Cortisol: Can indicate adrenal fatigue and insomnia
  • Thyroid: Low levels may impair the body's ability to turn oxygen and calories into energy, leading to sluggishness and fatigue

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Get Educated

Let me begin this article with, I have three sisters, one wife, two daughters, three sister-in-laws, not to mention my own mother. The answers to the hormone replacement question is very near and dear to my heart. Watching all the "women in my life" struggle with hormones from thyroid, insulin and eventually estrogen and progesterone has caused me to search diligently for answers for all of them.

The Women's Health Initiative study on the use of Prempro sent many women into panic. Prempro is the most commonly used combined hormone preparation in the United States. After an average follow up time of 5.2 years, it was concluded that Prempro increased the risk of heart disease and breast cancer. (Prempro is a combination of Premarin and Provera.)

The more you research the "hormone issue" the more discrepancies you will find. One study says one thing, and another says something else. There is so much information about hormone replacement therapy it takes a lot of study to come up with any final conclusions. This health study is a wake-up call for women. It is time to commit to educating yourself and others about your options for hormone replacement therapy.

Here are some points that I believe are important:

The WHI study used only one form of estrogen which is made from horse urine and a progestin combination, and

There are lots of choices of hormone replacement therapy including bio-identical hormones, herbs, homeopathics, and healthly living, and

We really have had these more natural options for many, many years.


SYNTHETIC VS. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES

ESTROGEN
Synthetic: Premarin and other conjugates estrogens (though Premarin has dominated the market in the U.S.). These are derived from urine of Pregnant mares and are sometimes called "natural," but they are not natural to our bodies

Bioidentical: Estradiol, estrone, estriol. These are extracted from plants such as soybeans and yams. Though they are created in a laboratory, they are designed molecularly to be the same as the hormones in our bodies.

PROGESTERONE
Synthetic: Provera, Amen (medroxyprogesterone acetate); also norethindrone, norgestrel, and norgestimate. Prempro is a combination of Premarin and Provera.

Bioidentical: USP progesterone (Pro-Gest, Prometrium, Crinone). Extracted from a variety of wild yam, designed to be molecularly the same as the hormones in our bodies.

I have spent the past five years studying; in depth, information on hormone balancing. The choice is certainly an individual one. I want my patients to know their options. I want you to know that I have bioidentical hormones available at my clinic. Blood testing, Saliva testing and hair analysis are also available to monitor these levels and keep you on track. I want you to know that it is a huge part of my practice, and my patients see results. My wife, mother-in-law and daughters are my best patients.

There are numerous studies showing the total improvement in life expectancy when women remain on natural bioidentical estrogen replacement. The findings are more than significant. In California in 1996 there was study conducted by Dr. Bruce Ettinger, who followed five hundred women. Two hundred and thirty-two of these women were on bioidentical estrogen replacement for an average of 17 years, compared with 222 women who had been on estrogen for an average of less than one year during the same period. It was discovered that the death rate from all causes was lower by 44 percent in women on the estrogen for 17 years. Remember, I am talking about natural bioidentical hormones, not drugs.

The New England Journal of Medicine conducted a study on five thousand women who were taking estrogen. It concluded based upon improvements in their risk factors, they would experience a 42 percent reduction in their rate of heart disease.

British researchers, analyzing their own data, came up with a figure of 50 percent. According to Dr. Shippen, women who take real hormones that are balanced have:

  • Higher levels of good HDL cholesterol
  • Lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol
  • Lower levels of fibrinogen
  • Lower levels of insulin
  • Lower levels of glucose
  • Lower levels of lipoprotein
  • Increases in blood flow to all parts of the body, including brain, heart, muscles, skin and bones.

Of course there is so much information I'd like to share with you, but not enough time or space. If you have questions, please contact the clinic. It is my plan to change this article monthly and make it available to you on my website.

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Monday
7:30 am - 12:45 pm 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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