What is Endocrine Therapy?

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Written by Elite HRT on March 15, 2021

Medically reviewed by

Camille Freking, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, MEDICAL ADVISOR

The endocrine system is a system in the body that is made up of glands that release hormones. These hormones play a huge role in the everyday functioning of the human body, so when it is not working properly something needs to happen to fix it. 

This is where endocrine therapy can come in. Hormones need to be in a certain range of concentration in the blood, so when they are too low endocrine therapy could be an option. There is more to know about endocrine therapy including the process, who might need it, where to get it, and of course the hormones that are being replaced. 

When deciding to do or take any treatment it is important to be as informed as possible so that you can make an informed decision that is right for you. 

Endocrine Therapy

Endocrine therapy is a way to restore hormone levels to a previous state or to a balanced state. It is also known as hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The goal is to reduce symptoms related to hormonal imbalance and make life more enjoyable. 

Because your body will be better able to address its normal function you will be less bogged down with overwhelming symptoms. The therapy itself involves taking a medication that is similar in structure and function to the natural hormones in your body. Throughout the hormone therapy process blood tests will be taken to monitor the levels and make sure it is in a good range. This will help to increase the levels of hormone in the body and help it function as optimally as possible. 

Types of Endocrine Therapy

There are many types of endocrine therapies. The different types include various hormones and methods of application. Even for different hormones there are various brands that alter the hormone structure just slightly in their formula. 

When looking at methods of application some of the most common forms are injections. These injections can be either into the muscle or into the fat depending on the certain type of hormone and its chemical structure. 

Another method is topical in a cream, gel, or patch. These are applied to the skin, typically in the affected area. For example, there are many testosterone gels and creams that are applied directly to the testes for easy application and being made available for the body. 

The other variations are in hormone and brand. The hormones themselves can be replaced based on the hormone deficiency that is had. Some of the most common hormones that are replaced are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones. 

Each type of hormone has different active forms that can be reproduced. For example, estrogen comes in the form of estradiol, estriol, and estrone. Each of which carry a different function in the body or are active during different processes such as pregnancy or menopause. 

Your healthcare provider will be able to guide you as to which variation of endocrine therapy is right for you. 

Who Needs Endocrine Therapy?

As you have already learned, hormone therapy is helpful for people who have low levels of hormones that need to be replaced. However, how would you know if you had these low hormones? The sure way to detect if you have low hormone levels of any kind is to complete a hormone test by your doctor. 

These tests can be from the urine, saliva or blood depending on the hormone you are looking for. Most commonly a blood test will be done to confirm the hormone levels. After this your doctor will tell you if hormone therapy is an option. 

Before you get to this point though there are some symptoms that could be related to low hormone levels that you could notice and know to get checked out. 

Some of the emotional symptoms are feeling tired, having low energy, reduced sexual desire, having slower recovery times for exercise and being sick, brain fog, decreased motivation for life, and depression or anxiety. 

Physical symptoms that may be noticed are trouble sleeping, poor body composition with more fat and less muscle, erectile dysfunction, joint and muscle pain, and other age related diseases. 

If you are experiencing these symptoms it could be a key that endocrine therapy could be helpful for you. 

Where Do You Get Endocrine Therapy?

While endocrine therapy medications cannot be purchased at your local drugstore as an over the counter medicine, it is not as difficult to get as you may think. Once you have recognized that you want to get your hormones tested you can make an appointment with your local doctor to test your hormone levels. 

If it is confirmed that you have low hormone levels they will discuss with you if hormone replacement therapy may be an option for you. Going forward you could continue to work with your primary care doctor for treatment, or you could work with an endocrinologist or a company like Elite HRT

You will then get a customized treatment plan and a prescription to purchase the hormone replacement. You can usually get this at your local pharmacy, directly from your healthcare provider, or from a trusted and verified retailer online. 

What is Elite HRT?

Elite HRT was mentioned briefly in the last section, but what exactly is it? 

Elite HRT is a company that specializes in hormone replacement therapy. They work with your doctor to be the best care team for you. Elite HRT only focuses on endocrine therapy, so you know that they know what they are talking about. Your doctor is very intelligent and skilled, but may not have the newest industry knowledge needed to provide a carefully crafted treatment plan for hormone therapy. 

Elite HRT is a telemedicine service that provides convenient consultations with a healthcare provider from the comfort of your home. Elite HRT listens to your goals and uses your health history to make an individualized treatment plan just for you. 

Estrogen Endocrine Therapy

Estrogen therapy is the process of taking hormonal estrogen to increase estrogen levels. Estrogen is a sex hormone that influences reproduction, libido, the menstraul cycle, bone density, mood, and more. It is mainly in women, but can be found in small amounts in men as well. 

Estrogen therapy is usually provided for women in menopause because of the unwanted symptoms associated with it. These unwanted symptoms include mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, and more. 

While it can help improve the experience of menopause there are a few risk factors including an increased risk of blood clots which can cause complications. To help reduce some of these risk factors estrogen is also sometimes paired with progesterone therapy as well. 

Testosterone Endocrine Therapy

Testosterone is the hormone in men most similar to estrogen. It is also responsible for sexual functioning, sex drive, bone and muscle health, mood balance, and more. Testosterone slowly decreases as men age which can make them have symptoms like hair loss, erectile dysfunction, low libido, muscle loss, fat gain, and others. When testosterone levels get this low there is no need to suffer. 

Testosterone hormone replacement therapy gives testosterone hormones to boost T-levels and make life more enjoyable.  There are also some risks with testosterone endocrine therapy including acne, increased risk of blood clots, enlarged breasts, and shrinkage of the testicles. Cotreatment with progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin can help to reduce these risks.  

Human Growth Hormone Endocrine Therapy

Human growth hormone or HGH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland to support the muscles and bones to grow and be maintained appropriately. In some cases people have low levels of human growth hormone and may need supplementation. 

These HGH endocrine therapy treatments can help people exercise more and more easily, make the bones denser, help to grow more muscle, and reduce body fat. This therapy is only provided as an injection and there is no pill or topical form. There are also some risks with HGH therapy including joint and muscle pain, breast tissue grown, carpal tunnel syndrome, and swelling of the arms and legs. 

Conclusion

Endocrine therapy is the process of taking hormone replacement medications to bring the hormone levels into a normal range. This hormone replacement therapy can help with a wide array of conditions including deficient estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, and many more. Almost any hormone in the body can be replaced or addressed by a healthcare provider or endocrinologist. 

If you think that you may have an endocrine deficiency and are experiencing signs of low hormones, reach out to your personal doctor or Elite HRT to get on the right path for you. 

Resources

Hormone therapy: Is it right for you? – Mayo Clinic

Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age – Mayo Clinic 

Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging? – Mayo Clinic