Frequently Asked Questions
Hormone Health (Men)
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Injectable, pellets, transdermal
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It depends on the type of hormone provided.
For the injectable roughly 4-6 weeks is when the medication becomes more stable in the system. Despite that, most men will feel a positive impact within 2-3 weeks.
For the pellets are usually within the first 1-2 weeks.
For the Transdermals can take the longest at roughly 90 days
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It depends. Speaking with your provider can help you create an individualized timeline on what works best. There are axillary options that may help improve the chances of getting pregnant. Ultimately, it is a discussion to have with your partner prior to getting started.
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Generally yes. There is no long term solution for low testosterone. There are options to help with symptoms, but nothing will ‘cure’ low testosterone. Our goals are to reduce symptoms while optimizing your health and longevity. Once you stop taking the hormone, your body will recognize that it is not getting hormones from an outside source and will start producing again, however, it will not be at the therapeutic levels you once were, rather, close to your baseline, if not a slightly lower.
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No. If there are abnormal cells in your prostate, it could make the cancer grow faster. We strive to keep your health and safety at our highest priority and frequently check your prostate health throughout the course of treatment. If there are any abnormalities, we will discuss different treatment options and refer to specialists if further management is required.
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Possibly. Some acne is androgen dependent and can increase sebum (oil) in the skin that may interact with the normal bacteria on our skin and create acne lesions. The most proactive approach is to inform your provider up front to discuss washes, topicals or interventions that will help prevent acne from developing, or at least reducing the severity.
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No. Irritability from hormone replacement is dependent on dosage and estrogen management. We are replacing what is not there and not abusing the substance. We do not keep levels at a supraphysiologic level, rather a therapeutic level and side effects should be very minimal.
Hormone Health (Women)
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Very unlikely. Very few breast cancers are estrogen dependent. Many issues in the past were from not being treated with progesterone AND estrogen. Progesterone is breast protective and uterine protective. It is HIGHLY ill advised to ONLY give estrogen without progesterone for protection.
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No. We try to maximize the benefit of having testosterone replacement and minimize the risk associated. The “masculine” characteristic is called virilization and that includes squaring of the jaw line, deeping of the voice, hair loss, body hair growth, and sexual organ changes.
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It depends on the modality utilized. Transdermal creams take the longest at 90 days and will need frequent adjusting to acquire the correct dosage. Pellets, women usually feel better within 2-4 weeks and that lasts for about 3 months, and lastly the injectable usually takes 4-6 weeks to reach a consistent level of the medication.
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No. Women actually have more testosterone in their system than estrogen. It depends on how the person converts the testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Testosterone, when dosed appropriately, can actually increase hair growth.
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It depends. For premenopausal women, there could be some “breakthrough” bleeding and will likely return to baseline in 1-2 months. If the bleeding continues, that should be discussed with your provider. Breakthrough bleeding can occur for postmenopausal women as well, but is likely due to a deficiency in progesterone.
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No. Although progesterone is a ‘pregnancy hormone’ it is ill advised to take testosterone and estrogen during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If fertility is a concern, progesterone may be continued, but under the guidance of your OBGYN/fertility specialist.
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The medical definition of menopause is having your FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) above 25 and NOT having a period for 12 months.
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We check levels every 3-6 months depending on if there are any concerns and to ensure we are keeping you safe along your health journey. For women not on birth control and are premenopausal, we get the most accurate labs when they are drawn on day 18-21 of your cycle. Day 1 being the first day you start your cycle.
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Yes! There are a variety of medications to help increase desire (libido) if hormones are contraindicated.
Thyroid Management
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It depends on the person, but between 3-6 months is the average length to titrate the medication to the appropriate dosage.
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When starting a medication for thyroid or adjusting the dosage, we always want to recheck the levels 6-8 weeks after the change. Once normalized, we can check levels annually.
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It really depends. Both work effectively well and both have their negatives. One has more dosing options, one is very limited with their dosing options. One is made in the lab, the other is made from desiccated bovine. Some may experience palpitations due to an additional hormone in one. It's best to discuss the pros and cons with us to make sure we find the correct fit.
