Hormones
Hormones are the powerful chemical messengers within the endocrine system. They circulate through the body via the blood stream and target specific cells, coordinating processes like growth, metabolism, fertility, immune system and behavior. A small alteration to the levels can be enough to cause changes, often major changes, in the body. Hormones can impact every major system to affect physical, emotional and organ systems in the body. The effects of aging can cause hormone levels to increase or decrease. As aging takes place, the targets within the body become less sensitive to production, control and metabolization. Hormone replacement therapy is a general term that encompasses natural hormone therapy, testosterone replacement or bioidentical hormone replacement.
An example of changes to hormones due to the aging process is menopause. Menopause is caused when the hormonal levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. This decrease can cause body temperature fluctuations, changes in mood, weight fluctuations, hair loss, bone loss, and insomnia. A similar reaction occurs in the testosterone levels in men. Testostorone is important for maintaining muscle bulk, bone growth, red blood cell levels, male well being and sexual function. For reasons such as these, hormone replacement therapy is used to control the reactions associated with fluctuating levels.
Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) treats the symptoms of the phases of menopause. Sometimes called Natural Hormones, they are created in a lab designed to function exactly like hormones normally produced by the body. Unique mixtures of these hormones can be created on an individual basis for specific deficiencies, known as custom compounded hormone products.
Human Growth hormone (HGH) is produced in the body by the pituitary gland. As a child, HGH helps with growth and maintains tissues and organs throughout life. As we age, typically beginning in our 40’s, the amount produced gradually decreases. It has been argued that the injection of synthetic human growth hormone will help to slow the aging process. HGH is reported to rejuvenate the immune system, improve oxygenation, decrease obesity, enhance sexual function and restore skin elasticity.
Only your physician can explain more about hormone replacement and human growth hormone, how they work with your body and whether it's something your body may need.
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