If you take supplements, you’ve probably noticed that the ones available at your doctor’s office are often pricier than those at the grocery or drugstore. But that’s not because your doctor is marking the price up, it’s because your doctor most likely only sells pharmaceutical-grade supplements. To be recognized as pharmaceutical-grade, supplements must: Contain high […]
Progesterone is a powerful hormone that, in women, has primary impacts on the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy. Progesterone levels naturally rise and fall during a woman’s monthly cycle and are closely associated with the ovulation process. But the concept of “progesterone deficiency” is not so straightforward. Usually, your progesterone levels would only be tested […]
Although anxiety hits everyone now and then, most people are able to deal with its effects and effectively move through those moments when anxiety strikes. But not everyone is that lucky. In fact, an estimated 40 million adults experience anxiety disorder and/or panic attacks in the United States. It is the most common mental health […]
Many women know that their bodies naturally produce testosterone. But what happens when your testosterone levels fall abnormally low? You might have wondered this when researching a troubling combination of symptoms—including low libido, fatigue, and lowered mood—and coming across popular health sites that proclaim low testosterone to be the root cause of them all. While […]
As bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has become more popular over the past two decades, plenty of assumptions have been made about this treatment option. One of those assumptions is that “bioidentical” means “natural,” while “synthetic” means “made in a lab”. But when discussing bioidentical testosterone vs. synthetic, it’s important to remember the truth: that both […]
Depression affects nearly 19 million American adults, but it is not a weakness, in fact, it is a very normal and common emotional experience that can be caused by a variety of triggers. Determining what triggers an individual’s depression requires the help of a mental health care provider or a medical professional. The symptoms of […]
For those who struggle with hyperthyroidism or thyroid cancer, radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) can be a life-changing treatment option. But despite the promise of RAI, there is often a downside: you are likely to develop transient or permanent hypothyroidism after completing treatment. If you have had RAI or are about to start, this potential outcome […]
If you’re like most Americans, you probably down a cup or two (or three!) of coffee every morning, hit the cafe come 2 pm, and are slouching at your desk by the time the inevitable late-afternoon lethargy hits. Maybe you’re even struggling to get to the gym after work or find a way to use […]
Hormones fundamentally control the essential functions of your body’s systems. The endocrine system is the body’s collection of hormone-producing glands and, though tiny in size, these glands do everything from regulating your metabolism and allowing you to sleep to initiating labor. However, when you develop a hormonal imbalance―as when you are approaching menopause―your body’s systems […]
Sudden and unexpected changes in the body such as unintentional weight gain can be alarming. But rather than launch into the latest weight-loss diet trend, it’s important to understand the underlying causes of the weight gain. Sudden weight gain can be caused by lifestyle circumstances, such as stress or lack of sleep, or it may […]