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Maybe. The synthetic version (synthroid) can be taken on the same day due to its long half life of 7 days. The bovine or armour medication has T3 which has a very fast half life of 4-6 hours and can skew the results of the blood draw. It is best to hold on taking that medication until AFTER the labs are drawn for increased accuracy.
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It's hard to say, but maybe. There are a variety of supplements we can discuss to help optimize thyroid management, however, it does come back to nutrition and minimizing gluten.
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It is best to take the medication when you first wake up on an empty stomach, wait for 30 minutes before you eat anything. It is okay to drink water and black coffee only.
Weight Loss Management
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We individualize the weight loss journey based on your specific goals, nutritional intake and activity levels. Everybody is different and should be approached individually with their recommendations. We use a body composition scale to help track progress and fine tune recommendations based off those results. We also offer medications that can help with appetite suppression and cravings.
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We offer oral options to help reduce the strong nausea that is associated with injectable option and has been shown to yield 8-10lb weight loss in the first month. Of course, this works well with increased activity, dietary recommendations and proper sleep management.
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Yes! It will only compound the results and help you achieve your goals faster! Activity, proper sleep and nutrition are imperative no matter what weight loss option we chose to help you.
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Any medication poses risk. Our goal is to minimize risk while maximizing benefits. The GLP-1 category helps slow down gastric emptying which causes you to feel fuller longer. Medications in this category have been shown to potentially cause pancreatitis, thyroid dysfunction, depression and gastroparesis. It is imperative to have communication with us during this process so we can help guide and manage your health.
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It really depends on your progress, target weight, and meal preparation. The most important thing is to continue to eat healthy, sleep enough throughout the night and maintain activity levels. We can titrate the GLP-1 dosage based on your individual progress. The length of time really depends on your response and overall goals.
Meal Preparation
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It is challenging to take the time out of your busy schedule to prepare meals for the week. We have partnered with a local meal prep service to help take the guesswork out of it and improve your outcomes.
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Although increasing our food consumption can be daunting, it does come with a big reward. Not knowing where to start is a problem. We try to take the fear of the unknown away by walking you through a step by step process on what to prioritize. We pair that with a meal prep service who mirrors the longevity lens we look through to focus on quality ingredients and nutritional density.
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Many services charge a large amount and fall short of quality and taste. We have partnered with someone who not only lives the lifestyle, but cooks to that lifestyle. She makes it affordable, fun and delivers meals once or twice weekly. Instead of spending money later in life on unnecessary prescription medications, invest in yourself today to PREVENT the need of those medications in the future by eating quality food products.
IV Drip Therapy
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Yes! We have a variety of IV therapies that can target what you are trying to accomplish. Ranging from boosting collagen formation and helping with skin elasticity to treating the cellular repair of your mitochondria and preventing a virus or bacteria from progressing. Let our well versed staff assist in finding the right infusion for your needs!
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Our IV infusions provide 1 liter of fluid to help you restore hydration levels, fight off nausea, improve cellular healing and bring back the vigor that was once fleeting. We can provide the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals that we lack due to poor dietary intake or poor water sources to help get you back on your feet and feeling energized again!
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Our skilled staff are great at easing discomfort with needles and making the entire process as pleasant as possible. Our office provides an inviting environment, tranquil music, aromatherapy, welcoming recliners, noise canceling headphones and a large TV with Netflix or Hulu to help make the infusion an enjoyable process. Each infusion lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on how well you tolerate the flow of the infusion.
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We encourage no more than 1-2 infusions per week, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Our goal is to restore hydration status while keeping your heart and kidneys safe and allowing your liver to process the vitamins and minerals we provide.
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Absolutely! We have options to help relieve migraines, nausea, seasonal allergies and mitochondrial repair along with neuronal support. Ask our staff what would be best for your specific situation!
Sexual Health
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We appreciate you being open and honest about your concerns and we can't stress that this is a common complaint. Even though it may be uncomfortable for you to bring up, our staff are experts in this field and can help you navigate these issues in an inviting, private and professional manner. We start with learning more about your symptoms, medical history and checking blood work to help us individualize the appropriate treatment plan that makes the most sense for you.
