Hormones Do's and Don'ts

Every system in the body is controlled by hormones. As we get older, hormone levels change…and so do we. Supporting healthy hormone levels may provide a significant improvement to the quality of life.

I would like to provide certain information that might help you wade through the morass of conflicting statements associated with advice about hormones. Questions may arise about the following: Which hormones do I replace? Should they be in the form of pills, creams, injections, troches, or pellets placed under the skin? Should I have a blood test, saliva test, or a urine test to determine my levels? What are the potential side effects? What kind of doctor or practitioner should I use? How do I determine if the doctor is qualified to help balance my hormones? Should the hormones be combined into one pill or one cream?

I do not have enough space to answer all these questions. Instead, I will discuss hormones from a direction that I feel will be helpful to you. I am obliged to tell you that you should only listen to the advice of your doctor.

But you should be aware that doctors actually receive very little or no training when it comes to hormones – specifically when it comes to replacement therapy. This includes gynecologists. Doing your own due diligence about hormones can easily put you on the same level of knowledge, or possibly above, the level of your doctor.

This lack of knowledge has resulted in the following common misconceptions with regards to hormones:

• Women who have had hysterectomies do not need to be placed on progesterone
• Progesterone is a woman’s hormone
• TSH is the only thyroid screening test that is necessary
• A low AM cortisol level on a saliva test indicates adrenal fatigue
• Estradiol is the primary hormone to replace in women and should always be given
• Read my Blog — 12 Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance.
• Premarin cream is effective for vaginal dryness
• Saliva tests are the most accurate tests to determine hormone levels
• Progesterone taken orally is an effective way to replace levels
• Hot flashes should always be addressed with estrogen
• Pellet therapy is a safe way to provide hormone replacement
• Testosterone causes prostate cancer

In a perfect world you will be able to find a practitioner that treats patients and uses blood tests only to confirm what he already knows. Women in menopause will have almost no progesterone, and low levels of estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA. Testosterone is an important hormone for the heart, and when used appropriately, may help support bladder control. Women with the highest DHEA levels have been associated with greater longevity in some research. A 5% strength progesterone cream may be considered for daily use, though individual needs vary and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Estriol 2.5 mg is the weakest and, in my opinion, the safest option with regard to the potential concerns of estrogen dominance. When used intravaginally (at a 2.5 mg strength), it may help support vaginal comfort and moisture. As always, discuss any hormone use with your healthcare provider.

For those of you who wish to learn more about hormones, I would recommend my book “The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones”. It is the number one hormone book in Germany, and has brought thousands of patients to my office from all over the country and all over the world. I have written a manual for doctors and healthcare practitioners called: “The Platt Protocol for Hormone Balancing”. It is available on my website (www.plattwellness.com). My other book is called “Adrenaline Dominance,” which explores the wide range of symptoms that may be associated with excess adrenaline — including fibromyalgia, PMDD, ADHD, insomnia, weight management challenges, IBS, road rage, bed-wetting in children, cyclical vomiting syndrome, and more — and discusses a wellness-focused approach to supporting hormonal balance.

The bottom line: It is not difficult to get hormones in balance. However, it needs to be done logically and selectively.

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Please be aware that my book “The Miracle of Bio-identical Hormones” has received four national book awards. It won the Best Health Book Award from All Books Reviews in 2008, which recognized it as an excellent and well-written source of information on health issues. It also won the Reader’s Views Best Alternative Health Book Award. In addition, the book won the Most Progressive Health Book Award from IPPY, which honors independent publishers who exhibit creativity and courage in bringing new ideas to readers. The book also received a USA Book News Health Book Award.

The Platt Wellness Team is pleased to assist you with information about our products. Please know we are not licensed medical professionals and therefore cannot provide you with any medical advice or information. If you require medical advice or information please contact a medical or health care professional. Please remember the information contained in this post is for informational and educational purposes only.

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.