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Bioidentical hormones are hormones that are created to be the same as your body made before menopause. They are synthesized from plant substances and are made to be like your body's natural hormones. The pharmacies that make (or supply) them are called compounding pharmacies. Some women will benefit from hormones given at low doses that are not commercially available at regular pharmacies so we have them made up by special compounding pharmacies.
Saliva testing may be helpful in managing menopause, PMS and hormone imbalances. Peripheral (saliva) levels of hormones may help guide the management of symptoms and be more reflective of actual tissue levels vs. blood levels which may come back normal yet the tissue levels are low. The insurance companies may not cover the cost so it is UP TO YOU TO SEND IN THE CODES and get it preapproved if you do not want to pay. Typically the saliva tests are about $225. The company that does the saliva tests will give you the codes and you will send them in. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THIS FOR ALL OF OUR PATIENTS UNFORTUNATELY.
If we decide based on your symptoms that you need compounded prescriptions, one such compounding pharmacy is Madison Pharmacy in Wisconsin. They will measure hormones in saliva and then according to the levels, we have them custom make your prescription. They can make creams, pills, or various other forms and can mix and match things for you. The FDA does not approve many compounded hormone combinations nor regulate these pharmacies. However, we have excellent experience with this pharmacy for over 20 years.
Beware, however, that all hormones are synthetic and carry risks such as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and stroke.
Your insurance may or may not cover compounded hormones. Some local pharmacies such as Kinney Drugs in Watertown, Kinney Drugs in Camden, or The Medicine Shoppe in Camillus, will do this service for you. YOU are responsible for the cost if your insurance won't pay. We have a generic letter for you to use but we DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY to get them approved. They are optional.
There are FDA approved bioidentical hormones available at regular pharmacies such as Prometrium and estradiol. They are a more "one size fits all" but may work fine for you. We can not guarantee any coverage. It has been our experience that often the compounded combo prescriptions are the same cost as co-pays for your regular prescriptions!!!
We will likely have a minimum of 3 appointments with you to provide you with this service. It is not available at most gyn offices. It takes time and special prescriptions. We may not be able to refill or adjust your prescriptions unless we see you in the office. If we call you because you can not come in or live far away, we will charge a fee for the phone consult.
For more information on bioidentical hormone therapy and Madison Pharmacy (the pharmacy where the saliva testing is done) please visit the links below.
739 Irving Avenue - Suite 300 Syracuse, NY 13210
Tel: 315-478-1158 - Fax: 315-478-3014
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