Understanding Hormone Decline And
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement
It is broadly accepted by the medical and scientific communities that a number of hormones decline with aging, and that these declines can result in many of the symptoms and manifestations of aging. For women, menopause is the result of the precipitous decline in estrogen and progesterone production. For men, andropause is the result principally of a decline in testosterone levels. The other hormones that decline and are well-documented include growth hormone and the adrenal hormone DHEA. The decline in these hormones starts much earlier and is more gradual. Our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is designed to counter these declines with therapeutic level of hormone replacement.
What is the purpose of each of the key hormones?
Estrogen
- Protects against osteoporosis, heart disease, memory loss, colon cancer, incontinence and tooth loss
- Enhances sleep, emotional well-being, mental acuity and focus, attention span, communication ability, vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell, digestion, libido and skin tone
- Relieves menopausal symptoms and depression
Progesterone
- Has a calming effect and enhances mood
- Increases energy and libido
- Relieves menopausal symptoms
- Decreases risk of endometrial cancer and may help protest against breast cancer
- Protects against osteoporosis and heart disease
Testosterone
- Builds muscles and promotes muscle tone
- Increases energy and libido
- Enhances sense of well-being
- Helps strengthen bone
DHEA
- Helps protect against heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, memory loss and lupus
- Can increase and enhance energy levels, libido, memory and immunity
- Protects against the effects of stress
- Helps to prevent wrinkles and dry eyes
Cortisol
- Helps in responding and coping with stress, trauma and infection
- Increases energy and metabolism
- Helps regulate blood pressure
-
Reduces allergic and inflammatory response
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) Program
What are Bioidentical Hormones? Bioidentical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are substances that have the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced by the human body, and they also create the same physiologic response. Hormones are NOT drugs. They are naturally occurring substances that are found in all humans since the time of conception. BHRT replaces hormones at a "physiologic" level that is not harmful to the body. Physiologic levels never exceed what the individual has already been accustomed to in his or her younger years.
Are Bioidentical Hormones FDA Approved? We use FDA approved bioidentical hormones (natural hormones) whenever possible; however, when a dosage or strength that the patient requires is not commercially available, we use a compounding pharmacy to prepare an individualized prescription. Compounding pharmacists must comply with the regulation of the state boards of pharmacy, and they have access to the highest grade bulk ingredients as well as state-of-the art equipment used to accurately prepare hormone preparations. Close monitoring of the patient by PWC helps to promote maximum benefits and safety.
Who needs BHRT? Men and women who suffer from PMS, menopausal symptoms, andropausal symptoms, loss of sex drive, chronic fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches, weight gain, persistent pain, or many other common conditions could benefit from our BHRT program. Learn more about the symptoms and benefits of our BHRT programs for men and women by clicking one of the links below.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. In our practice, we have seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that are actually the result of a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the less common symptoms of menopause. The Program includes bioidentical hormone replacement including progesterone, estrogen and testosterone when clinically indicated combined with nutritional guidence, nutritional supplementation recommendations and an optional exercise component.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include growth hormone and/or hcg (human chorionic gonadotropin). If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms of Menopause
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Mood swings
Fatigue/loss of energy
Irritability
Depression
Decrease in sexual libido/interest/desire
Hair growth on face
Painful intercourse
Urinary tract infections
Weird dreams
Vaginal itching
Lower back pain
Bloated Flatulence/gas
Indigestion
Osteoporosis
Aching ankles, knees, wrists, shoulders, heels
Hair loss
Frequent urination
Snoring
Sore breasts
Palpitations
Varicose veins
Urinary leakage
Dizzy spells/vertigo
Panic attacks
Skin feeling crawly
Migraine headaches
Memory lapses
Anxiety
Weight gain
Our BHRT program for women is designed to help women elim-inate many of these symptoms and recapture the energy level, vitaility, and attributes of their earlier years.
What are the benefits of BHRT for women?
Our BHRT program for women provides many benefits for women with hormonal imbalances including:
- Restored hormone balance and relief of related symptoms
- Elimination of hot flashes
- Improved libido
- Improved heart health
- Increased bone production and prevention of osteoporosis
- Enhanced energy
- Reduced wrinkles and improved skin tone
- Improved mental sharpness and better memory
What are Bioidentical Hormones? Bioidentical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are substances that have the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced by the human body, and they also create the same physiologic response. Hormones are NOT drugs. They are naturally occurring substances that are found in all humans since the time of conception. BHRT replaces hormones at a "physiologic" level that is not harmful to the body. Physiologic levels never exceed what the individual has already been accustomed to in his or her younger years.
