Growth Hormone Tips

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition wherein the bone becomes fragile and breaks easily even with a minor fall. The bones of spine, wrists and hips get affected the most. These fractured bones lead to severe pain and can force a person to become immobile. A spine fracture can even lead to a loss of height.

What is parathyroid hormone?
Parathyroid is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the amount of calcium present in the body. They mitigate the risk of bone breakage in the body for a patient suffering with osteoporosis. These hormones are injected into the body on a daily basis to maintain the normal flow of calcium in the body.

How does the treatment work?
Treatments are available in the form of drugs and injections. A doctor can prescribe drugs, if the patient is at an increased rate of bone breakage. The parathyroid hormone helps to protect the bone from breaking, but have no role when the bone actually breaks. The body has a natural process of breaking a bone and rebuilding it by itself. Osteoporosis sets in motion when this process of bone formation is disturbed.

When does a doctor prescribe hormonal treatment?
If a patient has undergone a number of vertebral compression fractures and the condition has not improved, a doctor might suggest to undergo parathyroid hormone treatment. The treatment requires nursing support due to a patient’s delicate bone condition. A maximum dosage of 20 micro grams of parathyroid can be injected for a time duration not exceeding 2 years.

Things to know about the treatment:

1. Be informed: It is good to be well informed about the course of the treatment, treatment duration, plausible problems etc. This will help a patient to be on top of the decision making process. The helpline of the 'National Osteoporosis Society' can be reached to understand the preparation required for a patient to undergo the treatment.
2. Take the right dosage at the right time: Parathyroid injections should be injected on a daily basis for a maximum time period of 2 years. These injections are taken daily at the same time. It should be ensured that none of the injections are skipped without the prior approval of a doctor. The injection, which lasts for 28 days, needs to be stored in a refrigerator. In case a patient is travelling, special bags are available that has space for storing gel packs.
3. Side effects: Most patients do not report any side effects, but they do exist. Possible side effects include dizziness, arthralgia, depression and headache. These symptoms often suggest that your body is reacting to the parathyroid hormone treatment. A doctor may or may not prescribe any further drugs to address these symptoms.

Hormonal imbalance is very common in women who are about to reach their menopause. The setting of menopause can lead to a variety of symptoms like moodiness and depression to hot flashes, insomnia and vaginal dryness. Homeopathy has remedies which are very helpful in relieving the symptoms of menopause, when chosen for an individual as per their history. Homeopathy stimulates the person's healing response to a certain stimulus, allowing the person to heal on their own.

Here are a few homeopathic remedies:

1. Pulsatilla: This is for women who are mild, sensitive and weep very easily during the perimenopause stage. These women might whine when unhappy and are very depressed and sad. The women who need this medication prefer company, companionship and support. She is often uncomfortable and warm in hot rooms especially while experiencing hot flashes. The remedy is helpful in cases of insomnia and empty nest syndrome, a syndrome when children leave home. This often coincides with change in a woman's life. Pulsatilla is very helpful for hormonal imbalance including during the menstrual cycle and peri-menopause phase.
2. Cimicifuga: This is recommended for those women who suffer from severe headaches during perimenopause. The headaches are characterized by a pain in the right side of the neck, which often extends to the right shoulder. This remedy is also helpful in women who feel disappointed and trapped in their lives. Some women who have a feeling of being caged and surrounded by dark clouds also benefit from this. It is considered to be a perfect remedy for many women who experience hormonal changes at the menopausal stage of their lives.
3. Sepia: This remedy is especially helpful for perimenopause and hormonal imbalances. This is helpful in women who feel exhausted and chilly. Sometimes a woman might develop an aversion to her family members especially the children and does not want to care for them. Sepia is known to help women overcome these feelings, enables them to reestablish stability and balances hormones. Some women also get a feeling that their inside are bearing out and get a sensation that their uterus and vagina might fall. This feeling and sensation is eliminated by sepia. Sepia is also helpful for the host flashes, dryness, vaginal irritation and moodiness during this phase of their life.
4. Lachesis: This is indicated in the perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms like the night sweats and hot flashes. This remedy is capable to provide a relief from the occipital headaches associated with the changing hormones. Women who need lachesis might be witty, loquacious, nasty, crib and complain about the body pains which are more significant on the left side, like the left ovary discomfort. This remedy also relieves insomnia and depression related with the hormonal swings. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a homeopathic doctor and ask a free question.

