Hormone Replacement/Optimization FAQ
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What is BioTE?®
BioTE® is a Bio-Identical form of hormone therapy that seeks to return the hormone balance to youthful levels in men and women.
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How do I know if I am a candidate for pellets?
Symptoms may vary widely from depression and anxiety to night sweats and sleeplessness for example. You will be recommended to have blood work done which will determine your hormone levels. Once your doctor reviews and determines you are a candidate, we will schedule an appointment for insertion.
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Will I have blood work done before each treatment?
No, only initially and four to eight weeks later to set your dosing. You may have it done again if there are significant changes.
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What are the pellets made from?
They are made from wild yams and soy. Wild yams and soy have the highest concentration of hormones of any substance. There are no known allergens associated with wild yams and soy, because once the hormone is made, it is no longer yam or soy.
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How long will the treatment last?
Every three to six months, depending on the person. Everyone is different so it depends on how you feel and what the doctor determines is right for you. If you are really active, you are under a lot of stress or it is extremely hot your treatment may not last as long. Absorption rate is based on cardiac output.
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Is the therapy FDA approved?
What the pellets are consist of are FDA approved and regulated, the process of making pellets is regulated by the State Pharmacy Board, and the distribution is regulated by the DEA and Respective State Pharmacy Boards. The PROCEDURE of placing pellets is NOT an FDA approved procedure. The pellets are derived from wild yams and soy, and are all natural and bio-identical- meaning they are the exact replication of what the body makes.
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How are they administered?
Pellet insertion is a relatively simple in-office procedure done under local anesthesia. It takes an average of 5-10 minutes in total. The pellets are inserted subcutaneously (under the fatty lining of skin) in the upper buttocks through a very small incision. The incision is then closed with surgical glue or sterile tape strips. Patients should not be able to feel the implants under their skin. Hormone implants placed under the skin consistently release small, physiologic doses of hormones, keeping a patient’s levels in a therapeutic range until the next pellet procedure.
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What are the side effects?
Unlike with other forms of hormone therapy, there are few side effects with pellet hormone therapy. Two percent of patients experience mild acne or facial hair, and less than 1 percent experience hair thinning. All of these mild side effects are easily treatable.
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Does it matter if I am on birth control?
No, the doctor can determine what your hormone needs are even if you are on birth control.
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What if I am already on HRT of some sort, such as creams, patches, or pills?
This is an easy transition. The doctor will be able to determine your needs even though you may be currently taking these other forms of HRT.
- What Should I Do Before I Schedule an Appointment?
No fasting is required in advance of the insertion.
- What Should I Do Before the Insertion?
One week before the insertion, if possible, stop all NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, etc.). No fasting in advance of the insertion is required.
- What Test is Required Before the Insertion?
At a minimum, BioTE HRT requires a comprehensive blood panel which you can discuss with Dr. Gibson.
- 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.
- What Happens During the Week Following the Insertion?
After pellet insertion, it’s best to eliminate lower body exercise. You can walk, but extraneous activity is not recommended. Swimming, hot tubs, and bathtubs are to be avoided; however, showers are permitted. After removal of the bandage, normal activity may resume.
- How Often is Pellet Insertion Necessary?
As each patient’s symptoms are unique, so is each patient’s path to hormone optimization. Your journey will be customized to fit your specific needs. It takes more than one to two weeks for your hormones to get out of balance, so expect it to take time for your symptoms to resolve.
- What Happens to Pellets After Insertion?
Since the pellets are bioidentical and contain nothing more than the hormones your body naturally produces, the pellets are completely dissolved and absorbed, leaving nothing behind.
Contact Us
Schedule your consultation now to find out more about BioTE Hormone Pellet Therapy. Contact Dr. Gibson’s women’s health clinic today at (985) 898-5990 or fax (985) 590-3719. You can visit our two convenient locations in the Mandeville metro area, which are located in Covington and Franklinton.