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
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.
Understanding the symptoms of andropause – the male menopause
When it comes to menopause, men too have their own cross to bear and it’s called andropause (the male menopause). Andropause is typified by the gradual decline of the male sex hormone, testosterone. In addition to waning testosterone levels, men also experience lower levels of DHEA and human growth hormone. Although the change in men is more gradual than experienced by women, during menopause, the symptoms can be just as trying.
Here are some of the symptoms that men can expect during andropause:
- Low libido – Low testosterone can cause a lot of problems in the bedroom. In addition to becoming disinterested in sex, men aren’t aroused as easily and oftentimes don’t have sex as frequently as they did in their 20’s and 30’s. It’s also common for men to experience erectile dysfunction (ED) as result of hypogonadism (low testosterone).
- Weight gain/muscle loss – Weight gain is typical in males suffering from hormonal imbalance. Excess cortisol can negatively impact the body’s metabolism and make it increasingly difficult to shed those unwanted pounds. It’s estimated that men who lead sedentary lifestyles will lose approximately 10 percent of his muscle mass, each decade.
- Fatigue – As men age, cortisol levels increase and testosterone levels plummet, oftentimes overworking the adrenals and causing a condition known as adrenal fatigue.
- Sleep problems – Hormonal imbalance is at the root of everything from sleep apnea to insomnia. It’s common for men to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
- Low self-confidence – Being that andropause can be physically and emotionally draining, men sometimes feel as if they’ve lost their youthful edge. Lack of confidence can bring on bouts of depression and lead to anxiety.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of andropause, it would be wise to contact your primary care physician and request to have your hormone levels tested. If a hormonal imbalance is found, it’s important to find the treatment plan that works best for you.
-Denver bioidentical hormones expert Joseph Agnello, M.D.
Testosterone Testimonial
We have placed a really well-thought-out article (a letter to Roanoke Times) on this blog for you to read. It’s about TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). The author is using bioidentical hormones to balance testosterone levels.
Men, you should read this article. It clearly argues that there is a difference, not made clear by many physicians or researchers, between bioidentical and synthetic hormones used in replacement. Most, if not all, problems referred to in the medical and research literature (as this testimonial notes) occur in reference to synthetic products.
Read this article. For my part, I feel it truly reflects my issues and my subsequent resolution of many of them. Just today my primary physician gave me a full physical exam (including extensive blood testing) and everything was good. So good I am able to STOP taking all of the prescription medications she had previously prescribed. (If you don’t understand all of the technical references in the article, not to worry. You will find this read reassuring.)
Here's what Michael McCarty – patient of Dr. Heidi Archer of BodyLogicMD of Vail and Potomac Falls had to say:
"I went to my family doctor, then to a urologist and finally an endocrinologist. I questioned my levels of hormones. In all cases they said, diet and exercise was all I needed. All of them wanted to mask my real problem by prescribing me medications for my ‘symptoms”. They wanted me on medicine for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, anxiety and erectile dysfunction. That’s five different medications! I refused to put those toxins in my body. The side effects are many which usually lead to more medication. So, being desperate and knowing what the real problem was, I went to see a doctor from BodyLogicMD, Dr. Heidi Archer. She is in Potomac Falls, VA. The doctors at BodyLogicMD are expertly trained in hormone replacement therapy. Not only that they understand nutrition and exercise. They believe in taking nutritional supplements. They are on the cutting edge of the aging human. Is it expensive? Not at all. I feel better now than at age 25!..."