Melatonin

The pineal gland, through its secretion of Melatonin is responsible for maintaining the circadian rhythm, regulating the endocrine (hormonal) system, and maintaining the integrity of the immune system. The level of Melatonin secretion by the pineal gland is heavily influenced by sunlight.  At night, the amount normally secreted is much higher than during the daytime.  If the timing or the amount of Melatonin secretion varies significantly, one or more of the following symptoms can occur: disruptions in sleep/wake cycle, headache, mental and physical fatigue and "jet-lag".  "Jet-lag" can occur after crossing more than a few time zones, working rotating shifts and by experiencing other disruptions to a normal sleep/wake cycle.  Some people with Seasonal Affective Disorder may experience this syndrome when the low sunlight levels at certain times of the year are insufficient for their pineal glands to decrease Melatonin production to normal low daytime levels.
At menopause it is possible for women to experience a drop of 25% or more in their Melatonin levels over just a few years.  Men on the other hand begin losing Melatonin at a rate of about 1% annually from their 20's on.  It is possible to rebalance Melatonin during and after the menopausal time.  Multiple hormonal cascades result in many women suffering for years at menopause yet this is only one component.  Melatonin should be balanced as part of a complete program on hormonal balancing. Each individual patient will require different intervention.  For some patients Melatonin replacement can be an integral part of menopausal hormonal replacement.
Replacement of Melatonin can be successfully achieved through the use of transdermal application.  Many hormones are poorly absorbed from the GI tract and create other imbalances due to first pass liver breakdown, inactivation by stomach acid, etc.  Most hormones require special bases to be truly transdermal with regular consistent reliable absorption.  At IHHS Health and Wellness Center this is our specialty, feel free to call us with any of your questions regarding compounding, and patient problem solving.


Available at 
In-Home Health Solutions Pharmacy
1607 South "H" Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Nutritional/Rx Compounding/IV Center
Office (661)-837-0453     FAX (661)-837-0560

IHHS Health & Wellness Center
1607 South H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304
Custom Rx Compounding & IV Pharmacy
Hormonal, Homeopathic, & Nutritional Services
Office (661)-837-0453    FAX (661)-837-0560
HRT Patient Information