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No! Life happens and balancing between work, kids, home life, extracurricular activities and your own health can be overwhelming! We would want to first make sure there are no underlying conditions that may be contributing, then we can discuss appropriate treatment options based on your comfort level. It can range from hormone replacement to micronutrient support and everything in between. We customize our approach to getting you feeling more comfortable in your body and mind to regain what was once lost.
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This is another very common concern for women as we age. The cause can vary from a traumatic childbirth to hormonal changes. Our goal is to restore intimacy and minimize fear surrounding your sexual health. We will work with you to help minimize symptoms and regain your confidence in the bedroom once again.
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Most cases of premature ejaculation don't involve any structural abnormalities and would not require a specialist to be seen. This is more common than not, but is very easy to treat. If a variety of over the counter options have failed, we will make sure your hormones are also not contributing to the issue by checking your blood work prior to discussing treatment options. Optimizing hormones can help, as well as, additional medications that delay the nerve transmission from your penis to your brain in order to make sexual intercourse more enjoyable while allowing a more pleasurable outcome.
STD Screenings
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Absolutely. We will gather a little bit more information regarding symptoms, onset, frequency and your medical history. We can gather a urine sample, along with blood to do an extensive STI screen and get the results quickly within 24-48 hours. That helps guide treatment and we can prescribe the needed medication within a short time frame. The entire process is quick, discrete and impactful.
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Absolutely not. Keeping your privacy is our biggest priority. No one is privy to your information except for you and your healthcare provider. Unless there is written consent stating otherwise, we keep your privacy very serious and will not share any information.
Anti-Aging
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There is a lot to discuss regarding this topic. It is a term to enhance mitochondrial function (powerhouse of all cells) while optimizing quality of life. It is a multifaceted approach to help keep you feeling and looking as healthy as possible. This includes lifestyle modifications like enhancing sleep as this is where our body heals and repairs itself. Eating nutritionally dense foods to feed those cells and give us energy to be more active. Activity is what helps prevent sarcopenia (muscle wasting) and allows for not only a longer life, but a healthier one too. Once lifestyle modifications have been met, discussing how to optimize growth hormone production, sex hormones and reducing inflammation. Our approach is to not only provide options for you, but help coach you along your journey.
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In general, the medical indication for treatment is primary for children with a delayed growth pattern. For adults, we have to differentiate between growth hormone and growth hormone releasing hormone. Growth hormone is taking an outside source of this substance, whereas, taking a growth hormone releasing hormone allows you to release more of your OWN hormone. This can be instrumental in healing wounds, helping hair, skin and nails, improving lean muscle mass, enhancing sleep, improving energy and weight management.
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NAD+ is Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. This is a molecule that occurs naturally in everyone, but declines as we age or from other environmental factors. NAD can help with cellular energy, mental clarity, concentration, liver support, and memory. This has been also helpful for people struggling with addiction to substances and other mental health concerns. There has been literature suggesting that it can also help with neurodegenerative decline as we age.
Concierge Medicine
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Concierge medicine is having a dedicated healthcare professional available for your needs. This can vary from acute issues like upper respiratory issues, injuries or screenings to managing chronic disease processes like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and weight management. You will be seen within 24 hours for your concerns and have access through the patient portal for additional content to help manage your care.
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You have 2 sick visits and 2 healthy visits alloted in a 30 day span along with unlimited communication through the patient portal.
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There is a membership fee of $99 dollars per month to have access to our provider where they can manage a variety of health conditions like cardiovascular health, metabolic health, mental health, hormonal regulation, and sleep management. This includes management of prescription medications and ongoing educational materials. A lot can change in a short amount of time, having access to someone who can help guide you through those stressful times is important. Let us handle your medical care while you focus on being the best version of yourself.
Mental Health
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This can be from managing anxiety and depression to insomnia, ADHD and BP II. This can be done using more natural approaches, lifestyle modifications or pharmaceutical options to reduce symptoms and get you feeling like you can conquer your day again.
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Absolutely. We will review your medical history, current medication regimen, see what has worked in the past and what hasn't and make sure we help continue to guide you in the correct direction. Some medications require more frequent visits and some may require a quarterly touch base. We will cater the follow ups based on your needs and situational changes you may go through.
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Unfortunately, at this time we do not offer therapy services, however, we have great relationships with many therapists and can provide a referral upon request.