Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

Bio-Identical Hormones Fast Facts

Benefits

Mimic your own natural hormones
Improves your sexual experience
Stronger nails and hair
Can prevent hair loss
Promotes weight loss
Improved mood
Improved sleep
Increased energy
Relief of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness
Excellent for bone health
Cardiovascular health
Reduces risk of certain diseases
And more…

Treatment Areas

You are sent home with a saliva kit, and the kit will be sent to the lab for processing.

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy in Holladay

While there are many forms of hormonal testing, I use the gold standard of testing whenever possible. Hormones are stored in our tissues and fat, and not in our bloodstream. Rather than checking your serum, I prefer to test your tissues. To do so, I utilize highly specialized hormonal testing, using saliva and a finger poke. Hormonal testing is done annually. In doing the testing properly, we mitigate overdosing. We use bio-identical hormones, and not synthetic hormones that were used years ago such as birth control pills, which are not as safe, and they really are not good for you. Bio-identical hormones will be compounded specifically for your needs, to restore your health and vitality. They are good for your heart, brain, sex drive and a healthy weight. When properly balanced you restore a healthy weight, healthy metabolism, slow the rapid aging and improve your overall vitality.

This appointment is 1 hour and includes your test kit, hormone testing and 2 office visits only. Any additional visits, please see pricing and policy page. Some people want to add additional Labs to look for toxicities, vitamin deficiencies, or add in additional medications and all will require additional time and determine pricing.

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Urine hormones & estrogen metabolites testing

When hormones don’t break down properly in the body, it can increase the risk for certain cancers – like breast cancer. Urinary hormone metabolites testing provides a unique diagnostic view that no other hormone testing offers.

Because it assesses both parent hormones and their corresponding metabolites, it reveals how the body is breaking down key hormones like estrogens, progestogens, androgens, cortisol, and melatonin.

This testing gives insight into whether we are fully detoxifying our hormones, which is important because some hormones can be carcinogenic if they don’t break down properly – leaving us more at risk for a variety of diseases, like cancer.

Why should you focus on estrogen metabolism?

A growing conversation in the medical community centers on estrogen metabolism and the risk for hormone-driven cancers. With every published study, there is increasing evidence that the amount of estrogen we make and how our bodies process (metabolize) this estrogen has significant implications for cancer risk. In women, this is breast cancer. In men, it’s prostate cancer.

Measuring hormone levels, as well as the resulting by-products (metabolites) is a simple, non-invasive way to better understand our risks.

When is it a good idea to consider urinary hormone metabolite testing?

In cases where someone has:

Family history of hormone-dependent cancers – like breast or prostate cancer
Normal saliva cortisol levels but still experiencing symptoms of adrenal dysfunction.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as weight gain and insomnia
Symptoms of PCOS, such as acne and excess facial hair
Symptoms of menopause and ready to begin hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of estrogen dominance while on physiological replacement dosages of therapy

Why is ZRT the most complete urine hormone testing?

While other labs offer similar testing, ZRT’s urine hormone testing is the most complete testing available.

More Tests: With 44 unique markers, ZRT’s urine hormone profiles are more comprehensive than any other lab’s.
More Estrogens: ZRT assesses a total of 13 estrogens, including 2-Methoxy and 2-Hydroxy, 4-Hydroxy and 4-Methoxy and 16a-Hydroxy estrogens. We test more 4-Hydroxy metabolites than any other lab.
More Androgens: ZRT assesses a total of 8 androgens, which is more than most labs offer.
BPA: ZRT is one of few labs to include an assessment of BPA in its urine hormone testing.
Diurnal Cortisol: ZRT provides diurnal patterns for both cortisol and cortisone, which help get to the root of stress-related issues. It’s also ideal for those unable to collect a saliva sample for diurnal cortisol.
Diurnal Melatonin: Diurnal Melatonin: ZRT is the only lab to include a diurnal pattern for melatonin, which helps evaluate sleep-related issues.

What is andropause testing: low testosterone in men?

Men are just as susceptible to an age-related drop in hormone production as their female counterparts. Andropause, is the so-called male menopause, signifies the retreat of the key male hormone testosterone.

As a man ages, his body naturally makes less testosterone. In fact, by the time a man is in his mid-forties, testosterone levels can be down by 40%. Lifestyle factors such as excessive stress, weight gain and lack of exercise can lower levels even further – impacting stamina, drive, and virility.

