Hormones
• WHAT
ARE HORMONES?
• WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC
HORMONES?
• WHY
DO NATURAL HORMONES REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION?
• WHERE
DO THESE HORMONES COME FROM?
• HOW
DO I GET STARTED ON NATURAL HORMONES?
• WHAT
ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
 |
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WHAT
ARE HORMONES?
Hormone, secretory substance
carried from one gland or organ of the body via
the bloodstream to more or less specific tissues,
where it exerts some influence upon the metabolism
of the target tissue. Normally, various hormones
are produced and secreted by the endocrine glands
(see endocrine system), including the pituitary,
thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, ovaries, testes,
pancreatic islets, certain portions of the gastrointestinal
tract, and the placenta, among the mammalian
species. As lack of any one of them may cause
serious disorders, many hormones are now produced
synthetically and used in treatment where a deficiency
exists. The hormones of the anterior pituitary
include thyrotropin, adrenocorticotropic hormone,
the gonadotropic hormones, and growth hormone;
the posterior pituitary secretes antidiuretic
hormone, prolactin, and oxytocin. The thyroids
secrete thyroxine and calcitonin, and the parathyroids
secrete parathyroid hormone. The adrenal medulla
secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine while
the cortex of the same gland releases aldosterone,
corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone. The
ovaries primarily secrete estrogen and progesterone
and the testes testosterone. The adrenal cortex,
ovaries, and testes in fact produce at least
small amounts of all of the steroid hormones.
The islets of Langerhans in the pancreas secrete
insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. The kidneys
also produce erythropoietin, which produces erythrocytes
(red blood cells). The passage of chyme (see
digestive system) from the stomach to the duodenum
causes the latter to release secretin, which
stimulates the flow of pancreatic juice. The
duodenum can also be stimulated by the presence
of fats in the chyme to secrete cholecystokinin,
a hormone that stimulates the gall bladder to
contract and release bile. There is evidence
that the upper intestine secretes pancreatozymin,
which enhances the amount of digestive enzymes
in the pancreatic juice. In addition, the pyloric
region of the stomach secretes gastrin, a hormone
that increases the secretion of hydrochloric
acid into the stomach. The placenta has been
shown to secrete progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin.
There is evidence that it even contains a substance
similar to growth hormone. Insects have a unique
hormonal system that includes ecdysone, a steroid
that influences molting and metamorphosis, and
juvenile hormone, needed for early development.
Plants, too, have a hormonal system, which includes
the auxins, the gibberellins, the cytokinins,
and substances associated with the formation
of flowers, tubers, bulbs, and buds. Ethylene
is said to function as a hormone in plants, acting
to hasten the ripening of fruits.
WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC HORMONES?
The term "natural" hormones simply means that these hormones
are chemically the same as the ones the human body produces. They
are also called "bio-identical" or "human iso-molecular." "Synthetic" hormones
refers to those manufactured with a chemical structure that is foreign
to the human body but mimics some hormonal activity. An example
of natural hormones would be Estriol, Biest, Triest, Progesterone, Testosterone,
and DHEA. An example of synthetic hormones would be Premarin, Prempro,
Climara, Estratest, Estratab, and all birth control pills.
WHY
DO NATURAL HORMONES REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION?
Natural hormones can only be obtained from a compounding pharmacy. Compounding
or formulating a customized dosage for an individual person is a function
a pharmacist performs only with the permission of the physician. All
of the ingredients may not be prescription, however anything that is
compounded must be prescribed.
WHERE
DO THESE HORMONES COME FROM?
Natural hormones are obtained from sterol analogues found in many varieties
of plants, primarily soybean and yam. The estrogen and progesterone
powder is transformed chemically from the plant into the human bio-identical
hormones.
HOW
DO I GET STARTED ON NATURAL HORMONES?
Natural hormone replacement therapy must be customized for each person. Only
after a thorough review of her symptoms and history can an effective
regimen be designed. You may contact one of our hormone consultants
if you are interested. They will, in conjunction with your physician,
develop a treatment regimen designed just for you. This recommendation
will then be faxed to your physician for his or her approval, after obtaining
the approval of the physician your medication will be custom made for
you.
WHAT
ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS?
Ideally, there are no side effects since the hormones are given with
the intention of restoring normal hormone levels. Side effects
occur only if one hormone is out of balance with the others. It
is important to realize that if you experience side effects a simple
adjustment will be made to stop the side effects. Our consultants
are here to help you and to adjust your medicine until you feel like
your old self again. |
