| Q: From what I have found out - a person should be tested for their hormone levels. Does this mean one test or several to get an average?
A: You should be tested for your hormone levels, saliva is the best, blood is OK but saliva is the best. At the pharmacy we sell an at-home saliva test that goes through a lab we work with. The name of the lab is ZRT. ZRT also has a website with A LOT of very good info, mostly on saliva testing, but also on general hormone imbalance. www.salivatest.com
Usually you get a baseline test at the beginning, then follow up in 1 year. During the first year it may be necessary to test sooner, however and generally speaking to "tweak" the dose to the correct level can be based off of symptoms (after the initial baseline lab test). Dosing may be changed monthly, quarterly, or we may get it right the first time! Remember that as you progress through menopause your body changes, therefore your symptoms might change, therefore your dose might change. Our mission is to work with you for the long term; this is not an overnight solution.
Q: Are the tests performed at the pharmacy, through a doctor?
A: Saliva test kits can be purchased through the pharmacy and they are a at-home test that can be completed in 30-60 minutes in one day. Saliva tests kits can be used both by females and males. Menstruating females must perform the test during the 19-21 day of there menstrual cycle. Saliva test kits do not require a prescription from your doctor, they can be prescribed through a pharmacist, however all prescriptions written based on the lab test / symptoms / history must come from a doctor's prescription. We work hand-in-hand with many doctors and will work with yours.
Q: Can an internal or primary doctor do this, or is there a list of doctors that you have to go through? If through a doctor, can an internal or primary doctor do this, or is there a list of doctors that you have to go through?
A: We work with many doctors (internal, primary, family, OBGYN etc....). We suggest working with your current doctor. If there is resistance from that doctor we can recommend another whom we already work with. Our philosophy is a team approach that involves you, your doctor and us, your pharmacist.
Q: What are the costs associated with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BIHRT)?
A: The average cost of a Saliva lab test is $175. The average costs (per month) of BIHRT prescription(s) are $29-$46.
Q: Is there reading material I can purchase or a web site that gives more info.
A: At the pharmacy we have reading material, both free pamphlets, documents etc... and books on the subject for sale (not just the Suzanne Somers book - although it is good), we have books written by doctors for patients and for doctors.
Q: Will my insurance cover the cost of the saliva test or my prescription?
A: If you have a prescription from your doctor (although not required to take the test) it may be covered by your insurance. As far as your prescription, we can not bill your insurance at the pharmacy for a compounded prescription, however we will give you a pre-filled out insurance claim form that you will need to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary from insurance to insurance on both the saliva tests and compounded prescriptions. We suggest that you call ZRT Laboratories (www.salivatest.com) for saliva test insurance questions. As far as your prescription we suggest that you contact your insurance to see what the “procedure” for a compounded prescription is. All saliva tests and compounded prescriptions will be covered directly under a “flexible health spending plan”.
Q: Should I be taking a Multi-Vitamin or Supplement on a daily basis?
A: YES. Please visit our supplement page to learn more about pharmaceutical grade supplements.
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