What Is Your Compounding Pharmacy Doing to Ensure the Quality of Your Bioidentical Hormones?

July 28, 2011

What Is Your Compounding Pharmacy Doing to Ensure the Quality of Your Bioidentical Hormones?

So, you finally did it.  You finally took the plunge and made your appointment with your health and wellness practitioner to begin treatment with bioidentical hormones. You finally decided that you were sick and tired of being sick and tired. Probably, you had to brave the skepticism of many people in your universe—your regular physician, parents, siblings, your spouse or significant other, and maybe even your best friend. Good for you for your perseverance! You have set yourself on the path to enjoying better energy and better health.   Who knows—maybe you’ll be the intrepid explorer that blazes the trail for one of them?  I can report that I have watched daily as people have gotten their lives back as a result of bioidentical hormones. Frequently, they remark on their delight at being able to return to being the people they had almost forgotten they once were. Often, their results with bioidentical hormones compel someone they love to join them on their path.

So how do you make all that determination and bravery count? Once you have that, likely, fistful of prescriptions for bioidentical hormones, what’s the next step? What is a compounding pharmacy anyway, and how does it differ from a “regular” pharmacy?   Is one compounding pharmacy just as good as the next, or is there more to think about? Can better results be obtained from one form of bioidentical hormones versus another? How do you even know that you are getting what you think you are getting?

More than once, I’ve encountered one of our patients new to bioidentical hormones in the pharmacy excited, but bewildered, and barely able to frame the questions which will yield the answers necessary for relieving their confusion.   The basics of bioidentical hormones can be confusing. I feel for their bewilderment, yet, at the same time, I am confident that a few answers will help them gain their bearings while on the path to a better quality of life.   Maybe the answers to some of these questions will help your journey, too.

First, a compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that focuses on preparing customized prescriptions based on what your doctor has ordered specifically for you, whether it is bioidentical hormones or a special thyroid preparation. Generally, because the prescription requirement is patient-specific, there aren’t available manufactured agents that can fulfill the order.   Also, in the case of bioidentical hormones, it is not possible for a drug manufacturer to obtain an exclusive right of production as these molecular structures are prevalent in nature. This limited profit potential prevents them from being motivated to manufacture a solution such as bioidentical hormones.   Because special equipment and training are necessary for preparing a customized prescription, most pharmacies you regularly encounter are not able to provide compounded prescriptions.

Second, when considering bioidentical hormones and compounding pharmacies, there are distinctions. While it is true that all must operate according to the rules and laws of the states in which they provide services,  by visiting different pharmacies, a consumer can probably get a pretty good idea of how standards compare between pharmacies, and which ones aim for higher than required standards.   One indication that a compounding pharmacy is committed to operating on a higher plane is obtainment of membership in professional organizations that advocate continuous quality improvement. Another indication is pursuing accreditation through organizations like the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB). A PCAB accreditation indicates that an additional outside committee specifically focused on the unique concerns of a compounding pharmacy, can verify that the pharmacy operates by the highest echelon of standards.   How do you know if your compounding pharmacy meets these distinctions? How do you know if your bioidentical hormones are being held to the highest of standard? ASK! Ask the pharmacist. If they do, they will be happy to talk about it with you!

The third question addresses the best dosage forms for bioidentical hormones.   We’ve experienced a lot of success with dispensing the bioidentical hormones in oral capsules. Guests have found capsular bioidentical hormones convenient and effective. The physicians have been pleased with the consistency of results and compliance that capsules seems to allow. For those patients who have experience with bioidentical hormones in both capsules and creams, many have found better results from their bioidentical hormones by taking them orally. Sometimes, however, there are patients who obtain better results through the use of creams, so our practice will continue to provide both dosage forms of bioidentical hormones. Due to the fact that it is easier to be assured of the correct dose and it eliminates the risk for the transfer of bioidentical hormones to an unintended user via skin contact, patients that visit the doctors from whom we receive the most prescriptions are started on capsules.

