Good providers check in frequently throughout bioidentical hormone therapy treatment. You should feel comfortable bringing your questions and concerns to the team you’re working with. But how often do you need bloodwork done?
Testing takes the guesswork out of the equation so you can better target your hormone deficiency. After all, the goal is to feel better long-term. Learn more about the importance of HRT monitoring.
Why Providers Test Your Hormone Levels During HRT
Hormone level testing is an essential part of the HRT process. You’ll get bloodwork done before you start bioidentical hormone therapy to get an idea of your natural baseline. This also helps identify which hormone imbalances are causing your symptoms.
As you undergo HRT, any good provider will perform recurring blood tests to check your hormone levels. This helps them check for signs of either overdoing or underdoing it. In other words, are you getting too little, too much, or just enough of each hormone?
Blood tests also keep the process safe. Certain hormones can cause unpleasant or even dangerous symptoms when the dose is too high.
Ongoing monitoring during HRT ensures your dose stays “just right,” helping you avoid more hormone-related problems.
Common Timelines for Hormone Level Testing During Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
How often do you really need to get your levels checked? Your provider will outline a clear plan at the beginning of your treatment.
Active Dose Changes and Hormone Management: Every 4-6 Weeks
The most common timeframe for ongoing testing is every four to six weeks while you’re actively changing doses or hormone delivery methods.
Maintenance Dosing: 1-4 Times Per Year
If your hormone levels are stable and your dose is consistent, your provider may bump you down to testing only one to four times per year.
Increased Hormone Monitoring for Safety and Comfort
For folks with underlying health conditions or risk factors, you may need more frequent testing throughout the course of your treatment. This is for safety reasons, and you shouldn’t skip blood tests when your provider requests them.
If you’ve struggled with unpleasant side effects from hormone therapy, you may also fall into the “frequent monitoring” group. Some people are more sensitive to hormonal changes than others, and your provider will want to keep you as comfortable as possible.
What Happens When Your Levels Come Back Abnormal?
Imagine that you’re already undergoing bioidentical hormone therapy. What happens if one of your blood tests says a certain hormone level is too high or too low?
Adjustments to Hormone Dose or Treatment Method
Oftentimes, this is an easy fix. Your provider can adjust your dose to meet you where you’re at and regulate your hormone levels.
Another option is to switch the method of treatment. For example, if you’re currently using injections to take hormones, your provider may switch you to an implanted pellet to absorb hormones more consistently instead.
This is all complicated work that requires extensive knowledge of hormone systems in the body. You should never adjust your dose or treatment method on your own. Always discuss changes with your provider first.
Natural Changes to Support Hormonal Balance
If your provider determines that your dose is sufficient where it is, they may suggest lifestyle changes or at-home measures to balance your hormone levels.
This is most common for the very mild hormone fluctuations that show up in your blood tests. If your levels aren’t completely out of the target range, you can often take steps on your own to resolve the problem.
Some examples of at-home changes include:
- Getting more sleep
- Reducing stress (or managing it more effectively)
- Exercising more or less
- Eating a healthier diet
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Quitting smoking
You should always talk to your provider before making significant lifestyle changes.
What if Your Levels Are Normal but You Still Have Symptoms?
If you notice unpleasant symptoms returning or increasing in severity or frequency, talk to your provider at your next appointment. Sometimes, blood tests show that your hormones are within the normal ranges for your age and sex. However, you may be experiencing small fluctuations that throw you off.
Underlying health conditions can mimic the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Check with your healthcare provider if your levels come back normal but you’re still experiencing discomfort in your daily life.
The Benefits of Using Bioidentical Hormones
Bioidentical hormone therapy is possible, thanks to many years of science and research.
Since the hormonal compounds you take during HRT are considered identical in structure and makeup to your natural hormones, you may be less likely to experience side effects. Many clients prefer this more natural approach.
The benefits you experience will depend on the hormone(s) you’re trying to replace and balance.
BHRT for Women: Treat Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms
For women, BHRT can ease the symptoms that come with menopause and natural aging, like:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Bone loss
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain during sex
- Low libido
- Sleep problems
The two most common hormones used in BHRT for women are estradiol (estrogen) and progesterone. These are the hormones that naturally decline as you get older.
BHRT for Men: Address “Low T” Levels
Men with symptoms of “low T” can benefit from targeted testosterone therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy for men can help with:
- Sluggishness and low energy
- Reduced athletic performance
- Fat gain
- Muscle loss
- Irritability
- Sexual performance problems
- Low libido
- Trouble concentrating
- Mood swings
Testosterone is typically administered through pellets or injections. As the bioidentical hormones naturally support your body’s ideal balance, you can get the relief you’re after. HRT gets rid of the unpleasant symptoms you’ve been dealing with to give you a better quality of life.
Get Your Quality of Life Back With Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
BHRT gives your body what it needs to thrive, no matter your age or stage of life, using natural hormones instead of synthetic compounds. You can say goodbye once and for all to the symptoms holding you back, like fatigue, brain fog, and poor performance.
At Nenergy Boost, our team of qualified providers can help you balance your hormone levels and feel your best again. Book an appointment to get started!