Originally developed in 1939 for women who underwent radical hysterectomies. Widely used in Europe and Australia, they are the longest studied form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to date.

Bioidentical HRT was very popular until a large pharmaceutical company, Wyeth/Ayerst, developed Premarin in 1942.

Pellets are estradiol or testosterone and steric acid is used to bind the "pellet".

They are no bigger than a grain of rice. Occasionally pellets may be felt underneath the skin due to swelling, this will typically disappear within 24 hours or in some cases, although rare, up to a month.

*Limited gluteal exercises after insertion for 72 hours in women and 7 days in men can reduce swelling.

The estrogen and testosterone in the pellet are FDA approved. The manufacturing of pellets 503B outsourcing facilities are under strict regulations by the FDA.

3-5 months for women and 4-6 months for men.

Over time, the pellets are completely dissolved into the bloodstream and eventually disappear. Patients will know it is time for their pellets to be replaced when symptoms begin to return. Patients will be able to estimate their own biological schedule for re-pelleting after the first cycles of hormones.

Pellet delivery system allows your body to use the right amount of hormones as needed. Blood flows around the pellets and absorbs the hormones at exactly the right time.

No. If they are currently on some hormone replacement such as creams, patches or oral HRT, do not apply or take their hormones the day of getting their blood drawn. Once blood is drawn, patients may resume taking or applying as directed.

For injectable hormones, BioTE recommends getting blood drawn the morning they are supposed to receive their next hormone injection.

Once pelleted, women will stay on their existing hormone therapy for 3 days and then discontinue on day 4. Men should discontinue their existing hormone therapies 7 days after pelleting.

This is often the best method to transition patients off of existing hormone therapies.

Stray on your birth control. Pellets do not serve as a method of contraception. Premenopausal women need to remain on BC to avoid pregnancy.

A key hormone, to the BioTE Method, FSH, cannot be detected in saliva. Most insurance companies DO NOT pay for saliva testing.

Symptom relief can occur anywhere from 72 hours to up to three weeks for first time patients. Patients should expect to feel some degree of symptom relief within a month of pelleting or even sooner. Dosage and treatment plans may be adjusted if the patient has no symptom relief.

Some reported secondary responses are noticeable in the first two round during the initial balancing phase or re-optimization phase.

In Men

Mild fluid retention, acne or more hair growth as well could occur. Men may experience some testicular shrinkage, this is normal.

In Women

Fluid retention, especially in hot months, or some temporary swelling. This is temporary and most practitioners may call in a mild water retention pill if needed. Some women may experience some spotting if she still has her uterus, and was given Estrogen by her practitioner. Progesterone will be prescribed for those women to relieve this adverse effect. Progesterone should be taken in the evening with food as some women report it could make them drowsy.

An exercise regime is essential in optimizing hormones, reducing fat mass and increase lean muscle mass.

No. Pellets are released based on cardiac output. The more active you are, the more the hormone is released as needed.

Very minimal pain. Patients will feel the initial stick of the needle where the lidocaine/bicarbonate was injected. Most patients may feel pressure during the procedure. The insertion should only take about 3-5 minutes for women, a little longer for men.

Sodium Bicarbonate is not required to perform the pelleting procedure; however, it butters the lidocaine to reduce the sting of the initial needle stick.

There is significant amount of published scientific data on pellet therapy focusing on the heart, breast, bone, and brain protection.

The actual cost is determined by each individual certified practitioner.

Relatively the cost of pellet HRT is less than other therapies.

Most insurance providers WILL cover the lab work and consultation. It is up the patient to contact their insurance provider to see if they could receive any reimbursement.

Diet and exercise are essential components; however, it does not replace the loss of hormones the body experiences with the aging process, stress, toxins, obesity, and many other factors.

Cardiac output is the amount of blood that the heart ejects into the blood stream per minute, exercise increases cardiac output.

Yes. BC survivors may be treated with testosterone. They should not receive estrodiol. Patients must be evaluated by a certified BioTE Practitioner to determine if hormone replacement therapy is appropriate. Studies show, testosterone alone can address up to 90% of symptoms common in BC survivors such as fatigue, depression, bone loss, heart issues, libido loss, and many other health benefits.

Yes. After the prostate cancer has been treated or removed and the PSA blood test is negligible the patient can be pelleted. Studies show testosterone does not cause prostate cancer and has been shown to be good for the prostate.

Currently, the nutraceuticals are recommended for optimization and balance, specifically for hormone optimization.

It is beneficial and a great antioxidant. It improves thyroid function and is protective to the thyroid. There are studies that show iodine reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Iodine will reduce toxins in the body as well.

DIM contributes to a better metabolism of testosterone and estradiol. It also increases the patients' free testosterone. Probiotic repairs and restores the good healthy bacteria in the GI tract. It allows better absorption of nutrients from the food we eat.

It contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2. The combination of these fat soluble vitamins are key nutraceuticals in maintaining healthy bones and healthy blood vessels in our hearts.