Testosterone is an important hormone for men and is responsible for male sexual and reproductive health. It begins to spike during the years of puberty, helping in the development of primary and secondary sexual characters. In boys, it helps to build muscles, deepens his voice, and boosts the size of their penis and testes. It plays an important role during later years as well, by maintaining mood, libido, emotional and physical health. That's why low testosterone can cause a variety of problems in men. 

Here is a list of symptoms that will help you understand if you may have lower testosterone levels.

1. Drop in Energy: Sometimes, we all feel full of energy, but sometimes those energy levels are quite low. And then, there are occasions when we feel low on energy, you may feel that you are getting tired easily and frequently. Fatigue is one of the common effects of low testosterone. If this happens with you regularly, if you are tired all the time despite sleeping for 6-8 hours, consider getting yourself checked by a consultant.

2. Changes in Sex Life: A sudden drop in your sex drive or facing problems in erection (erectile dysfunction) can be another  common symptom of low testosterone. But you should get yourself tested for other conditions as well, including heart disease or diabetes, especially if you are over 35 years of age. Ask for online consultation if you want everything to be private and discreet.

3. Fuzzy Thinking: Do you sometimes think that your thoughts are a blur? Low testosterone can also impact your memory. It can make you feel stressed, sad and even depressed, resulting in concentration problems. These  can be a result of low testosterone

4. Mood Changes: Testosterone directly impacts your mood, even leading to extreme sadness or psychological depression. If nothing seems to make you happy, if you are not what you used to be, then visit a doctor.

5. Muscle Changes: Muscle mass and strength reduces over the years. As testosterone helps build muscle, low levels may be the cause if you witness sudden drop in muscle mass. In such a case you should consult a doctor. It can be because of low hormone function.

6. More Body Fat: If you have been enjoying a more fit or healthier weight most of your life but suddenly start gaining weight, it might point towards low testosterone in the body. Also, if you are unable to lose weight even on a healthy diet, consider consulting a doctor.

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a medical condition wherein the bone becomes fragile and breaks easily even with a minor fall. The bones of spine, wrists and hips get affected the most. These fractured bones lead to severe pain and can force a person to become immobile. A spine fracture can even lead to a loss of height.

What is parathyroid hormone?
Parathyroid is a naturally occurring hormone that regulates the amount of calcium present in the body. They mitigate the risk of bone breakage in the body for a patient suffering with osteoporosis. These hormones are injected into the body on a daily basis to maintain the normal flow of calcium in the body.

How does the treatment work?
Treatments are available in the form of drugs and injections. A doctor can prescribe drugs, if the patient is at an increased rate of bone breakage. The parathyroid hormone helps to protect the bone from breaking, but have no role when the bone actually breaks. The body has a natural process of breaking a bone and rebuilding it by itself. Osteoporosis sets in motion when this process of bone formation is disturbed.

When does a doctor prescribe hormonal treatment?
If a patient has undergone a number of vertebral compression fractures and the condition has not improved, a doctor might suggest to undergo parathyroid hormone treatment. The treatment requires nursing support due to a patient’s delicate bone condition. A maximum dosage of 20 micro grams of parathyroid can be injected for a time duration not exceeding 2 years.

Things to know about the treatment:

1. Be informed: It is good to be well informed about the course of the treatment, treatment duration, plausible problems etc. This will help a patient to be on top of the decision making process. The helpline of the 'National Osteoporosis Society' can be reached to understand the preparation required for a patient to undergo the treatment.
2. Take the right dosage at the right time: Parathyroid injections should be injected on a daily basis for a maximum time period of 2 years. These injections are taken daily at the same time. It should be ensured that none of the injections are skipped without the prior approval of a doctor. The injection, which lasts for 28 days, needs to be stored in a refrigerator. In case a patient is travelling, special bags are available that has space for storing gel packs.
3. Side effects: Most patients do not report any side effects, but they do exist. Possible side effects include dizziness, arthralgia, depression and headache. These symptoms often suggest that your body is reacting to the parathyroid hormone treatment. A doctor may or may not prescribe any further drugs to address these symptoms.

Weight management concerns itself with the type of foods that you eat and the daily exercises that you perform. However, you may find it interesting to learn that the hormones have a far greater role to play where your weight and the kinds of foods that you enjoy are concerned. In the following article, you can find more information on the same. Insulin is a hormone that is related to your weight. If the blood-sugar levels are heightened, then insulin is released from the pancreas. Then, the hormone causes a fall in the blood-sugar levels by facilitating the absorption of the sugars by the tissues. If you consume a carbohydrate-rich diet, your body releases more insulin. Now, if you do not utilize the sugars that are stored in the tissues, your body starts to amass what actually, should be converted into energy. Hence, you can conclude that insulin is antilipolytic in nature, which means that it disrupts the fat breakdown process. As a result, you should consider reducing your intake of carbohydrates for losing weight. Additionally, thyroid hormones affect your metabolism. An underactive thyroid gland releases lesser quantities of the thyroid-related hormones.

