Read More About Your Hormones
Hormones that get their start in a plant are rich in molecules that can easily be converted into hormones. Natural hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones -- functions exactly like those the body produces. The chemical structure matches that of the hormone it is intended to replace. The molecular structure of these hormones is indistinguishable from that of natural hormones produced in the body. In its 16th year as an award-winning menopause community, Power Surge has *never* endorsed "synthetic" hormones, but only "natural, bioidentical" hormones. What with the current controversy surrounding conventional, synthetic hormones, Power Surge believes more than ever that women understand natural bio-identical hormones and continue to recommend its pharmaceutical consultant of 13 years, Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. and staff of Bellevue Pharmacy
for women who want to switch over to natural from synthetics, or those who wish to try bioidenticals for the first time. Pete is co-owner of Bellevue Pharmacy and has focused on naturally compounded, plant-derived, bioidentical hormones for many years.
You can Ask The Pharmacist anything you wish, or telephone him directly at the pharmacy's toll-free number, 1.800.728.0288, with additional information on the Resources page. We recommend asking your question via Ask The Pharmacist first to provide some background information. Allow 2-3 days for a response.
Important: Our number one concern is to help you get started on the road to *feeling better* with bioidentical hormones. Through knowledge, support and education about bio-identicals, you will be empowered to approach your physician or health care practitioner (or we can refer you to a physician) to get the natural treatment you are looking for to eliminate the difficult symptoms of peri and postmenopause.
You can also contact Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions at: 1.800.728.0288.
Disorders
Hormones
Saliva Hormone Testing
Formulations
Dosing
FAQ's
Disorders
Menopause
Marks the end of menstrual bleeding in women.
Ovaries stop producing estrogen, progesterone and androgens.
Can occur from result of ovaries or other reproductive organs removed through
surgery.
Common symptoms are; hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
Endometriosis
Endometrial tissue which lines the uterus migrates outside uterus and implant
themselves onto other organs.
Most common sites for these cells to implant themselves are the ovaries, fallopian
tubes, bladder, vagina, abdominal cavity and the colon.
Common symptoms are; pain before or during menstruation, infertility.
Premenstrual
Syndrome
Can sometimes be the imbalance of the body's natural ratio of estrogen to
progesterone during the premenstrual phase, poor diet and thyroid disease.
Common symptoms are; mood swings, food cravings, headaches, exhaustion, breast
ternderness and water retention.
Postpartum Depression
Depression that can be brought on by the changing hormones after childbirth.
Symptoms can include; anxiety, irritability, insomnia, weepiness, sadness
or fear and can occur anytime within the first year following childbirth.
Infertility
The diminished ability or inability to produce offspring. This can be caused
by inadequate production during the luteal phase of the cycle. There is indication
by research that natural progesterone can raise the progesterone levels in
women to help them conceive and carry pregnancy to full term.
Polycystic
Ovaries
An accumulation of many incompletely developed follicles in the ovaries. This
condition is characterized by abnormal, irregular, or scanty menstrual periods,
infertility, obesity, decreased breast size, aggravation of acne.
Premature
Ovarian Failure
Ovarian hypofunction may be caused by genetic factors such as chromosome abnormalities,
or may occur in the presence of autoimmune disorders in which antibodies disrupt
normal ovarian function. Symptoms may include; menopause, such as hot flashes,
mood swings, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. They also may have difficulty
becoming pregnant.
Hypothyroidism
A deficiency in the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, resulting
in a slow metabolic rate.
Symptoms may include: fatigue, weakness, depression, hair loss, memory loss,
weight gain.
Hypoadrenalism
A deficiency in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands. The adrenal
glands primarily
produce the hormones, cortisol and DHEA. Some cause may be an insufficient
amount of stimulation by the pituitary hormones.
Symptoms may include; fatigue, irritability, depression, allergies, inability
to concentrate, weakness.
Andropause
Also known as male menopause
Caused by decline in hormones, primarily testosterone, growth hormone and
DHEA
Common symptoms include; decreased libido, lack of energy, muscle weakness
Osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, the inside of the bones become porous and thin. Over time,
this weakens the bones and may make them more likely to break. Common signs
can be; broken wrist or hip, low back pain, hunched back, may get shorter
over time.
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Hormones
Pregnenolone
Often referred to as the "parent hormone" pregnenolone is synthesized
from cholesterol. It is a super-hormone that is the key to keeping the brain
functioning at peak capacity. Believed to be the most potent memory enhancer,
it has also been shown to be beneficial in improving concentration, fighting
mental fatigue and relieving severe joint pain and fatigue in arthritis.
