Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is a hormone that has many critical physiologic functions in the human body. It has been the hormone associated with being the “fountain of youth” and sought out to provide “anti-aging” effects. While it does reduce the physical signs and symptoms of aging, it also reduces the risk of developing the most common diseases associated with aging. As we age, many of your key hormone levels decline, and you start seeing and feeling the effects of this. This can happen as early as your late twenties or early thirties. Lack of adequate Growth Hormone in adults can result in a whole slew of symptoms, not just physical, but mental and emotional as well. Many of the common complaints are: Fatigue, lack of energy, lack of motivation … Read More
Am I Too Young for Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been an effective treatment for hormonal decline in men and women for decades. As we age, our hormone production goes down, leading to a range of undesirable symptoms. Typically HRT has been used by older people, often in their 40s or 50s or older, to help correct the hormonal imbalances caused by aging. But in recent years HRT has been employed by younger people as well since hormonal decline is beginning at younger and younger ages. No matter what your age, if you are experiencing symptoms of hormonal decline, HRT may be a good solution for you. Am I Too Young For Hormone Replacement Therapy? Hormone production can be negatively affected by a range of issues, many of which can arise in adults of any … Read More
The Body Well’s Dr. Mike Carragher & Dr. Jill Stocker Named to Los Angeles Magazine’s 2018 Top Doctors
Los Angeles Magazine and Professional Research Services conducted an exclusive peer-review survey to determine the doctors deemed the best in their field of practice by their colleagues. We were selected in their first annual, peer-review survey sent to certified doctors within Los Angeles County and I couldn’t be more proud and excited. Los Angeles’ Top Doctors are chosen through a rigorous process conducted by PRS (Professional Research Services), which includes voting by professional medical colleagues. That is the sole criteria for inclusion in the Top Doctors listing. Listings cannot be bought, and advertising has no impact on the review process. The special recognition will appear in the April 2018 issue of Los Angeles Magazine. Both Dr. Stocker and I use The Carragher Method™, a healthy aging plan that I developed for patients for … Read More
Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Hormones
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a much-talked-about but poorly defined disorder. Typically CFS presents itself as disabling exhaustion. By disabling, I don’t mean being tired in the afternoon and needing a nap. People with CFS can’t get out of bed, go out with friends, or live their best lives. They’re exhausted, and sleep isn’t helping. But CFS also has plenty of other troubling symptoms, including memory impairment, mood changes, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pains and muscle aches. CFS is also called Immune Dysfunction Syndrome because it depletes the immune system. To make matters worse, there’s no magic bullet for treating CFS, and plenty of contradictory theories about what causes it. Because it’s not well-understood, patients with CFS are often told it’s just in their heads and are subject to ridicule … Read More
Does Testosterone Cause Blood Clots?
There are so many benefits of supplementing with bio-identical testosterone, including improved cardiovascular health, better overall sense of well-being, higher energy, better sexual function, and increased strength. It’s a life-changer and even a life-saver for so many men. So why is it that since late 2014, testosterone products have been required to include an alarming warning? The warning comes from the FDA, and alerts patients and prescribing physicians of a potentially serious side effect of using testosterone: thromboembolism (basically, a blood clot). The two most common types of blood clots are deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot in the deep veins of the leg; and pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a blood clot in the lungs. Both can be deadly. When patients see or hear this warning, it justifiably … Read More
Hair Loss in Men: Causes and Solutions
Most men are concerned about hair loss at some point in their lives, and as an Age Management Medicine & Hormone Optimization Physician, I get questions about it all the time. That’s because hair loss is a particularly anxiety-producing problem. When a man starts losing hair, his physical appearance begins to change; it can feel like a shock to his identity and sense of self. And it’s a particularly difficult problem to solve. Not only are there many different causes of hair loss, there are often multiple factors in each case, for each man. With that in mind, I’ve listed the most common causes of hair loss below, as well as their solutions. 1 Cause: Telogen Effluvium You’ve probably never heard the term “telogen effluvium” before, but it names the … Read More
Will Taking Testosterone Make My Testicles Shrink?
A common question from my male patients when I recommend testosterone therapy is, “Is this going to make my balls shrink?” Understandably, that’s not something that they want. Let me cut to the chase here. The short answer to the question is: yes, it can. The longer, more accurate answer is: not always, and there are ways to offset this side effect. First, let me explain why testicular shrinkage can happen when testosterone is administered. The way that testosterone is normally produced in the body is via a process initiated by the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary gland utilizes a hormone (called luteinizing hormone or LH) which sends a signal to “turn on” testosterone production in your testicles, and, accordingly, your testicles start making testosterone, which goes into … Read More
4 Things Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy
I’m an Age Management & Hormone Optimization specialist physician who regularly recommends Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), which means that in addition to the standard training of medical school, residency, and board certification (which most doctors go through), I’ve had years of additional training, education and advanced certification in this specialized field of medicine. As a result, I can tell you there is a severe lack of knowledge and an overabundance of misconceptions about Age Management Medicine and hormone replacement therapy – not just by patients, but most most physicians themselves (even many endocrinologists)! It’s really quite shocking. Here are four of the most important things your doctor may not know about this field: 1. Age Management Medicine isn’t a “fringe” field of medicine or a luxury service. Instead, Age … Read More