Consequently, your metabolism rate falls and you feel fatigued as well. A lack of thyroid hormones can make you feel sluggish, slow down the digestion rate, and give birth to bowel-related problems such as constipation. A reduction in the metabolism rate causes weight gain and a rise in the cholesterol levels. Therefore, you should take measures to treat thyroid-linked issues and increase the consumption of thyroid-healthy foods for an efficient metabolism rate.

Moreover, if you are stressed or have high blood insulin levels, the adrenal glands release the cortisol hormone. This hormone is responsible for the breakdown of muscle-related tissues into sugar via the liver. Also, the chemical causes a rush of glucose in the body. As a consequence, the body releases higher insulin amounts; consequently, you become resistant to insulin. Meanwhile, cortisol also causes fat storage by making the body think that they will be needed. The abdominal fat cells have more cortisol receptors and can result in greater fat storage in the portion.

You can also suffer from obesity if there are less of leptin hormones in the body. This is because the leptin hormone, which is released by the fat cells, informs the body when full and signals it to not eat anymore. In the event of a fall in the leptin levels, you will not know when to stop eating. Furthermore, you can become resistant to the hormone if you forcefully feed yourself after your appetite is satiated.

Likewise, the serotonin hormone also transmits messages to the brain when you are full. The hormone is a neurotransmitter that contains amino acids and is found in protein sources. As a result of low serotonin levels, you can suffer from lethargy, weight gain, depression and your tendency to gorge on carbohydrate-rich foods may heighten. Also, your brain gets the message to eat more because of starvation and you tend to eat more and put on weight.

You should also bear in mind that an imbalance between the estrogen and progesterone levels can give rise to an imbalance in the hormonal levels. Consequently, your body stores more fat and you gain more weight.

Therefore, the consumption of foods that bring about a healthy balance between these 2 hormones is recommended. Wheat-based and soy-based foods are beneficial to incorporate into the diet for the desired results.
In the above-mentioned text, you can see how hormones can affect your weight and metabolism. Only by adding healthier food options in your diet, you can have a healthy balance between the hormonal levels and improve your overall health.

Are you aware of the function of appetite hormones in your body? Appetite hormones or hunger hormones are the hormones which are responsible for making you feel hungry, and also account for a decreased appetite, which is common for all of us at times.

Leptin and Ghrelin are the two primary appetite hormones, which are produced in your body.

About Ghrelin
Ghrelin is your body’s appetite increasing hormone, which gets released in the stomach. It is responsible for signaling hunger to your brain. It is said that the ghrelin levels in your body play an important role in how quickly you feel hungry after having a meal. Usually, the ghrelin levels increase before you eat. This signifies that you are hungry. They go down for almost three hours after your meal. It is believed that ghrelin plays a more important role in the regulation of your body weight, which is a much more complex procedure.

About Leptin
Among the two appetite hormones, leptin accounts for being the appetite suppressing hormone. It is considered to play a more important role than ghrelin in maintaining the energy balance of your body. It is also believed that leptin is responsible for the regulation of ghrelin. Leptin helps in signaling the brain that your body has enough energy in the form of body fat. It is considered that the more fat you have, the more amount of leptin is present in your blood. However, the level varies based on factors such as when you took your last meal, and your sleeping patterns.

How to control your hunger hormones?
There are certain ways by which you can control your appetite hormones. It can be done primarily by avoiding food items that contain high fat. When you eat, messages are transmitted to several parts of your body, indicating that you have had enough. While consuming fatty food, this system does not send messages as effectively. Consuming fat makes you consume more calories, which in turn lets you store fat and gain fat.

It has been proven that either a diet which is rich in good carbohydrates or a diet which is high in protein, suppresses your ghrelin production more effectively than a high fat diet. It is important for you to get proper sleep for controlling your appetite hormones. Studies prove that sleep deprivation is associated with an increase in your ghrelin levels, appetite, and hunger, compared to people who get 10 hours sleep on a regular basis. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dietitian-nutritionist.

