Frequently Asked Questions
General Hormone Optimisation FAQ’s
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No.
You do not require a doctor referral to book an appointment with us. In many instances, we see patients that are referred from other clinics, however we do accept bookings without referrals.
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At the moment we would like to have an initial chat with you prior to booking you in for a consultation.
We want to make sure you are booked for the ‘right’ consultation as well as make sure you receive relevant blood work requests.
The Alpha Clinic prides itself on a personalised and bespoke service offering and we believe we best serve you, by speaking with you.
To book your Hormone Optimisation Consultation with The Alpha Clinic please call us on +1 250 863 4159, else drop us an email via our website ‘Book your Consultation’ and we will get back to you.
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There is a vast array of options to consider when it comes to Hormone Replacement Therapy, making it quite overwhelming to navigate through the various types, benefits, and risks.
It is crucial to prioritise finding the most suitable solutions for your individual needs and circumstances.
This is where seeking guidance from a qualified professional can be immensely valuable. To engage in a conversation with a compassionate and knowledgeable hormone optimisation team, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us.
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We offer 15 minute ‘Exploratory Consultations’ with our experienced medical team where we are able to walk through the process of Hormone Optimisation at The Alpha Clinic.
We usually request a set of blood work prior to this consultation so we can review your blood results alongside symptoms.
After your initial consultation, if you would like to proceed, we will book you in for a ‘New Patient Consultation’.
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Prior to providing any recommendations for treatment, we start the process with a comprehensive conversation with our patients.
Through active and attentive listening, we aim to develop a deep understanding of the specific symptoms that you are experiencing, as well as your emotional well-being and individual hormone health outcomes.
Our aim is to get you to feel your best.
Our experienced team will offer you evidence-based information, valuable advice, and unwavering support in the process of selecting the most suitable treatment options for your unique situation.
As part of our commitment to achieving optimal hormone health, we develop for you a personalised treatment plan, which includes regular follow-up appointments to ensure that your needs are being met, your hormones are being optimised and that your chosen treatments are yielding positive results.
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A blood test is just a snapshot in time. It tells us at that point in time where your various bio markers are at and what could require further investigation or lead to a contraindication in your treatment. We also use blood tests as a benchmark to measure your future progress against.
We do not consider your blood work in isolation.
We look at you quantitatively as well as qualitatively. We consider both your symptoms and how you are feeling as well as your blood work in developing a personalised treatment plan that achieves your hormone and health goals.
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In this consultation you will meet with our doctor to gain further insight into hormone optimisation and discuss any concerns you may have over bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) as well as whether you could be a candidate for hormone optimisation.
Prior to your appointment we request blood work to be done and we review these results before your appointment with us.
If you decide you would like to proceed with hormone optimisation and are a candidate, you can schedule a ‘New Patient Consultation’ after this appointment.
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Yes we do offer virtual consultations for hormone optimisation.
Please reach out to us and we will gladly set this up with you.
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We believe that constant care and a personal relationship with you is imperative in optimising your hormones.
We need to know quantitatively and qualitatively what is happening with you and your body over time. We need to be able to fine tune your personalised treatment plan so that you continue to feel your best.
In order to effectively optimise your hormones, monitor your health, manage your symptoms and provide world class care, we need to see you.
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We offer three types of Hormone Optimisation Consultations with an experienced Alpha Medical Doctor:
Exploratory Consultation: $199
New Patient Consultation: $500
Follow Up Consultation: $330
You can find detailed information on each of our consultation types HERE.
Note: Fees for The Alpha Clinic programs and consultations are exclusively for uninsured components of care, including non-physician services. Insured physician visits, after-hours care, prescribed tests, and other publicly insured services will be billed directly to the provincial health insurance plan by The Alpha Clinic or its physicians. Provincial health insurance plans consistently provide essential physician services in prevention and disease management. Subscription to The Alpha Clinic is not a requirement for accessing insured physician services.
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All prescriptions prescribed during a consultation are included in the consultation fee.
It is important to note that the cost of the actual medication is not covered in the consultation or prescription.
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Our Hormone Optimisation medical services are classified as private healthcare and are not covered through MSP.
Note: Fees for The Alpha Clinic programs are exclusively for uninsured components of care, including non-physician services. Insured physician visits, after-hours care, prescribed tests, and other publicly insured services will be billed directly to the provincial health insurance plan by The Alpha Clinic or its physicians. Provincial health insurance plans consistently provide essential physician services in prevention and disease management. Subscription to The Alpha Clinic is not a requirement for accessing insured physician services.
We can assist you with extended medical claims.
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We do provide support in claiming from your extended medical service provider for the costs of these services.
As BHRT medications are prescription based, these are usually covered by your insurance.
