Frequently Asked patient Questions About Pellet Therapy

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a form of hormone therapy that has existed in the U.S. for many decades and uses hormones that are structurally similar to those found within the human body.

Bioidentical hormone replacement pellets are inserted subcutaneously into the upper buttocks area during an in-office visit after testing is done to determine the exact quantity of the hormone the patient requires. Every dose is customized based on a consultation and extensive lab work to ensure a patient receives the exact concentration of hormones needed.

Yes, there are two major pellet therapy types: estrogen pellets and testosterone pellets.

Estrogen is a hormone that possesses many functions and occurs in the bodies of both men and women. In women, estrogen is commonly associated with reproduction—it prompts the menstrual cycle and develops the female body’s secondary sex characteristics. However, in both sexes, estrogen is responsible for many facets of bone health, cholesterol metabolism, and the thickness and collagen content of the skin.

In women, estrogen levels are reduced as they get older. Hormone levels in women drop most dramatically during perimenopause (immediately before menopause) and during menopause. In fact, after female menopause, many men may have higher estrogen levels than women. If a woman has had a radical hysterectomy involving the removal of both ovaries, her estrogen levels will struggle significantly, as the ovaries’ primary responsibility is estrogen production. Although adrenal glands produce some estrogen, as does fat tissue, this is often not enough to effectively balance and maintain women’s hormone levels.

Yes, The Hormone Shop requires all female patients to have an up-to-date mammogram which was reported normal.

Pellets last up to three to six months, depending on gender, weight, absorption rates, and the amount of deficiency or surplus of hormones present within the patient at the time of insertion. Pellets are reinserted between two to four times per year to help keep hormones optimized and balanced, and may take up to two insertions before feeling the full benefits.

Since pellets are bioidentical and contain hormones like those our body produces, pellets are completely dissolved and absorbed, leaving nothing behind.

Every person’s body is different, but at the end of a pellet cycle or when stopping pellet therapy altogether, symptoms of fatigue, low mood and sleeplessness may recur. Typically, the patient’s symptoms will return to the same state prior to BHRT as their estrogen and testosterone levels begin to drop.

The Hormone Shop requires lab work while considering a patient’s candidacy for BHRT using pellets. All labs are run through LabCorp*, and a patient will need to make their own appointment with LabCorp after receiving paperwork from our office. Dr. Stubbs will discuss the results with a patient before moving forward with pellet therapy.

*Please note this is an expense that is paid by the patient and/or their insurance company. It may or may not be covered by your insurance, depending on your policy. Your insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and your insurance company. The Hormone Shop is not a party to that contract. Your coverage, the requirements for pre-authorization, pre-certification, deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance are all defined in your policy. Blood work and any/all prescription medications not covered by your insurance company must be paid by you directly.

During the in-office visit, which only takes a few minutes, patients are brought into the exam room, and the insertion site is numbed. The most common site of insertion is the upper buttocks. A small incision is then made for pellet insertion. Once the pellet is inserted, the insertion site is covered with a small bandage.

BIOTE® Pellet Therapy is provided on a self-pay basis only. The Hormone Shop does not file with your insurance company. Payment for Pellet Therapy is due immediately prior to each pellet insertion and will be collected at your check-in with each visit.  BIOTE® Nutraceutical Supplements are also self-pay.