• 18May

  The Thyroid

  Andropause, Anti-aging, Bioidentical Hormones, Estradiol, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Menopause, Pellets, Progesterone, Research, Symptoms, Testosterone, Thyroid, Treatment No Comments

  How the Thyroid effects the aging process.

  

  This episode of the Biobalance Healthcast discusses what the thyroid is and how it effects men and women as they age. Defined terms are Hypo-thyroidism which is a low thyroid and causes conditions such as swelling, constipation, a low basal temperature and infertility. Hyper-thyroidism is the opposite, and causes conditions like rapid weight gain, anxiety, nervousness, and increased heart rate. These both play an important role in diagnosing and treating the aging process in men and women.

  Tags: estrogen, hormone, HRT, Menopause, testosterone, Thyroid

• 10May

  Incontinence Part 2

  Andropause, Anti-aging, Bioidentical Hormones, Estradiol, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Menopause, Pellets, Progesterone, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Telling the difference between stress incontinence and irritable bladder.

  

  In this episode I continue our discussion about stress incontinence in women who have had vaginal births. Brett and I talk about the differences between other types of incontinence and how to treat them.

  Tags: estrodial, estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, incontinence, Pellets, stress, testosterone

• 23Apr

  The Cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy

  Andropause, Anti-aging, Bioidentical Hormones, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Medical Care, Pellets, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) compares favorably to other anti-aging treatments.

  

  Episode 75 of the BioBalance Healthcast covers the cost of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for both men and women. Brett Newcomb and I compare the cost of hormone pellets with the cost of treatments for age-related health problems that occur when you don’t have your hormones balanced. The truth is that the difference is minimal, and often, HRT is less than the total cost of traditional medicines and treatments.
• 13Apr

  Progesterone and the Cascade of Aging

  Bioidentical Hormones, Depression, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Menopause, Pellets, Progesterone, Research, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  How the loss of progesterone can affect your health.

  

  As women age, hormone levels—including progesterone—begins to decrease. In this episode of the BioBalance Healthcast we talk about this decrease which causes an imbalance in the estrogen levels. Without progesterone, estrogen increases and leads to fibroid tumors. These tumors lead to heavy bleeding and often, hysterectomies in peri-menopausal women. Progesterone is not needed by our bodies post-menopause with the drop of estrogen levels. We cover the role progesterone plays in our body and how it effects us when it begins to decrease.

  Tags: biobalance, Bioidentical Hormones, estrogen, fibroids, history pellets, hormone, hormones, HRT, Menopause, PMS, progesterone, testosterone, therapy, women

• 06Apr

  Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s

  Bioidentical Hormones, Dementia and Alzheimer's, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Menopause, Pellets, Progesterone, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  With Age comes Cognitive Impairment.

  
   
  This podcast discusses memory loss, cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s. There are some specific things that differentiate these conditions and some are more noticeable than others.

  Cognitive impairment is when you can’t remember names of people and places. You get confused, lost, often someone else has to end your sentences. It’s a problem with not being able to focus and concentrate. Often times it looks similar to A.D.D. It’s normal for married people to not notice this change in their memory because they have a partner that is able to remember things, finish thoughts and remind them of common information.

  When your memory loss gets to be so bad that you have trouble functioning, you need to be tested with MRI’s for Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. If your scans show brain shrinkage, then you have Alzheimer’s. Common symptoms of memory loss are exhaustion, lack of energy, diminished social relationships and problems with sexual relations because of diminished energy or desire.

  Often people are afraid to talk to a doctor about these symptoms because they don’t want to be told that they have Alzheimer’s and need to be institutionalized However, it is important to be tested. In women, with the replacement of testosterone, dementia can be offset for 10 years. In addition, with the replacement of estrogen dementia can be offset another 10 years. This equals 20 years that dementia can be offset by replacing testosterone and estrogen in women.

  For this reason it is important to have the early stages of memory loss examined in order to evaluate the best method of treatment and hormone therapy.
• 14Feb

  Progesterone and PMS

  Bioidentical Hormones, Pellets, Progesterone, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Progesterone: The Second Domino to Fall after Testosterone

  

  Premenstrual Syndrome

  PMS is the butt of many jokes but for those of us who have had this condition, it is no laughing matter. It has been ignored for years by the medical community, and is currently treated by prescribing the treatment of only one of the multiple symptoms, depression. This prescription is one of various anti-depressants, which has minimal effect on most patients with PMS.

  Because of the ineffectiveness of the standard, anti-depressant therapy, there are multiple therapies that have partial effect on most patients when they have a very effective treatment at hand—bio-identical progesterone given in the second half of the cycle.

