Hormone Optimization
Hormones are your body's chemical messengers, orchestrating everything from energy and mood to metabolism and sleep. When balanced, they create a foundation for vitality at every life stage.
Why Hormone Balance Matters
Hormones influence virtually every aspect of your health—energy levels, sleep quality, mental clarity, mood stability, weight management, libido, and even how quickly you age. When these delicate chemical messengers fall out of balance, the effects can be far-reaching and frustrating.
Many women spend years struggling with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and brain fog before realizing that hormones are the root cause. Men often chalk up declining energy and vitality to 'just getting older' when optimizing hormones could restore their vigor.
The challenge with conventional hormone care is that it often relies on outdated testing and one-size-fits-all solutions. A 'normal' TSH doesn't mean your thyroid is optimized. Normal testosterone doesn't mean you're thriving. My approach digs deeper to understand your unique hormonal landscape and what optimal looks like for you.
Conditions I Treat
My Approach to Hormone Health
I view hormones as an interconnected web, not isolated numbers on a lab report. Your thyroid affects your sex hormones. Your adrenals impact your thyroid. Your gut influences all of them. Treating one hormone in isolation rarely produces lasting results.
My comprehensive approach starts with detailed testing that goes far beyond standard panels. I use serum testing, saliva testing, and the DUTCH test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) to understand not just your hormone levels, but how your body is metabolizing and using them.
Treatment is highly personalized. For some patients, the answer is bioidentical hormone replacement. For others, it's addressing the underlying stress, nutrient deficiencies, or gut dysfunction that's disrupting hormone balance. Often, it's a combination of approaches working together.
What to Expect
Comprehensive Assessment
We'll spend 60-90 minutes in your initial consultation discussing your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, and goals. I want to understand the full picture.
Advanced Testing
Based on your presentation, we'll order comprehensive hormone panels. This often includes serum labs, and may include DUTCH testing or salivary cortisol mapping.
Personalized Treatment Plan
We'll review results together and create a customized protocol. This may include bioidentical hormones, targeted supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications.
Ongoing Optimization
Most patients notice improvements in energy, mood, and vitality within 6-12 weeks. We'll continue monitoring and adjusting until you feel your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hormones do you test for?
I run comprehensive hormone panels that go beyond standard testing. This typically includes free and total testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S, cortisol (often a 4-point or awakening response test), full thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). For women, we also often test AMH and FSH depending on the clinical picture. The specific tests depend on your symptoms and goals.
Do you prescribe bioidentical hormones?
Yes, I prescribe bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) when appropriate. Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to what your body produces naturally. I use compounded formulations tailored to your specific needs, including topical creams, troches, and pellets depending on what works best for you. However, hormones aren't always the first step—we often address underlying causes like stress, nutrient deficiencies, or gut health first.
How long does it take to see results from hormone treatment?
Most patients begin noticing improvements in energy, mood, and sleep within 4-6 weeks of starting treatment. Full hormone optimization typically takes 3-6 months as we fine-tune dosages based on your symptoms and follow-up labs. Some changes, like improvements in hair and skin, may take longer—often 6-12 months. I monitor your progress closely with regular check-ins and lab work.
What's the difference between naturopathic hormone treatment and conventional HRT?
The main differences are in approach and personalization. Conventional HRT often uses standardized doses of synthetic hormones. My approach involves comprehensive testing to understand your unique hormone picture, uses bioidentical hormones matched to your specific needs, and addresses root causes like stress, gut health, and nutrient deficiencies that affect hormone balance. We also monitor more markers and adjust treatment based on how you feel, not just lab numbers.
Can you help with thyroid problems?
Absolutely. Thyroid disorders are one of my primary focus areas. I run comprehensive thyroid panels (not just TSH) to identify subclinical issues that conventional testing misses. I also investigate common causes of thyroid dysfunction like autoimmunity, nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, and chronic stress. Treatment may include thyroid medication optimization, targeted nutrients like selenium and zinc, and addressing underlying triggers.
Do I need to stop my current hormone medications to work with you?
No, you don't need to stop any current medications. I work collaboratively with your existing healthcare team. If you're currently on hormone therapy, we'll review your regimen, run comprehensive labs, and optimize your treatment based on the results. Many patients continue their current medications while we add supportive therapies or make adjustments as needed.
Ready to Optimize Your Hormones?
Start with a free discovery call to discuss your symptoms and learn how we can help.
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Take the First Step Toward Hormone Balance
Whether you're navigating perimenopause, dealing with thyroid symptoms, or simply want to feel like yourself again, I'm here to help you get answers and find solutions that work.
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