Hormone Replacement Therapy in Maryland, DC and Virginia

Hormones are messengers that communicate with the cells of the body. They are an essential part of the metabolic process of living. Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid, Dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA), Insulin, Melatonin, and Growth Hormone are some of the major hormones in our body. Hormone production declines as we age, suffer disease, expose ourselves to toxins or trauma. Some people have a rapid decline in certain hormones at a younger age but are unaware and under diagnosed. When this happens the aging process accelerates. Decline in hormone production is one of the major reasons for our deterioration as we get older, both physically and mentally.

Here at Atlantis, we recognize that it is important to evaluate each individual from a holistic perspective. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) like many other medications must be prescribed with care. A complete and proper evaluation may find a simple underlying hormone issue. Treatment may help decrease cholesterol levels, decrease the need for diabetes medications and prevent diabetes altogether, help with weight loss, increase bone strength, improve anemia, improve sleep and mood, decrease risk of Alzheimer Disease, improve menopause symptoms, improve sex drive, and truly improve your overall health. By treating the underlying cause of a symptom, rather than treating just the symptom may decrease the need and thus the side effects of many prescribed medications.

More and more physicians agree that synthetic hormone replacement therapy is fraught with problems. Bio-identical hormones, or hormones that are natural and are exactly the same as the hormones we make in our body, are much better than the synthetic hormones.

There are many myths associated with HRT not only in the public but in the medical community as well. First, it is not the answer to old age. A balance of good nutrition, stress management, and a complete full physical evaluation to look for underlying medical issues and managing those issues can correct many hormone imbalances. But this must be physician directed. Second, hair and saliva samples do not always correlate with how the body reacts to the hormones in the blood. Even blood levels must be correlated with the symptoms and issues each individual has. Dr. Gonzalez recognizes this. Third, broad generalizations put out in the media such as “all estrogen and progesterone replacement causes or increases the risk of cancer” do not apply to bio-identical estrogens, progesterone or other bio-identical hormones. Also, if you were told by your doctor that your blood levels came back “normal,” that may not correlate with your symptoms and may not be “optimal” for you. There are many undiagnosed hypothyroid, estrogen toxic, vitamin D deficient, pre-diabetes, and adrenal exhausted individuals that are being told by their physician that they are “normal.” Dr. Gonzalez knows that prevention and treating a condition BEFORE it becomes a true medical issue or emergency is the key to improved overall health.

Call 301-476-4760 to schedule your FREE initial consultation.