Typically medical practitioners conduct a blood serum test to monitor hormone levels. The bloodstream, however, merely transports hormones to their target organs and is not a hormonal site of action. When hormones are tested in organs, like the salivary gland, the full spectrum of available hormones is revealed. You can conveniently take a saliva test in your own home, using a test kit that you can purchase at The Medicine Shoppe ($150.00), from participating medical practitioners, or on the Internet at ZRT Laboratories.

Once we have your saliva test results and your completed confidential hormone evaluation  (a 5-page document you get from us chronicling your medical history, your lifestyle factors, and your symptoms and their severity), James Snody, R.Ph. will gladly conduct a comprehensive hormonal evaluation for $75.00. During this session, James will make dosing recommendations and answer any questions you have about BHRT. A consultation packet complete with dosing recommendations, saliva test results, and your confidential evaluation will be delivered to the practitioner of your choice. The $75.00 fee also includes consultation calls between your practitioner and the pharmacist. This consultation packet is informational only for your medical practitioner, and it does not replace her/his ultimate guidance.

We recommend that you initiate and maintain your BHRT program through your current medical practitioner, for she/he is aware of your general state of health and will monitor other conditions beyond hormonal imbalance. Most practitioners are receptive to the consultation packet we prepare.

BHRT is not a quick fix and is not recommended for some patients. The process requires monitoring and tweaking during the first 3 months to one year to ensure a patient’s continued hormonal balance. Aging plays a large role in fluctuating hormone levels, of course. But major stress events like a death in the family, divorce, moving, etc. contribute mightily to hormone imbalance and may prompt a change in your BHRT regimen. In addition to taking your BHRT prescriptions, you may need to take nutritional supplements and to modify your exercise program to achieve optimal results. Your practitioner will need to monitor these aspects as well. Bear in mind that any hormone replacement therapy carries certain health risks if not prescribed and/or taken in the proper physiologic level for the individual patient. These risks can include cardiovascular effects like blood clots and strokes -- and certain cancers, among other effects.