  Option for PMS treatment can be any or all of the following:

  • Natural progesterone during days 14–28 of the menstrual cycle;
  • Progesterone pellets that give a constant low dose of progesterone
  • Oral contraceptives;
  • Testosterone treatment—non-oral, or pellet
  • Antidepressants such as Sarafem, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Prozac

  Sidebar: it is amazing to experience the relief that women feel when they are told that there is a natural cause and an effective treatment for this disorder. They are so happy to hear that they are not crazy and that being emotional wrecks is not due to some character flaw in women but rather is due to a chemical or hormonal imbalance that is treatable. Success is beautiful!

  Progesterone Therapy with Bioidentical Progesterone

  The most effective PMS treatment or progesterone deficiency, treatment is non-oral dosing of bio-identical progesterone. There are several important guidelines that make progesterone more effective and have fewer side-effects.

  Premenstrual Syndrome

  PMS is the butt of many jokes but for those of us who have had this condition, it is no laughing matter. It has been ignored for years by the medical community, and is currently treated by prescribing the treatment of only one of the multiple symptoms, depression. This prescription is one of various anti-depressants, which has minimal effect on most patients with PMS.

  Because of the ineffectiveness of the standard, anti-depressant therapy, there are multiple therapies that have partial effect on most patients when they have a very effective treatment at hand—bio-identical progesterone given in the second half of the cycle.
• 27Jan

  Testosterone and Men

  Andropause, Bioidentical Hormones, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Medical Care, Pellets, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Low testosterone in men causes a variety of poor health conditions.

  Download the transcription of this podcast.

  Podcast 63 is about Erectile Dysfunction. Men and women both make testosterone but men show benefits of higher bone density which leads to less cases of osteoporosis in men.

  In the last 5-6 years testosterone has been huge subject in research. The Sexual Medicine Journal in 2009 said the risk for cardio vascular disease in men is about 1 and a half times more likely in men with slight erectile dysfunction and more than two times more likely in those with severe erectile dysfunction.

  Testosterone helps prevent erectile dysfunction and cardio vascular disease. Viagra doesn’t help with lack of testosterone. It helps with blood flow. Nitric acid is the chemical you need to have an erection which is what is in many medications that treat ED. However it’s important to not just treat the erection issues.
  Doctors should offer testing for heart disease in patients with ED. They need to look for compromise of the vessels. If a man has fat layers on the inside of his vessels, it causes those vessels to become very small. If his heart has the same problem, he’s at risk for stroke. If his pelvis has this problem, he’s at risk for ED. When men are younger they have higher testosterone levels so they don’t have this inflammation problem.

  Men under 50 have who have ED, have a 50 fold increase in the risk that they’re going to have a heart attack in the next 10 years. Heart disease, cancer and respiratory failure all increase dramatically with the decrease of testosterone. If you take care of the maintenance of testosterone, it can help avoid later diseases and conditions.

  
• 19Jan

  Current topics in Anti-aging Medicine, Part 2

  Andropause, Anti-aging, Bioidentical Hormones, FDA Regulation, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Medical Care, Menopause, Pellets, Research, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Discussion of a CNN Health article that says anti-aging medicine is risky.

  

  Download the transcription of this podcast.

  In episode 62 of the BioBalance Healthcast we continue the discussion we started in the previous episode that reviewed an article  titled “The risks of anti-aging medicine” that was published on the CNN Health website on Wednesday December 28, 2011.

  The author states that anti-aging doctors are generally not as well trained as other medical specialist. I am an excellent example of the many anti-aging doctors who are well trained and qualified to offer these services that include advancements that make it possible for us to live longer lives. Anti-aging treatments—especially bioidentical pellet therapy that we offer her at BioBalance Health—let’s us enjoy better health and mobility for many years past the onset of menopause in women and andropause in men.

  Dr. Thomas Pearl, quoted in the article, was referring to treating geriatric patients, which is not what I focus on. Instead, I normally start hormone therapy long before patients reach that age, and not when they too old for the therapy to make a difference. By offering this therapy, doctors can prevent many diseases that are secondary to hormone loss. Many diseases can be offset for 10-20 years with bioidentical hormone pellets.

  HRT is a treatment for a syndrome, not symptoms, and often save money and time. Chelation therapy for heavy metal toxicity is not offered at BioBalance Health. Chelation has risks of renal and liver problems. There are alternative supplements to rid patient of heavy metals. Baby boomers have higher chance of heavy metal toxicity due to lead, mercury, and other harmful substances in food and the environment.

