126: Bio-Identical Hormones

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy And Its Amazing Benefits

Bio-identical hormones and bio-identical hormone therapy can be considered a medical breakthrough. There is now so many new information about balancing our hormones.

Canadian Roots 

I am so thrilled to have my guest today. Dr. George Arnold has been an ob-gyn for 25 years now. He completed his primary medical training at the University of Toronto in 1986.  I'm excited to interview a fellow Canadian and talk about his upcoming book as well.

“I was one of those kids that grew up kinda knowing I would become a doctor. Since I was a kid, I loved science,” said Dr. Arnold. “And I was sympathetic and empathetic to people around me. I applied to only one medical school because knew I would be accepted.”

But when Dr. Arnold was finishing up medical school, ob-gyn was the last thing he wanted to do.  This was because he initially wanted to be a cardiac surgeon. He fell in love with ob-gyn only during his internship. In addition to that, he said women are so wonderful to work with and worked with some wonderful obstetricians as well.

Helping Men And Women 

Dr. Arnold started practice in 1992. He started to see a number of women with side effects from the most common hormone beyond menopausal women. Seeing a lot of symptoms that he never saw in training it started his journey to use bio-identical hormones to treat his patients.

“Through testing, we identified some hormone deficiencies and correct their issues without having to resort to other medications,” he said. “Women started to feel better. Over the past years, I started to see male patients as well.”

Dr. Arnold is a firm believer in the importance of making time for the patients.  That is why I could not stress enough how I love Holistic Medicine and Naturopathic Doctors because they really take a time to dig deep into your health issues.

“If doctors take the time to listen to what people have to tell you, that's 90% of what you need to do. The lab test pretty much confirms what you conclude is going on,” Dr. Arnold said. “It's a common story to hear some doctors just subject their patients to a series of lab tests. It is very rewarding to see how I could transform things for them.”

Bio-Identical Hormone

What is a bio-identical hormone? According to Dr. Arnold, a bio-identical hormone is identical to the hormone that your body produces.

“So when we talk in terms of bio-identical progesterone, the hormones typically come from yams. And if you break down the structure of bioidentical progesterone,” he explains. “Then if you break down the structure of  a progesterone produced in a woman's ovary, these will be identical.”

Furthermore, Dr. Arnold explains that throughout your body, there are receptors on cells. In addition to that, these receptors are designed to connect with natural components. Hence, a progesterone receptor has been made to interact and connect with progesterone coming from your ovary.

Dr. Arnold reveals that a bio-identical or natural progesterone will interact in exactly the same way. Consequently, when it comes to pharmaceutical companies, you cannot patent something that is found in nature. Hence, you have to transform that in some way.

“So when you take these natural compounds found in nature, structurally identical to what our bodies have been producing,” Dr. Arnold said. “They will have exactly the same effect as the natural hormones that the body is producing.”

Types Of Estrogens

Dr. Arnold identifies 3 types of estrogens:

1. Estradiol – strongest estrogen
2. Estrone – medium strength estrogen
3. Estriol – weakest estrogen

He explains that entrodiol and estriol are the two that we place for symptoms of estrogen deficiency. While estrone has a very high binding affinity to breast cancer cells. Dr. Arnold also says that when you hear people talk about breast cancer being estrogen receptor-positive, it's that receptor that estrone binds to.

“In women that have a family history of breast cancer, using estriol or estradiol is not going to increase their risk . Using bioidentical replacement therapy is fine,” Dr. Arnold said. “Research shows that a combination of natural progesterone and estriol is very effective in treating symptoms and lowers risk of breast cancer.”

Bio-Identical Hormone Approach

Dr. Arnold customizes a bio-identical hormone plan for each patient. From there, he adjusts as they go along. He likewise stresses the need to find a doctor that truly takes time for you.

“Don't take no for an answer. You know there's something wrong with you. Keep looking and searching. Look for a practitioner that is going to work and listen to you,” he advises.

“You as a patient, you need to be at the center of your care. And you need to be advocating for yourself. Take control, because nobody knows you better than yourself.”

Dr. Arnold makes his patients undergo complete lab tests before the initial consultation.  Among the tests include tests for hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, thyroid issue and cortisol. In addition to that, there is also a 4-point saliva test to help identify chronic and adrenal fatigue.

He also claims bio-identical hormones are safe and effective. Furthermore, Dr. Arnold says not let your doctor start you on anti-depressants.  This is because it is not the answer to all your symptoms.

The DUTCH Test

The DUTCH test stands for Dried Urine test for Comprehensive Hormones. It uses dried urine, is the simplest and informative test for anyone considering bio-identical hormone therapy. It is done four times a day.

The test is developed by Mark Newman. He is also the founder of Precision Analytical Laboratory in Oregon.  According to Dr. Arnold, the test can help predict the onset of breast cancer and prostate cancer.  Hence, prevention measures may be taken to avoid cancer.

supplements – indole-3-carbinol – promote healthy hormonal balance-b vitamins

Feel your best. Live your best 

Dr. Arnold recommends indole-3-carbinol and B vitamins to promote healthy hormonal balance.  But he sees the need to educate more men and women about their health and bio-identical hormones.  Hence, he is coming out with a book this month.

Basically, it is a book that discusses a natural return to hormone balance. Check out the links below to watch out for the release of his book.

Dr. Arnold is now one of the leading proponents of natural, bio-identical hormone therapy. It is used to treat hormone cases and understands the process of diagnosing and identifying the imbalance, and then applying the proper corrective measures.

Apart from his medical degree from the University of Toronto, he had a Fellowship training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and is a Fellow of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada.

Get Connected with Dr. George Arnold:

Official Website

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Book by Dr. George Arnold

Feel Your Best – Live Your Best (Release date: End of May 2017)

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