Fight Depression with Hormone Replacement
Did you know you can fight depression by supplementing testosterone? In January 2003, a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry revealed that testosterone replacement therapy can effectively fight depression. These men had been found to have low testosterone levels, aside from depression. But these two health issues have been found to have a common correlation. The research study monitored and analyzed the responses of the participants who took TRT to a series of psychological tests.
What they found was that the subjects experienced higher moods, a reduction in suicidal thoughts and felt less guilt and anxiety. Such results indicate that testosterone hormone can influence both the body and mind.
Both men and women require testosterone to address different bodily functions. Studies have shown that androgens such as testosterone provide a positive effect on well-being.
Our hormones plays a major role in regulating our emotions. When there is an imbalance or deficiency of a specific hormone, it can cause symptoms of anxiety and depression. Such effect isn’t only limited to a deficiency of testosterone. Studies have also shown that an excess or insufficiency of thyroid hormone could result to depression. Further, it has observed that women’s anxiety is significantly reduced when given bio-identical progesterone cream before sleep.
Are you suffering from depression? Your depression could be due to a hormone deficiency. It is necessary to keep a healthy, balanced hormone level for emotional stability. To add, Hormone Therapeutics offers pharmaceutical nutrients that can help fight depression and anxiety symptoms. Our program concentrates on optimizing brain chemistry, balancing hormone and reducing stress.
The Use of Sleeping Pills to Fight Depression
A number of sleeping pills are benzodiazapines or ‘sedative hypnotic’ drugs that may also be used for the treatment of stress and anxiety. But such drug is linked with a number of risks. Most of these sleeping pills are highly addictive and not advised for long-term use. The side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination. Since they act on the brain chemistry, nervousness, memory impairment, hallucination, confusion and aggressiveness or extreme irritability could also be observed.
Fight Depression with Hormone Replacement
Saleamp Design February 7th, 2017
Posted In: Hormone Replacement
Tags: androgens, anxiety, benzodiazapines, depression, fight depression, hormone deficiency, hormone replacement, progesterone cream, sedative hypnotic drugs, sleeping pills, stress, testosterone, Testosterone replacement therapy, thyroid hormone, TRT
The 4 Types of Thyroid Hormone Medications and How They Work
Thyroid hormone medications come in different types with lots of confusion and controversy between them. Here we will outline a general overview of the four types of thyroid medications and the functions of each medication.
How are Thyroid Hormone Medications Produced?
There are two ways in which thyroid hormone medications is produced. The first is done using synthetic components where the thyroid hormone medication is not natural, but a hormone replacement drug is produced in a lab. Leoxyl, Synthroid, Levothroid, Thyrolar and Cytomel are all synthetically produced thyroid hormone.
The second method is through extraction of thyroid hormone from animals. This is called non-synthetic thyroid hormone or simply, natural thyroid hormone. The only natural thyroid hormone derived from domesticated animals (i.e. bovine or porcine) is the desiccated thyroid.
Most physicians prefer that synthetic version of thyroid medication since the dosing for each pill is more consistent. However, many patients claims to have better results with natural thyroid hormone.
Different Types of Thyroid Hormone Medications and How They Work
Our body requires two types of thyroid hormones in order to function normally – the triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Some medications contains only T3 or T4, while other have both.
Synthetic T4 Only
Synthetic T4 supplements are available in different brands:
- Synthroid (Levothyroxine)
- Unithroid (Levothyroxine)
- Levoxyl (Levothyroxine)
- Levothroid (Levothyroxine)
In general, synthetic forms of T4 are called levothyroxine and are considered the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. Though synthetically made, they are exactly the same as the thyroxine released by the thyroid gland.
Among the four, Synthroid is the most commonly prescribed brand because it provides a steady, prolonged effect of T4. However, all approved brand of T4 are bioequivalent which means there is no huge difference in their composition.
