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Moundsville
Pharmacy
(304) 845-0390
(877) 883-5453
Hours
Monday - Friday
9 am to 6 pm
Saturday
9 am to 1 pm
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Hormone Replacement Therapy
A New Approach & Saliva Testing
With all the questions, confusion, and controversy
surrounding the recent study on hormone replacement therapy, a number of
patients, pharmacists, and physicians remain uncertain about the next step and
the role of hormone replacement. This has lead many patients, pharmacists, and
physicians to step back and reevaluate the past, to look to the future, and to
determine how more responsible decisions can be made concerning hormone
replacement therapy (HRT).
Keys, Locks,
Doors, and Hormones
To fully understand the role of hormone replacement therapy, we need to
understand what hormones are and do. Hormones are chemical messengers that
course through the blood stream throughout the body to enter tissue to regulate
everything from reproduction to emotions and general health. Hormones act on
receptors the way a key fits into a lock to open a number of doors throughout
the body. If the key fits properly it unlocks the doors and a number of
functions in the body.
The Controversy of
the Key
The controversy surrounding the recent study involves their use of
conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone, which are synthetic hormones.
These medications are similar to the hormones produced by our body, but are not
exactly the same. As a result, similar keys may fit the lock to the door, but
they may leave the door open to long, slam it shut too soon, open doors that
shouldn’t be open, and not open the doors that should be open. Simply stated,
although the keys are similar, their results may not be the same.
Bio-Identical
“Natural” Hormones
Bio-Identical hormones are hormones that are in every way the same
"-identical" as those hormones produced naturally in the body "bio-" …opening
the same doors, regulating the same functions. Simply stated, same chemical
structure, same biological response, same natural process...
A New Approach
A number of patients, pharmacists, and physicians have taken a new approach
to hormone replacement therapy. The approach requires that each patient be
evaluated on an individual level taking into consideration medical history,
symptoms, and hormone levels. Replacement includes the use of bio-identical
hormones in ratios and at dosages similar to the body’s natural production of
hormones to restore hormone balance and alleviate symptoms.
Symptoms
Evaluation
Symptom evaluation is an important part of evaluating hormone replacement
symptoms. While one symptom may not determine which hormones are out of
balance, groups of symptoms may lead your health care professional in the proper
direction. With a number of potential hormone imbalance possibilities, and an
overlap in symptoms with these imbalances, symptoms evaluation is not enough!
Determining Hormone Levels
Measuring hormone levels in the body allows for an objective evaluation of
hormone replacement imbalances and guidance for hormone replacement therapy.
Hormones in the blood are 90-99% bound to proteins rendering them unavailable to
target tissues. As a result, measuring hormones in the blood is not a common
practice.
The Role of Saliva
Testing
Saliva testing was developed over 20 years ago and is currently being used
for a number of different testings. Saliva testing allows for the evaluation of
hormone levels in the tissue, where hormone action takes place. When steroids
are free in the blood or released from the binding proteins, they leave the
blood, diffuse freely into the tissue, which includes the saliva tissue, glands,
and saliva. Hormone levels can then be determined in the saliva and represent
the unbound, biologically active hormones in the body. Saliva testing is more
reliable and more specific in determining hormone imbalances.
Bio-Identical HRT
When selecting bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, bio-identical
prescription products are limited. As a result, it may be necessary for your
pharmacist to compound a bio-identical hormone product including progesterone
cream, tri-est, testosterone, or DHEA. Your compounding pharmacist is able to
accurately prepare a hormone product designed to meet your specific needs in a
dosage form that is accurate and consistent.
The Triad of
Successful Therapy
Together, you the patient, your physician, and your compounding pharmacist,
can communicate to prepare a responsible recommendation for your hormone
replacement needs. In the end, your goal will include correcting any hormone
imbalance or deficiency, maintaining or increasing quality of life, avoiding
disruptive side effects, and preventing any increased risk of cancer or heart
disease.
The Bottom Line
Hormones are very powerful as are the symptoms associated with hormone
imbalance. Symptoms can affect women, and men, on an emotional as well as a
physiological level. By effectively evaluating patients on an individual basis
taking into consideration medical history, symptoms, and hormone levels, health
care professions are able make responsible recommendations to correct hormone
imbalances, relieving symptoms and improving quality of life.
Questions?
If you have any questions concerning the roles of various hormones,
bio-identical hormone replacement, saliva testing, or initiating a relationship
between you, your pharmacist, and your physician, contact Moundsville Pharmacy
at (304) 845-0390.
For more information, consider the following:
Are Your Hormones Making You Sick? Dr. Taylor
You've Hit Menopause, Now What? Dr. Gilson
Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
Dr. James Wilson
All three books can be purchased through the
pharmacy and mailed to your home...call today!
ZRT Laboratories:
www.salivatest.com
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