What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the assessment and optimization of a patients’ hormonal health, and the prescribing / administration of bioidentical hormones to correct any detected imbalances.
What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are structurally similar to the hormones naturally produced in the body, and while they are not made by the body, the body responds to them as it would to a person's naturally occurring hormones. With advancing age there is a depletion of the usual hormone levels which results in undesirable symptoms and health issues. Our bodies recognize bioidentical hormones and respond to them in the same manner they would to their own hormones due to their identical molecular structure.
How Long Does It Take HRT To Work?
Some patients begin to notice improvement within 24-48 hours, while others may take several weeks or more to first notice changes. These benefits will increase over the next few months as your body adjusts. Diet and lifestyle, along with hormone balance are critical for optimal health.
How are Hormones Monitored During Therapy?
Hormone levels will be evaluated before therapy is started. This may include an FSH, estradiol, and testosterone level testing for women. Men require a PSA (prostate specific antigen), estradiol and testosterone levels testing. Additional testing is completed to assess your liver function, kidney function, total blood count, blood glucose level, thyroid function and vitamin levels. Using this blood work, assessing your questionnaires and completing the consultation, a individualized bio-identical hormone treatment plan is devised.
For all patients, follow up blood work is obtained to further optimize your hormone levels and well being approximately 6 to 8 weeks after each dosing during the first year.
Men must notify their primary care physician they are on HRT and see them for routine medical examinations and assessment of their prostate health (PSA test and physical examination).
Female patients are advised to continue their monthly self-breast examinations and obtain a mammogram and/or pap smear as advised by their gynecologist or primary care physician.
What are Hormone Pellets?
Pellets consist of bio-identical hormones that have been pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders. These pellets are approximately the size of an uncooked grain of rice. The majority of pellets are made by compounding pharmacists and are delivered in sterile glass vials. They undergo rigourous testing for sterility and potency at independent facilities.
The Safety of Pellets
The hormone pellets available at Ontario Regenerative Medicine are sterilized by a third party company using eBeam sterilization technology. Once they are sterilized, they are routed to another company for potency testing, and lastly they are sent to another third party company for sterility testing.
Why Choose Pellets?
Pellets have the ability to deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for approximately 3 months in women, and 4 months in men. Pellet implants provide the ideal constant levels of hormones levels. Pellets avoid the fluctuations of hormone levels associated with other methods of delivery, an important aspect in maintaining optimal health and disease prevention. Additionally, bio-identical pellets do not increase the risk of blood clots like conventional or synthetic hormone replacement therapy.
Take the Next Step
Use the contact form below to sign up for a FREE Discovery Call with our team. This is the first step in your journey to optimized health. We will generate a customized treatment plan that addresses your unique situation and goals.