Hormone Therapy / Hormone Replacement
Who said hormones & health had to be expensive?
Contrary to popular belief, hormones don’t just appear at certain times in your life – these chemicals are what keep the organs in your body functioning properly over the entire course of your life.
Hormones are produced by glands located throughout your body and released directly into the bloodstream. From there, hormones travel to certain sites in the body and trigger certain functions. Adrenaline, insulin, cortisol, melatonin, and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) are examples of just a few of the wide variety of hormones that help you to function on a daily basis.
Hormones are key to critical bodily functions, such as:
- Metabolism
- Growth and development
- Sexual function
- Sleep
- Emotions and mood
- Appetite
- Heart rate
- Body temperature regulation
Hormone Imbalance & Why It Occurs
When your body produces too little or too much of a certain type of hormone, it is called a hormone imbalance. This is a very common condition and indeed occurs in everyone – men and women alike – at least a couple times in their lives, notably at puberty and midlife, as well as during menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding (for women).
There are many reasons why you may be experiencing a hormonal imbalance. Potential causes include:
- Age
- Thyroid & other endocrine conditions
- Stress
- Nutritional deficiency
- Side effect of certain medications (e.g., steroids, hormone-based birth control)
- Low-testosterone (Low-T)
For men and women of a certain age, symptoms of a hormone imbalance may seem like something you have to grin and bear – but nothing could be further from the truth. At Edward G. Mackay and Associates, LLC we can help bridge the gap during these natural periods of hormonal fluctuations.
Signs & Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
How do you know if you have a hormonal imbalance? Common signs and symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Low sex drive
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Insomnia and difficulty sleeping
- Hair loss and hair thinning
- Hot flashes, night sweats
- Menstrual irregularities
- Depression
- Headaches or migraines
Treating Hormone Imbalance
Hormone replacement therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll need to visit your doctor’s office routinely to ensure your hormone levels are properly optimized to effectively relieve symptoms with a hormone imbalance.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
At Edward G. Mackay and Associates, LLC we use hormone supplements that are biologically identical to what your body naturally produces.
During a quick and easy in-office procedure, tiny pellets are injected just under the skin, which regularly deliver hormone doses directly into your bloodstream in just the right amount over time. This is far superior to oral or other forms of supplements where you might experience a dramatic rise then drop in hormone levels. This method stays steady over time – essentially mimicking your body’s natural process.
BioTE pellets are typically inserted every 3-4 months for women, and every 4-5 months for men, as needed. The treatment begins working in as quickly as a day, although it may take a few weeks for optimal effects.
In addition to addressing the signs and symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, our bioidentical HRT solution offers the following benefits:
FOR MEN
- Increases strength and stamina
- Enhances muscle mass, decreases fat
- Improves libido
FOR WOMEN
- Relieves chronic headaches and migraines
- Increases energy level
- Improves libido
- Protects against heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s
- Enhances quality of sleep
Revitalize Your Life with Hormone Replacement Therapy
It’s never too late to experience life as you were meant to live it. The medical professionals at Edward G. Mackay and Associates, LLC in Tampa Bay can make sure you get just the right type of hormone replacement therapy to relieve your symptoms and revitalize your life.
To get started, call us at (727) 527-2888 or request an appointment now. We have three convenient locations from which to serve you: in Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, or Largo, Florida.
About the BioTE Method
What You Need to Know about Hormone Therapy
- Not all hormone therapies are created equal
- Hormone replacement therapy is not a one-size-fits-all
- You need an expert
Developed by pioneer and expert, Dr. Gary Donovitz, BioTE® Therapy was designed to deliver the right kind of hormone (biologically identical) in the right amounts (doses based on accurate testing and proper analysis of the results) using the right delivery system (pellets - which deliver straight into the blood stream whenever the body needs it).
When your hormones are in balance, it’s like a choir singing in perfect harmony. It just grooves. That’s when your body is capable of performing at its best, keeping you healthy, vibrant and energetic.
BioTE Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I need pellets?
For women: usually every 3-4 months.
For men: usually every 4-5 months.
Why are pellets better than creams, patches, shots or pills?
They are pure hormone that is not metabolized into by products by going through the liver, stomach or skin. This delivery system allows your body to use the right amount of hormone as the blood flow surrounding the pellets pick up what is needed.
Where do the pellets go?
Because they are pure hormone without fillers or synthetic ingredients, they completely dissolve.
How long will it take for my body to become leaner utilizing pellets?
That depends on your age, activity level and how much you exercise. Testosterone decreases fat and increases muscle and lean body mass. Testosterone also increases your natural growth hormone production, thereby improving your stamina and increasing muscle mass.
Are there any side effects and/or complications?
All side effects are temporary and treatable and occur less than 2% of the time, when pelleted correctly.
How long will it take for the pellets to get into my system and work?
24-72 hours. Optimal effect occurs three weeks after insertion.
I have no libido - will this help?
Good hormone balance will greatly improve your libido. The addition of testosterone in pellet form can change everything for the better!
BioTE for Women - Frequently Asked Questions
I get horrible headaches - will they help me?
Yes! We have had great success, especially with women who have menstrual migraines, and new migraines that appear after age 35.
Do I need to take other medication??
If you still have a uterus, you will need to be on natural progesterone as well.
Why do I need estrogen?
Estrogen is the most important hormone for a woman. It protects her against heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s. It also keeps us looking young and healthy.
Why do I need testosterone?
Testosterone is the third female hormone and is as essential as estrogen and progesterone. We need
testosterone to keep our thought process quick and our libido healthy. It improves bone density, muscle mass, strength and prevents some types of depression. It is also the source of energy and solid sleep!
Will I grow unwanted hair from testosterone?
There is less chance of excess hair growth with natural testosterone than with synthetic hormones. Facial hair will grow with testosterone pellets, but normally no more than when you were in your thirties.
BioTE for Men - Frequently Asked Questions
Does testosterone cause prostate cancer?
No. Metabolites of testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone and estrone cause prostate enlargement and
contribute to prostate cancer. Estrone increases and testosterone decreases as men age and gain belly fat.
Testosterone pellets are the only replacement that reverses that trend.
How do I take testosterone pellets and not convert them to Dihydrotestosterone and estrone?
Your blood levels of estrone and DHT are checked after treatment to see if they are elevated. Some men still
convert to these metabolites even on testosterone pellets. If they are converting, we troubleshoot with
natural supplements such as DIM and Saw Palmetto, or an aromatase inhibitor prescription.
What if I have prostate enlargement already?
Testosterone pellets will make it better, if you do not convert it to DHT; we will treat that if it happens.
Will my testicles shrink while on testosterone pellets?
Yes, they will. Testicles are suppressed by taking any kind of testosterone and will not make as much
testosterone while the pellets are working. This is not permanent and the testicle retains its ability to
produce testosterone.