But this does not mean that all brands are completely the same. That is why the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist believe that once you started using a certain brand, better stick to it. Changing brand may also change the dose, which could change how you feel.
Synthetic T3 Only
- Cytomel (liothyronine)
Most of the actions of the thyroid hormone are due to T3 but most T3 in the body are derived from the conversion of T4. T3 has very short life span while the T4 lasts much longer, so it is important to ensure a steady supply of T3 in the body. After taking Cytomel, T3 level is high but only for a short time, and then the level drops very rapidly.
This means that the patient must take T3 several times a day to ensure steady supply of T3. The problem with taking T3 is that this doesn’t maintain T3 levels evenly. There are times when T3 level is too high, causing unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and rapid heartbeat.
Another issue of T3 treatment is that the body cannot adjust converting T4 to T3 to modulate T3 supply based on your body’s needs. Hence, there is no indication to use T3 alone for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
Synthetic T3 and T4
- Thyrolar (liotrix)
- Combined Liothyronine/Levothyroxine
This combined preparation contains more T3 than what the body naturally produce. Because of this, it can have the same side effects as Cytomel (T3-alone). Thyrolar is also given once a day, which ignores the short life span of T3.
Compounded synthetic liothyronine/levothyroxine can be customized, allowing doctors to change the dosage to even the smallest ration based upon the patient’s response. The best part about compounded thyroid hormone is that both T4 and T3 are packed in a single capsule.
Natural T3 & T4
- Armour
Desiccated animal thyroid, now commonly derived from pigs, was the most common form of thyroid hormone therapy before synthetic versions were discovered. Now, it is still available as a prescription. Because drugs produced from animal thyroid are not purified, they may contain protein and hormones that are not ‘natural’ for the human body.
Though desiccated thyroid contains both T3 and T4, the amount of T3 and T4 in animals isn’t the same as in humans. Also, the amount and balance of T3 and T4 in desiccated thyroid vary a lot, making it difficult to keep blood levels right.
Do You Need Help?
Hormone Therapeutics is the leading national company assisting men who want to get their lives back through Hormone Replacement and Testosterone Replacement therapy. Our local physicians are ready to treat you anywhere in the entire country. Hormone Therapeutics is pioneering an easier, cost efficient and more private way for you to work with our clinical advisors and physicians from the privacy of your home or office after your local physical exam confirms you have one of the symptoms of Low T.
Contact us today and our clinical advisors will work with you on a hormone therapy program that may include prescribed hormones, exercise, nutrition and sleep programs to reclaim your vitality.
The 4 Types of Thyroid Hormone Medications and How They Work
Saleamp Design March 25th, 2016
Posted In: Health & Wellness
Tags: cytomel, desiccated thyroid, hormone replacement, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, T3, T4, thyroid hormone, thyroid hormone medication, thyroid hormone replacement, thyroid medication, thyrolar, TSH, Unithroid
Estrogen Monitoring – Estradiol Must Be Monitored During Testosterone Replacement Therapy
What is testosterone replacement therapy? How does Estrogen effect my testosterone levels or how I feel? What is Estradiol or E2 and what do I need to know about estradiol monitoring? Why is it important to monitor estrogen level before getting TRT? What if my estrogen level is elevated, should I still be treated or not? What are the downsides of TRT? Is it dangerous?
These are some of the most common questions most men ask during testosterone replacement therapy. Read below to know more about this treatment.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment that aims to restore hormone levels back to a normal range without any significant side effects or safety concerns. More importantly, it should alleviate the symptoms associated with the hormone deficiency.
The ultimate goal of TRT is to regain and maintain the highest quality of life, compress major illnesses and reduce disability; and add life to years.
Estradiol Monitoring: Why is it important to monitor estrogen level before getting Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
As a Man’s testosterone level decreases, typically his estrogen levels are increasing. Testosterone replacement therapy can also lead to elevations in estrogen level in some men who convert a portion of their testosterone supplementation to Estradiol. In some cases, the level could be above the normal range. While TRT is not about jacking up a man’s testosterone, it should also not be about suppressing his Estrogen or Estradiol/E2.
