Hormone imbalance can cause various nonspecific signs and symptoms that negatively impact quality of life. Getting an accurate diagnosis and promptly beginning hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help patients feel like themselves again.
Some common signs of potentially low testosterone in men include:
In women, symptoms of low estrogen or progesterone may include:
Thyroid disorders can also cause nonspecific signs like fatigue, weight gain and feeling cold.
The spectrum of hormone imbalance symptoms highlights why accurate testing and determining the root cause is so important.
HRT helps restore optimal hormone levels, leading to widespread benefits:
The wide range of benefits speaks to why HRT can be life-changing for so many patients with hormonal imbalance.
There are various types of hormones that can be replaced depending on one's needs:
Testosterone therapy may involve testosterone injections, gels, pellets or patches to achieve healthy circulating testosterone levels in men. This helps rectify low T symptoms like low energy, poor concentration and reduced muscle mass.
Monitoring blood levels and evaluating symptom response helps determine the optimal testosterone protocol and dosage for the patient. Lifestyle measures like improved diet, exercise, sleep and stress management nicely complement TRT.
Estrogen and progesterone therapy help relieve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis risk for women. Main options include oral tablets, topical gels/creams, vaginal inserts like rings or tablets, patches and pellets. Bioidentical hormones closely match natural hormones in women.
Combination therapy with both estrogen and micronized progesterone is often utilized to avoid potential side effects of estrogen alone on the uterine lining. The dosage can be customized based on the patient's needs and response.
With hypothyroidism, insufficient thyroid hormone leads to fatigue, weight gain and other hypo symptoms. Levothyroxine is typically used to restore healthy metabolism by replacing the thyroxine that the thyroid gland fails to produce on its own.
Finding the optimal dosage through lab testing and evaluations allows thyroxine to safely resolve low thyroid symptoms without overtreatment. Dietary modifications can also complement medication.
Synthroid and levothyroxine are common examples of thyroid medications. The goal is balancing thyroid levels, not just normalizing lab results. Dosage adjustments over time help sustain optimal thyroid function.
The adrenal glands produce small amounts of DHEA hormone, which plays several roles in the body. DHEA levels peak in the 20s and decline with age.
DHEA supplementation may help issues tied to low DHEA like loss of libido, poor energy, decreased muscle mass and weakened immunity. It’s available in capsules and used topically too. Dosages of 25-50mg/day are common, but testing helps guide treatment.
Monitoring progress on DHEA therapy through lab tests and symptom reviews allows for dosage tweaks over time to maximize benefits. Lifestyle measures like stress management and exercise optimization work nicely with DHEA therapy.
Since low hormone levels can cause such nonspecific symptoms, getting the right diagnosis is crucial yet challenging. Comprehensive lab testing helps clarify which hormones are imbalanced. Common assessments include:
Alongside lab results, reviewing lifestyle habits and symptoms provides key context for determining appropriate treatment.
After diagnosis, promptly beginning HRT alleviates symptoms faster plus helps:
Therefore, early detection and treatment of hormone imbalance is highly advantageous.
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Studies show that access to gender-affirming care significantly reduces rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation in this population. Hormone treatment allows many transgender people to live more authentically.
As a specialized hormone clinic serving Franklin for over 10 years, The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic employs extensively trained practitioners to provide personalized care.
We utilize advanced testing to accurately diagnose hormone deficiencies. Then our clinicians work closely with each patient to develop a tailored treatment plan utilizing the optimal modalities and dosages to resolve symptoms while minimizing side effects.
Ongoing progress tracking and dosage adjustments ensure therapy remains effective over the long-term. We also offer advice on complementary lifestyle measures like improved nutrition, stress reduction techniques and targeted exercise based on the patient’s needs and health goals.
In summary, the key advantages The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic offers are:
We strive to deliver the highest quality care with sensitivity to each patient’s concerns. Please () to learn more or schedule a consultation about whether hormone therapy is right for you.