Chapter 41 A Comprehensive Look at Hormones （41章全面观察激素）.pdf

Chapter 41 A Comprehensive Look at Hormones and the Effects of Hormone Replacement Pamela Smith, M.D., MPH Director of the Fellowship in Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine ABSTRACT Three things define aging. They are memory, vision, and mobility. In order to maintain these functions hormone replacement is needed as one ages. Hormone replacement should not be considered without a complete understanding of how all the body’s hormones interact with each other. If one is altered, or deficient it will affect the actions of all of the hormones in one’s body. The hormonal response of an individual is as unique as their fingerprints. How one responds to hormone replacement is related to genetic profile, stress level, the condition of one’s health, the environment, nutritional supplementation, detoxification, and what one eats. This paper will look at the functions of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol in both men and women. It will also look at types of hormonal imbalances that can occur in the body as one ages, including hypothalamic-pituitary, adrenal, gonadal, thyroid, and pancreatic. Symptoms of hormonal deficiency and excess will also be discussed along with a review of synthetic versus bioidentical hormone replacement. INTRODUCTION The aim of this paper is to examine the functions of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol in both men and women. It will also look at types of hormonal imbalances that can occur in the body as one ages, including hypothalamic-pituitary, adrenal, gonadal, thyroid, and pancreatic. Symptoms of hormonal deficiency and excess will also be discussed along with a r