Men notice a downward shift in strength and energy first, followed by lack of enthusiasm for life’s challenges like work and competition. A man can lose interest in sex. The hidden imbalances contributing to these factors generally include:

Low Testosterone
Leads to decreased stamina and libido, fatigue & erectile dysfunction.
Men can wind up with high Estrogen
High estrogen in males can lead to increase in weight gain, increased chest and belly fat, hot flashes, night sweats & excessive need to urinate (BPH)
Prostate problems
High Cortisol
Results in insomnia, anxiety, sugar cravings, feeling tired but wired & increased belly fat.
Low Cortisol
Causes chronic fatigue, low energy, food and sugar cravings, poor exercise tolerance or recovery & low immune reserves.
Thyroid Imbalance
This condition is commonly missed in men and may often mimic symptoms of low testosterone.
Cardiometabolic Issues
This includes high blood pressure and diabetes and may mimic some symptoms of low testosterone – like fatigue or erectile dysfunction.
High DHT which causes hair-loss
Prostate issues which leads to excessive need to urinate (BPH), hair loss, acne

Neurotransmitters Testing

86% of Americans have suboptimal neurotransmitter levels. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to relay information from one nerve to another.

Optimal neurotransmitter balance is required to maintain proper health. Imbalances can cause the brain and the body to be over- or under-stimulated, producing neurological or psychological symptoms.

The provider must look at proper testing so that we evaluate the parent neurotransmitters with downstream metabolites so that you can tell whether there is a systemic pattern of deficiencies.

ZRT Laboratory includes a range of 14 neurotransmitters and metabolites in its testing. This essential collection of tests is available only from ZRT LAB– and not from any other lab.

What is thyroid imbalance testing?

30 million adults suffer from thyroid imbalance, this is greatly under diagnosed.

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland that sits behind and below your adam’s apple. A wide range of factors from hormone imbalances to mineral deficiencies, true gluten intolerance and environmental pollutants can interfere with thyroid production, leading to health problems.

Why is thyroid dysfunction notoriously under-diagnosed?

The American Thyroid Association estimates that as many as 60% of people with thyroid disease are not aware that they have it. Statistics show that women are seven times more likely than men to develop thyroid problems, facing as much as a one in five chance of developing a problem particularly during the peri-menopause years when hormones start to fluctuate.

Remember, most doctors only check a TSH and T4 lab. Most doctors only replace T4 which is typically Levothyroxine which is only replacing T4, which many people are not able to drop the iodine molecule and convert it to the usable form of T3. This is a main reason, so many people are told their thyroid is “fine”, but if they can’t use it, they are truly hypothyroid. Secondly, Levothyroxine is one generic medication that is not up to standard in my opinion or equivalent to the brand name or other options available.

Thyroid disease or dysfunction can explain a wide variety of symptoms.

Do these low thyroid/hypothyroid symptoms sound familiar?

Weight gain or inability to lose weight despite exercise and diet.
Feeling cold all the time (when others don’t)
Low energy and stamina, especially in the evening
Memory lapses or slow/fuzzy thinking
Dry, thinning, itchy skin.
Dry or brittle hair and nails
Hair loss
Irregular bowel habits
Menstrual irregularities

Do these hyperthyroidism symptoms sound familiar?

Sudden or significant weight loss
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Sweating
Nervousness or irritability

What key thyroid hormones should be tested to check to see if you have a thyroid imbalance?

TSH: Produced by the pituitary gland, TSH acts on the thyroid gland to stimulate production of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4).
Free T4 – Thyroxine: The predominant hormone produced by the thyroid gland, T4 is converted to its active form, T3, within cells.
Total T4 – Thyroxine: Total T4 includes both free T4 and protein-bound T4, and is an indicator of the thyroid gland’s ability to synthesize, process and release T4 into the bloodstream.
Free T3 – Triiodothyronine: T3 is the active thyroid hormone that regulates the metabolic activity of cells.
TPOab – Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies: Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme involved in thyroid hormone production. The body produces antibodies, including TPOab, that attack the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s. Testing TPOab levels can diagnose these conditions.
Tgbn – Thyroglobulin: A protein rich in tyrosine, the residues of which when bound to iodine become the building blocks of T3 and T4. If iodine levels are low, thyroglobulin accumulates, thus high levels indicate insufficient iodine for healthy thyroid function.

How can a dysregulated nervous system impacts health?

Genetics, environment, chemicals, MTHFR gene mutations and nutritional deficiencies are a few factors that can impact neurotransmitter production. Once out of balance, the nervous system begins to compensate – which, in time, can lead to neurological or psychological symptoms.

Some of the more common psychological conditions today are known to be accompanied by neurotransmitter imbalances. However, it’s also possible for individuals to present with similar symptoms yet have unique foundational imbalances. Testing helps clarify these root issues.

