Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is Cheaper than a Heart Attack
I am 51 years old and I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life. Looking back, it was largely because of my diet. I had blood work done about a year ago and my testosterone levels were very low. I know my dad had a problem with erectile dysfunction and doctors also attributed his condition to diet. I started researching testosterone deficiencies on the internet and found BodyLogicMD. I waited a few months before making a decision, because I don't like spending money on non-urgent health issues.
As time went on, I continued to feel worse and worse. I knew I had to get help. I felt like I was dying. Most food I ate was pulling me down. I woke up tired, my calve muscles would spasm at night and wake me up, my vision was getting worse and worse, I was craving water more and more, I was craving sugar, I was hungry most of the time. I was starting to get scared because my health deteriorating so quickly. The week my symptoms started to peak was the same week I was scheduled to see Dr. Travis Deuson of BodyLogicMD of Encino. I felt hopeful because I knew he could help me. I have become a diabetic because of my poor diet. He prescribed six supplements. I have never been one to take pills, but I was in dire need and more than willing to do whatever it takes to get my health back on track.
He also suggested that I read The Perfect 10 Diet by Dr. Michael Aziz. This book is the key to making this process work. It educated me on how food effects the production of hormones in our body. I went out and bought it immediately. I changed my diet that day. Within two days I already had more energy. Within four days I felt like a new person. I had tons of energy, I woke up feeling alive. I did not crave sugar and was not hungry, the leg cramps stopped, I felt like living and enjoying life again. My vision continued to be blurry and was poor. Dr. Deuson suggested checking my blood sugar. Sure enough it was 285, should be about 110. I went to another local doctor and obtained another prescription to help lower this reading. For now I will need glasses. I joined a gym to help lower my blood sugar levels naturally though exercise. It takes a few weeks to adjust our diet and take the supplements, but if we are determined to get well, we can. This is cheaper that a heart attack, plus I feel great!
I also appreciate the knowledge of Dr. Deuson.
Thank you very much,
Brian B., Santa Barbara, CA
It is amazing how much better and how much younger I feel now!
I decided to go see an urologist to get checked out. I was concerned about my libido, which seems to be how every male measures how he is aging. I was reading online about the hormone testing. My results came back as low-normal. As a result, the urologist gave me a shot of pure testosterone 400 DL. It worked well and I was happy again. I had to go back 30 days later to get another shot. He then put me on androgel, which is when things took a turn for the worse. He said it could possibly be stress, which I found to be strange because I had always taken good care of myself.
I went to a vitamin shop and discussed the testosterone shots I was taking with some of the bodybuilders there (who in my opinion, are experts at balancing their hormones). They kept asking me about my estrogen levels, as they said my Estrogen is probably high - and I wasn’t sure what the answer was. It made sense that there had to be a balance between the two!
I couldn’t believe that a Western doctor would blindly prescribe testosterone without taking into consideration my estrogen! And after asking around I found that most Western doctors will not consider testing estrogen levels in men. Instead they’ll just treat the result of the testosterone tests – which does not treat the whole situation.
I did a lot of research and found Dr. Schultz who tested all of my hormone levels. It turned out that my testosterone was three times over the normal level and my estrogen was four times over the normal level. She took the time to explain to me that the testosterone had to go somewhere and about the cascade effect which I was experiencing. She decided to put me on arimidex and eventually weaned me off androgel.
Estrogen levels in men are extremely important but are so often overlooked. Too much estrogen is not healthy in men. I’ve done a lot of research now in order to understand hormones. I still can’t believe that there are doctors are out there who don’t take into consideration estrogen levels in men. This approach absolutely worked wonders.
Most traditional doctors don’t really look at what is going on with your hormones and treat symptoms with pharmaceuticals. What I’m trying to do, however, is treat a deficiency. If my hormones are low, I’m replacing them because your body doesn’t function properly without hormones. By naturally balancing your hormones, I find that I don’t need pharmaceuticals anymore.
After starting the bioidentical hormone therapy everything went back to normal and my libido is back! I look better and feel better! It is amazing how much better and how much younger I feel now!
Thank you Dr. Schultz!
Jim M.
Patient of Naperville bioidentical hormones expert, Dr. Michelle Schultz
The Medical Minute with Fort Lauderdale Bioidentical Hormones Expert Dr. Jeffrey Thackrey
High Testosterone Levels in Men Linked to Heart Disease
Testosterone is an anabolic steroid – a hormone that regulates protein retention in the body, to improve muscle mass and bone density. The male sex hormone is synthesized by cholesterol and is produced by the testes. Testosterone levels typically peak in a man’s late 20’s, early 30’s, and gradually decline at an average rate of 2 percent each year. The primary concern for men experiencing symptoms of andropause – the male menopause - is waning levels of testosterone. For most men, testosterone declines naturally with age; however, in some cases, Low-T isn’t the issue. Most middle-aged men using bioidentical hormones are doing so to kick start testosterone production; on the flipside, bioidentical hormone therapy may also help men with abnormally high levels of testosterone.
