Overview and Learning Objectives

Although simple intervention and basic hormone balancing may prove effective in a majority of cases, many patients will present with symptoms and underlying conditions that involve multi- layers of physiologic dysregulation and these cases can be more complex and challenging.  Even after years of experience with bioidentical hormone treatments and working to balance neuroendocrine symptoms, difficult and complex cases continue to arise. It is evident that there is a need for a more complete and deeper evaluation of the neuroendocrine system, encompassing information regarding inflammation, diet, metabolism, and gastrointestinal health, with the relationship between hormone imbalances and neurotransmitter fluctuations. 

At the conclusion of the weekend, participants will be able to identify the nuances of hormone balancing, the complex relationship between sex hormones, the HPA axis, neurotransmitters, and microbiome health, and recognize the complicated symptom presentation that can result from these imbalances.  Discussion will be heavily based on current research and actual clinical cases, including pitfalls of practice and clinical pearls from seasoned practitioners. Participants will gain additional clinical insight and treatment considerations to evaluate some of the most prevalent and challenging conditions that patients present with, including menopause, depression, anxiety, altered mental focus and stamina, gastrointestinal issues, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, cardiovascular health, autoimmune disease and chronic disease in general. 

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to… 

1. Justify and apply appropriate laboratory hormone testing (saliva, serum, or urine) for a variety of persistent health conditions and recall appropriate interpretation of results depending on needs of the patient and type of BHRT being administered.  

2. Recognize foundational aspects of neuroendocrine health which have far reaching implications for males and females.    

3. Recognize urinary neurotransmitter testing as a tool for accurate assessment and evaluation of individuals struggling with mood concerns, cognitive concerns, insomnia, and more. Discuss natural, non-pharmacological therapies and advanced treatment considerations utilizing CAM.      

4. Recognize the science behind women’s hormones, their various functions, and best practices regarding replacement at various ages.     

5. Review the medical literature concerning natural versus synthetic hormone replacement 

6. Discuss the historical vilification of estrogen and its subsequent vindication as well as the roles of receptors, hormones, genomic and non-genomic pathways, and the expanding significance of GPER (G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor). 

7. Learn why estriol in its role as an ER beta receptor agonist should be a key tool in your practice, and what the latest scientific research reveals about its potential benefits for your patients. 

8. Learn how signals from ER alpha, ER beta, and GPER receptors influence gut health, impacting conditions ranging from inflammation and polyps to colorectal cancer and Barrett’s esophagus. 

9. Discuss common male health issues, including testosterone deficiency, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, and urological health, along with examining the leading contributors to male mortality and including cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases, alongside their pathophysiological underpinnings. 

10. Identify the risks versus the benefits of testosterone replacement. 

11. Examine the gut microbiome as it connects to health outcomes; identify lab markers appropriate to the gut microbiome and identify extraintestinal diseases that are now being linked to gastrointestinal health.   

12. Discuss the causes and consequences of poor digestion and malabsorption by monitoring factors such as hydrochloric acid production, pancreatic and brush border enzyme activities and bile secretion. Contrast the necessary absorptive functions of the gut with its need to maintain a barrier against unwanted immunological or harmful compounds.  

13. Review the role of the HPA axis in Chronic Disease Management as a stress-response system. Discuss the many ways that the cellular-response of cortisol can be modulated, including the counter-regulatory signal of DHEA. 

14. Examine lipid metabolism and its critical implications for cardiovascular health and disease management. Discuss the critical interplay between gut health and lipid metabolism, highlighting the influence of the microbiome on lipid absorption, systemic inflammation, and cardiovascular risk. The impact of hormonal and endocrine health on lipid regulation, including the roles of thyroid function, insulin sensitivity, and sex hormones, will also be explored to provide a comprehensive understanding of their contribution to lipid pathology and cardiovascular outcomes. 

15. Examine cases and obtain advanced treatment considerations, including bioidentical hormones, nutraceuticals, amino acids and lifestyle modifications, and review follow-up test results to learn how the patient responded to treatment.