Wellness clinic Huntington, NY - Vivo Health

The Vivo Health in Huntington, New York specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to help patients regain optimal hormonal balance. We offer cutting-edge testing and treatment protocols utilizing FDA-approved hormones identical to those naturally produced by the body. Our goal is to eliminate unpleasant symptoms of hormone imbalance and support patients in achieving lasting wellness. We take a holistic, integrative approach focused on the underlying causes of hormonal dysfunction, not just masking symptoms.

Hormone Imbalance: Causes and Consequences

Hormone levels that are too high or low can negatively impact vital bodily functions and cause disruptive symptoms. Common causes include:

• Aging: Natural decline in sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen
• Stress: Elevates cortisol which suppresses other hormones
• Poor lifestyle habits: Lack of sleep, activity, nutritious diet
• Medical conditions: Thyroid disorders, diabetes, pituitary tumors

Left untreated, hormone dysfunction leads to worsening issues over time:

• Fatigue, low mood, anxiety, reduced mental clarity
• Muscle loss and weight gain
• Sexual problems - low libido and performance
• Higher risk of various diseases

That's why timely treatment tailored to the individual patient is so crucial for restoring wellness.

Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement

Also called natural hormone therapy, BHRT provides optimized levels of hormones identical on a molecular level to what the body produces. Benefits include:

• Relief of unpleasant menopause or andropause symptoms
• Increased energy, improved mood and mental sharpness
• More lean muscle mass and healthy body composition
• Stronger bones, improved cholesterol profile
• Better sleep quality and heightened overall well-being

In contrast to synthetic hormones, properly prescribed bioidenticals closely mimic the natural fluctuations and ratios of hormones. This leads to excellent treatment outcomes with minimal risks.

Diagnosing Hormone Deficiencies

Determining the right treatment begins with blood, saliva, or urine testing to accurately evaluate a patient's unique hormonal status:

Hormone	Normal Range	Symptoms of Low Levels
Estrogen	100-400 pg/mL	Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headaches, mood swings
Progesterone	1-20 ng/mL	Anxiety, irregular periods, infertility
Testosterone	300-1000 ng/dL	Low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass
DHEA	130-530 mcg/dL	Poor immunity, bone loss, impaired memory and focus

Reference ranges can vary by lab and patient age/gender. Our physicians determine optimal numbers for each individual.

Based on test results and discussion of medical history and symptoms, we develop customized plans to restore hormone balance.

Vivo Health BHRT Specialists and Services

The Vivo Health is directed by Dr. Jessica Smith, a Board Certified Ob/Gyn specializing in hormone therapy for over 15 years. Patients praise her warmth, professionalism, and outstanding patient education.

Our functional medicine specialists have advanced training in age management, nutrition, and holistic modalities like stress management. We spend quality time listening and explaining options plus supporting lifestyle changes for better treatment response.

Services include:

• Initial evaluation, regular follow-ups, and blood draw monitoring
• Saliva/urine testing, DUTCH complete hormonal panel
• Micronutrient assessment to detect nutritional deficiencies
• FDA-approved bioidentical hormones - pills, patches, pellets, gels, creams, rings, etc.
• Nutraceuticals to enhance hormone metabolism/balance naturally
• Wellness coaching - exercise, nutrition & stress reduction

We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Uninsured patients receive timely access to care using an income-based sliding scale.

Initiating Hormone Replacement Therapy

The process involves:

1. Comprehensive initial consultation reviewing health history, labs, and symptoms
2. Creating a customized treatment plan optimizing hormone levels/ratios
3. Selecting the most appropriate delivery method based on lifestyle factors
4. Providing all needed education and support
5. Scheduled follow-up and safety monitoring

We begin with the lowest effective hormone doses, gradually increasing based on patient response and labs. The goal is to eliminate deficiency symptoms while avoiding excess.

Most patients report significant improvements within a few months - better energy, sleep, sexual health, and overall wellness. Our staff is available to optimize therapy and make adjustments as needed.

Innovations in Bioidentical HRT

While traditional estrogen pills or testosterone injections remain effective, new options offer excellent results with greater convenience:

• Pellets implanted under the skin sustain consistent hormone levels for months without daily dosing
• Patches and gels also bypass the digestive system, delivering measured doses through the skin
• Vaginal inserts treat localized urogenital tissue without systemic absorption
• "Precision compounded BHRT" formulas can be customized for each patient

Additionally, coordination with medical cannabis providers gives patients access to alternative delivery methods providing therapeutic benefits without smoking or vaping plant materials.

Emerging research shows combining BHRT with NAD therapy, peptides like BPC-157, or exosomes enhances results by activating healing and regeneration pathways. Our clinic stays current on the latest anti-aging advances.