Estrogens
Estradiol
Produced by the ovaries and is the principal estrogen found in a women's
body.
Relieves menopausal symptoms
Protects against osteoporosis, heart disease and Alzheimer's
Enhances mental acuity and memory
Increases serotonin and endorphin levels
Estrone
Weakest of the three estrogens
Readily converts to estradiol
Levels increase following menopause giving the body some estrogen benefits
Estriol
Essential for a successful pregnancy
Useful in promoting urogenital health
Reported to oppose and modulate the more potent estrogen, estradiol
Progesterone
Decreases risk of endometrial cancer
Enhances mood and has a calming effect
Involved in the reduction of PMS and menopausal hot flashes
Regulates fluid balance
Helps thyroid hormone action
Normalizes blood sugar levels
Restores libido
Helps to build bone
Testosterone
Builds muscle and promotes muscle tone
Increases libido
Helps strengthen bone
DHEA
Helps protect against heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's
disease, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
Can increase and enhance energy levels, libido, memory and immunity
Protects against the effects of stress
Aids weight loss
Helps to prevent wrinkles and dry eyes
Cortisol
Helps in responding and coping with stress, trauma, infection and environmental
extremes
Increases energy and metabolism
Helps regulate blood pressure
Enhances the integrity of blood vessels
Reduces allergic and inflammatory response
Melatonin
Regulates sleep/wake cycle
Reported to have powerful antioxidant properties
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Saliva Hormone
Testing
Saliva hormone testing
enables you to measure your levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.
Comparing your female hormone levels to the normal range for your age will
help you and your healthcare provider in evaluating how hormone replacement
therapy will or has influenced your hormone levels.
Aeron Biotechnology Inc., in San Leandro, California is a specialty laboratory that provides non-acute care consumer testing services through non-invasive
home collection of biological fluids such as saliva and urine. Non-invasive
specimen collection in the home provides consumer direct access to an array
of laboratory services that aid in general health maintenance. Currently,
testing saliva for hormone levels such as estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone,
testosterone, DHT, DHEA, melatonin and cortisol is being performed for consumers
and physicians. A test for rate of bone loss, measured in urine, is also offered.
Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions (Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.) can provide you with the saliva test kit and can also aid you in interpreting the results of the test once you have received them. Once your test results have been interpreted, Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions can suggest a recommendation for Natural Hormone
Therapy and provide you with information to support or recommendation to discuss
with your health care provider.
It is highly recommended
to get a saliva test, for a base line level to start with; repeating the test
in 2 to 3 months. This way you will be able to evaluate if Hormone Replacement
Therapy has affected your levels. It is then recommended to repeat the test
once a year thereafter. We suggest that you test for Estriol, Estradiol, Estrone,
Progesterone, Testosterone, Cortisol, DHEA, Melatonin, DHT and Pyrilinks D
(urine test) for bones.
Hormone
Saliva Test Kits pricing:
- Cost for 1-hormone = $49.00
- Cost for 2-hormones = $96.00
- Cost for 3-hormones = $141.00
- Cost for 4-hormones = $184.00
- Cost for 5-hormones = $225.00
- Cost for 6-hormones = $264.00
- Cost for 7-hormones = $301.00
- Cost for 8-hormones = $336.00
- PyrilinksD = $80.00 (urine test to measure bone loss)
- Melatonin Circadian Pane = $141.00 (4 saliva samples per 24 hours)
- Adreanal Function = $141.00 (4 saliva samples per 24 hours)
- Peri Panel = $300.00 (4 saliva samples 28 day time period)
Read more about saliva analysis.
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Formulations
Creams
and ointments...
can be compounded with a variety of different hormones and with complete strength
and dosage flexibility. The creams and ointments can be altered as to consistency
and absorption required for the specific application, and to minimize patient
allergies and sensitivities.
Topical
Creams
Popular choice for patients with dry skin. Requires application 2 to 3 times
per day.
Drawbacks are; difficult to measure dosage and erratic blood levels.
Vaginal
Creams
Good for localized therapy.
Percutaneous
Gels... administration
of hormones through the skin using percutaneous gels has been used in Europe
for several years. They use the natural matrix of the skin to deliver continous
flow of hormones into the body. Once a day dosing and the flexibility of combining
various hormones makes the gels very convenient.
PLO Gels...
administered through the skin twice daily. Requires refrigeration to retain
stabilization of the gel. Rather greasy and messy.