  Compounding pharmacies used to be popular 70 years ago before drugs were made by pharmaceutical companies. Current compounding pharmacists have the ability to compound drugs prescribed by a physician. I supervise the use of compounding pharmacies for my patients. My estradiol and testosterone pellets are made at a compounding pharmacy that is reputable and trusted. If your physician writes a prescription for a drug and sends you to a compounding pharmacy, be certain he/she has a relationship with the pharmacy they use. The FDA does oversee compounding pharmacies.

  The article sites information based on the Women’s Health Initiative study which since released has been discredited. Dr. Goldstein is using a bad argument, a bad study, bad information and miss-representing the use of bioidentical hormone therapy.

  To wrap up our podcast, we discuss the term “the standard of care,” which means the least amount of medical treatment that is acceptable by a physician. It’s the lowest standard of care you can give and not get sued.
• 10Jan

  Current topics in Anti-aging Medicine, Part 1

  Anti-aging, Bioidentical Hormones, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Medical Care, Menopause, Pellets, Research, Symptoms, Testosterone, Treatment No Comments

  Base your health decisions on reliable information, not just media resources.

  

  People are often influenced by the news media, and sometimes make medical decisions based only on what they read on the internet. A recent article published December 28, 2011 by CNN Health made some statements and quoted some experts that would lead readers to the conclusion that anti-aging medicine is generally unsafe.

  In the article, titled The risks of anti-aging medicine, CNN Health reported that a 56 year old California woman injected human growth hormone into her thighs six times a week. Six months after starting the treatment, she died of liver cancer.

  The problem with this report is that it allows the reader to confuse correlation with causation, inferring or implying that the treatment is responsible for the patient’s death. The experts quoted do not say conclusively that the HGH treatment caused this women’a death.

  In this episode of the BioBalance Healthcast Brett Newcomb and I walk through the article and explain why it may not be totally accurate or objective, and how you might think about medical-related articles you in the future, especially when you are considering healthcare issues.

  Episode 62 will continue this discussion.

  Visit BBH.com for more info about bioidentical hormones/anti-aging/skin care.
• 14Dec

  Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

  Bioidentical Hormones, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Menopause, Symptoms, Treatment No Comments

  Of the Ten Million Americans who have Osteoporosis, 80 Percent are Women.

  

  Download the transcription of this podcast.

  In episode 59 of the BioBalance Healthcast, Dr. Maupin and Brett Newcomb talk about osteopenia and osteoporosis.

  What is Osteoporosis?

  • Thinning of bone density over time
  • Measure bone density against a standard for 29 year old female averages
  • Use of the bell curve as a statistical tool
  • If you are more than 1 up to 2.5 SD out from average you have osteopenia
  • Greater than 2.5 you have osteoporosis

  How to Improve Bone Density

  • Testosterone
  • Estrogen
  • Vitamin D
  • Weight Bearing Exercise
  • Calcium in the diet

  How Do Bones Become Less Dense?

  • It is normally a slow progressive change in bone thickness that begins in women before menopause and continues after menopause at the rate of 1% of your bone per year

  Why Do We Get Osteoporosis?

  • Aging leads to loss of estrogen and testosterone
  • Sedentary Life Style
  • Poor Diet
  • Genetic Predisposition

  Marketing Osteoporosis

  • Before the advent of a drug to “cure” osteoporosis, doctors rarely diagnosed the problem
  • A new wonder drug was developed to fight osteoporosis called Fosamax
  • This drug allowed us to focus on treatment rather than avoidance

  How to Avoid Getting Osteoporosis

  • Be Male: The key hormones involved are testosterone and estradiol, but it is interesting that men rarely get the disease unless they are on steroids for asthma or another disease
  • Replace estrogen and testosterone naturally
  • Get the best out of your genetic potential

  Why is treatment or avoidance so important?

  • Osteoporosis leads to disability, poor posture, chronic pain, broken hips and crushed vertebrae

  Other contributors to thin bones

  • There are lifestyle choices and medical treatments that also increase our risk of thin bones
  • Smoking, avoidance of milk in our diet, lack of sunshine and a sedentary lifestyle
  • Amphetamine use, Lupron treatment for Endometriosis, corticosteroid use
  • Some illnesses like removal of our ovaries, anorexia, or premature menopause can also cause osteoporosis

  Do osteoporosis drugs really work?

  • Recent studies on bisphosphonates showed that this class of drug that made bones “look” thick on bone density testing. Studies proved that bones were actually fragile and easily fractured.
  • I do not recommend the class of drug that includes, Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva to my patients until further study answers the question.

  What to do instead

  • Bones are responsive to estrogen and testosterone. With these hormones and an adequate diet, you can protect your bones and yourself from disability and pain, and life threatening fractures.

  Visit BBH.com for more info about bioidentical hormones/anti-aging/skin care.

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