Lifestyle Guidance for Improved Hormone Health

BHRT works best alongside adopting health-promoting behaviors like:

• Balancing blood sugar through a whole food, anti-inflammatory diet
• Managing stress levels via adequate sleep, relaxation practices, and social connection
• Engaging in regular movement that challenges endurance, strength and flexibility
• Prioritizing self-care and factors that elicit contentment and joy

Additionally, specific nutrients help the body better utilize and break down hormones:

Nutrient	Benefits	Food Sources
Zinc	Fertility, immunity, nutrient metabolism	Oysters, meat, nuts & seeds
Vitamin B6	Mood regulation, estrogen detoxification	Poultry, potatoes, bananas
Magnesium	Enzyme cofactor for making hormones	Dark leafy greens, nuts & seeds
Omega-3 fatty acids	Inflammation control, nerve & cell function	Fatty fish, walnuts, flax/chia

Attending to foundational health areas while undergoing treatment leads to greatly enhanced wellness outcomes. Our doctors and wellness coaches help patients implement positive lifestyle changes.

Patient Success Stories

Sarah, a 45-year-old teacher, struggled with severe daily headaches, low mood, and fatigue that impacted her ability to teach effectively. Testing revealed extremely low estrogen causing her issues. After beginning BHRT with estrogen plus progesterone, she reported a dramatic improvement within weeks. She had renewed energy, joy, and emotional stability plus no more headaches. Her students even remarked she seemed much happier.

After retiring, Mark noticed his fitness declined rapidly, and he felt constant fatigue. Testing showed inadequate testosterone. His physician prescribed testosterone pellets which restored him to youthful vigor and muscle mass. He could resume his favorite sport – fast-pitch softball, playing better than ever. His mood, mental clarity, and overall zest for life also skyrocketed.

Addressing Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth/Misconception	Fact
Hormone therapy causes cancer or heart disease	When properly implemented, research overwhelmingly shows BHRT is safe long-term
Taking hormones leads to mood instability or raging temper	Balanced hormones improve mood stability and emotional regulation
Men lose masculinity or grow breasts on testosterone	Physiologic testosterone therapy promotes vitality and optimal male health
Any hormones doctors prescribe are completely safe	Only bioidentical hormones identical to natural human hormones are truly safe
Blood, saliva, and urine testing isn't needed - symptoms tell enough	Testing gives objective data to guide precise, effective therapy

Proper Diagnosis and Monitoring

Diagnosing hormone imbalance relies on specialized blood, urine or saliva testing to accurately evaluate free and total levels of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. Reference ranges provide general guidelines, but optimal numbers are unique for each patient based on factors like age and gender.

Ongoing monitoring via labs helps physicians determine the proper medication doses to resolve deficiency while avoiding excess. Symptoms alone don't provide enough objective data. Tracking measurements also enables making adjustments over time as patient needs change.

It's vital to have testing and therapy overseen by a legitimate age management physician with extensive training in restoring hormones for anti-aging benefits and wellness. Beware of low-quality "hormone clinics" tempting patients with gimmicks rather than real medical care.

Legitimate hormone specialists should be board-certified Ob/Gyns, endocrinologists, or urologists. They order comprehensive lab panels and provide patients with thorough education and follow-up care. Ask about a physician's qualifications, including years of experience with bioidentical hormone therapy, before beginning treatment.

Innovative Methods

The last decade ushered in more convenient and customizable methods of delivering bioidentical hormones. Pellets inserted under the skin sustain consistent levels for months without patients needing to remember daily pills. Patches, gels, and other transdermal options bypass the digestive tract's breakdown of hormones leading to better absorption.

Compounded BHRT provides individualized prescription formulas tailored to each patient's unique needs based on symptoms and lab testing. This level of personalization gives superior treatment results.

For women needing localized tissue support, both low-dose vaginal estrogen creams and the new MonaLisa Touch® laser therapy enhance urogenital health without excess systemic hormones.

Exciting areas of innovation include coordinating hormone therapy with emerging regenerative treatments like peptide complexes, exosomes, NAD , and medical cannabis to amplify benefits. These modalities heal at a cellular level, enhancing the power of balanced hormones.