Fourth, the best way to be assured that you receive bioidentical hormones in the dose that you are expecting is to ask about the pharmacy’s quality assurance standards. There are many measures a compounding pharmacy can incorporate into a quality assurance program.  One measure that can indicate quality assurance is a focused practice. A compounding pharmacy devoted solely to compounding bioidentical hormones has the ability to focus on, and fine-tune, each of its formulas to ensure that every staff member compounds each one the same effective way every time. Another practice that establishes quality control is documenting multiple checks throughout the preparation of each compound. A third measure of validating quality assurance is demonstrating potency results within appropriate range, as proven by sending randomly-selected preparations for testing by an outside lab.   Compounding pharmacies committed to quality and consistency will have methods of verifying what they produced that they will be happy to describe.

Hopefully, these answers have begun to clarify and highlight the role that the compounding pharmacy can play in your pursuit of health and wellness through the use of . Your pharmacy and pharmacist can be a partner to assist you in your journey. Don’t be afraid to find one that’s a good match for you and enlist their support!

 

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AboutHotze Health & Wellness Center

Since 1989, Hotze Health & Wellness Center has helped over 33,000 patients get their lives back using bioidentical hormones that restore hormones to optimal levels, strengthen immune systems, and increase energy levels. Our treatment regimen addresses the root cause of hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, menopause, perimenopause, low testosterone, allergies, and candida.

Led by best-selling author, radio host and leading natural health expert, Steven F. Hotze, M.D., our medical team has over 100 years’ combined medical experience backed by a staff of nearly 100 caring professionals who provide an environment of hope and extraordinary hospitality for each of our patients, who we call our guests. It is our deepest desire to help you obtain and maintain health and wellness naturally so that you may enjoy a better quality of life, pure and simple.

 

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"At 36, I felt like I was 90 – exhausted, depressed, and cold all the time, and now I have a life of energy, focus, restored libido, and a renewed desire to be present with my family!”

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Pam White
Pam White
2023-03-10
At Hotze Health and Wellness YOU can truly find restoration of your health and vibrant life! You will find the most caring and effective healthcare available! Don't hesitate call them today!!!
Ron Guidry
Ron Guidry
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Doctors are not the final authority in our journey of achieving/maintaining health and wellness but having a good team of doctors in your support and guidance community is not only helpful it is wise and also essential. The team and staff at Hotze Health and Wellness are health professionals that you can trust to help you navigate all the misinformation that may be keeping you separated from your optimal level of health.
Caral Reeves
Caral Reeves
2023-01-17
Hotze Beauty is a first class facility! Extreme level of professionalism , knowledge & genuine care❤️‍🩹
Julie Hryszko
Julie Hryszko
2023-01-12
I’ve been a guest at this facility for 15 years. They are the most efficient, thorough and caring group of individuals I’ve ever experienced. Dr Hotze looks to change the way a typical doctor treats patients and looks for root causes to eliminate medical issues instead of treating “symptoms”. My life has improved 100% since my initial visit. The cost of the treatments are worth it.
Shavon Sisson
Shavon Sisson
2023-01-11
Always a great experience dealing with everyone at Hotze Heath and Wellness! Everyone is kind and helpful.
Kori Misson
Kori Misson
2022-12-21
I cannot accurately describe in words how I feel about this practice and the entire staff. I have had quite a few health issues throughout the years, rheumatoid arthritis, sjogrens, weight gain, hair loss, irritability, and that is just the beginning. I had pretty much given up on feeling good, just decided to "live with it" and hope for the best. Two very close friends love the Hotze Wellness Clinic and they have experienced life changing health. Made my appointment and from the beginning I felt heard. Not a in and out fast food style practice. They are looked and are looking at my entire body for overall health and wellness. Connections from mind and body to clinical blood work, even dental questions....they care and I feel as if I can trust them. I am on a path to complete wellness and my goal is to have my RA back in remission as it once was....make yourself a priority. Having hope is an incredible feeling!