Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves supplementing hormones that are low or out of balance in the body. It can provide relief from uncomfortable deficiency symptoms and help people regain optimal health. Renew Wellness specializes in customized HRT programs to meet each patient's unique needs.
At Renew Wellness in Douglas County, our physicians have extensive training and expertise in hormone balancing. We carry out thorough testing and analysis to determine any hormone insufficiencies. Then we work closely with patients to develop tailored HRT plans involving bioidentical hormones to restore levels back to an optimal range.
Benefits of HRT can be wide-ranging and life-changing. It helps alleviate deficiency symptoms, making patients feel more like themselves again. It can also promote improved sleep, cognition, weight management, libido, energy levels, emotional regulation, skin health, and much more. Our goal is to help patients look better, feel better, and function at their best with properly balanced hormones.
The first step is accurately diagnosing any existing hormone deficiencies or imbalances. At Renew Wellness, we take time to thoroughly evaluate each patient's symptoms, health history, lifestyle habits, and other factors during an initial consultation. We also carry out laboratory testing to measure hormone levels for:
| Hormone | Description |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Primary male sex hormone |
| Estrogen | Primary female sex hormone |
| Progesterone | Hormone involved in menstrual cycle and pregnancy |
| Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) | Hormones that regulate metabolism |
| Cortisol | Hormone involved in stress response |
| DHEA | Hormone produced by the adrenal glands |
| Vitamin D | Hormone-like substance important for overall health |
Test results indicate which hormones are low or out of balance. However, we don't just look at lab tests in isolation. We review results in combination with the patient's clinical picture to determine the best course of treatment. Follow-up testing helps us monitor patient progress and response to therapy over time. This enables properly adjusting or tweaking the customized HRT program to keep hormones balanced.
Once any hormone deficiencies or imbalances have been identified through testing, we develop a tailored replenishment plan. The specifics of each patient's treatment protocol depend on their underlying causes of hormone insufficiency, current levels and the extent of deficiency, primary symptoms and health goals, medical history and existing conditions, lifestyle, and other individual factors.
At Renew Wellness, treatment plans to bring hormone levels back up into optimal zones involve bioidentical hormones. These molecularly match the hormones naturally made in the human body, making them safer and more effective than synthetic hormone alternatives.
For testosterone replacement, there are different delivery methods to choose from based on patient goals, needs, and preferences:
| Delivery Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Testosterone injections | Scheduled injections in the clinic, typically weekly or every 2 weeks, providing testosterone levels that closely mimic natural ebb and flow. |
| Testosterone gels/creams | Topical preparations applied daily to the skin for steady absorption. |
| Testosterone pellets | Bioidentical testosterone compressed into tiny implants, placed under the skin every 3-6 months for time-released delivery. |
| Oral testosterone | Tablet form taken by mouth, not ideal for most patients as much gets metabolized by the liver before reaching circulation. |
For balancing estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid hormones, we commonly use oral tablets or topical creams. The method depends on the specifics of the patient's deficiency and treatment goals. Follow-up testing helps us continually monitor progress to ensure hormone levels are optimizing within target ranges for that individual.
Achieving hormone balance is not a one-and-done treatment. It's an ongoing process requiring long-term management under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare provider. Hormone levels fluctuate daily, and normal ranges differ by factors like age and sex. Various lifestyle, health, and environmental influences also impact hormone equilibrium.
This is why regular follow-up bloodwork and doctor's appointments are crucial when undergoing HRT. Testing provides insight over time into how the body is responding to treatment. Treatment plans need to be continually assessed and modified when necessary to keep patients symptom-free with ideal hormone status. Monitoring enables properly adjusting or tweaking the treatment protocol to account for individual changes.
There is no universal approach for fixing hormone deficiencies that applies across the board. Optimizing HRT involves carefully developing a custom-tailored protocol aligned to the patient's extent of deficiency for each impacted hormone, root causes and underlying contributors, age, sex and stage of life, treatment goals and desired outcomes, existing health conditions, and more individual nuances.
Treatment must precisely meet the body's needs. When hormone levels are properly replenished and balanced for that person, positive effects can be experienced. However, even small deviations above or below ideal zones for too long can cause side effects or suboptimal results.
This level of personalization and precision is what makes Renew Wellness stand out. We guide patients towards proper hormone equilibrium long-term through testing, vigilant monitoring, continual patient-centered adjustments, and specialized expertise.
At Renew Wellness, we are dedicated to helping our patients achieve optimal hormone balance and overall well-being. Our comprehensive approach includes thorough testing, customized treatment plans, ongoing monitoring, and a holistic approach that incorporates lifestyle modifications and complementary therapies. With our expertise and commitment to personalized care, we strive to empower our patients to feel their best and live life to the fullest.