When the estrogen levels increase, a person may develop breast or nipple tenderness (gynecomastia), which may call for the use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) – a potent estradiol-suppressor that is primarily used as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer by lowering estrogen and thereby reducing the stimulation of estrogen receptors in such disease.
Some doctors prefer stopping TRT first when symptoms of high estrogen levels are becoming apparent rather than managing it through AIs. Many doctors, and Broscience websites, promote the absolute use of aromatase inhibitors during TRT despite the absence of symptoms or signs of increase estrogen or Estradiol. They believe that keeping a relatively low estrogen concentrations can boost the effectiveness of TRT and improve male health. This approach, however, can cause other problems.
We at Hormone Therapeutics follows medical protocols and believe in treating the symptoms and the blood tests. The Total Testosterone:Estradiol ratio needs to be kept below 5%. We believe in monitoring and maintaining this level.
What if my estrogen level is elevated, should I still be treated or not?
Estrogen levels in some men administered with aromatase inhibitors have levels that sink below 40pmol/L, which may pose increased risk on bone health, energy and emotional health.
Perhaps the only study that can compare the use of TRT with and without anastrazole were in men diagnosed with hypogonadism, hyposexuality and epilepsy. The first trial revealed a positive effect on the sexual interest with the addition of testolactone therapy.
On the second trial that involves men reported an increase in libido among men treated with anastrazole and testosterone alone. However, this trial didn’t attain statistical significance because some men from the T-alone group also reported increase in sexual interest despite an increase in their estrogen.
However, these studies must be taken with caution because it isn’t clear how the group compares with the bigger group with low-T. This group were also treated with antiseizure drugs which increases SHBG (Sex hormone-binding globulin) – a glycoprotein that attaches to the two sex hormones, estrogen and androgen.
Therefore, there is no solid evidence to support the claim that the use of aromatase inhibitor in conjunction with TRT provides benefits more than that provided by TRT alone.
Do You Need Help?
Hormone Therapeutics is the leading national company assisting men who want to get their lives back through Hormone Replacement and Testosterone Replacement therapy. Our local physicians are ready to treat you anywhere in the entire country. Hormone Therapeutics is pioneering an easier, cost efficient and more private way for you to work with our clinical advisors and physicians from the privacy of your home or office after your local physical exam confirms you have one of the symptoms of Low T.
Contact us today and our clinical advisors will work with you on a hormone therapy program that may include prescribed hormones, exercise, nutrition and sleep programs to reclaim your vitality.
Estrogen Monitoring – Estradiol Must Be Monitored During Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Saleamp Design March 22nd, 2016
Posted In: Testosterone Therapy
Tags: anastrazole, breast enlargement, estradiol, estrogen, gynecomastia, hormone replacement, hypogonadism, low t, low testosterone, nipple sensitivity, testosterone, Testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone therapy, TRT
Study Shows Testosterone Therapy Helps Men Lose Weight
Testosterone levels decrease as men age causing symptoms such as weight gain, fat storage, muscle loss, low libido, fatigue and irritability and hormone therapy can help reverse these common side effects of low testosterone. A recent French study concluded that testosterone therapy helps men improve their health through weight loss, combatting the effects of low testosterone.
French Study Findings
Study Shows Testosterone Therapy Helps Men Lose Weight
Hormone Therapeutics June 16th, 2014
Posted In: Testosterone Therapy
Tags: aging, anti-aging, blood pressure, bmi, cholesterol levels, fat storage, fatigue, health, health improvements, healthier, hormone replacement, hormone therapeutics, hormone therapy, improve mood, improve physique, improve well being, irritability, low libido, low t, low t levels, lower blood pressure, lower testosterone, muscle loss, physical activity, testosterone, testosterone replacement, testosterone therapy, weight gain, weight loss
