Endocrinology / Hormones

At a glance:

Endocrinology deals with diseases of the hormone-producing glands, hormone disorders and hormone-related diseases.
Hormones have a great influence on metabolism and decrease rapidly with age.
With us you can determine your hormone status to clarify whether there is a hormone disorder.
If hormone therapy is necessary, we use only bioidentical hormones. These are normally produced by the body itself.

Make appointment

Charlottenstr. 58, 14467 Potsdam

Phone: +49 (0)175 – 582 41 59

info@praeventive-medizin-potsdam.de

Charlottenstr. 58

14467 Potsdam

info@praeventive-medizin-potsdam.de

Phone: +49 (0)175 – 582 41 59

Why see an endocrinologist in Potsdam?

An introduction to the field of endocrinology.

Endocrinology - What is it?

The medical specialty of endocrinology deals with hormone disorders, as well as with clinical pictures that are triggered by an imbalance of hormones . These disorders and imbalances are usually multicausal and functional .

In addition, endocrinology treats diseases of hormone-producing (endocrine) glands. Endocrine glands are organs that produce hormones and release them into the bloodstream to affect other organs and tissues in the body.

Some of the most important endocrine glands are the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland, the pancreas, and the gonads (ovaries and testes). These glands produce hormones that regulate many important functions in the body, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Endocrinology involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the endocrine glands and hormonal disorders, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, disorders of the reproductive organs, adrenal insufficiency, and pituitary disorders. Endocrinology also uses hormone therapies to treat certain diseases or to aid in reproduction.

For which conditions do I go to the endocrinologist, the hormone specialist?

You are constantly tired, feel lacking in energy and can hardly concentrate? You lose or gain weight for no reason, suffer from hot flashes or palpitations? Your menstrual period stops? Do you experience mood swings or suffer from increased hair loss? All these and other unpleasant symptoms can have hormonal causes as their basis. Disruptions in hormonal cycles often cause severe discomfort in those affected. The patients often do not know where the symptoms come from and drag themselves from doctor to doctor without receiving a satisfactory diagnosis.

Whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, adrenal dysfunction, diseases of the pancreas leading to diabetes or even more - diseases of hormonal origin are urgent and must be taken seriously. The proper control of bodily functions is only possible if the release of hormones, their transport through the blood, their docking at the cell receptor and their excretion function optimally.

The harmony of hormones

Our body needs a "harmony of hormones" as a whole, in men and in women alike. That's why it's important to have a hormone test done when your health changes, to see if there is a deficiency or excess of certain hormones, so that we can balance them out. In our case with bioidentical hormones.

The principles of functional medicine are applied, in which it is investigated why a hormone deficiency or surplus occurs in the first place. This pursues the goal not only of merely substituting the respective hormones, but also of remedying the causes of such hormone imbalance.

Good to know

What hormones are there?

An overview of the most important hormones in our body and what they do.

Thyroid hormones

There is not only one thyroid hormone, but two important thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland: Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).

The thyroid gland mainly produces the hormone T4, which is converted into T3. T3 is the active hormone of the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism and many other body functions.

Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating metabolism, body heat, the cardiovascular system, bone growth and development, and the nervous system. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can lead to a variety of symptoms and conditions, including weight changes, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cardiac problems and mood swings.

If we have too little thyroid hormone, our metabolism slows down and fatigueis noticeable. Water is stored in the hands and feet, hair falls out, we freeze, thinking becomes more difficult and concentration is harder.

In addition, we can produce reverse T3, which attaches to the same receptor as T3. This blocks the uptake of T3 and causes symptoms similar to those of hypothyroidism. Reverse T3 should therefore also be determined during hormone tests.
Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body. It transports sugar into the cell, so to speak, and is therefore essential for survival. Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cell, which would starve it.

Insulin is released when blood glucose levels rise after a meal. It promotes the uptake of glucose from the blood into the cells of the body, where it is used as an energy source or stored as glycogen. Insulin also inhibits the release of glucose from the liver and promotes the conversion of excess glucose into fat.

It is important to keep insulin at a normal concentration. This means that too much is bad, but so is too little. Overproduction of insulin can lead to hypoglycemia, a condition in which blood glucose levels are too low. Too much insulin leads to fat deposits, especially in the liver and adipose tissue. Too much insulin also leads to an inability to break down fat from the body and poor weight loss.

