When most of us think of hormonal issues, we usually attribute them to women. It is widely recognized that women go through menopause as they age, resulting in loss of libido, sleep issues, hot flashes, and weight gain, and memory loss, just to name a few.
Less emphasis is put on the changes that occur with men as they age, but men actually experience their own version of male menopause, which is called Andropause. According to the National Institute of Health, “andras” in Greek means human male and “pause” means a cessation, so literally “andropause” is defined as a syndrome associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction or a decline in a feeling of general well-being with low levels of testosterone in men.
While all women will experience menopause symptoms to some degree, not all men recognize andropause as it occurs, simply because they may not be aware that such a thing exists and it occurs more gradually. It is just as important for men to have their hormone levels checked as women because the changes in men are much more subtle, and they may not realize that their symptoms are caused by something that can be treated easily with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.
At Dynamic Life Health Center, we offer extensive diagnostic testing specially tailored for men, to help identify decreasing or imbalanced hormone production along with any other underlying health issues, so that we can help you to feel your best and live your life with vitality and zest!
Our New Patient Coordinator Can Answer All of Your Questions
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
How do you know if you have hormone deficiencies?
In men, the first thing you may notice is a decreased sex drive, however, often overlooked symptoms can also signal hormone deficiencies such as:
Weaker erections/orgasms- Low sex drive
- Impotence
- Decreased bone mass
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Weight gain (especially around the abdomen, as fat distribution can change)
- Harder time taking weight off
- Loss of muscle mass and tone
- Difficulty sleeping
- Joint aches
- Low tolerance for exercise
- Loss of self-confidence
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men:
- Increased or Restored Sex Drive
- Increased Energy Levels
- Less Joint and Muscle Pain
- Improved Muscle Mass and Tone
- Increased Stamina
- Loss of Fat
- Less Depression
- Better Mood
- Improved Memory
- Better Focus
Our bodies are designed as fined tuned machines, working synergistically as a whole to keep us healthy and active well into later life. Think of your hypothalamus (a small area in the brain that helps stimulate key functions) and your pituitary glands as “control centers”, sending out messages between your pancreas, adrenal glands, and thyroid, as part of this finely tuned system. If any part of this system is distorted, it can disrupt the entire system. Our goal is to identify and resolve any underlying issues that prevent you from experiencing a healthy, robust lifestyle.
Dr. Berutti and Melanie Martin are exceptional providers and having been tosee Melanie for my health issues, I can personally recommend both of them as truly competent and knowledgeable medical providers who put their patients’ welfare and health at the top of their list! The expertise, professionalism, and care for their patients is unmatched in my experience as a patient, and I’m so grateful to have found them! Thank you to Dr. Berutti and Melanie Martin! You’ve changed my life! – Rebecca D.
We Take a Whole-Body Approach to Your Hormones and Your Health
It is important if you are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, that you contact a health care professional who is well-versed in hormonal balancing and overall health and wellness because drops in male hormone levels can be associated with diseases that can include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Hypertension
- Chronic sleep problems
- Prostate cancer
It is necessary that you have a provider who has both the knowledge and the experience needed to treat hormone imbalances and who takes an integrative approach to your whole-body health.
Otherwise, you may have an improved sex drive, but could still be setting yourself up for future, long-term health issues. Additionally, through extensive lab work, we can identify the state of your health NOW, and get any issues identified to ensure that we can help you address any potential problems before they get worse.
Both Dr. Berutti and PA, Melanie Martin, have years of experience with balancing hormones for both women and men. Additionally, they both incorporate a Functional Medicine model of treatment which is integrative and looks for root causes of symptoms versus just treating symptoms with a “pill for every ill.” Another advantage of a Functional Medicine approach is that your provider spends more TIME with you, in order to get to know you, your health history, and symptoms so that they can provide an individualized treatment plan specifically for you that works!