Common neurotransmitter-related causes of health issues often involve the following scenarios:

Anxiety & Depression: Neurotransmitter imbalances are often associated with anxiety and depression, specifically Glutamate (panic attacks), PEA, Histamine, Serotonin, as well as Epinephrine & Norepinephrine.
Chronic Fatigue: An imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters can lead to persistent fatigue.
Impulsivity: GABA, Dopamine and Serotonin are three chemical messengers commonly linked to disorders like ADD, ADHD & OCD.
Insomnia: Imbalances in Glutamate, Histamine, Dopamine, GABA and Serotonin are often linked to sleep disturbances and insomnia.
PMS or PMDD: Imbalances in Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine and GABA are often involved in cases of PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder) and severe PMS.

Bio-Identical Hormones FAQs

What are bio-identical hormones?

Bio-Identical Hormones are the opposite of what you would get from an OBGYN or at a regular pharmacy. If you are not getting your hormones at a compounding pharmacy, they are not bio-identical hormones and would be synthetic.

As you age the number of hormones your body produces decreases, however, it is not uncommon for a teenager to also be low. Low hormone levels can put you at risk of weak muscles, bone loss, hair loss, weight gain, memory loss, and much more.

Balancing your hormones bio-identically has been shown to provide many positive health benefits including heart protection. Increased energy, improved sleep, relief of both anxiety and depression, help to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, improve memory and cognition and enhance your libido.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or natural hormone therapy is the use of hormones that are identical on a molecular level to the endogenous hormones that your body naturally makes which are plant-based when used in hormone replacement therapy and compounded by a compounding pharmacy.

What are the signs of estrogen deficiency?

Acne
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bladder problems (leaky)
Brittle hair or nails
Chronic fatigue
Decreased breast size
Decrease in dexterity
Decreased Memory and focus
Decrease in sexual interest and function
Depression
Diabetes and insulin resistance
Difficulty losing weight
Dry eye
Elevated cholesterol
Fibromyalgia
Food cravings
Heart attack
Hypertension
Increased facial hair
Increased tension headaches
Increased cholesterol
Infertility
Joint pain
Low energy, especially at the end of the day
More frequent migraines
More WRINKLES
Oily skin
Osteoporosis
Panic attacks
PCOS
Restless sleep
Stress incontinence
Strokes
Thin skin
Thinning hair
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal pain
Weight gain around the middle

What are the signs of progesterone deficiency?

Anxiety
Decreased HDL levels
Decreased libido
Depression
Excessive menstruation-long periods
Hypersensitivity
Insomnia
Irritability
Migraines prior to menstrual cycle
Mood swings
Nervousness
Osteoporosis
Pain and inflammation
Weight gain

Why choose Medical Spa and Wellness by Michelle NP, in Holladay Utah?

Michelle is a highly trained and very passionate provider of Bio-identical hormone testing and treatment. Michelle utilizes the gold standard in testing, saliva testing for optimal safety. She does use bio-identical hormones dispensed typically as a cream, as you have the ultimate control and safety when no pellet is placed. When you use a pellet, you can rapidly absorb or under-absorb causing some great concerns, and pellets cannot be removed, which can prolong unwanted symptoms such as hair loss or unwanted hair growth. When you use a cream-based hormone treatment, you have ultimate control and can best maintain the absolute best results. Since hormones and hormone cream prescriptions are stored in fat, the gold standard testing is to test saliva.

Menopause is not a single point in time when hormone production is switched off, but a gradual decline that brings an end to female fertility. During menopause, a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone diminish – leading to a lack of menstrual periods.
A woman is considered to be in menopause when she’s had no menstrual cycles for 12 months.
The right balance of hormones is vital to a woman’s health. But in menopause, when levels are dropping, a deficiency of one hormone can trigger a relative excess of another and result in common imbalances such as:
- Estrogen Dominance or Low Progesterone
- Mood swings, migraines, fat gain in hips and thighs
- Hot flashes, night sweats, foggy thinking, memory loss & vaginal dryness.
- Low Testosterone or DHEA
- Leads to decreases in bone or muscle mass, metabolism, energy, strength, stamina, exercise tolerance & libido.
- High Cortisol
- Insomnia, anxiety, sugar cravings, feeling tired but wired & increased belly fat.
- Low Cortisol
- Causes chronic fatigue, low energy, food and sugar cravings, poor exercise tolerance or recovery & low immune reserves.
- Neurotransmitter Imbalance
- Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can impact neurotransmitter levels. For instance, a drop in estrogen can result in a drop in serotonin.
- Thyroid Imbalance
- Changes in estrogen levels can lead to thyroid symptoms like slowed metabolism and always feeling cold. In fact, many women experiencing menopause will be diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
- Low Vitamin D
- Sufficient levels of Vitamin D, estrogen and testosterone are important for maintaining bone health in the menopause years.