Hormone replacement therapy involves restoring hormones in the body that have become depleted or imbalanced. It can help alleviate symptoms related to hormone decline and significantly improve the quality of life. Some of the key benefits of hormone replacement include:
Getting hormone levels tested is the first step in hormone replacement therapy. This allows your hormone doctor to accurately identify any deficiencies and customize a treatment plan.
Some of the key lab tests may include:
| Test | Description |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Checks free and total testosterone levels. Low levels cause symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and depression in men. |
| Estradiol | Measures the most potent estrogen. Low estradiol in women causes hot flashes, vaginal dryness, insomnia, and bone loss. |
| FSH | Elevated FSH indicates menopause in women. |
| TSH | Screens for thyroid dysfunction which disrupts metabolism. |
| DHEA-S | Low DHEA is associated with aging and disease. |
| PSA | High PSA may signal prostate cancer risk in men. Checked before starting testosterone therapy. |
Ongoing testing helps ensure hormone levels are optimized for better health and vitality.
Correcting hormone imbalances with replacement therapy offers many advantages including:
In men:
In women:
Balancing hormones can make a significant difference in quality of life along with physical, mental, and emotional health benefits for both men and women.
The process of starting hormone replacement begins with testing to pinpoint deficiencies. Your hormone doctor will then customize a treatment plan based on your lab results and symptoms.
Some of the most common hormone therapy protocols include:
| Protocol | Description |
|---|---|
| Testosterone therapy for men | Restores testosterone through gels, injections, pellets, or patches. Levels are rechecked periodically to adjust dosage. |
| Estrogen progesterone therapy for women | Delivered via oral tablets, patches, gels, or pellets. The dosage can be adjusted over time as needed. |
| Thyroid hormone therapy | Oral thyroid medication like levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid. Regular testing helps modify dosage. |
| DHEA therapy | Typically oral DHEA supplements to increase low levels. Effects and hormone testing help guide long-term usage. |
Starting slowly and gradually increasing hormone levels is important to avoid side effects. Your hormone doctor will work closely with you to ensure your protocol is optimized and effective.
It is important to work with a highly qualified hormone doctor when undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Some tips on finding the right hormone specialist:
Finding an experienced, reputable hormone doctor ensures safe, effective treatment tailored to your unique needs.
The Renew Wellness specializes in customized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for men and women. Our experienced and caring physicians provide:
We help patients look, feel, and perform at their best through expert hormone balance and replacement.
A: Common symptoms include low energy, trouble sleeping, weight gain, low libido, anxiety, hot flashes, night sweats, erectile dysfunction, and loss of muscle mass. Having several of these symptoms may indicate a hormone deficiency.
A: When administered correctly under a doctor's care, hormone replacement is generally safe and effective. However, inappropriate use of hormones can be dangerous, so qualified medical supervision is essential.
A: Most patients start experiencing positive effects within 3-6 weeks. However, maximum benefits are typically seen in 2-3 months once ideal hormone levels are reached.
A: If you stop replacement therapy, hormone levels will gradually return to their pre-treatment deficient state leading to the reemergence of related symptoms in a few weeks or months.
A: Lifestyle measures like diet, exercise, and stress reduction can help, but are rarely enough to resolve a clinically-diagnosed hormone deficiency without medical treatment.
Hormone replacement therapy can be a transformative treatment for individuals experiencing the effects of hormone imbalances or deficiencies. By restoring optimal hormone levels, patients can experience improved energy, mood, sexual function, and overall well-being. However, it is crucial to work with a qualified and experienced hormone doctor to ensure safe and effective treatment tailored to your specific needs. At Renew Wellness, our team of experts is dedicated to providing comprehensive hormone testing, personalized treatment protocols, and ongoing monitoring to help you achieve optimal hormone balance and enjoy a higher quality of life.