Studies suggest that men over the age of 65 with too much testosterone have an increased risk of heart disease. Other risks associated with excess testosterone include:
- Low sperm count
- Impotence
- Liver disease
- Aggressive behavior
- Shrinking testicles
- Heart muscle damage
- Insomnia
- Acne
Testosterone is a critical component of a man’s overall health. It’s important for men to know where their levels are at, especially for men over the age of 45. Hormone testing is the only way to know for sure if hormone levels are balanced. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of testosterone imbalance, such as low libido, fatigue, sleep difficulty, weight gain, muscle loss, erectile dysfunction and impotence, it would be in your best interest to have your hormone levels evaluated by a physician.
Interested in learning more about testosterone and men's health?
Any men living in the South Florida area are welcome to attend my FREE seminar on bioidentical hormone therapy. I will discuss testosterone how a combination of bioidentical hormones and customized nutrition and fitness regimens can relieve symptoms of andropause and help men get their edge back. Click here for more information on this event or find a local bioidentical hormone therapy seminar in your area.
About Fort Lauderdale Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Jeffrey Thackrey, M.D.
Dallas Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Lisa Gorn, D.O. Discusses IBS & G.I. Health
April is recognized as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month and I wanted to discuss some factors that can negatively impact our G.I. health and increase our risk of developing IBS. Focusing on our diet and reducing stress are the most important things we can do to improve our gut health. The Standard American Diet (SAD) has been linked to a multitude of chronic and deficiency-related illnesses. Processed foods are oftentimes high in trans fats, saturated fats, simple sugars and empty calories and significantly increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also, when we eat is just as important as what we eat. Regular mealtimes help regulate digestion. Relaxing and taking the time to chew our food thoroughly not only aids in digestion, but helps us utilize more nutrients. In addition to the foods that we eat, stress also plays a large role in our overall gut health. Chronic stress causes the intestinal muscles to contract and eventually the contractions can cause symptoms commonly associated with IBS, such as abdominal pain and discomfort, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.
You’re invited to attend a FREE Dallas Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Seminar
Contact bioidentical hormone doctors in Dallas and get more information about bioidentical hormone therapy.
Watch Dallas Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Dr. Lisa Gorn on YouTube.
Become a fan of Lisa Gorn, D.O. on Facebook and learn about bioidentical hormones.
Follow Dr. Lisa Gorn on Twitter as Dallas' hormone therapy expert shares tips and advice for living better, longer.
Contact Dallas bioidentical hormones expert, Dr. Lisa Gorn.
Milwaukee Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Kenneth Raskin, M.D. Explains How Watching Too Much T.V. Can Shorten Life Span
According to a recent article published on HealthKey.com, watching too much television can shorten our longevity. Studies have indicated that watching too much television can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
According to Dr. Prediman K. Shah, director of the cardiology division of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, the more we’re inactive, the more we jeopardize our long-term health.
When we’re watching TV, we’re not using our muscles. Muscle contraction helps the body break down glucose to use as energy and when the glucose isn’t broken down properly, insulin resistance can occur, oftentimes leading to the onset of type II diabetes.
Read the full article: Watching T.V. Shortens Life Span
- Click here to register: FREE Milwaukee Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Seminar
- Contact bioidentical hormones doctors in Milwaukee and get more information about bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Subscribe to BodyLogicMD’s Bioidentical Hormone Therapy YouTube channel and watch over 250 videos to get expert answers about hormones, hormonal imbalances resulting from menopause or andropause (the male menopause), thyroid disorder and adrenal fatigue, bioidentical hormones, nutrition and fitness.
Contact Milwaukee-area bioidentical hormones expert, Dr. Kenneth Raskin
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- Want to stay up to date on the latest news and views about bioidentical hormones, fitness and nutrition? Subscribe to Bioidentical Hormones Experts blog.
- Interested in the lighter side of menopause? Meet our Menopause Maniacs and follow their blog: Menopause Maniac.
Ft. Lauderdale Bioidentical Hormones Expert, Jeffrey Thackrey, M.D. Discusses How Hormone-Mimicking Chemicals Are Turning Boys Into Girls
An article recently published on NaturalNews.com discussed hormone-mimicking chemicals such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), PVC and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB’s) and how daily contact with these environmental toxins can oftentimes lead to hormonal imbalances and in some cases life-threatening diseases. According to the article, these chemicals build up inside our bodies and are resistant to environmental degradation, meaning that it takes a longer time for residual traces to dissipate. Scientists believe that these “endocrine disrupting chemicals” have attributed to a lower male birth rate, stating that, in the past, approximately 106 male children were born for every 100 females; however, recent studies have revealed that this trend has actually reversed. There’s an overwhelming amount of evidence that suggests that this change is a direct result of xenoestrogens – man-made chemicals that have estrogenic effects throughout the body – being used in the manufacture of a wide variety of consumer-based products.
Read more here: Gender-Bender Chemicals are Turning Boys into Girls
- Click here to register: FREE Ft. Lauderdale Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Seminar
- Contact bioidentical hormones doctors in Ft. Lauderdale and get more information about bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Contact Louisville-area bioidentical hormones expert, Dr. Jeffrey Thackrey
Subscribe to our other blogs:
Want to stay up to date on the latest news and views about bioidentical hormones, fitness and nutrition? Subscribe to Bioidentical Hormones Experts blog.
