What is aging and the diseases that accompany the aging process? Aging is closely tied to the endocrine system when hormones start to decline and the internal organs have decreased functioning. In early states, the changes include decreased protein synthesis, a decline in immune function, a loss of muscle mass, bone density and an increase in fat mass. The increased fat mass contributes to insulin resistance and cellular oxidation. Slowly, chronic disease states are manifested with diabetes, hypertension, high LDL, low HDL, dementia, degenerative arthritis, osteoporosis, coronary artery disease, and cancer. The end result is overall declining health and eventually death.
Hormones are produced by the endocrine glands with the decline starting around 35 years old in both men and women. The symptoms can have an insidious onset in each sex. In men, there are erection problems, low libido, fatigue, low energy, insomnia, depression and male balding pattern. In women symptoms can range from increasing premenstrual syndrome distress, fatigue, irritability, weight gain, insomnia, irregular periods, heat or cold intolerance, increased hair shedding, loss of sexual desire, vaginal dryness, dry wrinkling skin and depression.
In Allopathic Medicine, we are problem oriented to treat the disease state but in Age Management Medicine we focus on prevention of diseases and increase the healthspan to a lifespan in individuals. This is accomplished through restoring all hormones to a 25-30 year old level with blood level monitoring. Natural hormones are prescribed which have identical molecular structure to the human body. These are extracted from yams and soy and compounded to a individualized dosing regimen for Estradiol, Progesterone, and Testosterone. The thyroid is optimized with Armour throid which is more bioavailable than Synthryoid and Levoxyl. DHEA is replaced and optimized by blood monitoring. Pregnenolone and Melatonin are replaced for sleep and memory but do not require blood monitoring.
American College of Gynecology guidelines for hormone replacement therapy have unfortunately confined its use to short-term symptom treatment only, using the lowest dose possible. A better understanding of the conflicting evidence in hormone therapy suggests that hormone replacement provides significant health benefits and disease protection for many women if begun early in menopause. The PEPI trial in 1990 with 875 postmenopausal women proved the safety and efficacy of natural micronized progesterone combined with estrogen for the best cardiovascular protection. Other health benefits from this trial were less weight gain with women taking hormones after menopause, an increase in the HDL and protection against endometrial cancer. Later studies with natural Estradiol and natural micronized Progresterone have shown protection against cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, alzheimers disease, urogenital atrophy, colon cancer, endometrial cancer and hypercholoesterolemia. Also, hormone therapy helps to prevent depression, fatigue, incontinence, weight gain and the loss of feminity.
When hormones are started and titrated to acceptable levels withing the parameters of a 25-30 year old range there is no need to stop; unless, there is a new cancer development. If hormones are stopped it is psychologically deteriorating and it induces symptoms of menopause and andropause. Also stopping hormones reverses the aging process with risk for adult onset disease states. When providers practice under evidenced based guidelines for Age Management Medicine they are providing improved health for their patients.
hi nancy...this is robert...vicki's husband...
Thanks Nancy...this is a great article...i find myself still have to dispell the mis-information surrounding bio-identical HRT...
I have one client who just turned 80 that i advised him to try bio-identical HRT...and the changes to his muscularity and bodyfat composition are reflective of optimal health...
It is funny, when i suggest Bio-identical HRT to some clients, they will respond with 'oh no steriods are dangerous...And usually i will say, 'no! i'll tell what's dangerous,,,that 50 inch waistline is what is dangerous...Isn't is strange how all of a sudden people get concerned with their health when you mention steriods:)
Posted by: Spartan Training | 04/04/2011 at 07:02 AM
Hi Rob,
You essentially added more years to your 80-year-old gentleman. This is what we see with aging testosterone drops and estradiol increases in men which through metabolic changes leads to metabolic syndrome, hyptertension, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and prostate cancer.
Testosterone when replaced brings an elder to a earlier state in life but must be blood monitored to optimal levels.Every single body system depends on testosterone and when deficient men are symptomatic and develop body fat muscle atrophy with subsequent diseases of aging.
In my practice I use compounded testosterone cream which keeps levels consistent, some are on the injection but that gives peaks and valleys and is best if given SQ every day to prevent the highs and lows.
If you have anyone in Phoenix that needs hormone replacement man or woman you can send them to me. I am located at the Biltmore Medical Mall.
Thank you for your response to this blog.
Nancy Onyett, FNP-C
2222 E. Highland Ave. Suite 318
Phoenix,Arizona 85016
602-955-8844
Posted by: Nancy Onyett, FNP-C | 04/04/2011 at 07:53 AM