Hormone Replacement Therapy: My Story

HORMONES. Look at this word and tell me it doesn't scare you. If not, then good for you. This word still scares me. It stirs up old memories of junior high health class. Remember? The time when they separated all the boys and girls and class and talked about "our changing bodies." [Insert GAG here].

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. What I write is not meant to replace any advice received from a medical professional. However, in my experience, it feels like there is a huge lack of first-hand sources out there on the topic, unless you feel like reading through all the answers submitted on q&a websites. You're body is your own and whatever you choose to do or take is completely up to you. This is just a snapshot of what Hormone Replacement Therapy was like for me.

In February of 2013 I decided to try bioidentical hormone therapy from BodyLogic MD. I had recently stopped taking birth control two months before and was still experiencing adverse affects. From my personal research it seemed this type of treatment would be the most "natural" quick-fix I could find. In hindsight, I should have waited for my body to return to equilibrium naturally, but hindsight is always 20/20.

I called my local BodyLogic MD office and made an appointment in early May. There was at least a three-month waiting list for an appointment, but I decided to go for it. I had to pay an up front fee of $250 to reserve the appointment, but it seemed worth it.

During that three-month period there were a few different tests that I had to complete in preparation for my appointment. The first test was a series of urine analysis samples that I had to collect myself (gross). The catch was that I had to do it just before I started my monthly cycle. I followed the instructions and mailed my samples back in as quickly as I could. The lab that analyzed the samples called me back and said that apparently I had drank too much coffee before completing my test so I would have to do it all over again (also tacking on more $$$ on my bill). I had to wait another month and then do my tests again. Thankfully, the latter time was successful.

The second test involved getting 12 vials of blood drawn. I'm not a fan of needles, but usually I'm ok with getting shots. Getting blood drawn, especially that much, was a totally different story. I passed out and was sick the rest of the day after they drew my blood.

Finally I made it to the big day of my appointment. I was a little disappointed with the office. It was small and nice, but small ... very small. The overhyped website and three months of anticipation ratcheted up my expectations sky-high. I expected an amazing state-of-the-art facility.  Instead, all I got was a generic desk, a young receptionist and some magazines. That’s all I got.

I met with the doctor and she put me on a machine that listed my weight, BMI, BMR, heart rate, bone density and some other things I don't remember. Apparently using this machine costs $125 extra, but the doctor kindly decided to waive the fee for me. 

My doctor was very professional, but as we started the consultation I opened up about my struggles with not feeling like myself after being on birth control. Perhaps naively, I assumed she would be a little more compassionate. Instead, the whole thing was very sterile. She read through the different hormone levels that showed up on the tests and didn't seem too interested in sharing a heart-to-heart about my struggles (my bad!). 

So what did the tests show? For the “low” price of $1,200, I learned that my T3 (thyroid hormone) was slightly low, but overall everything was completely normal. I paid the fees and was put on a regimen taking the Armor Thyroid (T3 taken from pigs). I was also told that I would need to meet with the doctor again in three months (and take the blood and urine analysis tests again) to see how my body was responding to the Armor Thyroid. 

My conclusion: I took the medication for about three weeks and didn't see any overall changes in my symptoms. Honestly, I think I was over-reacting to the whole situation in the first place. When I started taking quality multi-vitamins and focusing on a whole foods diet, my symptoms corrected themselves pretty quickly and at a fraction of the $1200 price tag of Hormone Replacement Therapy!