Bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced in the human body. As we age, hormone levels decline causing undesirable symptoms. Replacing these declining hormones with bioidentical versions can help eliminate deficiency symptoms and improve wellbeing.
Bioidentical hormones used for replacement therapy include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid hormones T3 and T4, and more. They are sourced from plant extracts or synthesized in a lab to be molecularly identical to human hormones.
Benefits of bioidentical hormone therapy:
Customized bioidentical hormone therapy with monitoring helps ensure optimal dosing while minimizing risks.
Declining hormone levels rarely cause obvious deficiency symptoms until they drop below a critical threshold. Early detection via testing allows timely treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent future disease.
We offer comprehensive hormone testing to accurately identify imbalances. Blood, saliva or urine samples are analyzed to quantify circulating hormone levels. Follow-up testing during treatment enables hormone dose adjustments until optimal levels and symptom relief are achieved.
Customized bioidentical hormone therapy is initiated after confirmation of hormone deficiencies via testing.
Estrogen and progesterone therapy is commonly used for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with declining ovarian function. Transdermal estrogen gels/creams or progesterone creams can restore hormone levels while avoiding digestive side effects.
Testosterone replacement via gels, injections or pellets can provide tremendous benefits for both men and women by supporting muscle tone, stamina, cognition and mood. It contributes to an overall sense of vitality.
Thyroid hormone medications are used to treat hypothyroidism which causes fatigue, weight gain and other metabolic effects. Desiccated thyroid supplements contain T3 and T4 thyroid hormones identical to the body’s own.
Follow-up blood testing is conducted over several months and dosages adjusted to achieve optimal hormone levels. Patients then follow-up annually.
Age-related hormone decline is inevitable, but deficiencies can start prematurely due to:
Genetics also play a role. Vulnerable individuals may become deficient earlier while those with protective genes preserve youthful hormone levels longer.
By minimizing exposure to contributing factors listed above, testing hormones regularly, and using bioidentical replacement when levels drop, patients can continue thriving through midlife and beyond.
Recognizing one’s declining stamina, low mood, decreased muscle tone or mental focus as possible symptoms of hormone deficiency is the critical first step. All too often patients attribute such complaints to simply “getting older” and don’t seek help early enough to make a difference.
Meanwhile, hormone levels may plummet well below optimal ranges, causing prolonged suffering that could have been avoided. Hormone therapy cannot reverse all aging effects but can dramatically improve one’s experience of the aging process when deficiency is caught early and properly treated.
We specialize in detecting hormone imbalances BEFORE they take an excessive toll, using sensitive testing to identify falling levels sooner than standard reference ranges detect. This early diagnosis and timely treatment gives patients the best opportunity to enjoy sustained wellness and an energetic satisfaction with life as they grow older.
It is crucial to have hormones checked whenever feeling “off” as the years pass. All adults should get annual screening labs. Paying attention to body signs and signals then taking prompt action sets patients on the most positive trajectory possible.
Alongside hormone therapy it is wise to optimize nutrition, lower body fat, minimize toxins and get sufficient high quality sleep and movement for best mental and physical performance.
We educate patients on reducing sugar, incorporating more vegetables, high fiber carbs and clean proteins into meals, properly managing stress levels with mindfulness/meditation practices, partaking in regular strength training and cardiovascular activity, and limiting environmental toxin exposures through clean skincare/beauty products and filtering home water.
Adequate vitamin D levels, essential fatty acid intake, probiotic foods and key anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric further support healthy hormone balance and body function. We provide nutritional guidance tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyle for optimal wellness during treatment.
Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones are custom-compounded to match a woman's natural hormone profile. This tailored approach aims to provide hormone balance with fewer side effects, though more research is still needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Darlington offers many amenities to help patients implement positive lifestyle changes during hormone therapy.
Walkable woodland trails through the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge and Darlington County Historical Commission sites provide peaceful settings for meditation, stress reduction and heart-healthy movement.
Several fitness centers like Evo Sportsplex, Simply Fit and Darlington YMCA offer group classes and training equipment for building muscle, agility and cardiovascular endurance. Their trainers can create customized programs to match therapy goals.
Healthy meal options are available at local restaurants like The Chef's Table, Southern Sideboards and Dixie Grill plus chains like Crisp Greenery. Their lighter, produce-focused fare supplies quality nutrition to balance hormones.
Integrative medical clinics Anetholistic Health and Hartsville Chiropractic provide complementary wellness services like acupuncture, massage and spinal alignment to reduce inflammation and pain that hamper progress.
Diagnostic labs nearby facilitate convenient blood draws for testing thyroid, sex hormones, insulin, inflammation markers and more to monitor therapy effectiveness while avoiding excess healthcare travel.
Darlington’s holistic offerings synergize wonderfully with customized bioidentical hormones, supporting patients feeling and functioning their best as bodies change with time.