Insufficient insulin production or a lack of insulin action, on the other hand, can lead to diabetes mellitus , a disease in which blood glucose levels are chronically elevated. Too little insulin means that blood glucose cannot enter cells in humans, resulting in diabetic disease that is treated with insulin administration. (Type 1 diabetes usually develops as an autoimmune disease at a young age).

However, insulin resistance occurs extremely frequently. In this case, the cell no longer responds to a normal insulin level, i.e. it becomes "resistant" to insulin. However, the blood sugar must be transported into the cell. This only happens when there is enough insulin. This requires more and more insulin to transport the same amount of sugar into the cell. The beta cells must therefore produce more and more insulin, then become exhausted over time. Insulin resistance itself causes a decrease in cognition and memory, has an accelerating effect on inflammatory processes, contributes to fatty liver and thus to a decrease in the detoxification capacity of the liver, promotes the growth of carcinomas. This insulin resistance often leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. In other words, it is the precursor of type 2 diabetes.
Estradiol

Estradiol is a hormone from the estrogen group that is produced mainly in the ovaries but also by our fatty tissue. It is the most important female sex hormone and plays an important role in the development and function of the female sex organs. Estradiol also regulates the menstrual cycle and promotes the growth of breast tissue.

Estradiol also has effects on the brain and can affect mood, sleep, and memory.

The production of estradiol decreases noticeably after menopause, which can lead to classic menopausal symptoms such as unexpected hot flashes, sweating, sleep disturbances, vaginal and general skin dryness, but also panic attacks and bone loss. The ability to remember and learn also decreases. Depressive episodes also recur, which means that women over the age of 50 are often prescribed psychotropic drugs. Without hormones, blood pressure rises and antihypertensive (blood pressure-lowering) preparations are unfortunately also increasingly prescribed.

For this reason, it makes sense to use estradiol in hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women to relieve symptoms, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, and prevent the need for other medications that merely treat symptoms.

Estradiol, on the other hand, is just as important for men as it is for women. Especially for men, estradiol is helpful for bone formation and as protection against osteoporosis, i.e. against bone fracture. The source of estradiol in men is testosterone, so it is important that men have sufficiently high testosterone.

Progesterone

Progesterone, the hormone of pregnancy, is an all-rounder. After ovulation, progesterone is produced in the ovaries and plays an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, the hormone is necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy.

Progesterone prepares the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized egg and promotes embryo development. During pregnancy, it also helps maintain the uterine pregnancy and prevents the uterine lining from detaching and causing a miscarriage. When fertilization does not occur, the level of progesterone in the body decreases and this causes menstruation.

But not only the ovaries produce progesterone: the brain produces allopregnanolone, a derivative of progesterone, for the maintenance of nerve cells, for the formation of new cells in the brain. You can see how important this hormone is from the fact that the brain also helps to produce it.

Progesterone acts like a water tablet, expelling water from the body. That is why women who no longer ovulate have swollen hands and feet. Progesterone is also used in intensive care units. This is because it prevents cerebral edema - when fluid builds up in the brain after an accident, causing it to swell. Progesterone is administered in an attempt to prevent this swelling.

Progesterone is also used in medicine to support pregnancy and to treat menstrual disorders and infertility. In combination with estrogen, it is also used as hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and mood swings.

Progesterone also affects the nervous system, has effects on mood and promotes sleep, both in men and women.
Testosterone

Testosterone is also often referred to as the "male hormone". Both men and women produce this hormone, but men produce more than women. However, women have more testosterone than estradiol. This has an evolutionary significance, because when women are mothers, they have to take care of their children and for this they have to show increased vigilance and concentration.

Testosterone plays an important role in the development and maintenance of male sexual characteristics and reproductive ability. It is produced in the testes in men and ensures good sperm function, muscle development, fat distribution as well as good performance and concentration. It can also have effects on mood and behavior. From testosterone, estradiol is formed in men, which is needed to protect against osteoporosis.

Women produce testosterone in the ovaries and in the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland, our stress gland, produces DHEA, from which the body makes testosterone.

Testosterone levels decrease with age, but also with obesity and/or insulin resistance. That is, when the body organs are no longer sensitive to insulin. A lack of testosterone can lead to a variety of problems, including low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression.
Cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal cortex that plays an important role in the body's stress response. It is also known as the "stress hormone." The stress hormone is of eminent importance in stress management. If cortisol were no longer present, humans would die within seven days.