Are Bioidentical Hormones FDA Approved? We use FDA approved bioidentical hormones (natural hormones) whenever possible; however, when a dosage or strength that the patient requires is not commercially available, we use a compounding pharmacy to prepare an individualized prescription. Compounding pharmacists must comply with the regulation of the state boards of pharmacy, and they have access to the highest grade bulk ingredients as well as state-of-the art equipment used to accurately prepare hormone preparations. Close monitoring of the patient by PWC helps to promote maximum benefits and safety.
Follow this link to find out how to get started with our BHRT program for women
Below, our five step approach to assessing patients and implementing the BHRT program is described.
STEP 1: Contact Us
Contact Proactive Wellness Centers at 703-822-5003 Ext 2 to start the intake process. You will have a brief telephone conversation with our Patient Care Coordinator or our Physician/Medical Director to determine if you are a candidate for the BHRT program. If you are, the intake process begins with your completion of a detailed health history form. When complete, return this form to our office along with the required HIPAA acknowledgement and payment information forms. At this point, you will be given access to our 24x7 online appointment scheduling system and advised to set your appointment for 5-7 days from the day you go to the lab.
STEP 2: Go to the Lab
Using the health history form, a physician will review your health history, chief complaint and prepare a lab requisition for you. The lab requisition will be sent to you by email and you may go to either Quest or Labcorp depending on your insurance and preference to have your blood drawn. In 5-7 days, your results will be transmitted to us and we will review them prior to your initial consultation and develop our treatment plan recommendations prior to your initial visit. This approach, while unconventional, allows for a much more productive initial visit.
STEP 3: Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is 1 ½ hours long and consists of a review of your family history, past medical history, current medical problems, risks factors for preventable diseases, nutritional history, toxic substance exposure history and recent symptoms. Additionally, all of your laboratory results will be reviewed with you in detail. We explain the concept of “optimal ranges” versus the traditional concept of “reference ranges”. We then provide our recommendations for your individualized BHRT program and explain the costs involved with the specific program. Depending on your individual requirements, we will either prescribe commercially available hormone preparations or a compounded variation. Depending on your particular situation, other specialized tests may be ordered such as vitamin and nutritional assessments, stool analysis and detoxification profiles. At this point, it is the patient’s choice to commence with the BHRT program or not. Note that we do not prescribe hormones for patients not on one of our BHRT programs.
STEP 4: Starting the BHRT Program
If a patient chooses to commence with the BHRT program, the prescriptions will be prepared and submitted to the appropriate pharmacies within 24 hours. Further, patients will be provided with an individualized notebook containing their lab results, treatment plan, eating plan recommendations and appropriate reading material. The reading material is important since educated patients make the best long-term patients. Patients need to make payment arrangements with the pharmacies and/or purchase certain medications directly from the Proactive Wellness Online store. The physician or Patient Care Coordinator will provide explicit instructions for using the prescribed medications. Within 2-3 days, the patient should have received all medications and can commence with a tailored program of hormone replacement.
STEP 5: Follow-Up
Appropriate followup is the key to the success of our program since every person is biochemically unique. Accordingly, no two people respond to medications the same way. Our program is a “high touch” program by design, meaning that we provide each patient with individualized attention and direct access to the physician. The program requires new lab work and a reevaluation within the first three months of treatment, and either quarterly or every six months thereafter depending on the results, for the first year. If the hormone levels stabilize, less frequent reevaluations are required for the second and additional years.
What are the costs of the BHRT program?
The physician fee for the initial consultation is $450.00. For patients that are on hormone prescriptions or otherwise require continuing monitoring, we require one of our annual Health Assured Programs. The Health Assured Programs include quarterly/semi-annual office visits, email consultations and phone consultations as needed for the first year. The price of the BHRT program (Physician Fees Only) ranges from $875 to $1,575 depending on the number of hormones being monitored and the complexity of the patient’s treatment program. After the first year, the nature and pricing of the followup program is on a case by base basis. In addition, it is recommended that all patients commit to a nutritional supplementation program. The prices provided above do not include the cost of lab tests and the actual hormone preparations. These costs vary significantly and may or may not be covered by insurance.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our BHRT program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause. The Program includes bioidentical hormone replacement (testosterone) when clinically indicated combined with nutritional guidence, nutritional supplementation recommendations and an optional exercise component.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include growth hormone and/or hcg (human chorionic gonadotropin). If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms of Andropause
Hot flashesNight sweats
Difficulty concentrating
Mood swings
Fatigue/loss of energy
Irritability
Depression
Decrease in sexual libido/interest/desire
Apathy
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Decreased stamina
Prostate problems
Decreased urine flow
Increased urinary urge
Premature aging
Thinning/sagging skin
Insulin resistance
Bone loss
Decrease in muscular strength/muscle mass
Hair loss
Decreased strength
Abdominal fat
Decreased mental sharpness
Elevated triglycerides
Joint aches/stiffness of hands
Breast enlargement
Sleep disturbances
Nervous
Headaches
Anxiety
Memory lapses
Loss of physical agility
Shrinkage in size of sexual organs
Insomnia/poor sleep quality
Our BHRT program for men is designed to help men reverse many of these symptoms and recapture some of their youthful attributes and functions.