Interested in the lighter side of menopause? Meet our Menopause Maniacs and follow their blog: Menopause Maniac.
Report and Review of My Progress
I get a gold star or gold medal, as it were, for making wonderful progress on my BodyLogicMD program. Dr. Jennifer Landa and I just talked about my health and hormone status. I had the usual blood work-up done and it showed that my body is working far better than I expected. My blood sugar is down. My testosterone is up – as it should be (needs some minor adjustment with new supplements). As I reported in an earlier blog, I am not taking prescription medications anymore. My libido is good. Blood count, liver function, sodium and calcium are all within normal range. I feel so much better – from a depression level of about 7 or 8 (on a scale of 10; with 10 the worst) now more like a 2 or 3 and holding steady. I have lost between 8 and 10 lbs, depending on which scale I use. That’s very rewarding and mostly due to limited eating – only the good things I should eat – and exercise (which I need to do more of). My goal over the next few months is to lose at least one pound per month. I think that's doable even though I am going on vacation for 10 days in April.
Why would I not love the program! I know it works and my primary physician even agrees that it does.
Loving it.
Food: Friend and Enemy
I must say one of the things I have had to get used to is eating the right foods.
I love to cook, so fortunately I can pretty much cook the foods we need to eat. Since my restrictions are pretty wide-ranged – no dairy, no glutens/wheat, no meat of color and no sugar – it actually makes it easy to focus on fish, vegetables, fruit, chicken/turkey, eggs, etc. What’s been harder to do is find recipes that fit with these foods. (Recently I discovered a really great recipe for shrimp bisque. Instead of cream or milk, it called for me to cook brown rice and then put it thru a food processor. That takes the place of the dairy and is really good.) I am challenged to be inventive with cooking on the diet. Sometimes when the rest of the family wants red meat, I just cook me up some fish – I love tilapia.
I have always bought the best ingredients – like organic everything I can get my hands on – so I doubt I am saving much money. But that’s O.K.
For breakfast, I have oatmeal (quick 1.5 minutes in the microwave) with fruit on top and soymilk or rice milk. Really good-tasting to me. I also recently found gluten-free frozen waffles, yummy with a boiled egg on top. Protein for breakfast is really important to keep me feeling full through lunch.
I was at an important reception in Washington, DC, and, as is often the case, all of the food being passed by waiters contained cheese or wheat. I just refused them and waited to have a really good dinner of scallops after.
Frankly, it’s not worth cheating on the diet, as it just means I get back my IBS and reflux - AND I have to exercise more to “use” up the calories. Not worth it.
Besides, I like the mantra, “you are what you eat.” Now on to my lunch of egg salad on rice bread – I like that, too.
Unhealthy: How Do You Know?
When you have gotten better or healthy again after being sick, have you ever thought, “I didn’t know how sick I was until now?” That has happened to me many times.
It occurred to me today that, after about nine weeks on the BodyLogicMD bioidentical hormones/nutritional-supplement program, I feel so much better. I didn’t know how unhealthy I was. How depressed I have been.
I know about depression. For one thing, I worked for the National Mental Health Association for eight years and I have an undergrad degree in psychology. My father had bouts of depression, albeit never diagnosed as such, for most of his life after being discharged from World War II. (Now in his 90s, he is in a state of dementia, so awareness of depression isn’t there.) I have often fought mild depression as well.
And my andropause (MANopause) seemed to have magnified it. As I reported before, my cortisol (stress hormone) tests showed I had almost no cortisol by 10:30 a.m. each day! (If I hadn’t been so depressed, I would have been manic about this terrible news.) Low cortisol is often a symptom of MANopause.
Well, today I can tell you I feel beyond that issue. I know how depressed I was, now that I am not depressed anymore.
How about you? How are you feeling? Can you really tell how “sick” you are until you make an effort to do something about it and get better?
Physical Exam Report – I’m a Go!
Recently I visited my primary physician. As I reported to you before, I had stopped all of the prescription drugs she had given me as I didn’t need two of the three (for reflux), and I wanted to see if my cholesterol and triglycerides would remain low as they did for the BodyLogicMD tests. If so, I could continue not taking the statin. Dr. Holly Marshall was fine with my not taking the drugs, as the levels were low according to the results of a recent blood test.
My bioidentical hormones doctor Dr. Landa had suggested I have a bone scan as the BodyLogicMD test results indicated I might have a low bone density level. She was right to be concerned, as recent tests showed my bone density was borderline osteoporosis. So, my primary physician gave me a prescription for the Fosomax once-a-week pill.
At my physical exam with Dr. Marshall, I was disappointed that my body weight loss wasn’t greater. Therefore, I am going to get back to a much more regular weekly gym and exercise routine. Even though my belly fat is less – by measure of my belt position – I must increase resistance exercises to transform more fat into muscle tissue.
I am good to go to a new level over the next three months. I’ll keep you posted.