HORMONE REPLACEMENT, Estrogen

There are three forms of estrogen.

Estrone E1 is the estrogen of menopause. It is synthesized from androstenedione in the adrenal glands and from peripheral tissues by aromatization.

Fat cells are especially rich in the aromatase enzyme that converts androstenedione to estrone. This explains why obese postmenopausal women often have higher circulating levels of estrogens.

Estrone is associated with a number of undesirable side effects and therefore it is controversial whether or not it is necessary to replace.

Estradiol is E2. is the most abundant estrogen during the reproductive years. It has over 400 jobs in the body. In the brain it affects serotonin levels, pain threshold and fine motor coordination. It also affects your ability to learn and multitask. Estradiol inhibits an enzyme called choline acetyl transferase, decreasing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease.  

It has a number of desirable affects on the heart. Transdermal Estradiol reduces CRP an inflammatory marker associated with heart disease. In many studies it has been shown to be cardio protective.  It improves the elasticity of the arteries and decreases the accumulation of plaque. Estradiol is important for your skin and hair, your bones, energy production, metabolism and over all well-being. It prevents tooth decay. With out estradiol, the body is thrown into accelerated aging.

Estriol or E3 is the weakest of the estrogens. It is found in the placenta. It seems to have a protective effect against breast cancer.

At Center For Age Management a combination of Estriol and estradiol is used. Levels are evaluated along with your clinical response.

Equally important to measuring your levels, is the metabolism of estrogen. A number of biologic pathways exist in the body, which change the active hormone into a safe metabolite. A block in any pathway affects the body's response to these hormones.  We measure metabolic pathways by performing the ION Panel.