HORMONE OPTIMIZATION

Importance of Hormone Balancing

Most women see a significant drop in estrogen and testosterone during menopause, while many men may experience a similar phenomenon relating to testosterone, known as andropause or more commonly as Low T (low testosterone).® Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Hormones are important for regulating most major bodily processes. Because of their essential role in the body, even the smallest hormonal imbalance can cause side effects throughout the body.

Do you have symptoms of hormone imbalance?

Fatigue

Night sweats

Hot flashes or flushes

Decreased sex drive

Weight gain

Trouble sleeping

Irritability

Anxiousness

Mood swings

Brain fog

Low mood

Decreased bone mass

Discomfort during intercourse

Increased body fat (especially in the waist area)

Patient Seminar for Men

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement?

As we age, our bodies naturally start to reduce the amount of hormones like

testosterone and estrogen they produce. Hormones such as these are incredibly important to how many areas of your body function – such as your brain, heart, bones, reproductive organs, and more. When these hormones are out of balance, people can experience a number of different

symptoms. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a method of restoring the balance

of your hormones and aiming to relieve these symptoms, using compounded hormones

that are identical in structure to those your body naturally produces. That way, your

body recognizes and uses these replacement hormones in exactly the same way it

would hormones it produces naturally.

What Labs Are Performed to Assess My Hormonal Status?

Females

Estradiol (E2)
Total Testosterone
Free T3 and T4
TSH
FSH
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Lipid Panel
Vitamin D
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Hemoglobin A1c

Males

Total Testosterone
Free Testosterone
Estradiol (E2)
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Free T3 and T4
TSH
CBC
CMP
Lipid Panel
Vitamin D
SHBG
Hemoglobin A1c

These labs are part of the Biote protocol and are essential for creating your personalized hormone optimization plan. They assess key markers related to hormone balance, thyroid function, metabolic health, and overall wellness. Please note: these labs are ordered through Biote and will not be submitted to your insurance.

Schedule your Wellness Consultation here

Consultations are $50, but the fee is waived if you choose to proceed with lab work the same day.

How Often is Pellet Insertion Necessary?

As each patient’s symptoms are unique, so is each patient’s path to hormone optimization. The Biote Method is customized to fit a patient’s specific needs.
What Happens During the Week Following Insertion?

After pellet insertion, it’s best to abstain from lower body exercise. Walking should be fine, but strenuous activity is not recommended. Avoid bathtubs, swimming and hot tubs ; however, showers are permitted. After removal of the bandage, normal activity may resume.
What Happens to Pellets After Inseriton?

Since pellets are bioidentical and contain hormones like those our body produces, pellets are completely dissolved and absorbed, leaving nothing behind.
What Blood Tests Are Required Before Insertion?

Biote Certified Providers require extensive lab work while considering a patient’s candidacy for BHRT using pellets. A provider will discuss the results with a patient before moving forward with pellet therapy.
What Happens During the In-Office Insertion?

During the in-office visit, which only takes a few minutes, patients are brought into the exam room, and the insertion site is numbed. The most common site of insertion is the upper buttocks. A small incision is then made for pellet insertion. Once the pellet is inserted, the insertion site is covered with a small bandage.
Is Fasting Required Before Insertion?

No fasting is required in advance of the insertion.
What Happens When Pellet Therapy is Discontinued?

Every person’s body is different, but at the end of a pellet cycle or when stopping pellet therapy altogether, symptoms of fatigue, low mood and sleeplessness may recur. Typically, the patient’s symptoms will return to the same state prior to BHRT as their estrogen and testosterone levels begin to drop.
How Long Do Pellets Last?

Pellets last up to three to six months depending on gender, weight, absorption rates, and the amount of deficiency or surplus of hormones present within the patient at the time of insertion. Pellets are reinserted between two to four times per year to help keep hormones optimized and balanced and may take up to two insertions before feeling the full benefits.
What is Pellet Therapy?

Biote Certified Providers receive training on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in the form of subcutaneous pellets. These pellets are inserted into the upper buttocks area during an in-office visit after testing is done to determine the exact quantity of the hormone the patient requires. Every dose is customized based on a consultation and extensive lab work to ensure a patient receives the exact concentration of hormones needed. Bioidentical hormones, such as the ones used in training by Biote, work with the chemistry of the body because they replicate the molecular structure of the hormones that normally occur within the body.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?

Bioidentical hormones are identical to those present in the human body, and closely resemble the molecular structure of human hormones.
What is Estrogen?

Estrogen is a hormone that possesses many functions and occurs in the bodies of both men and women. In women, estrogen is commonly associated with reproduction—it prompts the menstrual cycle and develops the female body’s secondary sex characteristics. However, in both sexes, estrogen is responsible for many facets of bone health, cholesterol metabolism, and the thickness and collagen content of the skin.
What Are Testosterone Pellets?

Testosterone pellets are composed of powdered testosterone fused into a pellet using stearic acid as a binding agent. The compounding pharmacies used by Biote provide high-quality pellets with ingredients that are meticulously tested. This testing process gives pharmacists, Biote Certified Providers, and patients confidence in the pellets’ quality.
What Are Estrogen Pellets?

Estrogen pellets are small cylinders that are custom compounded and composed of estradiol, a form of estrogen. Estrogen pellets may relieve emotional, reproductive, and non-reproductive symptoms. The most common administration for estrogen pellets is to help address the uncomfortable symptoms of aging in women.
How Do Estrogen Levels Change With Age?

In women, estrogen levels are reduced as they get older. Hormone levels in women drop most dramatically during perimenopause (immediately before menopause) and during menopause. In fact, after female menopause, many men may have higher estrogen levels than women. If a woman has had a radical hysterectomy involving the removal of both ovaries, her estrogen levels will struggle significantly, as the ovaries’ primary responsibility is estrogen production. Although adrenal glands produce some estrogen, as does fat tissue, this is often not enough to effectively balance and maintain women’s hormone levels.
What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone normally found in both men and women that is responsible for many critical body processes. Testosterone is produced in the testes and ovaries, and deficiencies can occur in men and women as the body ages.
When May Female BHRT Be Most Beneficial?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women may help any woman whose hormones are out of balance. However, the most common time women seek bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is when they’re experiencing menopause. Women typically experience three stages of menopause—perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. There are also rare instances regarding women who have never had balanced hormones, often causing excessively uncomfortable menstrual cycles and extreme mood swings. The Biote Method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women may help address the cause of these issues.
What Are Female BHRT Pellets?

Female BHRT is an acronymic phrase that stands for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Female BHRT pellets are comprised of custom-compounded hormones. These pellets are inserted subcutaneously during a quick in-office visit. Usually, within four to six weeks after the pellet insertion, the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for a woman’s endocrine system begins to take effect.
What Is Female Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Biote’s Method of hormone therapy provides a consistent release of hormones. When hormones are out of balance, hormone replacement therapy for women may help relieve a wide array of symptoms, both physical and emotional. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women aims to relieve the source of the problem, not just the symptoms themselves.
What Are Male BHRT Pellets?

Pellets used for male BHRT are high-quality and custom-compounded with bioidentical testosterone. In an in-office appointment, these pellets are inserted subcutaneously in a patient’s upper buttocks. Within up to two to four weeks after a pellet insertion, the hormone therapy for men may begin to alleviate some unwanted symptoms.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men?

Male bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may help men feel like themselves again. It may also help men who have always suffered from unbalanced hormones feel better for the first time. Male hormone replacement may also lower the severity of ailments not directly associated with reproductive symptoms. Biote has helped many patients with our unique approach to hormone therapy for men using pellet hormone therapy.

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