FAQs
General FAQs
Unfortunately, we do not accept insurance as many services are not considered medically necessary by insurance companies despite research being available of their benefits. We can however provide you with a “superbill” receipt, complete with diagnosis codes that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement to you for the office visit and/or medication(s). Most weight loss medications and hormone replacement therapy are not covered by insurance. Even if they are our prices are often cheaper than the covered insurance price.
We accept cash, debit/credit cards, checks, and HSA (health savings account)/FSA (flexible spending account) cards. You don’t need to do anything special. We are a medical clinic, and our services are covered with an HSA or FSA credit card. We process our payments using Stripe, therefore all purchases are subject to a transaction fee.
This will be discussed in depth with your provider at the time of your initial consultation. They are familiar with medications and any possible interactions.
What the hormones, pellets, IV nutrients, and weight loss medications are made of is FDA approved and regulated, the process of making hormone pellets specifically is regulated by the State Pharmacy Board, and the distribution is regulated by the DEA and State Pharmacy Board. The PROCEDURE of placing pellets is NOT an FDA approved procedure. The pellets are derived from wild yams and soy and are all natural and bio-identical. Meaning they are the exact replication of what the body makes. The weight loss medications and other hormones are compounded by pharmacies that are regulated by multiple agencies.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) & Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) FAQs
The majority of side effects are temporary and typically only happens on the first dose. The most common are acne, minor chin/upper lip hair growth, and bloating. All are very treatable. There are no serious side effects. Some men have to donate blood routinely as testosterone can raise your hemoglobin (iron) levels. Fewer men also need to take an aromatase inhibitor because their bodies naturally convert testosterone into estradiol (a female hormone) that can cause breast growth, tenderness, and mood changes. This is more common in overweight men. Your 6 week post pellet/hormone replacement labs will determine if you have either of these problems.
For most patients, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy are positive and transformative. However, when starting any new medication or treatment, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history and make him/her aware of all details of your health. We will discuss potential side effects prior to starting your treatment plan depending on the method of treatment that is best for you.
Your practitioner will implant the pellets in the fat under the skin of the hip or low back. A small incision is made in the skin. The pellets are inserted. No stitch is required.
There are some women who are not good candidates for hormone replacement therapy. That is why we use an individual approach to determine what is best for you. You may not be a candidate if you are more than 10 years past menopause, or if you have certain risk factors, including a personal history or cancer and other health conditions.
Regardless if you are a candidate for BHRT or not, it is important for the rest of your hormones to be balanced. This includes a close look at your thyroid hormones, cortisol levels, and insulin levels. We will work with you to optimize all of your hormone levels to improve your quality of life!
This concern has unfortunately been fueled primarily by a large research study done in 2002 called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). The WHI found that women on hormone replacement therapy had an increased risk for breast cancer. Because of the outcome of the WHI the way women’s hormonal symptoms were treated following this study changed dramatically. Millions of women and their doctors became scared of hormone replacement and its use declined dramatically. Because of this dramatic change in treatment, women were left to manage hormone imbalance on their own, and this trend is still continuing today.
Since that time, there has been much research to show that bioidentical hormone replacement is safe and effective. It is important to know that the participants in the WHI received non-bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Non-bioidentical hormones do not work the same way in your body that bioidentical hormones work, and this is where the risk of breast cancer is increased.
A hormone imbalance will not simply go away on its own. Seeking the care of an expert in hormonal health who can help you get to the root of your problems and support your wellbeing with effective solutions is best. At Medical Weight Loss & Hormone Health with TLC, we are trained to look at the whole picture, reviewing hormone health and related dependencies to create a treatment plan that is specifically designed to help you reach your personal level of optimization.
Hormone therapy costs less than you think. In fact, our monthly membership plans may cost less per day than your favorite Starbucks drink! We will discuss all of your treatment costs and options during your initial visit. Our goal is to make your treatment options affordable and not something that will prevent you from reaching your health goals!
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been proven effective for the treatment of hormone imbalance related to conditions such as andropause (low testosterone in men), menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD), and thyroid dysfunction. HRT has also been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate symptoms of aging such as:
Hot Flashes
Night Sweats
Mood Swings
Muscle Loss
Abdominal Belly Fat
Poor Sleep
Fatigue
Low Energy
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Lack of Focus
Low Libido
Foggy Thinking
When you choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you are making a choice for a healthier, higher quality of life. So now it’s time to ask yourself, “How long have I been feeling like this?” And if you aren’t happy with the answer, it’s time to contact us to see if we are a good fit for helping you improve your health!
IV Infustion & Injection FAQs
Yes, IV therapy is used to replenish or boost your body’s natural vitamins and minerals as well as provide hydration. We use only the highest quality ingredients from pharmacies that follow strict quality assurance standards and protocols to ensure sterility and potency. In rare cases, allergies or sensitivities can occur. We are trained and prepared to treat those reactions should they occur, and you will be monitored closely throughout the infusion. Risks of receiving an IV include irritation or bruising at the injection site, inflammation of the vein, blood clots, and localized or systemic infection.
Many times, oral vitamins lose their potency during the process of digestion leaving only small fractions of what we take to be absorbed. Some conditions can also reduce the body’s ability to absorb fluids/vitamins/minerals in the amounts that we need such as those who have had bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) or who have other disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. Certain medications can also interfere with oral supplements such as antacids, thyroid medications, and others.
It is wise to drink plenty of water prior to your appointment to help your vein to be more easily accessed. Don’t forget a book or your headphones so you can relax!
Your appointment should last anywhere between 30-90 minutes depending on the treatment. There are a few forms to complete prior to your infusion as well as a quick medical assessment. During the infusion, you may experience a warm or cool sensation in your arm/body or a metallic/mineral taste in your mouth. Other than that, we invite you to recline, relax, read, or listen to music on your headphones.
Unfortunately, no. IV therapy is considered a complementary/alternative medicine treatment.
Some IV therapies are designed for immediate or short-term benefits (such as migraine or hangover relief). Typically, those effects occur within 1 hour. Mixtures that are designed for the long-term benefits of regular treatments may not necessarily give you the same “boost.”
Placement of an IV is comparable to getting blood drawn. While everyone has a different pain tolerance, any discomfort is usually minimal and brief. After the IV catheter is in the vein, the needle is removed, and only the tiny and flexible tube is left for the remainder of the treatment.
Those who have certain conditions such as kidney disease, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, uncontrolled hypertension, or other cardiac conditions should not receive IV therapy unless cleared by their primary care provider or specialist. We would require a written order/letter in this case and will consider on a case-by-case basis.
• Women who are pregnant will need an order from their obstetrics provider.
• Breastfeeding women should consult with their OB/GYN and/or pediatrician first.
• Anyone under the age of 18.
• If your blood pressure is out of range on the day of your appointment you will be asked to reschedule for your safety.