Menopause is characterized by the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. It is the time in a woman’s life when the ovaries stop functioning. The periods then stop forever. The normal period of menopause is 51 years of age, however, menopause may happen as ahead of schedule as the 30s or as late as the 60s. There is no solid lab test to determine when a lady will encounter menopause. Early menopause usually starts between the ages of 40 and 45. Untimely menopause begins significantly earlier, before the age of 40. Nevertheless, premature or early menopause is not that common with only about one percent of the women going through early menopause before the age of 40.

The signs and symptoms of early menopause are like the usual menopause. Some basic side effects include:

1. Irregular periods (amenorrhea)
2. Hot flashes
3. Night sweats
4. Vaginal dryness
5. Mood shifts
6. Diminished sex drive

Your specialist will suggest a treatment depending on your individual circumstances. Some common ways to deal with premature or early menopause are as follows:

Hormone Replacement Therapy
Supplements containing estrogen and progestin can help and replace some of your reproductive hormones in the body that can no longer make it all alone. They are frequently taken until the normal period of menopause (around 50) to help avoid bone loss. This treatment is not suggested for all ladies since it expands the danger of:

• Heart issues
• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Breast cancer

Supplemental Calcium and Vitamin D
Supplementary calcium and vitamin D can help in preventing osteoporosis in case you are not getting enough of these supplements from your normal diet. Women between ages 19 to 50 need to consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium for each day through food or supplements. Ladies over age 51 need to consume 1,200 milligrams for each day. A prescribed day-to-day measure of vitamin D has not yet been built up. For grown-up females, most specialists prescribe 600 to 800 global units through food or supplements. One should get a prescription from a doctor before ingesting the medication.

Talk Therapy
Numerous ladies discover that having a conversation with a therapist can be supportive to adapt to their anxiety. It helps them release their pent up emotions and gives the clarity and satisfaction about their problems. Talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy are always beneficial since they help in addressing the symptoms and side effects that a woman may be going through emotionally when it comes to early menopause. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Many couples are reaching IVF clinics due to infertility problems. IVF is a very useful process for those couples who are unable to conceive. A few tests will be done on both male and female, and then the treatment for infertility will start. Many people reach out to the doctor with a low AMH count. What actually is AMH count and how does it affect IVF treatment? Continue reading to know more about AMH:

What is an AMH test?
In the ovarian follicles, cells produce a protein called AMH or Anti Mullerian Hormone. AMH levels can be classified as below:

• Very Low AMH levels means 0.5 ng/ml or below. This condition indicates severe fertility concerns and very low ovarian reserve.
• Low AMH levels means 1.0 ng/ml to 1.5 ng/ml. This condition indicates that the ovarian reserve is low, but that chances of getting pregnant are still good.
• Normal AMH levels mean 1.5 ng/ml to 4.0 ng/ml. This condition indicates a good ovarian reserve and very good chance of responding to IVF or other fertility treatments.

Many people have a misconception that low or very low levels of AMH do not indicate that the IVF treatment is suitable for the woman. Some women may have a low quantity of eggs due to low AMH levels, but the quality of the egg can be good and hence the chances of pregnancy are good.

Why is an AMH test important for IVF treatment?

• One of the most reliable tests done for confirming if the woman will have a successful pregnancy is the AMH test. This test can be done at any time of the month irrespective of the monthly cycle and the lifestyle of the woman. The exact fertility health can be analyzed with the help of this test.
• Blood samples are taken and tested for AMH levels. This is not included in your normal blood test reports and hence you need to ask the doctor if you want to know the AMH levels. A combination of Antral follicle count test with AMH tests will give you the best results.

Why do AMH levels drop?
There are many factors that are responsible for the AMH levels to drop and one of them is aging. Other factors include hormonal imbalance, low blood circulation to the ovaries, unhealthy food choices, stress, autoimmune diseases, genetic factors and your lifestyle.
One single test of AMH levels will not give you the exact results. You need to get the test done a few times to know the exact values. Though your birth control pills may not affect the AMH levels, you can stop them for a few months and then get the test done. Talk to the doctor regarding the other medications you take and other fertility drugs you have used in the past or presently. This helps the doctor to give you the right advice. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Every woman likes to look into the mirror and find not an extra strand of hair on her face, be it the upper lip or near the ears. While it is not uncommon for women to have hair on these and other areas, most women resort to multiple ways to get rid of this. The pattern of this unnecessary hair growth is very similar to the pattern seen in males normally.

This condition of excessive hair growth is known as hirsutism and can be caused by multiple causes, as listed below.