What are the benefits of BHRT for men?
Our BHRT program for men provides many benefits for men with hormonal imbalances including:
- Restored hormone balance and relief of related symptoms
- Improved libido and sexual performance
- Increased ability to build lean muscle
- Improved heart health
- Increased bone production and prevention of
- osteoporosis
- Enhanced energy and sex drive
- Reduced wrinkles and improved skin tone
- Improved mental sharpness and better memory
What are Bioidentical Hormones? Bioidentical hormones, also known as natural hormones, are substances that have the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced by the human body, and they also create the same physiologic response. Hormones are NOT drugs. They are naturally occurring substances that are found in all humans since the time of conception. BHRT replaces hormones at a "physiologic" level that is not harmful to the body. Physiologic levels never exceed what the individual has already been accustomed to in his or her younger years.
Are Bioidentical Hormones FDA Approved? We use FDA approved bioidentical hormones (natural hormones) whenever possible; however, when a dosage or strength that the patient requires is not commercially available, we use a compounding pharmacy to prepare an individualized prescription. Compounding pharmacists must comply with the regulation of the state boards of pharmacy, and they have access to the highest grade bulk ingredients as well as state-of-the art equipment used to accurately prepare hormone preparations. Close monitoring of the patient by PWC helps to promote maximum benefits and safety.
Follow this link to find out how to get started with our BHRT program for men
Below, our five step approach to assessing patients and implementing the BHRT program is described.
STEP 1: Contact Us
Contact Proactive Wellness Centers at 703-822-5003 Ext 2 to start the intake process. You will have a brief telephone conversation with our Patient Care Coordinator or our Physician/Medical Director to determine if you are a candidate for the BHRT program. If you are, the intake process begins with your completion of a detailed health history form. When complete, return this form to our office along with the required HIPAA acknowledgement and payment information forms. At this point, you will be given access to our 24x7 online appointment scheduling system and advised to set your appointment for 5-7 days from the day you go to the lab.
STEP 2: Go to the Lab
Using the health history form, a physician will review your health history, chief complaint and prepare a lab requisition for you. The lab requisition will be sent to you by email and you may go to either Quest or Labcorp depending on your insurance and preference to have your blood drawn. In 5-7 days, your results will be transmitted to us and we will review them prior to your initial consultation and develop our treatment plan recommendations prior to your initial visit. This approach, while unconventional, allows for a much more productive initial visit.
STEP 3: Initial Consultation
The initial consultation is 1 ½ hours long and consists of a review of your family history, past medical history, current medical problems, risks factors for preventable diseases, nutritional history, toxic substance exposure history and recent symptoms. Additionally, all of your laboratory results will be reviewed with you in detail. We explain the concept of “optimal ranges” versus the traditional concept of “reference ranges”. We then provide our recommendations for your individualized BHRT program and explain the costs involved with the specific program. Depending on your individual requirements, we will either prescribe commercially available hormone preparations or a compounded variation. Depending on your particular situation, other specialized tests may be ordered such as vitamin and nutritional assessments, stool analysis and detoxification profiles. At this point, it is the patient’s choice to commence with the BHRT program or not. Note that we do not prescribe hormones for patients not on one of our BHRT programs.
STEP 4: Starting the BHRT Program
If a patient chooses to commence with the BHRT program, the prescriptions will be prepared and submitted to the appropriate pharmacies within 24 hours. Further, patients will be provided with an individualized notebook containing their lab results, treatment plan, eating plan recommendations and appropriate reading material. The reading material is important since educated patients make the best long-term patients. Patients need to make payment arrangements with the pharmacies and/or purchase certain medications directly from the Proactive Wellness Online store. The physician or Patient Care Coordinator will provide explicit instructions for using the prescribed medications. Within 2-3 days, the patient should have received all medications and can commence with a tailored program of hormone replacement.
