Yvonne Bracamontes MD PA

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you from our families to yours

Several of the many benefits associated with testosterone replacement (For Women Too!)

"About a year ago at age 53, I decided to get some bloodwork done to ensure I was healthy. Consequently, I found out my testosterone levels were low which could affect many different aspects of life. My physician recommended that I start treatment ASAP, ensuring me that it was what I needed. I was skeptical at first as I did not believe anything was terribly wrong with me. I felt perfectly fine, was not suffering from any health problems and deemed the idea as superfluous. After some consideration and research, I decided to embark on the journey of testosterone replacement. I learned that as we get older, whether male or female, our bodies produce less testosterone, hence as we age, we feel more lethargic and not as sharp as in our younger days. After just a few weeks of starting testosterone replacement, I am astounded at the positive difference in many ways, both physical and mental.

Increase in quality of work performance

As an automation controls engineer, I create software for new robotic automation systems. I am busy creating new assembly lines that require a unique software design concept, meaning I have to stay sharp mentally to avoid workplace accidents, injuries or simple malfunctions. I have been designing and programming automation control systems for years, fully confident that all the years of experience I had gathered had made me more efficient. I noticed how wrong I was immediately after starting the treatment. I realized that before the treatment, my mind was not capable of developing the software solutions in the same speed as I was used to; I often felt like I was in a cloud or couldn’t engage with my daily responsibilities. The project timeline was shorter than many and I finished the work with little time to spare leaving me mentally exhausted at the end of each project.
This year brought on another new robotic automated assembly line and an even tighter schedule. With my testosterone levels restored to the levels I used to have, I was able to develop the new software much easier this time. My mind worked like it used to and the answers to the software challenges came quickly and without a lot of strain. The best part of this is having the sharp thinking that I had when I was younger along with the experience I have gained over the years. This combination is TRULY hard to beat.

Exercising more efficiently and easier with newfound energy levels

I have always exercised regularly; being an avid biker, swimmer and enjoying the occasional run. A few years ago I started to notice it was becoming harder and harder for me to do the exercises and activities I used to do but chalked it up to age catching up to me. I had even stopped for a while completely, only starting again when I met my wife, who is also an avid biker. I was not able to keep up with her and was extremely exhausted after each ride. However, after several months of testosterone injections, I’m not only able to keep up; but, most of the time I’m the one in the lead when we go on our weekly rides.
Earlier this year, we also went skiing, making this only my third skiing trip. Learning to ski as an adult in your early 50’s is hard, requiring lots of focus and energy, both which I had much of as a younger man. My goal from the beginning was to be able to ski together with my wife, an accomplished skier, down most of the slopes. The first two years I made progress; but, it seemed skiing with her would be limited to only the easiest beginner slopes. This year, which was my first time skiing with the testosterone injections, I was able to advance much more than the previous two years. Not only was I able to stay energetic for much longer, I found I can now ski with her on most of the slopes. Looking back at my first two trips and my progress until then, had I not started my testosterone replacement as soon as I had, I am convinced I would have spent a few more years playing catch up.

Increase in muscle definition

While I have not experienced much, if any, weight loss, I have noticed an uptake in muscle definition. The testosterone helped so much in this aspect that my wife asked me if I had lost weight when in reality I just looked leaner. Not only has this played a role in increasing my strength, I feel so much better, both mentally and physically, doing wonders for my self-confidence. "

Welcome to your new medical home

It has been a while since my last post, but there are a few reasons for that.

First of all : my Family Practice Board exam .

As a board certified Family doctor I am required to take those every 7 years and the preparation for those is pretty extensive. The annual CME are only a prerequirement to be able to take the exam and are really not designed to cover the vast amount of information we need to go over .
The medical world is changing fast and we need to keep up with all those updates. For example: just the immunization schedule changed dramatically in the last 8 years, for children as well as adults.
Based on statistical datas recommendations for diagnoses and treatment of many diseases change all the time. New diagnosis are introduced and old ones modified.
Additional deeper understanding of humans anatomy and physiology is been gathered, which helps us to formulate a more effective treatment and support for many acute and chronic diseases.
Medicine is a constant search and learning, luckly that is also my very personal approach to life .
I am proud to share, that I passed that exam and the final scores are still to be announced.

Second : Our office is moving to a bigger, nicer , more comfortable place and we currently preparing your new medical home to be a great one.

In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, I am very thankful for all the blessings and for all the wonderful people, who are making all this possible.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

P.S for anyone who needs a special reason to share this post : I will be offering 20 % off all Botox treatments for the month of December.

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Low Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

There are many books written about this condition; here I would like to summarize the most important facts:

Definition:
Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) are produced by the Thyroid gland which is a small two lobe organ at the bottom of our neck wrapped around the wind pipe. It produces T3, T4 in a ratio 1:3 and some other thyroid hormones (T1, T2). The thyroid gland is controlled by another small gland in our brain by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
Diagnosis:
Hypothyroidism shows itself most commonly as hot or cold intolerance, weight problems, fatigue, anxiety, tremors, brain fog, constipation, or a general swelling. However, it may disguise itself in the form of cardiac arrythmia or an uncurable desire to sleep.
With laboratory testing, we need to evaluate thyroid functions: CBC, CMP, TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, Thyroglobulin antibody, Thyroid peroxidase antibody, and the TSH receptor antibody.
Some doctors will rely on laboratory testing; but, with a strong clinical picture others will find a trial of "thyroid hormone replacement" as a very reasonable approach, even with laboratory resulting in a “normal” range.
Treatment:
There are basically three Thyroid Hormones preparation available on the market and many combinations of those:

T3/T4 combination (Armor Thyroid, Natural Thyroid)

T4 only (Synthroid, Levothyroxine)

T3 only (Cytomel)

“T3 only” should never be used alone for physiological reasons that go beyond the scope of this post.
My first choice is always T3/T4 combination as this reflects our own production most similarly. In addition to that, T3 is the active form of the Thyroid Hormone and some patients seem to have a metabolic failure transforming T4 to T3.
Levothyroxine (T4 only) is most of the time my second choice because most health insurance companies don’t cover the T3/T4 combination along with the occasional medical reasons with a very sick fragile cardiac patient.
Hypothyroidism is a complex condition as you can see. It is a very common problem and many patients go undiagnosed and untreated for years. Because of this, hypothyroidism is one of the most rewarding ailments to treat. It can be life changing for patients when they finally find the right treatment.

There is a lot of talk about pellets out there .
Pellets are one of many ways to deliver hormones replacement to the body. They need to be inserted to subcutaneous tissue by a doctor in a sterile way . Estrogen, testosterone and some other hormones are being released over time and need to be replaced every 3 to 4 months.
The effects are phenomenal .

Bioidentical Hormones Replacement ( BIHRT) helps with
Hot Flushes, dry aging skin, dry eyes, energy level , body aches , memory, insomnia , lowers cholesterol, prevents osteoporosis , the list goes on and on and many of you would be surprised by the power of this intervention.
All this needs to happen in a great Symphony of all hormones including the director of this orchestra : the Thyroid hormone.

Our replacement starts with a careful assessment of your hormonal status and a complete evaluation of your symptoms and signs .
I will continue this informational series about BIHRT on a weekly basis to get you all the facts you need to take advantage of this great tool the nature gave us .

In case you want to read about it some more , here is a book to start you on this journey.
Written by one of my great tutors Dr.P Smith and one of the directors of the American Anti-aging Academy. This book is directed towards women . Next week I will present you one for our male patients
Have a great Sunday
I will see you soon.
Dr. B

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