Suppositories...
a variety of hormones can be compounded in suppository form including estradiol,
progesterone, estriol and testosterone as well as Boric Acid and Acidophilus.
We use individually sealed, disposable, plastic molds for patient convenience.
Capsules...
we can provide a wide range of release systems and excipients, including "OIL"
filled capsules, to be used with individual hormones or homone combinations.
We have available a large variety of fillers for those patients who have multiple
allergies or are extremely chemically sensitive.
Powder
Capsules
Can be prepared for immediate or slow release.
Oil
Capsules
Can be used to improve absorption of some hormones.
Sublingual
Tablets... the tablet
dissolves under the tongue in less than one minute and is pleasantly orange
flavored. We can compound progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, estradiol, estriol,
estrone, triest, biest, or pregnenolone either singly or in combination, per
your prescription order.
Nasal
Sprays... for those
patients who have a unique medical circumstance we can provide an alternative
to traditional therapies that are available.
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Dosing
Dosing hormones should be an individualized analysis. The response to hormone
therapy can be varied. It can be due to differences in the absorption of the
hormone. Each patient can respond uniquely to a given dose. The best possible
decisions about the prescribed dosage should be unique to each patient's medical
and family history, current health status, personal habits, symptoms and priorities.
By using a generic approach to hormone therapy that might meet the needs of
some patients, many will be either over or under treated, with potential consequences.
There is also a choice of regimens that also need to be determined. Bellevue Pharmacy
Solutions has a team of Hormone Specialists to help you and your healthcare
provider determine what the appropriate dose, dose form and regimen would
best suite you. Our team of specialists can also provide you with personalized
counseling to help assure that you gain the optimal response of the dose.
They can also help determine if possible adjustments may or may not need to
be made to your dose strength, dose form or regimen.
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Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: What
are natural hormones?
A: Natural hormones have the same chemical structures as the hormones secreted
by the ovaries, adrenal glands, or testes. Therefore they are bio identical
to what your body produces.
Q: Where
do natural hormones come from?
A: Some natural hormones come from the yam plant, soybean plant, or Barbasco
plant (giant yam).
Q: Does
a perimenopausal woman take the same dose as a postmenopausal woman?
A: Not usually, Most commonly you start in early menopause with a low dose,
and gradually increase to an average high dose in menopause. With time you
taper back down the dose to maintain good bone health.
Q: What
hormones are most frequently used for hysterectomy and oopherectomy patients?
A: Estradiol, testosterone, pregnenolone, estriol, DHEA and sometimes progesterone.
Q: What
is the best route of administration, eg. Sublingual, gel, capsule, cream,
pellet, tablet or patch?
A: Everyone is different. So what is best for one, may not be best for another.
Sometimes you need to try 2 or 3 different delivery systems, until you find
what works best for you. Sublinguals give about 20% absorption, whereas gels
and oil capsules give 10 - 12% absorption.
Q: When
is the best time of day to take my hormones?
A: Ideally the best way is to take one half of the daily dose every 12 hours
for oral, sublingual and topical doses. However a testosterone sublingual
for libido is best to take 2 hours before bedtime. Estrogen for night sweats
is best to take with your evening meal. DHEA after is best taken after breakfast.
Progesterone is best to take at bedtime.
Q: Will
my symptoms be relieved more, the same or less with natural hormones compared
to synthetic hormones?
A: Symptoms will usually be relieved equally or more, as long as the patient
is balanced properly. Using saliva hormone testing will accomplish this.
Q: Will
natural hormones help Osteoporosis?
A: Yes, when dosed properly the natural hormones will help to resolve Osteoporosis
as well as synthetic hormones if not better.
Q: How
can I increase my libido?
A: Saliva testing for Testosterone, DHEA, Progesterone and Estradiol should
be done. If these are low then natural HRT should be used with a testosterone
supplement to raise the testosterone levels. This can be in a sublingual,
thick gel or topical dose form.
Q: What
if my doctor is not familiar or will not prescribe natural hormones?
A: You can contact Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions at 800-728-0288, to be assisted in finding a physician
that is familiar with natural hormone therapy or they can send your own physician
some information to review.
Q: Will
my insurance pay for natural HRT?
A: 80% to 85% of the time most insurance companies will allow us to fill your
prescription or we can assist you in filling out a manual form from your insurance
provider, so that you can be reimbursed for the prescription.
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Read more questions and answers about natural hormones in the Ask The Pharmacist area of the site, or E.mail Pete Hueseman directly. The toll-free number is 1-800-728-0288
Read More About Your Hormones