STEP 5: Follow-Up
Appropriate followup is the key to the success of our program since every person is biochemically unique. Accordingly, no two people respond to medications the same way. Our program is a “high touch” program by design, meaning that we provide each patient with individualized attention and direct access to the physician. The program requires new lab work and a reevaluation within the first three months of treatment, and either quarterly or every six months thereafter depending on the results, for the first year. If the hormone levels stabilize, less frequent reevaluations are required for the second and additional years.
What are the costs of the BHRT program?
The physician fee for the initial consultation is $450.00. For patients that are on hormone prescriptions or otherwise require continuing monitoring, we require one of our annual Health Assured Programs. The Health Assured Programs include quarterly/semi-annual office visits, email consultations and phone consultations as needed for the first year. The price of the BHRT program (Physician Fees Only) ranges from $875 to $1,575 depending on the number of hormones being monitored and the complexity of the patient’s treatment program. After the first year, the nature and pricing of the followup program is on a case by base basis. In addition, it is recommended that all patients commit to a nutritional supplementation program. The prices provided above do not include the cost of lab tests and the actual hormone preparations. These costs vary significantly and may or may not be covered by insurance.
Getting Started with a Proactive Wellness Treatment Plan
10 Steps to Optimal Health with Proactive Wellness Centers
Below are ten steps to getting started with one of our treatment programs. All programs begin with a comprehensive initial assessment. The comprehensive initial assessment is $475. We do also offer mini consultations for $175 for patients that desire to spend approximately 20 minutes with Dr. Lawson in person prior to commencing with a treatment program. The $175 fee will be deducted from the initial assessment fee of $475 for patients that decide to come in for the comprehensive initial assessment. We accept checks, credit cards and GE Card Services for payment. We do not accept insurance.
Comprehensive Initial Assessment
1. Get Educated. Explore our site, check out our resources page. Attend one of our interactive seminars.
2. Talk with us. Call Proactive Wellness Centers at (703) 822-5003 Ext 2 to ask any unanswered questions.
3. Start the Intake Process. Click here to get started
4. Set your initial appointment using our online system. Follow the intake process to completion and you will be able to schedule your appointment online.
5. Lab Tests (blood). After our office has received your CCAF and HHF, Dr. Lawson will develop and forward a lab requisition to you by email. With that lab requisition, go to your nearest Quest or LabCorp lab to have your blood drawn. Present the lab requisition and the lab will forward the results directly to Dr. Lawson. IMPORTANT: Please email the office at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) when you have completed your lab tests.
6. Initial Appointment. Come to your initial appointment and plan to spend approximately 1 1/2 hours with Dr. Lawson. She will have already reviewed your HHF and lab results and be ready to discuss preliminary findings and any specialized tests that may be required. At the end of this visit, Dr. Lawson will discuss a customized treatment plan recommendation and any optional considerations. Our treatment plans include 12 Month Health Assurance Plans that incorporate bioidentical hormone therapy as clinically indicated and an intensive 12 week Metabolic Rejuvenation Program designed to help patients with signifcant weight loss goals overcome weightloss resistance quickly.
Supplements and Prescriptions
7. Order supplements and prescription medications as necessary. All supplements and most specialized/compounded prescriptions are available through our online wellness store at www.proactivestore.com. For standard prescriptions and specialized prescriptions that are covered by insurance, you will deal directly with the pharmacy to provide your insurance and co-pay information.
Specialized Testing
8. When clinically indicated or otherwise indicated by lab results or other indications, Dr. Lawson may recommend specialized testing. This may include food sensitivity testing, toxic metals testing and/or nutritional deficiency testing. If you have agreed to proceed with specialized testing, we will provide the specific ordering instructions and any special requirements such as blood draws or other specimen collection. Click here to learn more about specialized testing.
Patient Notebook - Take control of your health care
9. When commencing a treatment program, patients are provided with a personalized notebook with placeholders for your specific treatment plan, lab results, educational materials and other information of interest. We also encourge and support the use of personal health records, such as Google Health or Microsoft Health Vault to further enable patients to take control of their health care.
Maintenance and Monitoring
10. Followup Visits. All of our maintenance programs include followup visits so that we can monitor and adjust your prescriptions and supplement recommendations depending on your body's particular response to the therapies we employ. This component is the only way that Dr. Lawson can help you achieve the optimal health you deserve. Betwen visits, patients on maintenance programs have email and phone access to Dr. Lawson if issues or questions arise. The first followup visit is typically within 4 weeks for 12 month programs and the following week for 12 week programs. Patients are provided access to our web-based appointment scheduling system and are allowed schedule their own followup visits.