BioTE Bio-identical hormones for Alzheimer's Prevention

We all have a friend or family member with Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's Disease cases will triple by 2050. The cost to treat this disease will increase 500% to $1.1 trillion dollars by then. Alzheimer's patients spend three times more on healthcare than other people. There are several trials underway to try to prevent Alzheimer's, but for now, there is no cure, and we only have medications to treat this disabling disease. However, there are things that can be done to help prevent or slow the progression, one of which is bio-identical hormones.

Let's talk about what happens in Alzheimer's disease exactly.....Normal, healthy brain produces something called Tau protein which protects the brain's nerve cells (neurons) from breaking down. In Alzheimer's Disease this protein goes haywire and the brain's nerve cells (neurons) form neurofibrillary tangles. These neurofibrillary tangles produce beta-amyloid which in turn cause the plaques seen in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

The Cache County Utah Study, published in  Neurology Oct 2012, reviewed 1800 patients. There was a 30% reduction in Alzheimer's cases if hormone replacement therapy was started within 5 years of menopause and especially if used for more than 10 years. However, we've all heard we shouldn't be on hormones any longer than necessary to deal with hot flashes. Well this is because of the increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and heart disease associated with synthetic hormones. This does NOT refer to bio-identical hormones, specifically BioTE bio-identical hormone pellet replacement therapy. 

Dr.Suzanne de la Monte has done years of research and has widely published on Alzheimer's disease. It is known that women are affected more often than men and that the incidence increases with age. Her research has shown that estrogen selectively benefits the brain's nerve cells, called neurons. However if the estrogen is given AFTER cells have started to degenerate, the estrogen can be harmful. If beta-amyloid (the abnormal protein found in brains of Alzheimer's patients) is present, then estrogen actually increases cell death. Low testosterone in men AND women increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease as well. Moral of the story....treat early in menopause or andropause (men) and treat correctly!!

BioTE bio-identical hormone replacement pellets are safe and effective. The company actually voluntarily submits their pellets to the FDA for inspection. Your dose of estrogen/testosterone/progesterone is individualized to you based on your lab work. In addition to checking those hormones, I also check your Vitamin D, thyroid, blood sugar, lipids, etc. to get an overall picture of your endocrine system because they all have to be balance in order to be healthy. Call today for your consult....501-228-6237

Anne R Trussell MD

owner/physician