Dr. Christy Wallace, ND has a special interest and extensive experience working with hormonal health; testing and rebalancing hormones to help achieve optimal health. The body has many different hormones, including: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and thyroid hormones. All of these hormones must be kept in the proper balance in order to allow them to work together and keep the body functioning at optimal health.
As people age or undergo stress the amounts of these hormones change, which can create a state of hormonal imbalance. There are many possible symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Difficulty losing weight
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- PMS
- Menstrual irregularities
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Hot flashes
- Nights sweats
- Sexual dysfunction
- Decreased libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Hair loss/thinning
- Hypoglycemia
- Dizziness on standing
- Decreased muscle strength
Salivary and Urine Hormone Testing
Dr. Christy Wallace, ND offers salivary and urine hormone testing, which are excellent tests to uncover hormonal imbalances. The main advantage of testing hormones in saliva is that it best reflects the hormone levels in our tissues, which are the functional levels of hormones in our body. Saliva hormone testing is also the preferred method of monitoring bioidentical hormone replacement levels to determine accurate levels for each individual. Urine testing can uncover specific hormone imbalances, by giving an accurate measurement of various hormonal metabolites. Christy will recommend the best type of testing for your concerns. This allows us to customize our hormone prescriptions, so each patient is getting the exact amount that they need.
Our Approach to Hormone Balancing
Christy believes in treating the whole person in order to achieve optimal health. She will perform a thorough individualized assessment including detailed medical history, evaluation of signs and symptoms, saliva or urine hormone test results, and any other relevant test results which may include: thyroid testing, adrenal stress testing, bloodwork, food allergy testing and thermography. She will integrate this into an individual assessment and treatment plan which may include dietary changes, lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, vitamin and mineral supplementation, acupuncture, and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
BioIdentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Traditional HRT used synthetic hormones, made from various compounds including horse urine, which are different than our natural hormones. While these synthetic hormones worked well to alleviate menopausal symptoms, repeated studies have shown that their risks outweigh their benefits, and they are no longer recommended for long term use. BHRT is a safer and more effective alternative when properly prescribed in physiologic doses, and monitored properly.
BHRT uses hormones made from natural sources (such as soy or wild yams) to create hormones which are identical to our own human hormones. Bioidentical hormones bind to our receptors, and are broken down in the same way as our own hormones, resulting in less harmful byproducts than synthetic HRT. This means less side effects, and less long term effects with BHRT versus conventional HRT. Bioidentical hormones can be individually compounded to be an exact match to restore physiological levels to the body. This is a big advantage over synthetic HRT.
Christy has extra training and certification to prescribe bioidentical hormones and natural thyroid hormones, and will use these as part of a complete treatment plan to rebalance hormones and assist you in regaining your optimal health.
Conditions BHRT Can Treat
- Menopause
- Perimenopause
- Adrenal Fatigue (Burnout)
- Thyroid Imbalances
- Mood Disorders
- Insomnia
- Menstrual Irregularities
- Fertility Concerns
Call Dr. Christy Wallace, ND at the Natural Balance Health Clinic to start your path towards hormonal balance and optimal health.