What does treatment cost?
We will present options to meet your needs (and each patient is a little different), but our expectation is that we will provide a satisfying treatment for around $2,500 over the course of an entire year…and most men keep coming back year after year! For some, it could be a less, some possibly more. Costs include everything you need to optimize outcomes – medication, follow-up consultations, laboratory testing, “hardware” you may need… and more. For those who are interested in testing the waters before committing, we offer low cost “trial” options.
Will my insurance cover the bills?
Bio-Vital is a concierge clinic, thus insurance providers will not be billed directly. Any reimbursement for treatment is between you and your insurance provider. We will provide a bill that can be submitted and, based on your policy and the services you receive, you may see some reimbursement.
Avoiding insurance directly allows us to provide cutting edge, highly effective treatment with no strings attached.
Should I expect side effects from Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Properly prescribed, finely-tuned treatment eliminates side effects for the majority of men. Potential side effects occur when dosing of one or more components of treatment are sub-optimal. When side effects do occur they are mild and usually easily addressed with a slight adjustment to the treatment plan. Side effects can include:
- Increased body temperature
- Acne – most commonly on shoulders
- Irritability or agitation
I heard that “free” testosterone levels are more important than total testosterone. Is this true?
Yes. There is more to evaluating a man’s hormone status than a simple total testosterone reading. Some men have a fair amount of testosterone but not enough of it is actually available for the body to use. Assessing the “free” or “bioavailable” portion of the hormone is critical, and in my experience, rarely evaluated by doctors who do not specialize in BHRT.
If I decide I want to undergo hormone treatment, do I need to inject myself with a needle?
Not necessarily. Many of our patients do elect to self-administer subcutaneous (very shallow) or intramuscular (slightly deeper) injections with small-gauge needles…but there are alternatives. Some patients come in to the clinic for injections while others elect to use a cream that absorbs through the skin. Some patients are good candidates to have small “pellets” implanted into an area of fatty tissue – an alternative to injections and creams.
Are there any risks associated with TRT?
There are risks associated with virtually any medical intervention, particularly those requiring prescription medications. Hormone replacement is a sophisticated medical intervention and requires expertise to perform effectively and safely. Bio-Vital urges anyone considering hormone treatment to seek an expert trained properly in Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). If you are not sure, ask.
Many doctors shy away from HRT. Some even discourage it in general. From our experience, this is a consequence of lack of knowledge combined with fear of the unknown.
A doctor with proper training, repetition and ultimately expertise with this specific intervention – gained through thousands of patient contacts and years of follow-up – can confidently offer effective, safe HRT. This is what you will find at Bio-Vital.
What about risks involving cardiovascular or prostate health?
The risk with prostate health concerns men with preexisting prostate cancer. In this instance there is some concern that testosterone may encourage growth of abnormal cells, although a direct correlation has not been firmly established.
As for cardiovascular concerns, appropriate dosing and consistent monitoring reveals short and long term benefits with regard to CV events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Isn’t there something I can do to permanently address my low T or ED situation?
Proper nutrition and exercise is essential for optimizing health. Sometimes specific nutrients or other supplemental measures can make a big difference. However, there are often larger obstacles that bring guys in for a visit. We will make a thorough assessment and then discuss the options so each patient can make an informed decision about how they would like to address their health needs.
Viagra and Cialis did not really help with erectile function. Is all hope lost?
No. Oral medications like Viagra and Cialis work really well for some men, but they are not effective for many others. We have other options and whether it’s sublingual (under the tongue) meds or Trimix (micro injections), we are able to find satisfying solutions for over 90% of our patients.