Hormone pellets are one of the most convenient treatment methods in the field of medicine and hormone replacement therapy. The only problem with that term is the misnomer of “pellets”. Most individuals hear the word pellets and think of small metallic objects that are used in pellet guns. HOWEVER, this is not what pellets feel like or look like when used in the phrase “hormone pellets”.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite. A hormone “pellet” is a cylindrical form of a compounded powder or cream of a prescribed hormone (ex. Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, pregnanolone, DHEA) compacted into a cylindrical form just like a tablet (not the electronic device, but the pill). However, unlike a tablet which is meant to dissolve in our stomach and absorb through our gastrointestinal tract to our bloodstream, a compacted “pellet” is meant to be inserted into the subcutaneous tissue (the layer of fat tissue immediately beneath your skin). It is in this fat tissue that the “pellet” of compacted hormone dissolves steadily and smoothly in an extended time fashion. This extended time ranges from 3 to 5 months on an average person.

Why is this such a great idea?

• The first and the foremost benefit of such a treatment modality addresses the issue of noncompliance or poor compliance of a patient.
  • It is not a big secret to say that we live in a fast-paced world. Furthermore, Los Angeles life style and traffic has everyone doing more for others and less for themselves. This includes taking time for personal healthcare including appropriate timing to take medications that are prescribed by physicians at the prescribed timing. Many patients are reporting to their doctors–more and more– different reasoning behind why they are unable to keep track of their medication regimens. Furthermore, more and more people forget to take their medications steadily on a given day by day basis. The pellets alleviate this problem as it stays in your body for 3 -5 months without you needing to remember anything.
    • Some hormone formats are prescribed on a day by day basis. Some pills are to be taken one or two times per day. The most popular form of hormone application—creams are to be applied 1 to 2 times per day by patient. However, most people have problems with this consistency. And when dealing with hormone application, missing doses could be problematic.
    • Other hormone prescription formats are weekly or semimonthly injections. Although this is less cumbersome than a daily application, it is still harder to remember and more frequently prone to missing doses. A lot of patients on such protocols have a wide array of fluctuating hormones if not totally compliant with the regularity of their frequency.
• The second but also important benefit of such treatment modality is the decrease of side effects as compared to other modalities of hormone therapy such as injections, pills, cream applications, or patches.
  • Because of the method of release of such medications into the bloodstream, the body does not get exposed to higher than needed strengths. Therefore, is a lot less likely to produce unwanted side effects which that particular hormone is known for.
  • Therefore, the common side effects of a particular hormone can be significantly reduced by the method of administration of that hormone being in a pellet format versus other formats such as injections, skin applications, or pills.

Physiology of pellet release

In general, when the cells and tissues and organs of our body require a certain hormone for certain activities or functions, the capillaries open and invite and absorb that certain hormone which the body is calling for at the moment that it needs it.

In the usual case– our body pumps enough of this hormone to be absorbed and utilized for that specific function. However, if our gland (testes or ovaries or adrenal) is slow in the production of that hormone (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA) then it is useful to have a depot reserve of such hormone embedded in the fat tissue where our capillaries can easily absorb as much of this hormone as they need. This is exactly the reason why hormone “pellets” are so effective.

Who would be candidate for hormone pellet implantation therapy?

As with any other medical treatment, the individual must be evaluated by a physician that is specialized or has extensive experience in the field of hormone rejuvenation or optimization therapies.

Your physician must include a detailed conversation with you regarding your symptoms and medical history. Furthermore, a detailed hormone examination ( blood, saliva or urine sample) through a laboratory equipped with appropriate processing and reporting of hormone levels along with metabolites of different hormones.

After reviewing a detailed hormone panel, your physician must sit down with you and discuss all your options about different types of therapy and make a personalized plan suited for you and your lifestyle.

What is the process associated with getting pellets inserted?

Once it is established by you and your physician that you will utilize the pellets as a part of your hormone optimization and rejuvenation therapy:

• “pellets” will be ordered through a highly-qualified pharmacy with strict standards of producing compounded pellets.
• Your physician will insert the pellets and placed them immediately underneath your skin within your subcutaneous fat layer.
• Appropriate skin closure and dressing will be applied for two weeks
• the pellets will dissolve completely in your body as they do you have no other substance or ingredients other than the hormone itself.
• There is nothing to remove from your body once the hormones have dissolved.
• Average time for the next insertion is 3 to 5 months based on your body’s metabolism and usage of the hormone.

Hormone Pellet Implantation Therapy Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Bakersfield

If you are located in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Bakersfield or surrounding areas and are interested in hormone pellet implantation therapy please contact us today to set up an appointment.