Comparing Delivery Methods

While pills remain common, transdermal and implanted methods better replicate natural changes in hormones. Consider the following key differences:

Delivery Method	Benefits	Potential Drawbacks
Oral capsules/tablets	Convenient; easy to stop	Must pass through digestive tract; rapid metabolization
Injections	Directly enters bloodstream; quick absorption	Cost; pain; frequent dosing required
Creams/Gels	Ease of use; precise dosing	Skin irritation possible; transference to others
Patches	Steady infusion; simple adherence	Can loosen with perspiration
Pellets	Steady levels; only 2-3 doses annually	Minor surgical procedure; not readily altered

Pellet implants often give the most stable long-term hormone improvements requiring less frequent follow-up care after the initial adjustment period. However, injections or patches suit some patients' preferences better. There is no universally superior method – it depends on the individual and their lifestyle factors. Our physicians present all options so patients can choose what fits them best.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Patients beginning hormone replacement get better outcomes when also adopting beneficial lifestyle habits that support the body utilizing hormones optimally. Key steps include:

Nutrition: Eat an anti-inflammatory whole foods diet, stay hydrated, balance blood sugar, ensure adequate micronutrients like zinc and magnesium that help metabolize hormones, and minimize exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals whenever possible. Our clinic provides personalized nutrition plans.

Exercise: Engage in a consistent regimen that challenges your endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance appropriately for your current fitness level. Even light activity sustains muscle tone. Our wellness coach customizes exercise programs.

Stress management: Make sufficient high-quality sleep a top priority. Practice relaxation techniques like breathwork, meditation, yoga, or nature immersion daily to counteract detrimental stress hormone spikes from chronic overwhelm. Connecting socially, having fun, and pursuing fulfilling activities also provide stress resilience.

It takes consistent commitment to these foundations over months and years to enable maximal hormone health - but the effort pays off a hundredfold in total wellness! Our team supports patients in making sustainable upgrades.

Testosterone and Men's Health

Extensive research confirms testosterone plays a major regulatory role in multiple areas of men's health beyond just sexuality. Deficient levels correlate strongly with higher long-term risks of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, and stroke.

Specifically, inadequate testosterone also undermines:

Mental health: Contributes to depressive and anxiety disorders. Testosterone supports emotional stability.

Libido/Sexual function: Low T associates with reduced intercourse frequency and erectile dysfunction. Sustaining erections requires converting T to nitric oxide.

Fertility: Necessary for the production of healthy sperm and conception ability.

Interestingly, a 2015 study demonstrated restoring testosterone to youthful ranges in older men activated gene signals promoting muscle growth and shifted fat metabolism to reduce central adiposity – helping aging males stay lean and fit.

The Role of Hormones in Longevity

Exciting research reveals balanced male and female sex hormones help slow cellular processes of aging that degrade health over decades. Declining hormone levels contribute significantly to sarcopenia (muscle loss), cognitive impairment, arthritis, vision problems, wrinkled skin, and more issues previously viewed as inevitable consequences of chronological aging.

The science of anti-aging medicine focuses on identifying and halting age-related hormone alterations to extend healthspan – our total years of wellness and vitality. This contrasts with narrowly attempting to prolong lifespan, as adding miserable years bedridden with illness defeats the purpose.

Restored testosterone strengthens muscle cells, bones, the brain, blood vessels, and more – preventing early deterioration and maintaining youthful biological function. Alongside smart lifestyle choices, optimized hormone levels literally help turn back the hands of time!

Well-known Advocates

Iconic 60's rock star David Crosby candidly shares how receiving testosterone pellet therapy in his 70's restored the energy, stamina, and mental acuity to resume touring with his legendary band. He says the treatment gave him "A second act in life" enabling him to keep performing multiple shows weekly with passion.

Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs describes receiving testosterone and growth hormone injections in his 40's discovering "A fountain of youth..." that allowed him to continue competing professionally far longer than the average athlete. He reports hormones reducing joint pain, accelerating injury recovery, increasing strength, and prolonging peak athletic performance.

Joe Rogan, popular stand-up comedian and host of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast touts the physical and psychological benefits of testosterone replacement combined with disciplined fitness training. He says optimized male hormones reduce anxiety, elevate mood, confidence, libido, and cognition plus enable building muscle mass more effectively even in middle age.

Conclusion

We hope this overview has emphasized how properly restoring deficient hormones reactivates your body's innate capacity for sustaining robust fitness and wellness regardless of age while avoiding serious disease. Bioidentical hormone replacement tailored specifically for your needs enables enjoying lifelong health, purpose, and passion.

The specialists at Vivo Health are excited to guide you on this rejuvenating journey back to your energetic, vibrant best self! We utilize cutting-edge therapies, personalize treatments after thorough evaluation, educate patients about lifestyle improvements that amplify results, and continuously monitor progress to ensure optimal outcomes.

To book a consultation and get started on your path to renewing health, vitality, and quality of life, visit bioidenticalhrt.net today. Here's to your brighter future!