Your body has many different hormones working together to keep you feeling your best. Maintaining hormonal balance is something that becomes more difficult as you age, which can lead to many common issues and symptoms related to aging.
These are just a few of the common symptoms experienced when someone has a hormonal imbalance. By testing and monitoring your hormone levels, you can take control of your health and identify ways to restore balance.
Hormones are chemicals in the body that work together to maintain your metabolism, energy, growth and development, and response to stress. Hormones work as messengers – carrying signals throughout the body to perform tasks, recover from injury, and maintain health.
Hormones are made and secreted from various glands and organs including the adrenal glands, pituitary glands, ovaries, and testes.
Hormones are responsible for growth and development, including sexual and reproductive characteristics. Estrogen and progesterone are the key reproductive hormones in women and testosterone is the major player in men. All three hormones contribute to libido, fat distribution, and overall metabolism.
Women experience the symptoms of menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline. Hot flashes, sexual function changes, brain fog, and decreased metabolism can all occur once estrogen and progesterone start to fall. In addition to sexual function in men, testosterone plays a role in heart health and brain function.
Human Growth Hormone is responsible for assisting in healing and recovery after injury or trauma. Cortisol plays a role in your sleep/wake cycle and gives you a boost of energy during times of stress.
Hormone level testing means the amount of circulating hormones in your body is measured. Hormones usually tested include:
Testing is typically done by collecting a blood sample; however, saliva testing (using a cotton swab) is also done for certain tests. You do not usually have to prepare for hormone level testing, but your doctor may request you have testing done at a certain time of day or have you hold medications that can affect your results.
When you have your hormone levels tested, your doctor will likely test for several different hormones. Hormones often work together, so only testing one provides an incomplete picture of your hormonal balance. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor will probably have an idea of what hormones to test to identify the issue.
In addition to testing hormone levels, evaluating neurotransmitters as well as immune system function are all important when it comes to correcting a hormone imbalance.
If you are experiencing symptoms and you are unsure of the cause or have tried other treatments without success – your hormone balance may be playing a role. By identifying a hormonal imbalance, you can take steps to correct the imbalance. Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment that restores hormone balance to reduce symptoms.
Aging is not the only thing that can create a hormonal imbalance. Certain medications and stress can cause hormone levels to become elevated or depleted over time, causing symptoms to appear. Diagnoses such as Type I and II Diabetes, Thyroid Disease (hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism), menopause, and hypogonadism are a few of the many conditions that contribute to hormone imbalance.
By working with a doctor in hormone level testing as well as correcting hormonal imbalances, you can start feeling like yourself again.
Once your hormone levels have been evaluated and any imbalances identified, the next step is to find ways to correct the imbalance. Since hormone production decreases as you age, supplementing with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can help increase your hormone levels. BHRT is derived from plant sources that produce molecules physiologically identical to the hormones found in your body.
The amount of BHRT administered is determined based on your symptoms and lab values so you have personalized dosing and treatment.
Patients often feel younger, more energized, and have reduced symptoms of menopause once they start BHRT. Sex drive for both men and women is improved, muscle mass is increased, and fat is decreased once hormone balance is restored.
Are you in the San Antonio, TX area looking for hormone level testing? The Wellness & Aesthetics Medical Center is here for all your hormone level testing needs. During your appointment, Dr. Williams will explain the role of restoring hormonal balance and discuss hormone level testing.
At the Wellness & Aesthetics Medical Center, you can take the first step in correcting a hormonal imbalance by having hormone level testing. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Williams, call (210) 985-1700 or contact us online today!
The Wellness & Aesthetics Medical Center
540 Oak Centre Dr, Suite 114
San Antonio, TX 78258
Phone: (210) 985-1700
