The Hrt Solution

by Ahlgrimm, Marla; Kells, John; Rodgerson, Christine Macgenn; Macgenn, Christine

• ISBN13: 9781583331767
• ISBN10: 158333176X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: Avery Pub Group

Summary

In the past hormone replacement therapy has relied on synthetic hormones or animal-derived hormone products that come only in standardized doses. While this therapy has worked for some women many others have found that it has no effect at all or worse, that it causes a host of unpleasant side effects. This should be no surprise, since every woman's hormonal profile is uniquely her own. The HRT Solution offers a new approach, therapy as natural and as individual as you are, using simple personalized hormone-level assessment and monitoring combined with customized doses of natural hormones that are identical to those your body makes. Finally, there is a better way to manage your health in menopause and beyond! Book jacket.

Author Biography

Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., is the founder and chair of Women's Health America Group and a cofounder of Madison Pharmacy Associates. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin John M. Kells is a cofounder and the chief executive of Aeron LifeCycles Clinical Laboratory. He lives in San Leandro, California Christine Macgenn Rodgerson is a writer and editor who specializes in scientific, health, and medical subjects. She lives in Santa Monica, California

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	1	(8)
Preface	9	(8)
1. INDIVIDUALIZED NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT	17	(7)
Your Hormonal Profile: As Unique as Your Fingerprint
Responding to HRT
What's Right for You?
The Choice Is Yours
2. HORMONES 101	24	(9)
What Are Hormones?
Your Body's Information Superhighway
How It Works
Hormone Production and Regulation Checks and Balances
Supply and Demand
Bound and Free Hormones
Synchronicity
3. THE RISE AND FALL OF YOUR SEX STEROID HORMONES	33	(19)
The Rise ...
... and the Fall
Sex Steroid Hormones: In a Class by Themselves
The Cast of Characters
Estrogen
Progesterone
The Estrogen-Progesterone Pas de Deux
Testosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Cortisol
Cortisol, DHEA, and the Effects of Stress
4. THE PROMISE OF HRT	52	(10)
What's Possible with HRT
The Hipbone's Connected to Your Hormones
Every Beat of Your Heart
Command Central; Your Brain
The Good News Outweighs the Bad, But ...
5. WHAT ABOUT THE RISKS?	62	(12)
We've Come a Long Way: A Brief History of HRT
A Parallel Road: Natural Hormone Therapy
Patents and Profitability
What About the Breast Cancer Risk?
Play It Again---The Estrogen-Progesterone Pas de Deux
Evaluating the Data on HRT and Cancer
6. CHANGING THE STATUS QUO	74	(9)
Out with the Old, in with the New
Understanding Replacement Hormones
Lock and Key
A Little Goes a Long Way
7. HOW DO I KNOW IF HRT IS RIGHT FOR ME?	83	(15)
Old, Outmoded Standards Have to Go
Your Spitting Image: Saliva Testing
Why Haven't I Heard About Saliva Testing?
Your Individual Hormonal Profile
Saliva Testing and Your Response to HRT
8. PHARMACY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY	98	(16)
Tablets, Patches, Creams, and More
Suppositories
Orals; Capsules and Tablets
Transdermale
Symptoms as a Hormonal Barometer
9. PROTECTION FOR YOUR BONES	114	(9)
Important Pieces of the Picture
Bone Mineral Density Tests
Bone-Resorption Testing; An Investment Counselor for Your Bones
Deoxypyridinoline and HRT
Valerie's Story
Brenda's Story
Roxanne's Story
Comprehensive Bone Care
10. YOUR LIFESTYLE AND YOUR HORMONES	123	(15)
What's Stress Got to Do with It?
Enid: Active and Health-Conscious
Mary: Busy Single Mother
Louisa: High-Stress and Loving It
Pamela: Exhausted by Stress
The Effects of Exercise
The Impact of Diet
The Importance of Individuality
11. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER	138	(11)
Lana's Story
Jane Ann's Story
Celeste's Story
Elly's Story
Randa's Story
Frieda's Story
12. GETTING STARTED	149	(12)
Becoming an Active Participant
Working with Your Doctor
Asking for What You Want
Meeting Resistance
Understanding Your Medical Plan
The Importance of You
EPILOGUE: THE FUTURE OF HRT	161	(10)
Appendix: Letter of Medical Necessity	171	(6)
References	177	(12)
Glossary	189	(10)
Bibliography for Further Reading	199	(3)
Your Own Individualized Natural Hormone Replacement Program	202	(2)
Saliva Hormone Testing and Urine Bone-Loss Testing	204	(1)
Index	205