Frequently Asked Questions
- What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are an exact replica of the hormones that are naturally produced by the body. The difference between bioidentical hormones and synthetic hormones is that, although both are created in labs, synthetic hormones are not identical to the hormones naturally created in your body and bioidentical hormones match your body's hormones molecule by molecule.
PreGen Health Institute may choose to prescribe bioidentical hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, human growth hormone, thyroid or others as needed based on your symptoms and lab values
- Why should I use bioidentical hormones?
If you have symptoms of hormone imbalance then chances are that you will benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement. Both men and women can benefit from hormone replacement therapy.
In well known medical journals, researchers have reported that the bioidentical hormones are not only safe but also have a positive impact on diseases like osteoporosis and prostate cancer.
Over the last 100 years as we have doubled our life expectancy, the soft tissue glands which create our hormones are being forced to produce them for much longer time periods than ever. In addition to this, our increasingly stressful lives, poor nutrition and lack of proper fitness results in declining levels of hormones in our bodies.
- Isn't it just for women?
- Absolutely not! Men can benefit from our service just like women can. As men approach their late 30's and 40's and then beyond they typically experience symptoms of Andropause, or “male menopause”. This hormonal imbalance causes a wide variety of symptoms and chronic medical problems. By restoring hormonal balance in men they can lead a healthier, more vibrant and productive life as they mature.
- How long will it take before I see results?
- Our experience has been that many people see improvement in some symptoms in the initial 6 wks of therapy, but it can take at least 3-6 months to experience the full benefit. Remember, your hormones did not become imbalanced overnight and they cannot be corrected overnight. Women especially need to be patient while we find the right level of hormone balance for each individual as women are more complex in their hormone levels than men.
- If I start hormone replacement therapy how long do I have to stay on it?
- That depends on your individual goals and needs, but the effects of hormone replacement therapy fade once treatment is stopped. Some are able to discontinue therapy and maintain physiological levels, but most people stay on treatment indefinitely.
- If I become a client of PreGen Health Institute does that mean you become my primary doctor?
- No. We are consultants that specialize in bioidentical hormone therapy. You should continue to receive your primary medical care from your family doctor. We will NOT manage your regular medications for you and we encourage you to receive annual routine screening from your regular physician.
- Why can't I just get this treatment from my regular doctor?
- Healthcare providers that prescribe and treat with bioidentical hormones should have advanced training in the specialty. Most traditional physicians do not have the education or expertise needed to safely prescribe these treatments. The team at PreGen Health Institute has taken the time to become experts in the field of bioidentical hormone therapy.
- Are there side effects associated with the treatment?
- Because bioidenticals are the exact replica of the hormones in your body side effects are uncommon, but not impossible. Generally if people do experience side effects it is during the early stage in the treatment plan while we are working to restore balance and we will just need to adjust your dosages. PreGen Health takes great pride in maintaining close communication with our clients as we monitor your therapy.
- What is the Women's Health Initiative?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) in 1991 to address the most common causes of death, disability and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women. The study was designed to define the risks and benefits of using synthetic hormone therapy to potentially prevent heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. What they found is that synthetic estrogen and progestin (Prempro) resulted in increased risk of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Blood Clot
- Breast cancer
It is important to note that the women in this study were all postmenopausal, average age of sixty-eight. This fact is significant as most of these women had 15 years since the loss of their hormones to develop diseases that estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone might have prevented.
This study instilled fear in many women, causing them to generalize that all hormone replacement therapy has the same risks. It is very important to understand that the WHI used SYNTHETIC estrogen and progestin, NOT bioidentical hormones.
- Will bioidentical hormone replacement therapy interact with my other medications?
- Not usually. Many people DO find, however that they are able reduce the dosages of their chronic medications or even eliminate some of them all together as they become healthier with our treatment.
- Do I need a prescription, and can I get bioidentical hormones from my local pharmacy?
- Bioidentical hormones require a prescription from a trained health care provider. At PreGen Health Institute we have developed a close relationship with a compounding pharmacy to provide you with the highest quality of hormones possible. Pharmacy Solutions in Ann Arbor, Michigan provides our clients with their medications and hormones delivered directly to their home, eliminating any guesswork for our clients.
- I have heard these treatments are very expensive. How much does it cost?
This is a complex question. The costs associated with your treatment plan will vary depending on the client. We have many different plans to suit a wide variety of people and income levels. For specific pricing contact us at 1-877-6PREGEN to speak to our client liaison.
The cost of medications and hormones will also vary depending on the needs of the individual, but most are very affordable. Many people find the cost of bioidenticals to be not much more than their average co-pay for their other medications.
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We will accept personal checks but the client will not receive services until the check has cleared. Please bring payment with you to your visit.
- Does insurance cover this treatment?
PreGen Health Institute is a private-pay service. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt that you can submit directly to your insurance provider if you choose, but we do not participate in any insurance billing. Some services may be covered, but we do not submit the documents for you.
Many times the necessary lab work is covered by insurance. Some people have co-pays associated with this, but we encourage you to have your labs drawn at whichever outpatient lab facility that your insurance company requires you to use.
Some insurances also cover the cost of the bioidentical hormones, leaving the client with only a co-pay that is not unlike the typical co-pays of your regular medications.
Bioidentical hormone replacement can be an affordable option for many people. Some may feel it is initially expensive, but remember that by keeping your hormones balanced you have the ability to avoid many of the chronic diseases that result in devastating health care costs for many Americans.
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
- If you have not already returned your patient documents to us you should bring those and any other medical records you chose. We encourage our clients to bring reports from any previous mammograms, prostate exams, x-rays or scans, or any other routine health testing you may have had done in the last year. These can be obtained from your primary health care provider.
- What is the appointment cancellation poilcy for PreGen Health?
Our staff and facilities are reserved for you on the date and time of your appointment. If you find that you are not able to appear for an appointment, the best thing you can do is contact us 48 hours in advance to reschedule. When you reschedule your appointment we are able to use that time to serve other patients and make the best and most efficient use of our resources. Our staff will provide you a courtesy call to confirm your appointment 48 hours in advance.
1. What do I need to do to reschedule an appointment? Notify us by phone, fax or email 48 hours in advance to cancel or re-schedule your appointment.
2. What happens if I do not appear for an appointment? Can I still reschedule? Failure to cancel or reschedule an appointment within 48 hours of the original appointment time or failure to appear for an appointment will require a $200.00 deposit to reschedule an appointment. Your $200.00 deposit will be refunded to you when you appear for your rescheduled appointment.
3. What happens if I do not appear for a two consecutive appointments? Can I reschedule? If you fail to cancel or reschedule an appointment two consecutive times your $200.00 deposit will not be returned. You will be able to again reschedule an appointment after making another $200.00. Your $200.00 deposit will be refunded to you when you appear for your rescheduled appointment.
