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Does Compounded Bio-Identical Hormones Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Unbalanced Hormones? Julie A. Bryant Undergraduate Student Biology Department Tennessee Technological University 12/6/06 Does Compounded Bio-Identical Hormones Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Unbalanced Hormones? Abstract: Bio-Identical hormones are hormones that are molecularly (biochemically) identical to your true major ovarian steroid hormones-progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. They are derived from a natural source of soybean or yam, and are bio-identical to your ovarian hormones-- thus, the name bio-identical hormones. In this study women whom lacked progesterone were chosen to have bio-identically compounded progesterone to replace their deficiencies. Restoring your hormone levels to those of your younger years will provide a degree of protection against hardening of the arteries and decreased bone density. Studies of traditional synthetic hormones ("copycat" hormones) show protection against heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, and perhaps Alzheimer's disease. Natural hormones raise your hormone levels in the same way as the synthetics do and to the same degree. When your hormone levels are restored naturally, you will enjoy the same protective benefits that synthetic hormone replacement therapies offer without the side effects that have shown to be so troublesome to make synthetic hormone. Key Words Compounded Bio-Identical Hormones Biochemically Progesterone Testosterone Estradiol Synthetic Saliva Test Introduction: Hormones are produced by a group of glands known collectively as the endocrine system. Even though these glands are located in various parts of the body, they are considered one system because of their similar functions and relationship to each other (Grimes, 2002). Hormones are extremely potent substances. It takes only a minute amount to initiate an action (Romero, 2002). Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream by the glands. From there, they travel to all parts of the body. But, only the cells sensitive to that hormone—called the target tissue--will respond to the chemical signal the hormone carries. Traveling through the blood, hormones enter cells through “receptor” sites, much as a key unlocks a door (Mckerns, 1963). Once inside, they get to work, flipping the switches that govern growth, development, and mental and physical functions throughout life. All that changes when your hormones become unbalanced due to physical and emotional stress or the effects of aging. Signals do not reach the right place at the right time. Sometimes cell functions shut down completely. In other cases, cells are over stimulated. All this chaos causes unpleasant symptoms, at the very least. In severe situations, these imbalances can lead to chronic disorders or disease (Stevenson, 2004). Most hormones cannot be stored in the cells of the body. Therefore, they must be made and released into the blood at the precise time they are needed. To maintain the intricate systems in which hormones operate, the body must constantly fine-tune hormone release to keep levels within proper limits. This balance is accomplished through an intricate series of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. For example, an overproduction of one hormone usually prompts the release of one or more complementary hormones in an effort to restore balance (Hendrix, 2003). Because of the complexity of these interactions, a hormonal issue rarely stems from only one type of hormone. More often, the problem involves a series of hormones. In addition, a disruption in the balance of hormones produced by one gland or set of glands can cause other gland systems to malfunction. Hormones have a profound effect on your everyday health and well-being. Although present in only tiny amounts, hormones act on every cell of your body. Hormones have individual affects, but also interact with each other to produce dramatic effects in the body. Because of these interactions, they are able to trigger multiple body systems. The ovaries produce many hormones. Chief among them are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone interact to coordinate a woman’s menstrual cycle during her reproductive years. The brain produces the hormones follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which trigger hormone production from the ovaries. When any of the hormones coming from the brain or the ovaries are imbalanced, symptoms may occur. Imbalances are most common in puberty and menopause, but imbalances can happen at any age. Several conditions are well known to be associated with hormonal imbalance including: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, breast disease, and menstrual irregularities. Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance: Acne or oily skin Bloating Bone loss Decreased fertility Depression Excess facial and body hair Hot flashes Heavy or painful periods Irregular periods Irritability Loss of muscle mass Loss of scalp hair Low libido Memory lapses Mood swings Nervousness Night sweats Poor concentration Sleep disturbances Tender or fibrocystic breasts Urinary incontinence Vaginal dryness Weight gain In this study women whom lacked progesterone were chosen to have bioidentically compounded progesterone to replace their deficiency based on their answers to Data Form #1, which can be found in the appendix. Methods and Materials Each test subject was chosen based on the deficiency in progesterone. All the subjects lacked this hormone in significant amounts. Each subject was given a hormone checklist, which can be seen in Data Form 1 in the appendix, to determine what kind of unbalanced hormones symptoms they were having. The list contained several symptoms a woman could experience if her hormones were unbalanced. Unbalanced hormone symptoms are numerous, and this list was mentioned in the introductory paragraphs of this manuscript. When beginning this experiment the subject’s progesterone levels were measured using a saliva test. Saliva tests are a convenient, inexpensive, and accurate means of testing hormones (Gambacciani, 2004). Then the subject’s hormones were checked, using saliva testing, and recorded at four, eight, and twelve weeks during the experiment. The hormone levels were recorded on Date Form 2, which can be seen in the appendix. At the end of the experiment, which was the twelve week mark, the test subjects were given another unbalanced hormone symptoms checklist to see if any symptoms still existed and what the symptoms were if any. Results Hormones significantly increased in all subjects from the beginning of the experiment compared to when they were tested at the twelve week mark; which marked the end of the experiment. All subjects, however, were not in the optimal range of 500-3000 pg/ml at the end of the experiment; most were though. Overall, the subjects all showed considerable increases in their levels. The recorded experimental results can be seen in Data Forms 1 and 2 in the appendix. Discussion: Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) composed of either estrone or estradiol, with or without progestins carries an unacceptable risk of breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes (Shepherd, 2002). I propose a more rational hormone replacement therapy using bio-identical hormones in dosages based on true needs as determined by saliva testing. In addition to proper hormone balancing, other important risk factors are described, all of which are potentially correctable. Combining hormone balancing with correction of other environmental and lifestyle factors is our best hope for reducing the present risks of breast cancer, strokes and heart attacks along with those unnecessary symptoms of unbalanced hormones. Conclusions: Bio-identical hormones are made to have the same molecular structure as the hormones made by your own body. Synthetic hormones are made to be completely different. Drug companies aren't allowed to patent a bio-identical structure, so they invent synthetic hormones that are patentable. Though bio-identical hormones have been around for years, people as well as some doctors are very unfamiliar with them. There are several branded versions now available for use in the kind of hormone replacement therapy (“HRT”) typical of synthetic hormones. Basically, it has become a conclusion that bio-identical are much better than the synthetic hormones. The bio-identical hormones are natural and therefore work much better with our bodies like they were there naturally. This causes much fewer side effects. The synthetic hormones can cause many very strong side effects because of their harshness in nature. Basically, the bio-identical hormones can be matched to each individual woman's needs rather than a mass production of hormones that “might” work. By working with each person individually, it gives more of a guarantee that the results will be higher, and the side effects lower. Acknowledgments: Discount Pharmacy Four Ladies who participated in this experiment (Names withheld for privacy) Anyone who helped me in this process Thank You! Literature Cited: Gambacciani, M. 2004. New HRT options for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the maintenance of quality of life in postmenopausal women. Endocrine 24(3):231-8. Grimes DA., Lobo RA. 2002. Perspectives on the Women's Health Initiative trial of hormone replacement therapy. Obstet Gynecol. 100(6):1344-53. Hendrix, SL. 2003. Hormone therapy: evolving concepts. Curr Opin Rheumatol 15(4):464-8. McKerns KW. 1963. The regulation of adrenal function by estrogens and other hormones. Biochim Biophys Acta. 71:710-8. Romero, M. 2002. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy-Customizing care for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Adv Nurse Practice 10(11):47-8, 51- 2. Sheperd JE., Bopp J. 2002. Pharmacy-based care for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Journal of the American Pharmacy Association 42(5):700-11 Stevenson, JC. 2004. Hormone replacement therapy: review, update, and remaining questions after the Women's Health Initiative Study. Current Osteoporosis Rep. 2(1):12-6. Appendices: 1) Data Form 1 2) Data Form 2 3) Data Form 2 (with results) 4) Data Form 1 (with beginning results, 4 pages) 5) Data Form 1 (with end results, 4 pages)