Achieve Hormonal Balance
Customized Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is the replacement of deficient hormones with hormones that are identical to those that the body naturally produces. Hormone deficiencies can occur due to aging, illness, other medications, or environmental factors.
BHRT hormones are derived from the yam plant; therefore, they have a natural source of origin. They are converted into hormones that have an identical chemical structure to the natural hormones produced by your body. Synthetic hormones, such as those that are used in birth control pills, are not identical to your biological hormones. Because of this, they tend to have more short-term and long-term negative effects on the body.
Customized BHRT has improved the quality of life for millions of women who suffer from hormonal imbalance. The ideal process for achieving hormonal balance includes an assessment of hormone levels, signs, and symptoms, followed by replacement of the deficient hormones and monitoring to fine tune the therapy. BHRT is most often compounded into topical, sublingual, or oral dosage forms.
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While women have benefited from therapy with estrogen, progesterone, and androgens that are bioidentical, researchers and healthcare professionals realize that this is just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to achieving hormonal balance. Thyroid and adrenal function, as well as nutritional status, should also be evaluated and treated, when indicated.
Potter’s House Apothecary specializes in BHRT. Our pharmacists have received post-graduate training and attend seminars regularly to stay current with the latest techniques in compounding BHRT. We also offer private consultations and free educational seminars for patients wanting to learn more about BHRT and the benefits of having your medication compounded at Potter’s House Apothecary.
Mayo Clinic researchers surveyed 176 women taking natural micronized progesterone who had previously taken a synthetic progestin (medroxyprogesterone acetate, or MPA) to see if progesterone improved the women’s overall quality of life, menopausal symptoms, and satisfaction with BHRT. After one to six months, the women reported an overall 34% increase in satisfaction on micronized progesterone compared to their previous HRT, reporting these improvements: 50% in hot flashes, 42% in depression, and 47% in anxiety. Micronized progesterone was also more effective in controlling breakthrough bleeding. In other studies, women using micronized progesterone had specific improvements in the areas of cognition, sleep, and menstrual problems.
Beginning at approximately 40 years of age, a man’s hormone levels, particularly testosterone, slowly decline. About 30% of men aged 60-70 years and 70% of men aged 70-80 have low levels of testosterone, a condition often called “andropause” because testosterone is in a class of hormones known as androgens.
Androgen deficiency is strongly associated with common medical conditions including osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and atherosclerosis. Emerging evidence indicates that testosterone replacement can relieve or partially reverse the progression of these problems in testosterone-deficient men.
Hypogonadism, which is the clinical term for low levels of serum testosterone, can occur regardless of age. Hypogonadism is associated with specific signs and symptoms, including:
HRT for men primarily involves testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). However, it also may include other hormones such as DHEA and pregnenolone. Replacement of these hormones has improved the quality of life for millions of men who suffer from hormonal imbalance. The ideal process for achieving hormonal balance includes an assessment of hormone levels through saliva or blood tests, then assessment of signs and symptoms, followed by replacement of the deficient hormones. TRT is most often prescribed in injectable form; however, it may also be compounded into topical or sublingual dosage forms with or without other hormones.
Laboratory values and clinical responses should be monitored frequently so that any necessary adjustments can be made. Men with a history of prostate cancer, elevated PSA levels, or cardiovascular disease may not be candidates for TRT.
While men have benefited from hormone replacement, researchers and healthcare professionals realize that this is just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to achieving hormonal balance. Thyroid and adrenal function, as well as nutritional status, should also be evaluated and treated when indicated.
Potter’s House Apothecary specializes in HRT. Our pharmacists have received post-graduate training and attend seminars regularly to stay current with the latest techniques in compounding HRT. We also offer private consultations and free educational seminars for patients wanting to learn more about it and the benefits of having your medication compounded at Potter’s House Apothecary.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the replacement of sex hormones, in both males and females, to control symptoms of menopause and andropause.
Bio-identical hormones used in hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) are derived from the yam plant; therefore, they have a natural source of origin. They are converted into hormones that have an identical chemical structure to the natural hormones produced by your body. Synthetic hormones, that are used in birth control pills, are not identical to your biological hormones. Because of this, they tend to have more short and long-term negative effects on the body. Potter’s House primarily compounds with BHRT.
Talk with your current healthcare provider. If your provider is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with prescribing BHRT, we are happy to work with them. We can provide a prescription form with suggested formulations or make a formulation recommendation to your doctor for your specific needs.
We can also provide you with a list of healthcare providers that are experienced with BHRT.
Your healthcare provider will likely check your current hormone levels via serum blood test. Your provider will utilize the result to determine which hormones you are deficient in and the proper dosing and dosage form for you. You can also purchase a saliva test kit through our pharmacy to check your hormone levels.
The cost of serum blood testing varies depending on the lab and your insurance coverage.
Saliva test kits are available for purchase at our pharmacy. The cost of the kit is $295, which includes a 1-hour consultation with a pharmacist to review your results and develop a recommended treatment plan for you.
Compounding offers a more customized approach to BHRT. Your medication will be compounded to meet your healthcare provider’s exact specification and can be custom tailored to meet your specific needs.
Compounded BHRT may be in the form of capsules, creams, lozenges, suppositories or injectables based on what your healthcare provider feels is best for you.
We accept most major insurance plans and are happy to check plan participation. Many insurance companies do not cover compounded medications, leaving you responsible for the cost.
Cash pricing starts at $58 and varies depending on the type and number of medications in your compound, the strengths, and the day supply. We do offer price breaks for filling a 60 or 90-day supply of your medication at a time.
Restoring hormone balance takes time. Depending on the individual, some notice an improvement in their symptoms right away; however, most people see improvement within 2-3 months.
You may take BHRT as long as necessary to keep your hormone levels optimal and symptoms controlled; however, we recommend regular communication with your healthcare provider while taking BHRT.
Certain hormones are not recommended for people with a history of hormone dependent cancer or with a strong family history of it. We recommend speaking with your healthcare provider about the options available to you and the risks associated with BHRT. Our friendly and knowledgeable pharmacists are also available to answer any questions you might have.
Potter’s House Apothecary specializes in sterile and non-sterile compounding services. We also provide educational webinars, private consultations and pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
A prescription from a licensed practitioner is required for compounded medications. The FDA does not review any compounded medication for safety or efficacy. This is the primary reason that we encourage any patient or healthcare provider looking to compounding as a treatment option to always engage a PCAB Accredited Compounding Pharmacy.
