ESTROGEN THERAPY
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Virtually every man undergoing properly administered testosterone replacement will need his estrogen level managed.
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A man’s estrogen actually comes from his testosterone via a process called aromatization.
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If testosterone is increased to healthy levels without suppressing estrogen, estrogen levels will also rise. While men need a small amount of estrogen to be healthy, too much causes unpleasant symptoms like weight gain, low sex drive, fatigue, moodiness, water retention, and gynocomasia (more commonly known as man boobs).
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Estrogen is suppressed via an oral medication called an estrogen blocker. Estrogen blockers, also known as aromatase inhibitors, block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
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Estrogen should be within a tight window for men to be healthy, and to feel their best. Finding that window, and pinpointing an appropriate estrogen blocker dosage, requires expertise. Our doctors have the experience necessary to make sure this aspect of therapy is done correctly.
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Lab testing and monitoring symptoms are essential—either one alone isn’t enough.
THYROID THERAPY
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Don’t know that there are multiple thyroid hormones.
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Don’t understand the relationship between these hormones.
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Don’t understand how important this relationship is to proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Don’t know what optimal levels of thyroid hormone actually are, and consequently don’t prescribe enough thyroid medication when it’s needed.
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Don’t know the difference between synthetic and bioidentical thyroid.
INJECTABLE NUTRIENT THERAPY
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When nutrients are injected either intramuscularly or subcutaneously, nothing is lost to the digestive tract.
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Some powerful nutrients like glutathione can’t be absorbed through the digestive tract. The only way to significantly benefit from this powerful antioxidant is via injection.
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You may need higher doses of some nutrients to achieve your health and fitness goals. Injectable nutrients provide an avenue to getting these higher doses into your system without having to eat huge amounts of food or laboriously plan your meals around nutrient content.
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As you push yourself hard during workouts, injectable nutrients can help to reduce recovery time, boost energy, support muscle health, burn fat, and rid the body of toxins.
LAB TESTING
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Hormone therapy cannot be prescribed safely and effectively without lab testing at regular intervals.
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Two people can have the same lab results, but very different symptoms. The reverse can be true, too. To say that individuals who have the same test results or the same symptoms should have the same treatment plan would be erroneous. We look at the complete picture, which means looking at test results and symptoms.
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If lab results combined with how you feel are used during diagnosis, then conclusions drawn will be unique to you. Likewise, a treatment plan that draws from these unique conclusions will be individualized for you.
BIOIDENTICAL TESTOSTERONE THERAPY
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Injections are the best way to go and two times per week is ideal. Injections performed less often won’t get optimal results.
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Going to a clinic for injections is unnecessary. They are easy to perform yourself, and we provide the information you need to do just that.
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Can’t stand needles? If injections simply aren’t an option for you, topical cream compounded at a suitable strength is the next best solution.
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Pellets and patches are ineffective and taking testosterone by mouth is unsafe.
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Results are typically felt in as little as 2 weeks. For most men, symptoms of low testosterone will be resolved completely in 3 to 6 weeks.
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Testosterone therapy isn’t just about testosterone. We manage estrogen levels, too.
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Safe and effective treatment means regular monitoring. You’ll lab test two times per year, see the doctor one time per year, and we’ll check in with you at regular intervals.
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Testosterone therapy works best when all hormones are optimized. If there are imbalances in DHEA, thyroid, growth hormone, cortisol, or pregnenalone, we have appropriate solutions available.
DHEA THERAPY
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Over-the-counter DHEA is unregulated. What the label says is in the bottle is rarely what the bottle actually contains. To be sure of potency and purity, DHEA should only be obtained via prescription from a qualified compounding pharmacy.
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Just like any other hormone, dosage should be optimized, and optimization requires lab testing.
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If you buy DHEA over-the-counter and don’t lab test, you’re effectively “guessing” at how much DHEA you need on a daily basis.
ADRENAL FATIGUE THERAPY
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Stress causes your adrenal glands to produce too much of a hormone called cortisol.
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Too much cortisol damages the tissues in your body, and causes adrenal fatigue.
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Adrenal fatigue means your body can’t produce the smaller amounts of cortisol it needs to function properly.
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Some healthcare practitioners will replace cortisol when deficient due to adrenal fatigue. Our experience has been that this approach to treating adrenal fatigue does more harm than good.
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When other hormones are out of balance, the adrenals will work hard to compensate.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS THERAPY
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Supplements are not FDA-regulated. Products available from many sources (including drug stores and big box stores) are often missing key compounds. Similarly, they frequently contain adulterated ingredients and fillers, and are lacking in potency and purity.
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The only way to be sure of what you’re getting is to obtain supplements from a reputable source.
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Some nutrients should only be taken in conjunction with routine lab testing to ensure that dosage is appropriate. Vitamin D and iron are examples of two nutrients that you should not overdo.