Super Mom Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Working woman, mom, chauffer, car pool coordinator, chief cook and bottle washer, event planner, housekeeper, gardener, and soccer mom are just some of the many hats women wear daily. Juggling these roles and responsibilities can take its toll.

And when you, as a woman, complain about being worn out or exhausted, you're usually told it is all part of being a woman today, you're overdoing it, you need to slow down, you're getting older. But slowing down isn't an option, and you know there is more to this than over-committing and slowly aging. Your body is telling you something is wrong.

So how do you tell if it is the effects of Super Mom Syndrome or if something is seriously wrong with you?

Have you often found yourself saying:

• I can't lose weight like I use to
• I don't get the results from working out as I used to
• I feel depressed
• My body aches
• My skin is dry and rough
• My joints hurt
• I am aging faster than I would like
• I tire easily
• I feel cold all the time
• My libido is shot
• My hair is thinning
• I don't feel right
• My nails break easily
• I get sick easily
I get frequent headaches
• I seem to retain water
I'm always constipated
• I have PMS
• I have lost my motivation
• I am being treated for depression but I'm still depressed
• I'm not getting much relief from my treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia

If you often find yourself saying or thinking these things, you should get specialized attention immediately to prevent doing more damage to the delicate balancing role hormones play in your body functioning.

The endocrine system is comprised of glands producing and sending hormones to all areas of your body to regulate essential functions like temperature, reproduction, growth, immunity, and aging. It stands to reason this should be the hub of vitality, longevity and well-being.

Many individuals are getting remarkable results from having their hormones optimized by medical doctors specializing in the newest medial specialty, anti-aging medicine. These doctors specialize in thorough hormonal testing in order to bring hormones into optimal ranges.

Many find that common problems of fatigue, depression and difficulty losing weight can be completely reversed by hormone specialists. Individuals often suffer years, told that their thyroid, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and adrenals are fine. However, highly specialized doctors find that these levels are actually low and need to be supplemented, often with remarkable results. Standard blood tests only pick up the sickest 2.5% of the population.

Two biggest problems are low thyroid for women and low testosterone for men. Many women who are told that their thyroid levels are fine, actually have severely low thyroids that are not picked up by the standard TSH and T4 testing which is the only testing done about 90% of the time. This is the standard way to diagnose hypothyroidism.

There are, however, many underlying issues that may result in hypothyroidism but are not diagnosed using the standard TSH and T4 testing. This standard method only reveals a few of the very sickest patients, leaving the majority of patients undiagnosed.

Many women have been going from doctor to doctor knowing that their thyroid is low, only to be told it is fine over and over. When more extensive testing is completed, these women are so relieved to be shown on paper that their thyroid is truly sub-optimal and that they can expect to be feeling better soon.

Likewise, many men suffer needlessly because their testosterone is never checked or the wrong test is ordered. Men as young as 25 to 30 years old present with low levels of testosterone, not the case 10 or 20 years ago. Older men who have been told their level is fine may actually have low testosterone, since most testing checks the amount but not the usable amount of testosterone.

With in-depth testing, low thyroid and low testosterone can be detected and therapies implemented to correct these conditions and produce optimal levels. Not only can you feel better, but you can reduce risk of life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

Locating a doctor who understands these delicate balances and is supportive of using bio-identical hormones (natural not synthetic) can help you get your life back on track, whether the fast track of Super Mom or the track to optimal activity for you.

In 1994, Dr. Holtorf used this knowledge to begin a family practice specializing in natural hormone replacement and optimization, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Hypothyroidism.

Board Certified by the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine and certified in oxidative medicine, Dr. Holtorf established the Hormone and Longevity Medical Center, Inc. in Los Angeles in 2001 to continue specialized care for these patients. Since then, he has significantly reduced pain and increased energy levels for the majority of 3,500+ patients.

Last year, Dr. Holtorf joined one of his Fibromyalgia patients, Bob Baurys, to become Chief Medical Officer of the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, Inc. By training FFC physicians and staff, Dr. Holtorf and his proven medical protocols give hope and help to millions suffering from hormonal imbalances, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

For information on increasing energy by ensuring optimal hormonal levels, call the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center of Cleveland, (440) 260-9700 or www.fibroandfatigue.com