Addressing the whole body’s dysfunction.
O.K. So it’s really important to understand how the body works or doesn’t work or, more importantly, how it tries to accommodate its functions when on the down-grade – getting older. I am not a medical expert (although I was pre-med in college and in the National Guard Medical Corps) but I have learned that as parts wear out, compensation sets in. In many cases of andropause, the goal is to get hormones, nutrition and fitness working closely together toward an optimal level. It’s not enough to just get bioidentical hormone therapy, fitness or nutrition by themselves because they are all connected and must be addressed simultaneously.
So, men, don’t shortchange yourself, as we often want to do. If you want real results, all of these issues must be addressed or the body just reestablishes a new dysfunctional equilibrium.
Test results – Oh My God!
First, let me quickly tell you what I did after signing up with BodyLogicMD. They sent me to a lab with instructions for what blood to have taken for a battery of tests. They also sent me a kit for saliva testing – four small test tubes you fill with saliva and send off to determine your cortisol levels (it’s called the “stress hormone” because it increases blood pressure, blood sugar and reduces immune responses – most importantly it reveals your level of stress). Pay attention to this one, guys!
So, then I went to my BodyLogicMD Doc – that beautiful and fun woman doc I mentioned earlier – Dr. Jennifer Landa in Orlando (poetic, kind of). For over an hour, she reviewed with me the results and gave me a detailed rundown of what I need to do and not do and what I need to take (mostly nutritional supplements or bioidentical hormones).
Second, I had already told her what I thought were important issues I wanted addressed – with her and my help, of course. I mentioned that I had an elevated cholesterol/triglyceride ratio and was taking a small dosage of Crestor. I showed lots of cortisol stress (four hours after I was up in the morning, my cortisol drops to almost zero. Wow!). No wonder I was always feeling tired, needing a nap and having trouble “thinking straight.”
I also told her I knew I was losing muscle tissue and strength. Finally, the obvious: I have that old-man belly I want to get rid of. Those are the essentials.
So, what were the results?
Well, to be brief, I not only have the cortisol issue, but am pre-diabetic, have suboptimal DHEA (the so called “Mother Hormone” – it can adapt to fill the need of other missing hormones – including testosterone (Gents, that’s an important ingredient for good sex, strength, etc.). I am overweight by 20 lbs and need to exercise more. Sound familiar?
So, Dr. Landa gave me the rundown of what I needed to do and take. (Check subsequent posts for more details.) We will have a follow-up in three months – re-testing and checking on progress. I am already looking forward to it.
I know this blog post is missing the maniac touch, but let me tell you after learning about what was and wasn’t happening in this body of mine, I came out of my review session with the good Doc feeling like a maniac! I have to get on it!!
Again, I am committed to this program and will keep you abreast of what’s happening.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy… Here Goes!
Trying to live out my life with a healthy dose of taking care of myself. Wow! What a simple concept, right? Wrong.
Belly fat, low energy, arthritis pain, off-and-on depression. Stop! I can’t let that be the life I live if there are choices — and there are.
I admit it, I hate exercise and don’t like being hungry (the on-a-diet kind of hunger). But I am determined to minimize the things I hate by getting back as many of those things I have either lost or dislike living with daily. If I can do that – and diet and exercise are required – I think I can change how I feel about myself.
So, I began this long, life-changing quest last Friday. I was tested to find out how my body-motor is running (that ultimate check-up we all avoid—ESPECIALLY men). Well, guys, the picture isn’t so pretty. The good news is it can be remedied with lots of side positive benefits – including more sex!
BodyLogicMD’s program is specific to bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition and fitness. They do the testing, and assign you a physician to develop a supportive regime for you to fix, as my 94-year-old mother would say, “what ails you.” I did the tests, and Jennifer Landa, MD gave me the results and a personalized rebuilding plan. I’ll discuss the results — the plan and how it’s going — on this blog.
After getting beyond the overwhelming thing – like learning that the carburetor needs cleaning out, the fuel needs to be upgraded and the tires are almost flat – I am ready to get out of this ditch. I am doing it and I’m going to tell all!
BTW, love my doctor, wow! Everyone should be so lucky to have a beautiful, intelligent, fun woman tell you what you need to do to get back on the road.