Can all of these hormones be replaced? Yes, all except prolactin.
What does hormone replacement involve? What do I have to do? Hormone replacement is administered with pills, injections, skin patches and a nasal spray, depending on the type of hormone. Pills: hydrocortisone (or prednisone or dexamethasone), thyroid hormone, estrogen (female hormone), progesterone (female hormone) and dDAVP Injections: testosterone (male hormone), growth hormone Skin patches: estrogen and testosterone Nasal spray: dDAVP The most important thing about hormone replacement is that the medication(s) must be taken as prescribed. If the medications are not taken as directed, serious medical problems can occur. If hormone replacement requires steroid (cortisol) replacement – this medication must be increased if another illness occurs, such as flu, kidney infection, pneumonia. The hydrocortisone (or prednisone or dexamethasone) dose should be doubled for the duration of he illness – this mimics the body’s normal response to illness.
