The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones travel and cause effects on different tissues and organs in the body. Some of the most important jobs of hormones include regulating metabolism, growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, mood and tissue function.
When hormone levels dip too low, this leads to a hormone deficiency known as hypopituitarism. This means the pituitary gland in the brain is not signaling your other glands to release adequate hormones. Signs and symptoms will vary greatly depending on which hormones are impacted.
Common deficiency signs include:
Catching and treating a hormone imbalance early is key to feeling your best, maintaining strength and preventing long term health complications. Read on to learn about some of the main hormone deficiencies Balance Hormone Clinic tests for and custom treatments we offer.
Testosterone is an essential sex hormone in both men and women. However, men naturally have much higher levels - and thus low testosterone or "low T" is far more common in males. Up to 20% of aging men have clinically low testosterone levels causing problematic symptoms.
If you are a male over age 30 suffering from several of the above - you may benefit from having your testosterone levels tested.
The most well proven and substantial benefits include:
With customized testosterone therapy, most men find the majority of bothersome low T symptoms can be reversed - restoring strength, resilience, appearance and zest for life.
TRT can benefit your cardiovascular health, brain health and reduce risk of diabetes and certain cancers. It also simply helps combat the draining effects aging can have on your masculine vitality and abilities.
The ovaries are the main source of the hormone estrogen in women. Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate across the menstrual cycle. Dramatically dropping estrogen levels occur during perimenopause and menopause as the ovaries decline in function and ovulation ceases. Low estrogen causes a variety of difficult symptoms leading up to and after menopause - that for some women can persist for many years. Estrogen deficiency can also occur earlier in life due to medical issues such as ovarian failure, anorexia or hypothalamic amenorrhea in athletes and women under chronic stress.
If you are experiencing multiple problematic menopause symptoms - estrogen therapy can likely provide tremendous relief.
Used short term, estrogen therapy is very effective at relieving symptoms wreaking havoc on your work, relationships and rest. When symptoms dissipate, often a lower dose can preserve benefits while minimizing cancer and blood clot risks associated with oral estrogens.
Transdermal patches, gels or vaginal estrogen preparations are alternative options that bypass the liver and likely carry fewer risks than traditional pills. Finding the optimal formulation, dosage and combination with other hormones like progesterone is key - as no two women are alike.
The small butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in your neck has an enormously important role. It produces thyroid hormones T3 and T4 that control the rate of all metabolic functions in nearly every cell and tissue across the body.
Even small dips in thyroid function slow metabolism - causing fatigue, weight gain and a wide variety of other effects.
Unfortunately, national surveys estimate over 10% of women and 3% of men suffer from hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). And due to inaccuracies in standard blood tests and reference ranges - many more have low cellular T3 levels despite normal lab results.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease - where your immune system attacks and destroys thyroid tissue. As with most autoimmune conditions, women are far more likely to develop Hashimoto’s.
Catching and properly treating a sluggish thyroid is hugely impactful on health and quality of life. Even if labs don’t clearly indicate hypothyroidism, treating borderline cases can produce big benefits.
We thoroughly test TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3 and both thyroid antibodies to accurately diagnose and continually monitor your thyroid function. We'll determine if T4-only or natural dessicated thyroid providing T4 and T3 is the right fit for your body. With an individualized protocol we restore thyroid hormones to optimal levels - resolving lingering symptoms.
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Surprisingly, for transgender women, hormone therapy has been found to increase verbal fluency, improving verbal memory and expanding vocabulary. This cognitive benefit is likely due to estrogen's role in verbal memory and frontal lobe function related to speech.
Growth hormone (GH) has increasingly gained attention as a vital anti-aging hormone. In fact, GH levels can predict mortality rates better than smoking, cholesterol levels or blood pressure. Most physicians focus on adequate growth hormone levels in children - yet plummeting GH levels as an adult wreaks havoc on your health in many ways.
Growth hormone works synergistically with other hormones to:
Increase lean muscle mass and directly burn stored body fat for fuel. This reshapes body composition in a sustainable way no amount of dieting can achieve alone. It also boosts energy expenditure so you burn more calories throughout the day - not just during exercise.
Growth hormone ramps collagen production delivering more youthful, wrinkle-free and injury-resistant skin and connective tissue. Thicker, faster growing hair and stronger fingernails also result.
With boosted cell regeneration - even minor injuries heal faster. Those prone to joint pain and arthritis usually find great relief. Memory, mental clarity and quicker information processing in the brain all improve as well.
