Bioidentical Hormone Therapies

Age-related hormonal declines contribute to the signs and symptoms of aging. That’s why bioidentical hormones—which are identical to those produced in the human body—are a cornerstone therapy at the DaSilva Institute.

The Coventional Approach to Hormone Balancing

Complete hormone balancing is typically undertaken by different medical specialists. Female issues are typically treated by OB/GYNs, male issues from Urologists, thyroid & diabetes by general endocrinologists and Adrenal issues by Endocrine super-specialists. This approach leads to a loss in continuity of care as well as even more imbalances from the types of drugs that are being passed-off as hormones, known as synthetic compounds. The best way to understand the difference between a synthetic, non-biologically identical and a bioidentical hormone is as follows. Bioidentical hormones are found in your body, while the synthetic versions are not. Bioidentical hormones cannot be patented because they are found in nature, in your body. Whereas, synthetic hormones share very little resemblance to anything found in nature. These chemicals were never seen by your body and therefore considered foreign to your body. Therefore, these “new to nature” compounds are unique to the pharmaceutical company who has designed them and thus can be patented. The disimilar nature of their chemistry is what attributes to the multitude of side-effects we often hear about from these chemicals. One of the biggest problems we face as consumers is that most doctors and the media called these drugs “hormones” when they are indeed not. So when the consumer hears the word “hormone” they often associate them with side-effects. Not true for properly balanced bioidentical hormones, however.

What is Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy?

One of the hallmarks of getting older is a decline in hormone levels. Production of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, DHEA, melatonin, human growth hormone, Cortisol and other hormones tapers off after we reach our 20′s and 30′s. And many experts agree that age-related hormonal deficiencies contribute to the signs and symptoms of aging. That’s why bioidentical hormones—which are identical to those produced in the human body—are a cornerstone therapy at the DaSilva Institute. This therapy is important for both men and women. Please click on Male Hormone Replacement or Female Hormone Replacement respectively.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement is considered so safe that some of these hormones are available in health food stores and conventional pharmacies. But others are specifically tailored for each individual and must be ordered by a physician able to accurately interpret the results of testing and then prescribe the perfect dose for optimal balance through a compounding pharmacy. This degree of personalization, which we pride ourselves on at the DaSilva Institute—affords all patients a hormone regimen that is just right for them.

How Does Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?

When you come to the DaSilva Institute, Guy DaSilva, MD will test your levels of various hormones in the blood (the international gold standard), and if they are low, recommend natural hormone replacement therapy. The goal is simply to bring your levels up to what they were when you were in your physical prime—and help you look and feel better than you have in years. Your individualized program of bioidentical hormones, based on your age and medical status, may include some of the following:

Estrogen and Progesterone

Natural estrogen and progesterone are a godsend for women going through menopause. In addition to helping prevent hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, bone loss, and other common menopausal concerns, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone protect against heart disease.

This is in contrast to the widely publicized negative effects of Premarin, Provera, PremPro, and other synthetic, adulterated drugs that are poor substitutes for natural hormones. Furthermore, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are better tolerated than conventional drugs. Plus, they give women peace of mind that they’re using therapies that are safe and natural.

Testosterone

Although estrogen and progesterone have been prescribed to women for years, testosterone use has lagged—and older men have suffered as a result. Supplemental testosterone helps build stronger bones and muscles. It improves libido, erectile function, mood, and overall well-being. Testosterone also protects against diabetes and strengthens failing hearts. And it’s not just for men—we also prescribe very low doses of testosterone for our female patients to perk up libido and sexual function as well as improve cognitive function, heart strength and much more.

Thyroid

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, affects about 1 in 8 younger women, 1 in 5 women over 65, and fewer, though significant numbers of men. Yet many people do not realize that their fatigue, weight gain, constipation, depression, and other symptoms may be caused by low thyroid—and ameliorated by thyroid replacement. Although the best-selling brand of thyroid replacement is Synthroid, we rarely prescribe this synthetic hormone to our patients with low thyroid function. We’ve found a much better solution: natural thyroid replacement, which contains all the active elements of the thyroid gland.

We test all of our patients’ blood level of thyroid hormone, but even if they appear to be in the normal range, we will offer a therapeutic trial of natural thyroid if symptoms warrant. Patients with “normal” thyroid function often respond exceptionally well. This is further evidence that our philosophy at the DaSilva Institute—treat patients, rather than lab numbers—is just good medicine.

Human Growth Hormone

We also evaluate growth hormone levels. By the time you’re in your 60′s or 70′s, you produce only 15 to 20 percent of your peak levels of growth hormone. Daniel Rudman, MD, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that when older men were treated with growth hormone, they had improvements in lean muscle, body fat, skin thickness, and other markers that were comparable to turning back the clock 20 years! Growth hormone certainly isn’t for everyone, but it is a huge help for some, especially older people suffering with osteoporosis, sarcopenia (age-related muscle wasting), heart failure, and other conditions.

Melatonin, DHEA, and Adrenal Hormones (Cortisol)

Your personalized natural hormone replacement program may also include melatonin, which facilitates sleep and protects against cancer, and DHEA, which helps with abdominal obesity, bone strength, libido, memory, mood, and lupus and cortisol for adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and post-traumatic stress syndrome to name a few.

What Conditions Benefit From Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Aging Anxiety	Cancer prevention	Constipation
Depression	Diabetes	Dry skin and hair
Erectile dysfunction	Fatigue	Heart disease
Heart failure	Insomnia	Loss of muscle mass
Low libido	Lupus	Menopausal symptoms
Migraine headaches	Obesity	Osteoporosis
PMS