Pharmacy Expert
|
|
Pharmacy Expert |
|
Name: Kim
|
|
| Question: | |
|
I'm 53 years old and have been off HRT (Prempro, 4 years)for about 8 months. I'd like to try bioidentical hormones. Because I've completely stopped HRT, would it be too hard on my body to resume treatment, even if they are bioidentical? Am I too old? Kim
|
|
| Answer: | |
|
Dear Kim:
It would not be too hard on your system to restart with natural bioidentical HT, and no you are not too old. I would recommend starting with a lower dose than what you were on as the Prempro, and working your way up in strength if necessary over 2 to 3 months. We can help you with all of this, and can do it this coming week. Please follow our patient empowerment program, which I will forward to you at the end of this message, and send in the answers to the history form online, so we can call you. We can help you get started on bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (bHRT) and feel better through our ìPatient Empowerment Programî. Click here http://www.bpharmacysolutions.com/hormone/overview.asp (or paste in your web browser) to learn more about our program, and follow the step-by-step instructions provided. This program was developed to assist you in getting started on the natural bHRT. It empowers you through knowledge and education to approach your physician and get the natural treatment you are looking for. Bellevue Pharmacy Solutionsí ìPatient Empowerment Programî is a full in-depth consultation with a consultant pharmacist whereby we evaluate your symptoms, lab work of your hormones (if performed), and any other pertinent laboratory results via phone consult. We then make an assessment and write a clinical consult note that includes recommendations for bHRT that you can provide to your doctor. We provide physician referrals for our current patients and for patients who participate in our patient empowerment program. STEP 1 ñ Complete the History Form STEP 2 ñ Order Your Lab Tests We believe it is very important to utilize laboratory tests of hormone levels in our assessment of your hormonal status, and to incorporate this information into our recommendations. We encourage you to complete saliva testing and our consultant pharmacists will authorize this testing for you. For women, we generally recommend testing Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol. For men, we generally recommend testing Testosterone, Estradiol, DHEA, DHT, and cortisol. You can order this testing from the "Patient Empowerment Program" section of our website (same link as provided above). Aeron Lifecyles Laboratory is our preferred laboratory for saliva testing and a preferred provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pacificare, and United Healthcare insurance programs. If you have either of these insurance plans, there is no up-front out-of-pocket cost to order the lab, as Aeron will bill you only for any portion of the testing that you are responsible for. If saliva testing is not an option you wish to pursue, we can also review blood tests if you have the appropriate tests available. STEP 3 ñ Schedule Your Consultation with our Consultant Pharmacist Once we have lab results, we can schedule our consultation with you. During this consultation, our pharmacist will discuss risks and benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and discuss our recommendations for a customized regimen for you. STEP 4 ñ Physician Collaboration or Physician Referral Following our consultation with you, we then make an assessment and prepare a clinical consult note and we will work with your physician to make recommendations for bHRT. If your physician is not willing to work with you, or you do not have a physician, we will refer you to a physician we have worked with in the past. We provide physician referrals for our current patients, and for patients who participate in our patient empowerment program. We appreciate the opportunity to be your compounding pharmacy. We ship all across the country, and accept most insurance plans for reimbursement. To find out how to receive free standard shipping (UPS Ground Service) on your next order click here: http://www.bpharmacysolutions.com/company/shipping.asp Sincerely, Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D. Consulting Pharmacists at Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions Information provided by the Staff of Consultant Pharmacists, from Bellevue Pharmacy Solutions is not intended as a substitute for a visit to and examination by your own personal health care practitioner. |
|
Return to Pharmacy Expert's Archive