Cosmetic perks aside - growth hormone deficiency contributes to:
We help identify and properly treat human growth hormone deficiency. As we age, typically growth hormone declines 14% per decade after age 30. Yet some individuals experience faster decreases resulting in deficiency.
Through blood analysis and clinical evaluation, we accurately diagnose cases of adult growth hormone deficiency. Then with ongoing follow up care - we develop a fully customized therapeutic strategy including lifestyle shifts and hormone balancing.
Dramatically boosting GH back to youthful ranges is one of the most powerful ways to slow and even reverse aspects of aging.
DHEA is an adrenal androgen hormone that peaks around age 25, with levels dropping approximately 10% on average per decade thereafter. DHEA acts as a buffering hormone to help cortisol fluctuations. It also aids regular hormone pathways that tap fat for fuel and build lean tissues.
Declining DHEA is linked ncreasingly to a host of health issues including heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis and sexual dysfunction. Restoring DHEA often helps resolve low libido, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, anxiety and depression.
We thoroughly test DHEA-S blood levels as part of our complete hormone panels. With follow up testing, we determine optimal, balanced dosing strategies for long term benefits.
Transdermal DHEA in cream form is ideal to replicate natural rhythms in hormone release throughout the day. When indicated through testing, adding DHEA is a safe way to help stabilize many bodily processes and boost resilience.
Many people struggle with diminishing hormone balance for extended timeframes - attributing symptoms solely to “normal aging”, stress or poor lifestyle habits vs hormonal dysfunction. We find the large majority of symptoms releasing people of health, energy and vigor are indeed driven by improper hormonal signaling.
Yet with the variety of essential hormones and complex feedback mechanisms, it’s rarely just one hormone deficiency occurring in isolation. Imbalances tend to cluster - each exacerbating the next with widespread consequences.
That’s why Balance Hormone Clinic offers complete metabolic testing panels - not only examining sex hormones, but thyroid, adrenal and even comprehensive micronutrient analysis. We identify common patterns like:
Estrogen deficiency fuelling thyroid dysfunction. Both provoke inflammation lowering testosterone further - eventually growth hormone, melatonin and DHEA also wane. Vitamin and mineral depletion join the vicious cycle.
Catching this web of dysfunction early and restoring balance comprehensively prevents minor issues becoming deeply entrenched, deteriorating conditions. Hormone optimization paired with improved lifestyle habits can:
Don’t resign yourself to discomfort and disability before your time! Experience how great you can continue feeling through targeted treatment.
We make hormone testing and optimization as quick and convenient as possible. Along with appointments at our welcoming Huntersville clinic, we also coordinate mobile phlebotomy services. A trained phlebotomist will come draw your needed labs right at your home or workplace!
Once your results are in, you also have the choice of an online or in-clinic consultation to review findings and outline a therapeutic plan. Follow up communications for continued care and dosage adjustments can likewise be virtual or in person.
With flexible options, we remove barriers to comprehensive testing many endure through standard labs. We also individualize communication formats to your needs and preferences.
While some providers simply prescribe standard drugs, all our hormone therapies are high grade compounded preparations tailored to your body’s ideal absorption and precision dosing requirements.
For testosterone, we prescribe gels, sublingual drops or cream options bypassing the liver for steady, sustained hormone release patterns restoring natural rhythms.
Estrogen therapy includes transdermal gels, creams or patches along with progestogens to balance the hormonal environment and minimize health risks. Custom options also available for thyroid, DHEA and growth hormones for optimal restoration of deficiencies.
Alongside balance restoring medications, we offer extensive counseling and resources on additional ways to optimize hormones naturally through nutrition, movement, stress reduction and sleep hygiene.
Key partnerships with local wellness providers give us great referral options for our patients including:
Our compassionate, well educated staff deeply understand the sensitive nature of hormone imbalances. We know the relief optimized hormones provide by thoroughly listening, testing and supporting patients over years delivering customized care.
Our lead physician Dr. Cynthia Edwards is a board certified Ob/Gyn with an Anti-Aging fellowship from Cenegenics Institute. With specialized advanced training in age management medicine - we apply the latest science in early detection and prevention of hormone dysfunction for men and women to live life to the fullest.
Don’t tolerate months or years of misery and declining health. Find out today if hormone optimization at Balance Hormone Clinic can help you thrive now and for decades to come. Call and schedule a consultation - or browse our virtual education options as a next step towards better health.
