Working to develop the ideal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) process involves assessment or measurement of hormone levels; and supplementation with the goal of normalizing levels to those of a 20-25 year old, when we are at our best “in our prime”.
Transdermal delivery makes sense. We metabolize many things in the skin. The dermis is our largest organ. The dermis is in fact where many processes of metabolism occur. When supplementation of hormones is administered via a transdermal vehicle the body absorbs through the skin into the blood in small capillaries. Vitamin D and other pro-hormones and hormones are produced in the skin. This is well demonstrated by medical research. One excellent demonstration of this is a study performed at University of Toronto Medical School by Dr. Fernand Labrie et al published in 2007 in Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Working to develop the ideal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) process involves assessment of hormone levels - ideally the “free” levels of hormones present in the blood in finger-stick blood (at the extremities). Then begin supplementation of pro-hormones or base building blocks of hormones to normalize levels. Give that time to work. This may take up to 3 months since small daily administration via transdermal supplementation is very subtle. But great good is done by small consistent daily administration over time.
Begin with DHEA. Then more specialized or specific hormone levels down the cascade of metabolism can then be tested supplemented and retested to monitor levels every 6 - 12 weeks. A physician trained in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can determine what specific hormones such as progesterone, estrogen or testosterone may help to maintain normal levels.
Once optimal levels of bioidentical hormones is achieved, subdermal pellets can be custom compounded and implanted by a physician every few months to maintain normal levels.
There is no reason maintaining bioidentical hormones at normal levels when we are healthiest would be dangerous or harmful. In fact, on the contrary medical research reveals that maintaining normal hormone levels improves immune response, vascular health, bone density, mood and cognition. Maintaining hormone levels also enhances sex drive, sleep, skin tone and muscle tone. Low levels of DHEA are associated with most diseases of aging.
Start with the basics. Take care of yourself. Its all the little things we do like eating healthy foods and living an active lifestyle that keep us healthy and allow us to mature gracefully and enjoy life. A few mild supplements can be very helpful.
Try Twist 25 DHEA Supplement Cream.
Please visit www.abouthormones.org to learn more.
John R. Woodward, MD
Tel: 972-566-7870
