Spice Up Your Life: January 2009

Table of Contents

Letter from the Editor

As many of you know, I attended a conference in SLC in June regarding Bio-identical Hormone Restoration Therapy. I was very impressed and so brought the option of saliva testing and treatment to my patients. Since July we have about 40 women using this therapy. For the most part, we are having success. Remember that each of us is like an empty well, and it may take up to 3 months to feel the full effects of treatment. I try to call and check on your progress, but assume you are doing well unless I hear back from you. It is a good idea to recheck the hormone levels after 3 months to make sure the dosage is correct, especially if you are on estrogen. My goal is to treat the symptoms, so that you are feeling as perfect as possible.

Remember you may choose a lozenge or cream therapy. If you are on one type and would like to change to the other, please ask the pharmacist at Jolley's Pharmacy to make the change. I know you have all enjoyed talking with Jill. She is a compounding pharmacist who is excellent and so willing to share her knowledge.

I will be attending another conference on Bio-identical Hormone Restoration Therapy in Las Vegas the end of January, and will be sharing that knowledge with you on a monthly basis. My goal of the newsletter is to stay connected with you and help answer any questions or concerns that you may be having.

The Language of Cells

"Our bodies contain some 60 trillion cells that must communicate with each other in order to carry out functions. Their language is conducted by hormones, the chief chemical messengers between cells. Traveling through the blood, hormones enter cells through 'receptor sites' much as a key unlocks a door. Once inside, they get to work flipping the switches that govern growth, development, and mental and physical functions throughout life."

Balance: The Key to Health

"Hormones exist in harmony with each other - partners in a delicate balancing act. When levels of each hormone are in the right proportions, body systems are stable. When balance is lost, hormone deficiencies and excesses can become toxic to the body, causing unwanted symptoms, disorders and disease."

Unbalanced Lifestyle

"Hormone balance is deeply connected to the food we eat, the exercise we get, the toxins we absorb and the stress level we live with. The adrenal glands make key hormones that not only mobilize stress and immune responses, but also build and maintain bone, muscle, sex drive and function at any age. When the adrenals get run down, we get run down." High estrogen and progesterone levels lead to Insulin Resistance.

Saliva Testing

This measures the amount of bio-available levels of steroid hormones. The benefit is that it is painless and can be done at your convenience. If you are still having a menstrual cycle, then the sample should be collected on day 19, 20 or 21 of your cycle with day #1 being the first day of your bleed. We typically test estrogens (estrone E1, estradiol E2, and estriol E3), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol. The hormones are stable at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks once the samples are shipped UPS, for me to receive the test results on the internet. Once the results are available, I make a call to Jill at Jolley's Compounding Pharmacy in SLC and she and I determine the treatment plan just for you. Most times the lozenge or cream is shipped that very day and you receive it the next. I have been very pleased with the quickness of my orders.