Men’s Hormone Optimisation FAQ’s
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Physical symptoms include:
Loss of libido/ sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Generalised weakness
Fatigue not alleviated by sleep
Loss of strength and muscle mass
Poor recovery after exercise
Weight gain and visceral fat distribution
Poor sleep and sleep disturbance
On the psychological side, symptoms include:
Low mood, anxiety, depersonalization and depression
Brain fog, poor cognition, a loss of motivation and drive
Low self esteem and mood swings
A decreased enjoyment in life
The ADAM test allows a quick and convenient high level assessment of your symptoms.
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In order to diagnose a testosterone deficiency we need to look at you as a whole and consider how you are both quantitatively and qualitatively. We review how you feel symptomatically as well as look at bloodwork to determine if you are a candidate for Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
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As with most medications and treatments, there are possible side effects. Some of these include, but are not limited to the following:
Acne/ oily skin
Hair loss
Unresolved erectile function
Insomnia (usually associated with too high a dose)
Sleep apnea
Testicular atrophy/ decreased fertility
High blood pressure and or water retention
Gynecomastia - rare on TRT
High hematocrit - polycythaemia
Lower extremity edema
Stimulation of prostate tissue
Weight gain
Headaches
Increased facial hair
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The modality of treatment is a personal one. We prescribe both testosterone injections as well as creams. While intra muscular injections are regarded as more potent, creams too have a place in the treatment regime. We work closely alongside a specialist compounding pharmacist to provide cream solutions. The decision is ultimately a personal one.
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We consider both your symptoms and your blood work in deciding how we optimise your hormones.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone, reach out to us.
We look at you holistically and determine alongside you, whether TRT is the right treatment of choice. There is no ‘one size fits all’ diagnosis for hormone optimisation and as such we don’t treat you as if there is one.
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How hormone optimisation affects you in the short term is dependent on many factors, including how your body responds to treatment. While there is no ‘quick fix’ to hormone optimisation, there are several impressive benefits you can expect within the first 12 weeks of treatment.
These include a boost in energy levels, a boost in mood, improved libido and sexual function, improvements in mental clarity as well as gains in lean muscle mass.
Over the next 6 to 9 months you can expect further benefits of treatment as your hormones become optimised.
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While TRT is not specifically a weight loss treatment, it can help increase muscle mass and energy levels, which make weight management easier.
As muscle is more energy demanding, it burns more calories, even at rest.
If you combine TRT with lifestyle modifications that include strength training as well as improvements in nutrition such as consuming adequate protein, you can expect weight loss benefits.
Women’s Hormone Optimisation FAQ’s
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Before menopause, the ovaries produce three main types of hormones: estrogens (estrodial), progestogens (progesterone), and androgens (testosterone).
Estrogens, such as estradiol, play a significant role in various bodily functions, including the regulation of the menstrual cycle and the maintenance of bone density. During menopause, the ovaries gradually decrease their production of hormones, particularly estrogens.
The fluctuation and decline in estrogen and progestogen levels is primarily responsible for the majority of menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
Hormone replacement therapy aims to replace the declining levels of these hormones that the ovaries used to produce. By doing so, HRT helps to alleviate menopause symptoms and improve overall well-being. It can effectively reduce hot flashes, improve sleep, enhance mood, and relieve vaginal dryness.
In addition to symptom relief, HRT also offers long-term health benefits.
Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. By replacing estrogen through HRT, women can help prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures.
Furthermore, as women's life expectancy continues to increase, maintaining good health and quality of life in the postmenopausal years becomes increasingly important. HRT can contribute to overall health and well-being during this stage of life.
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BHRT is a form of hormone therapy using hormones that are chemically identical to those produced in your body. They are not synthetic.
In hormone optimisation, BHRT provides bioidentical estrogen and progesterone that mimic the body’s natural estrogen and progesterone.
BHRT is an effective solution for reducing the symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause.
In addition we also focus on thyroid as well as testosterone in order to optimise your hormones.
Many women report significant improvement in their quality of life after starting BHRT.
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Hormone Optimisation can help alleviate many symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and low energy.
From a longevity point of view, it can also improve bone density, skin elasticity and your overall well being.
There is research to show that Hormone Replacement Therapy can be of benefit to your cardiovascular health if taken within the first 10 years of menopause..
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BHRT is administered through various forms including creams, gels, injections and patches.
The best modality of treatment will be determined alongside you and based on your symptoms, lifestyle and personal preference.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ model and as such we don’t treat you as if there is one.
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Yes.
Testosterone holds significant importance for both men and women. While we tend to think of this as primarily a male sex hormone, it is vital to consider it in female hormone optimisation. By optimising this hormone, it is possible to enhance sexual desire and pleasure, as well as boost lean muscle mass, improve energy levels, overall well-being and cognitive function.