Our New Patient Coordinator Can Answer All of Your Questions
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
Testosterone
The primary hormone we think of in association with men is testosterone. Testosterone is vital for a man’s overall health. It is responsible for many biological processes including:
Sex drive- Energy
- Muscle mass
- Strength
- Bone health
- Fat distribution
- Production of red blood cells
- Sperm production
- Heart health
- Mood
- Motivation
- Brain health
Starting at about age 30, men start to lose testosterone at the rate of about 1% to 3% per year. But testosterone is only one player in the endocrine “symphony,” that allows a man’s body to function at optimal health and vitality.
Dr. Berutti and her staff are exceptional. I have gone to their office for nearly two years now. They provided a health supplement program specifically designed for me, which has made me feel more energetic, focused, and happy. I greatly appreciate the help they have and are still giving me with my overall health and would highly recommend their practice. Thank you Dr. Berutti and your wonderful team!” – Clarence H.
Other Important Hormones
Thyroid hormone: A metabolic hormone that regulates temperature, metabolism, and cerebral function. In addition, the thyroid hormone helps remove toxic metals and chemicals, increases fat breakdown, improves hair growth of the scalp and eyebrows, and reduces cholesterol levels and body weight. It is vital in the prevention of cognitive deterioration. It also serves as the Master Hormone because it controls so many biological processes of the body.
Pregnenolone: This hormone is best known for helping mood, memory, and sleep. This is the precursor hormone from which almost all other hormones are made including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. It can help reduce fatigue caused by high stress, improve memory, and improve well-being. By age 75, we produce 60% less pregnenolone than we did in our 30s. Pregnenolone levels can also decline when cortisol levels are low, and the body will “steal” pregnenolone to make cortisol. It is one of the markers for aging.
DHEA: DHEA is one of your sex hormones produced by the adrenal gland, brain, and skin. It helps your body make testosterone and estrogen. Our natural DHEA production peaks in our 20s and by the time we’re in our 70s, we make only about 20% of the DHEA that we did when younger. When a person develops adrenal exhaustion from chronic stress, the adrenal glands can’t make enough DHEA or Cortisol which can lead to symptoms such as decreased energy, lost muscle mass, irritability, joint pain, weight gain, and blood sugar imbalances. DHEA is an important component to healing and treating adrenal fatigue and cortisol imbalances.
Estrogen: Yes, men produce Estrogen too, just not near as much as women. It does play a critical role in male sexual function. However, Estradiol in men is necessary for regulating libido, erectile function, and bone strength. Low testosterone along with elevated estrogen levels can increase erectile dysfunction.
Cortisol: Cortisol is a stress hormone and is extremely important to keep balanced. It’s needed to live, sleep, manage stress appropriately, regulate mood, balance blood sugar, regulate blood pressure, and modulate the immune system. Cortisol imbalances can contribute to unpleasant symptoms such as fatigue, feeling wired but also tired, anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, and thyroid imbalance. Additional symptoms can include low blood sugar, lack of motivation, depression, and loss of libido. Cortisol also interacts with other hormones such as insulin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA.
Prolactin: Men who have high levels of prolactin can experience hypogonadism, loss of libido, and erectile dysfunction.
My husband and I both go to Dr. Berutti. She really listens and does the appropriate testing to get to the root of the problem. We both feel better than we have in years!” – Penny L.
What Causes Hormone Imbalances?
While natural aging is a common factor of testosterone decline, its production also depends on other hormones and their functions to keep us healthy. Some common causes of accelerated hormone insufficiencies include:
- Stress
- Poor Health or Illness
- Thyroid Imbalances
- Poor Diet
- Estrogen Imbalance
- Sedentary Lifestyle/Lack of Exercise
- Obesity
- Sleep Apnea
- Some Medications
- Excessive Alcohol use
- High Inflammation Levels
- High Lipid Levels
At Dynamic Health Life Center, we specialize in identifying and balancing hormones, as well as addressing other health issues so you can feel your best.
Through careful diagnostics and an understanding of your individual lifestyle, we can identify the areas of your system that are not working at their optimum level. In addition to Testosterone, we will examine PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen), Thyroid, DHEA, Human Growth Hormone, Insulin, Prolactin, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) Cortisol and Pregnenolone levels, as well as gut health and immune deficiencies.
