Question 219 of 433
What are bioidentical hormones and pellets?
The short answer
“Bioidentical” means chemically the same as your own hormones. Excellent FDA-approved bioidentical products exist. Custom-compounded mixtures and pellets are a different thing and carry extra risk.
Approved estradiol patches and progesterone capsules are bioidentical, tested, and covered by insurance. Compounded hormone pellets, the kind most often sold to women, are not FDA approved, are hard to remove if the dose is too high, and often produce hormone levels far above the natural range. Saliva testing to “balance” hormones is not reliable. Be cautious of any clinic whose business depends on the product it recommends.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
REGULATORY / GUIDELINE — FDA-approved hormones differ from compounded products; evidence and monitoring are product-specific.Evidence grade (draft mapping)RRegulatory statusPart 15, Q219 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.