by Dr. Laura Thompson

Have your ever noticed that a child with symptoms of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) resemble a woman with PMS or menopausal symptoms. Their moods may swing, they lash out, they may sweat at night, they can’t concentrate, they forget things, they may be irritable, they may lack motivation and ultimately they can’t handle stress. This means that their physical, mental, and/or emotional responses are exaggerated and maybe even out of character. They are not happy in their bodies.

Utilizing saliva hormone testing and natural hormone therapies has totally revolutionized my practice. I’ve taken over 500 people – men, women, and children -- through the process of hormone balancing. When anxiety and depression lift, people’s emotions become balanced, energy improves, muscle and joint pain are eliminated, bone loss is halted, allergies and skin problems are eliminated, and sleep problems are gone, I rejoice right along with my patients. The glory of the body’s natural balancing system is in full force. The excitement fills my office. Finally, there are natural methods and products that produce very measurable results --- the most exciting of which is – people feel better, physically and emotionally. The results are life changing!

Testing hormones through the saliva measures the levels of circulating hormones available to body tissues of the individual. This is considered to be a better indicator of biologically active hormone levels than blood – more accurately reflecting the body’s functional hormone status. Saliva hormone testing is easy and non-invasive for the patient. Samples are collected in the home and sent to the lab for analysis. It is as easy for a child as it is for an adult – and best of all, it is painless.

Natural hormone testing and therapy have so many more far-reaching results than mainstream HRT. The most important aspect of this is that the natural approach addresses adrenal function – so inter-related with the female and male sex hormones. After all, the adrenal hormone, DHEA is the second most abundant steroid in the body. DHEA and cortisol levels are often times more indicative of the real problems and imbalances than the sex hormones themselves. These are the hormones we check with the children. Everyone has stress – physical, mental, and emotional – and adrenal hormone output has everything to do with energy problems, poor sleep, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, poor memory, depression, and inability to deal with stress. We see this a lot in children, particularly those with diagnoses of ADD, ADHD, and autism. We certainly see this a lot in women – before their periods and before and during menopause. hot flashes, blood pressure, sleep, depression, mood swings, blood sugar imbalances, memory, hyperactivity, anxiety, and on and on.

When cortisols are low, children are not fearful. They become bold and aggressive – in effect, fearless.

There is growing interest in the field of holistic treatment and that is with natural hormone creams. These contain plant-based substances and nutrients that are delivered transdermally, or through the skin. The adrenal support that people receive in the way has a very profound effect, especially since the creams are customized for the individual, according to his or her saliva test results and symptomology. These creams address support of the adrenal glands, as well as support of the male and female hormones. The liver, which conjugates the hormones, cannot be overlooked for its importance in the balancing process. The customized creams also include liver support and detoxification nutrients, as needed. This method of testing and treatment has far surpassed anything else available, to date.

Couple this treatment with proper nutritional intake, by taking dietary measures and appropriate supplementation, and you have a formula for success! The people who receive the most dramatic results, are those who follow a nutritional program that is tailored for their needs. Some people have already tuned in to how to do it for themselves. Most people, however, do best with a health professional guiding them, at least in the beginning. It is optimal that once a person gets a feel for what a heightened sense of mental, emotional, and physical health feel like, they will not want to turn back and they have the ability to begin monitoring themselves. In a sense, they are treating themselves and that is the way that it should be. Doctors are more than anything – teachers, and once the lesson has been taught, you then, move on.

Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. Call for in-home testing info, 800-608-5602.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products suggested, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please check with your health care practitioner for your best health options.