We also tailor any additional labs specifically to you, based on your symptoms and health history. Once identified, we will work with you to create an individualized plan utilizing Bio-identical hormones and natural supplements to bring your hormone levels back to ideal levels.
Our New Patient Coordinator Can Answer All of Your Questions
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
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About Dr. Berutti
Dr. Berutti has been in practice for over 29 years and provides an individualized and customized approach to your health care needs. Her focus is to proactively manage your chronic illnesses and prevent any future illness through the latest preventative and screening tests. She’ll take the time necessary to address all of your health care challenges and concerns.
Dr. Berutti is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Anti-aging Medicine, and Functional Medicine. She has undergone a three-year training program for Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. Because of her years of experience and extensive education, she is able to utilize her expertise to help her patients become healthier, prevent disease, and age gracefully. Dr. Berutti offers a variety of testing to detect genetic predispositions, identify imbalances, deficiencies, and food sensitivities, and review other health markers in order to customize a treatment protocol specific to each person.
She believes that in order to successfully restore health that a partnership is needed between both doctor and patient. She offers discussions and education regarding nutrition, lifestyle, sleep practices, and ways to better handle stress alongside her treatment protocols.
Dr. Berutti has been my doctor for over 20 years. I have complete confidence in her ability to diagnose and care for my health. She takes the time to sit and listen to me. She is intelligent and caring and I recommend her to anyone seeking a doctor.” – Paul R.
About Melanie Martin, PA-C
Melanie Martin, PA-C, is Dr. Berutti’s Physician Assistant who has been practicing medicine for a total of 30 years. About halfway through her career, she realized that the “conventional medicine” approach wasn’t always meeting her patients’ health goals and that the gaps in that system did not promote wellness and optimal health.
Melanie decided that she could better help people by using a more integrative approach so she decided to make a career change 14 years ago so that she could do just that. Melanie believes that the key to truly helping patients is to be able to spend plenty of time with them in order to have ample opportunity to listen to their needs.
She incorporates a collaborative approach so that everyone feels involved, educated, and empowered with their personal health care. She has trained and worked under some of the top functional medicine practitioners in the area and is happy to be a part of Dr. Berutti’s team so that she can continue to learn from Dr. Berutti’s vast areas of expertise. She’s also excited to focus on helping her patients get to the root cause(s) of their symptoms and illnesses so they can achieve optimal health and wellness.
Melanie is in charge of our Hormone Pellets program for both women and men here at Dynamic Life Health Center. Pellets are just one of a few application methods that we offer at our clinic; with men, they generally need to be inserted only once every 5 – 6 months.
Insurance
In terms of your office visit, we are an out-of-network provider. The reason for this is that when a practice chooses to accept insurance, insurance companies can tell the practice what illnesses and conditions they can treat, and how they should treat it. In order to get to the root cause of various conditions and provide optimal treatment, we find that we need more time with our patients and more treatment options than insurance companies are willing to provide for.
You can contact your insurance company prior to your visit to see what is a covered benefit. If you have a PPO plan, it is possible that your insurance company will reimburse you for much of your office-visit costs. This depends on your insurance company, what type of plan you have, and your deductibles. You will pay for the appointments at the time of service and we will provide you with the necessary papers to file for reimbursement with your insurance provider.
If you are on an HMO plan, most likely your insurance will not cover any of the costs of your office visits and your lab work will need to go through your Primary Care Physician or you can utilize our discount program.
Labs ordered by Dr. Berutti and PA, Melanie, are typically covered the same as if they were written by your regular doctor on a PPO plan. You should however ask your insurance company how they cover the labs and which lab network is preferred. We will make sure that any labs ordered are done through this preferred provider.
Contact our New Patient Coordinator for More Information
When many patients come to see us, they have lost hope because they’ve felt unwell for so long and don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. It’s rewarding as a practitioner to be able to help so many people realize a much-improved quality of life and a regained sense of vitality!
Please call us to get more information about how our clinic and providers can help you with your health goals!
We look forward to the opportunity to restore your health and regain your vitality for life!
For More Information Call Us at 817-539-6168
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