1. Genetic or racial: While the European women have a more clean face that is free of hair, the Mediterranean and Indian women are highly likely to have more facial hair growth. There is also a strong family history relation, and it is hereditary.
2. Androgens (testosterone): This is a male hormone, essential for the development of male sexual characters. Though it is present in very minute amounts in all women, in some, there could be higher than these minimal levels, leading to minor masculine characters, facial hair being one of them.
3. Hormonal imbalances: There are multiple hormonal issues which can manifest as increased facial hair growth. The two most common ones include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and adrenal conditions including tumours, Cushing's syndrome, and hyperplasia. In all these cases, there is increased amount of androgens, leading to excessive facial hair.
4. Medication side effect: Some medications like testosterone, cyclosporine, anabolic steroids, and Minoxidil also lead to increased amounts of facial hair in women. Some other medications used to treat migraines, seizures, schizophrenia, and hypertension can also cause hirsutism. This is indirectly due to increased levels of male hormones in the system, producing these effects.
5. Birth control pills: These also affect the hormone levels and lead to increased facial hair.
6. Obesity: Most women with facial hair are also on the heavier side, and most people have a reduction in hair once weight is managed.

Treatment: The underlying cause should be treated for controlling hair growth. If there is an inducing medication, an alternative should be looked at. While hormone levels can be altered, in most cases, not much can be done. These need to be dealt with using one of the following methods - depilatory creams, waxing, plucking, shaving, laser reduction, electrolysis, and weight loss.

When reading through the above, it is obvious that a lot of causes for hirsutism point towards hormones. This also helps identify hormonal abnormalities in the earlier stages. This helps to identify hormonal disorders in their earlier stages, which are managed with lesser complications. The next time you feel there is more hair on your chin or cheeks, get your hormone levels checked.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hormones are vital for the human body. They are basically chemicals released into the bloodstream and travel from one cell to another. They travel through the blood and assist organs in performing numerous functions of the human body. Hormones are responsible for a wide range of activities like growth, puberty, facial hair, stress, mood, reproduction, sleep, reproduction and many more. They are also found in other organisms like plants and animals.

Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands. The endocrine glands include pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands. The study of the endocrine system and hormones is known as endocrinology. Also, some major diseases are caused by hormone imbalance in the human body. The functions or activities of the body affected by hormone secretion are:

• Growth and development
• Metabolism
• Mood
• Sexual functions like menstruation, fertility, reproduction.
• Blood Sugar level

Some vital hormones affecting human health:

• Estrogen: Also known as the female hormone and responsible for a lot of functions and activities associated with a female body. They are secreted by ovaries and are primarily responsible for reproduction, menopause, puberty, moods and even sleep. High level of estrogen production is rare and mostly occurs because of oral contraceptives. Low level of estrogen is more common among girls and women alike. However, the most common disease experienced by females is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Imbalance of hormones will mostly lead to hair loss, acne, depression and even osteoporosis. You can start by taking supplements like vitamin B complex and magnesium or sometimes even undergo hormonal treatment.
• Testosterone: It is the male sex hormone. However, they are present in low quantities in females too. The testosterone is responsible for muscle growth and developmental functions. They also control puberty in males, facial hair, libido, erectile functions and formation of sperm. Imbalance can lead to depression, mood swings, insomnia, erectile dysfunction and also acne and hair loss. Excessive secretion of testosterone in females leads to increased hair growth and deepening of the voice. Moreover, regular drinking and smoking may lead to decrease production of testosterone among males.
• Cortisol: It is one of the many hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. They are responsible for physical, stress regulation, maintenance of the immune system and inflammation, etc. High level of cortisol can lead to stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Low level of cortisol may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and even alcoholism.
• Insulin: It is one of the most important hormones in the human body and is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the body and maintaining blood sugar level. Its job is to use the sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates and convert it into energy. An imbalance of insulin leads to high blood sugar level (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar level (hypoglycemia). Such imbalances can lead to diabetes in humans which vary depending on the blood sugar level of the body.
• Growth Hormones: They are secreted by the pituitary glands of the body. The hormones are responsible for growth and development in children and teenagers. They are also responsible for proper functioning of the heart, muscle development, metabolism and many more. Imbalances can lead to stunted growth in children. Consult your doctor for ways to boost growth in your child.

Hormones play a major role in the human body. Their deficiency or imbalance can create serious health issues and disease for humans. So the next time you have difficulty in losing weight or suffering from depression, your hormones are equally responsible along with your genes.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!