Ever hear of Bioidentical Testosterone Pellets? In recent years, it seems like every other Atlanta health clinic has been promoting subcutaneous bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to treat low testosterone and a plethora of other endocrine imbalance related symptoms. Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones that are molecularly very similar to the hormones produced by the human body. Common hormones that are matched include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These are then used as treatment for men and women who are experiencing symptoms due to their own hormones being low or out of balance.
If you are searching “testosterone replacement therapy Atlanta” on the internet, you may have stumbled across some ads and online posts promoting bioidentical testosterone pellets, a newly popular form of BHRT. In fact, many health clinics and physicians promote bioidentical testosterone pellets for both men and women depending on the patient and the type of symptoms that presenting. This post talks about the science behind this type of therapy and what should be consider before starting pellet therapy, and what are some of the potential hidden dangers of bioidentical testosterone pellets.
What are bioidentical testosterone pellets?
Bioidentical testosterone pellets are small, solid capsules about the size of a grain of rice that are primarily made up of a crystalline form of testosterone. They are implanted by a doctor in an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than 15 minutes. A small incision is made, and the pellets are implanted near the hip or high buttocks area just under the skin. Manufactures claim that they can deliver a steady, low dose of testosterone to the patient for up to 6 months at a time.
The term “bioidentical” means that testosterone compounds in the pellets are chemically identical to those that your body should produce naturally; however, the hormones in many bioidentical medications may not be any different from those found in traditional hormone therapy.
How are bioidentical testosterone pellets made?
As far as we are aware, all medical human grade testosterone is synthesized in a lab. The source material to synthesize testosterone comes from the yam and soybean molecule. Bioidentical testosterone is marketed as being molecularly identical to the testosterone found in your body. This form of testosterone would not be best for injection because of how testosterone is metabolized once it’s in your bloodstream, nor can it be ingested because the body’s digestive process would inactivate the hormone. This type of testosterone is designed to be released over time and is why it is better suited to implantation under the skin. Though it is often advertised that testosterone products that are made from soybeans and yams are “natural” choices, these compounds are altered greatly in a lab, so they are no longer “natural” after they have undergone processing.
Pellets are compounded using the biologically identical form of testosterone. They are made by pressing a crystalline form of this testosterone into a small cylindrical shape, slightly larger than a grain of rice. While there is an FDA-approve testosterone pellet on the market, many testosterone pellets are made commercially available by various compounding pharmacists throughout the United States.
How are bioidentical testosterone pellets implanted?
Testosterone pellets implantation is a straightforward procedure that typically takes less than 15 minutes. The skin of the upper hip or buttocks is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic cleaner, then the area is injected with a local
anesthetic like lidocaine to reduce or eliminate any pain associated with the implantation procedure. A small incision is made in the skin. The rice-sized testosterone pellets are inserted under the skin with an instrument called a trocar. A trocar is essentially a larger syringe tube that is wide enough to hold the pellets. The trocar is pushed through the small incision into the subcutaneous fat layer just below the skin. The pellets are pushed through the trocar and the tube is extracted leaving the pellets behind. The incision is small and typically does not require stitches to close; the job often only requires surgical tape which will stay on for about a week.
Is bioidentical testosterone safer than traditional testosterone?
Bioidentical testosterone is not necessarily safer than traditional testosterone. Even though many bioidentical hormones are frequently advertised as being a more safe, more effective, more “natural” alternative to conventional hormone therapies, we are unaware of any medically significant published research that definitively substantiates these claims. We are unaware of them being proven to be safe or unsafe.
Do bioidentical testosterone pellets have bad side effects?
Testosterone replacement therapy can be used to treat both men and women. In the case of testosterone pellet therapy, there have been both men and women who have reported increased aggressiveness, headaches, nausea, and irritability after the pellets have been implanted; however, these side effects are not uncommon in patients that have been over prescribed testosterone. This seems to be the biggest disadvantage of bioidentical testosterone pellet therapy; once the pellets have been implanted the dose cannot be altered. If the dose is too strong, an individual could experience adverse side effects.
What are the alternatives to testosterone pellet therapy?
Understanding the symptoms and causes of Low T is the first hurdle to properly treating it. Often times, some form of testosterone replacement therapy is the most obvious and beneficial method of treating Low T; however, not every Low T sufferer is a prime candidate for TRT. While Low T is indeed a real thing, there are ways for the body to recalibrate and optimize itself. Peptide therapy is one alternative to testosterone replacement therapy that should be considered. Certain peptides like Human Growth Hormones (HGH) have the potential to naturally boost testosterone levels as much as 50% with generating a long-term dependence for synthetic testosterone. HGH Therapy Atlanta GA has more information about alternatives to Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Does testosterone pellet implantation leave a scar?
Sometimes a small lump or slight swelling can be seen where the pellets were inserted, which often dissipates as the pellet dissolves over time. There are reports of scar tissue developing at the pellet insertion site. Although slight, this scar tissue tends to leave a permanent mark on the skin.
Are bioidentical testosterone pellets better than regular testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy has been used by men and women to treat a wide range of symptoms caused by Low T and, in general, testosterone replacement therapy is considered safe when administered under the guidance of a professional trained, board-certified physician. However, receiving TRT is not risk-free. Overuse of testosterone can cause serious and possibly permanent effects, such as enlarged breasts, small testicles, infertility, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, liver disease, bone growth problems, addiction, and behavioral issues such as aggression and violence.
Ideally, a physician that specializes in testosterone replacement should be able to “dial in” the correct dosage for an individual so that they may safely and effectively treat their Low T-related symptoms. The biggest potential drawback of testosterone “pellet” therapy is that the dose cannot be changed once the pellets have been implanted.
Keep in mind that your endocrine system is a performing a very delicate and orchestrated dance as it balances your hormones based on what is happening inside and outside of your body. It is your body’s chemical messenger system comprised of an ever-present feedback loop of hormones released by your internal glands directly into your circulatory system to affect the other organs in your body. Any outside influence introduced into the body could disrupt the delicate balance of your endocrine system.
In the case of TRT, the goal is to bring your testosterone up to appropriate levels and ensure they are well balanced. If any unwanted symptoms occur, it should be easy for levels to be adjusted until you reach optimal results. Common sense dictates that being able to adjust dosages based on bloodwork and symptoms should not be hindered by treatment options that are not easily reversed. It is for this reason that pellet therapy may be more suited to patients that have already been treated with traditional TRT and have had their optimal dosage determined over extended periods of treatment.
What is the cost of a hormone pellet therapy in Atlanta?
The average treatment cost for bioidentical hormone pellet therapy is between $200-$500 per month. This cost usually includes testing, the pellets, the implantation procedure, and follow-up appointments. The price of a treatment plan will greatly depend on the individual’s needs and if there is any insurance eligibility.
How can I learn more about bioidentical testosterone pellets therapy?
Hormonal therapy is serious work and testosterone replacement therapy should not be considered lightly. If you are considering for bioidentical testosterone pellets Atlanta GA, and would like a free consultation, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to discuss your options.
If you are outside of the Atlanta area, we advise that you conduct a thorough research on the companies that come up when you search “testosterone replacement therapy near me.”
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