When the body experiences stress the brain releases the hormone CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), which stimulates the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) from the pituitary gland. ACTH in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.

Cortisol increases blood sugar and blood pressure levels and suppresses the immune system to prepare the body to cope with stress. It also affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and helps reduce inflammation.

However, elevated cortisol levels over a prolonged period of time can have negative effects, including suppressing the immune system, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders, worsening bone health, and affecting memory and mood.
Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland (epiphysis) of the brain. It is known as the "sleep hormone" because it gives the body its sleep-wake rhythm. Many hormones are released in certain rhythms in the body and this rhythm is determined by melatonin.

The production of melatonin is controlled by lighting and darkness conditions. As a rule, the melatonin level in the body rises in the evening when it gets dark and reaches its peak during the night. In the morning, when it gets light again, the melatonin level drops again. If a person works in shifts, i.e. regularly on night duty, this rhythm is shifted, resulting in a reduced release of certain hormones.

Melatonin helps regulate sleep by preparing the body for sleep and promoting restful sleep quality. It may also have effects on other aspects of health, including the immune system, reproductive function, and mood.

Video

Hormones as an important part of modern medicine.

Increase estrogen naturally and why hormone replacement therapy has a bad reputation.

In this video, Dr. Kunert highlights the role of hormones (e.g., insulin, thyroid hormones, sex hormones).

A study is discussed that has given hormones a very unjustified bad reputation in Germany.

How do bioidentical hormones differ from synthetic hormones?

What examination methods exist in endocrinology?

From diagnosis to therapy with bioidentical hormones.

Hormone status and medical history

As specialists in endocrinology in Potsdam, we offer special examination methods that provide information about your symptoms and the underlying diseases. Through blood, urine and saliva samples , we record the current hormone status .

Prior to each therapy, a detailed Medical historyis performed in order to weigh the risks of hormone administration.

A hormonal disorder must be recognized professionally and then treated accordingly with the help of hormone therapy. Only after successful treatment can those affected feel healthy and completely comfortable in their body again.

Through our ultrasound examinations, we additionally determine whether the ovaries are active and whether there are anatomical changes in the ovaries and uterus. Other imaging procedures of the thyroid gland (ultrasound examinations and scintigraphy) are performed by external colleagues. (Internists or radiologists in the nuclear medicine / X-ray department). However, we ask that you bring the findings to us.

Hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones

The treatment of our practice takes place with hormones produced naturally in the body . These are so-called bioidentical hormones. This distinguishes us from other practices. Since we do not use synthetic hormones , the risks for the development of breast cancer and for the occurrence of thrombosis are reduced.

As a practice for endocrinology in Potsdam, we are the right address for all questions concerning hormones, bioidentical hormones and hormone-related diseases.

We can offer our consultation to privately insured patients as well as to patients with statutory health insurance as self-pay patients. You can easily book appointments in our preventive medicine yourself via our online calendar here:

Make appointment

Good to know

What are bioidentical hormones?

Hormones found in the body itself.

Bioidentical hormones vs. synthetic hormones

Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are chemically identical to hormones produced naturally in the human body. In contrast, synthetic hormones used in conventional hormone therapy are chemically different from the body's natural hormones.

The benefits of bioidentical hormones

Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources , such as soy or yam, and then processed to be chemically exactly identical to hormones produced by the body itself. The idea behind using bioidentical hormones is that they are better absorbed by the body and have fewer side effects than synthetic hormones.

Only bioidentical hormones are used in our practice. They simply replenish the hormone level with the substances that the body normally produces itself, but unfortunately - for example due to age - too little.

Symptoms & Measures

What symptoms do you have and what are possible measures?

In the field of endocrinology / hormones

Symptoms

Sleep disorders
Depressive moods
Concentration disorders
Obesity or weight gain
Loss of libido
High blood pressure
Bone ache or joint pain
Sweating
Hot flashes
Erectile dysfunction
Hair loss

Measures

Determination of the individual hormone profile, hormone status (vitamin D included as a hormone)
Search for the causes of hormone imbalance in the sense of functional medicine
Substitution with bioidentical hormones
Substitution with micronutrients
Adjustment of lifestyle, diet and exercise