We prescribe testosterone for women in the form of creams (compounded) or by injection.
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We consider both your symptoms and your blood work in deciding how we optimise your hormones.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause, reach out to us.
We look at you holistically and determine alongside you, whether BHRT is the right treatment of choice.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ diagnosis for hormone optimisation and as such we don’t treat you as if there is one.
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BHRT can be initiated at any point during perimenopause.
There is no requirement to wait until symptoms become unmanageable before considering BHRT.
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How hormone optimisation affects you in the short term is dependent on many factors, including how your body responds to treatment. While there is no ‘quick fix’ to hormone optimisation, many women start to feel relief from symptoms within a few weeks while others can take a little longer as we fine tune your treatment dosage.
We work closely alongside you to determine the ideal dosage that brings the greatest benefit.
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While BHRT is not specifically a weight loss treatment, optimising your hormones can make it easier to manage your weight.
This is especially true for Thyroid as well as Testosterone treatment.
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Determining the duration of Hormone Replacement Therapy and establishing an age cut-off are not straightforward decisions.
The benefits and risks associated with HRT will vary for each woman as they transition into their 60s and beyond. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional who possesses experience in menopause treatment and prescribing HRT.
It is important to acknowledge that menopause management is not a one-size-fits-all approach, highlighting the significance of personalised guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.
If you want to find out more, reach out to us.
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Yes, there are certain medical conditions where Hormone Replacement Therapy may pose increased risks.
Some examples (not all are listed here) include uncontrolled high blood pressure, active liver disease, medical conditions associated with a high risk of blood clotting, certain types of cancer or a history of some cancer (although not all), and unexplained abnormal vaginal bleeding.
The benefits and risks of HRT can vary for each individual, underscoring the importance of discussing one's specific situation with a menopause specialist or healthcare professional experienced in managing menopause.
Prior to considering HRT, it is crucial to provide a comprehensive medical history to ensure a thorough evaluation of the potential risks and benefits.
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While breast cancer often receives more attention, it's true that more women actually die from heart disease. This doesn't diminish the importance of breast cancer awareness, but it does emphasize the need to be aware of heart disease as well.
If HRT is initiated within ten years of menopause or before the age of 60, it can help prevent cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This means that even if you have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you can still consider HRT.
If HRT is started more than ten years after menopause, it may not have the same preventive effect on heart disease.
However, there is no evidence to suggest HRT leads to an increase in cardiovascular illnesses like heart attacks or strokes.
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One part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves replacing the estrogen that your body may no longer produce after menopause. This has several benefits, including maintaining bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by weak and brittle bones, making them more prone to fractures. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density, so when estrogen levels decline during menopause, the risk of osteoporosis increases.
For women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or menopausal women below the age of 60, HRT is considered the most important method for preventing and treating osteoporosis.
It helps to preserve bone density, reduce the risk of fractures, and alleviate menopausal symptoms.
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Every woman has a different background risk of breast cancer before considering HRT. The lifetime risk of breast cancer is approximately one in eight women.
While women often worry about dying from breast cancer, it is important to note that far more women die from heart disease. The lifetime risk of heart disease is approximately 1 in 3 women.
This does not diminish the importance of breast cancer, but it highlights the significance of being aware of heart disease as well.
The risk of breast cancer is likely to increase the longer you take HRT, but it remains low. Some studies have suggested that the use of body-identical progesterone (BHRT), compared to older synthetic progestogens, may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
It is important to recognize that lifestyle factors, such as drinking alcohol and being overweight, have a greater impact on the risk of breast cancer than taking HRT. These factors can have a significant influence on breast cancer risk.
For more detailed information on how different factors affect breast cancer risk, you can refer to the summary results from the Women's Health Initiative Study.
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When using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy there is an increased risk of cancer of the womb (endometrial cancer) if you have a uterus.
Estrogen stimulates the growth of the uterine lining, and without the counterbalancing effect of progestogen, it can lead to abnormal cell growth and an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
To protect the womb, it is important to either take a combination of estrogen and progestogen or have a progestogen-containing intrauterine device (IUD) called Mirena™ coil. Progestogen helps to prevent the excessive growth of the uterine lining and reduces the risk of endometrial cancer.
However, if you are using vaginal estrogen, the amount of estrogen absorbed into the body is minimal. In this case, the risk of endometrial cancer is very low, and adding a progestogen is not necessary for womb protection.
Regarding ovarian cancer, some studies have suggested a link between HRT and certain types of ovarian cancer. However, the overall risk is considered to be very low.
It's important to note that the absolute risk of developing ovarian cancer is small, and the increased risk associated with HRT is minimal. There is currently no evidence to suggest that taking HRT increases the risk of dying from ovarian cancer.