Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? Check here for answers to the questions we’re asked most frequently.

GENERAL

What do I need to bring for my first appointment?

Please bring your picture identification and your most current insurance card to your first visit. We also ask that you download our new patient forms, print them out, complete them, and bring them with you to your appointment. If relevant, also bring in a list of the medications you currently take.

How early do I need to arrive for my appointment?

If you are a new patient and you haven’t completed the new-patient paperwork, please arrive early to complete it or download our app to complete your intake forms in advance. If you’re a returning patient, please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

How often will I need to be seen?

How frequently you need to come to SynergenX depends on the details of your care. For men with Low T, weekly visits are needed to maintain adequate hormone levels, but they’re usually very quick—much faster than the first visit. Remember, stopping treatment for Low T will mean testosterone levels will drop, and you’ll go back to where you started. For hormone replacement for women, the frequency of visits may vary, though SynergenX will need regular visits to monitor hormone levels. For weight loss and aesthetic care, frequency of visits depends on the particulars of your program, which is tailored to your needs.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment to restore hormonal balance and hormone levels for men and women experiencing symptoms. SynergenX’s approach is highly individualized and involves continual monitoring and variable dosing. Hormone doses are provided based on the needs of each person and vary as those needs change. Along with monitoring blood thickness and responding with treatments to thin the blood, these practices reduce the risks associated with the typical approaches to hormone therapy. Testosterone (men) is typically injected. Estrogen and progesterone (women) can be administered via several different methods.

How does SynergenX minimize the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy?

Dosing is varied depending on each person’s needs. Also, because blood thickening is a central aspect in the risks of typical hormone replacement, SynergenX continually monitors patients with bloodwork. If thickening results from hormone replacement, SynergenX takes action to reverse this effect.

MEN’S TRT

What can I expect from TRT? And when?

The benefits of testosterone replacement therapy—and when and how much they affect you—differ from one individual to the next. However, the first benefits men tend to see are improved sleep quality and increased libido, usually noticeable as soon as week 4 of treatment. In subsequent weeks, most men report improved focus and clarity, increased energy levels, better mood, and even improved muscle mass. It has, however, taken six weeks or more for some men to start noticing the benefits of treatment, so it’s important not to get discouraged.

How long will I need testosterone replacement therapy?

Treatment for Low T is long-term, for as long as you want to feel great. Testosterone replacement therapy gives you the testosterone you need, but it doesn’t cause your body to produce its own testosterone. Treatment for Low Testosterone only provides benefit while you’re receiving replacement testosterone.

What will happen if I stop testosterone replacement therapy?

While nothing adverse will happen if you cease therapy, you will be returning your testosterone levels to where they were before beginning treatment. Or they could drop even lower. This means your symptoms will return. However, if you do cease treatment, you can always resume it later to restore your levels back to where you’re feeling great.

Am I going to have any side effects?

It’s impossible to know what side effects you’re likely to experience. But acne, bloating, and temporary weight gain are common. We monitor hormone levels and symptoms continually throughout treatment to watch for and minimize, through adjustment of dose and other actions, any side effects.

I’ve been told that I will need an estrogen blocker as part of my testosterone replacement therapy. Will I need that when I start therapy?

No, you won’t need that as a matter of course. Throughout treatment, we will monitor your estrogen/estradiol levels and your symptoms and direct you if a supplement or blocker is needed to decrease estradiol levels.

Does testosterone cause prostate cancer?

No, testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. However, pre-existing cancer could be exacerbated by testosterone replacement therapy, causing it to grow and worsen. That’s why we conduct a baseline PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test prior to treatment to evaluate your risk. We repeat this test every 6 months—and ask a series of urinary questions—to monitor for changes.

Will TRT help me lose weight?

Ideally, yes. Increased testosterone levels will help to build muscle mass if you are putting in the work. Building muscle will help you burn fat. Keep in mind, though, that muscle weighs more than fat. This is why we like to complete a body composition analysis to see if you are gaining muscle mass or fat.

Will I get “man boobs”?

The purpose of coming into SynergenX for injections is so we can closely monitor the benefits and side effects of treatment, such as gynecomastia (“man boobs”). We monitor labs and side effects closely to ensure that we can lessen the effects or prevent them, and as a result, it is extremely rare for men in our care to get gynecomastia.

Will testosterone affect my blood pressure?

Testosterone can indirectly affect your blood pressure by increasing your red blood cell count. We monitor this very closely. Should this happen, blood donation will usually correct this.

WOMEN’S HORMONE REPLACEMENT

Why can’t I take birth control and be on hormones if it suppresses my hormones?

Synthetic hormones do not have the same molecular makeup as what your body naturally produces; therefore, they bind to the receptor sites but work on negative feedback to shut off the production of your natural hormones. It is not safe to take bio-identicals while on synthetic, as it can put you at further risk for an adverse event. Also, hormone levels can build up in the blood to unsafe levels, worsening the hormone imbalance.

What side effects am I likely to experience on estrogen replacement therapy?

Weight gain (temporary) and bloating are extremely common in the first several weeks of treatment. As your body gets used to hormone changes and balancing, it is common to experience water retention and bloating initially. But don’t be discouraged—you’ll start to lean out over time. Other side effects can include mood changes and nipple sensitivity. Remember, too, that we run blood tests at specific treatment intervals to evaluate levels in the context of symptoms in order to minimize side effects.

WilI I get facial hair?

Testosterone can cause male characteristics in females. However, proper dosing and close follow-up significantly reduce your risk.

WEIGHT LOSS

Why do I need an EKG before starting on phentermine?

An EKG is a screening test to make sure your heart is in a normal rhythm, and no irregularities are found. The extra stimulation from the effects of phentermine makes the cells in the heart more susceptible to changes in electrical impulses. It is important to make sure there is no underlying cardiovascular problem that can be exacerbated. If your heart rate or rhythm is abnormal, you will be referred to cardiology for clearance before starting phentermine.