Upon completion of this module, the participants will:

• Recognize the hormonal changes that women and men manifest with aging
• Discuss the functions of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA in the body
• Know the structure of the sex hormones and their metabolism
• Understand the intricate web that the hormones are in the body
• Discuss the risks and benefits of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, pregnenolone and melatonin
• Know the symptoms of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA loss
• Learn the symptoms of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA excess
• Understand the differences between synthetic and bio-identical hormones
• Review the literature on synthetic, bio-identical hormone replacement
• Understand the adrenal system and its affects on other sex hormones and hormone replacement
• Initiate or suggest hormone replacement treatment
• Understand reasons bio-identical hormone replacement should be considered
• Monitor treatment, adjust dosages, alleviate side effects of BHRT
• Recognize the clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism
• Know the factors that cause decreased production of T4, affect 5'diodinase production, cause an inability to convert T4 to T3, and causes associated with decreased T3 or increased reverse T3
• Learn factors that increase the conversion of T4 to T3
• Understand the crucial role that iodine has in the function of the thyroid gland
• Prescribe or suggest treatment for hormone replacement including compounded thyroid medications
• Review of the key signs and symptoms of adrenal fatigue
• Know the physical examination findings present in adrenal fatigue
• Learn the laboratory test that aid in the diagnosis of adrenal fatigue
• Discuss the Women's Health Initiative findings and its clinical implications
• Understand the limitations of serum testing for steroid hormone levels and FSH
• Understand the importance of measuring tissue level of hormones, in diagnosing hormonal imbalances and in monitoring bio-identical hormone replacement
• Understand the impact of stress on the body
• Understand the physiology of the stress response
• Learn what tests best measures the physiologic response to stress
• Understand how to identify and treat adrenal dysfunction
• Understand how stress effects the cardiovascular system, insulin resistance, immune dysfunction, neurotransmitter balance, hormone balance, and thyroid function
• Review information on safe and effective therapies to correct adrenal dysfunction
• Discuss innovative testing that identifies thyroid dysfunction when TSH is normal
• Differentiate between progesterone and synthetic progestins relating to structure, pharmacologic actions and risks
• Explain the literature concerning the risk of breast cancer as it relates to differences in progesterone and synthetic progestins
• Explain research and clinical studies suggesting that progesterone therapy protects against breast cancer
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of testing hormone levels in different body fluids
• Discuss the methodology of scientific support for, and the differences in saliva, urine and blood testing of hormones
• Present scientific and clinical studies that suggest conventional venipuncture serum testing underestimates tissue uptake of sex-steroids delivered topically
• Be familiar with the basis of steroid synthesis
• Understand the urine monitoring of hormone levels and metabolites. Specific algorithms will be shared to facilitate ease of use in clinical practice
• Know the hormonal changes that occur with aging in males
• Know the cardiovascular, cognitive, bone, sexual, and emotional effects of hormone depletion and hormone restoration in males
• Learn to monitor and restore optimal hormone levels in males
• Discuss the differences between compounding and manufacturing medications
• Review the various licensure needs to compound medications
• Discuss the various patient care areas that involve specialized compounding
• Review various medication dosage forms that can be compounded
• Discuss the various types of equipment needed in compounding
• Learn how to evaluate a patient for iodine deficiency
• Review the roles iodine plays in the body
• Discover how to treat iodine deficiency
• Recognize the symptoms of PMS
• Study treatment modalities for PMS
• Learn the criterion required to make the diagnosis of PCOS
• Learn conventional and metabolic treatments for PCOS
• Learn the different bases that hormones can be placed in along with their advantages and disadvantages