Hormone Therapy — Beyond the Standard Labs

Most doctors look at one number—your TSH—and call it good. Meanwhile, you're exhausted, can't lose weight, your mood is all over the place, and sex is the last thing on your mind.

We dig deeper.

At Rooted Health Clinic, we test your full hormone panel—thyroid (T3, T4, reverse T3, antibodies), sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), cortisol, DHEA, and more. Then we build a personalized plan that fixes what's broken.

Whether you're dealing with menopause, andropause, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, or hormones that have been off for years—we treat it using bioidentical hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine.

What We Treat

Menopause & Perimenopause Hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings, low libido, weight gain—you don't have to "just deal with it." BHRT pellets and thyroid optimization can give you your life back.

Andropause (Male Hormone Decline) Low testosterone isn't just about libido. It's fatigue, brain fog, muscle loss, weight gain, irritability, and depression. We use testosterone pellets, lifestyle optimization, and root-cause medicine.

Thyroid Dysfunction Hashimoto's, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, subclinical thyroid issues—most doctors only test TSH. We test the full panel and treat what's actually broken (often gut inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, or stress).

Adrenal Fatigue / HPA Axis Dysfunction Wired but tired? Morning crashes? Cortisol dysregulation makes you exhausted, anxious, and unable to handle stress. We fix it with adaptogens, lifestyle changes, and addressing root causes.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) Insulin resistance, irregular periods, weight gain, acne, excess hair growth—PCOS is a metabolic condition. We treat it functionally: diet, supplements, metformin or berberine when needed.

Postpartum Hormone Issues Postpartum depression, thyroid dysfunction, cortisol dysregulation, low libido—pregnancy rewires your hormones. We help you recover.

Estrogen Dominance Heavy periods, PMS, weight gain (hips/thighs), breast tenderness, mood swings. Often caused by poor estrogen metabolism or gut dysfunction. We fix it with DIM, liver support, and gut healing.

Low Testosterone (Women) Low libido, fatigue, difficulty building muscle, weight gain. Women need testosterone too—we optimize it.

Our Approach: Test Thoroughly, Treat Comprehensively

Step 1: Comprehensive Hormone Testing

We test what actually matters (not just TSH):

Thyroid Panel:

• TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3

• TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies (if Hashimoto's suspected)

Sex Hormones:

• Estradiol, progesterone, testosterone (total + free), DHEA-S, SHBG• For women: Day 3 and Day 21 testing (if cycling)

• For women on HRT: Timing based on dosing

Metabolic Markers:

• Fasting insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c (insulin resistance affects hormones)

Cortisol (If Needed):

• 4-point salivary cortisol (morning, noon, evening, night)

• DHEA-S (adrenal reserve)

Nutrient Testing (If Indicated):

• Vitamin D, B12, folate, magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium

• Deficiencies worsen hormone function

Optional Advanced Testing:

• DUTCH test (comprehensive hormone metabolites, cortisol patterns)

• Organic acids test (mitochondrial function, neurotransmitter metabolites)

Testing costs vary: $200-600 depending on panel. We use cash-pay labs (LabCorp direct) to keep costs reasonable.

Step 2: Address Root Causes While Optimizing Hormones

Hormones don't fail in isolation. We look at:

Gut Health Leaky gut and dysbiosis wreck thyroid and sex hormone function. Estrogen is metabolized in the gut—if the gut is broken, estrogen dominance happens. We start gut healing immediately:

• Elimination diet (remove gluten, dairy, sugar)

• Probiotics + prebiotics

• Gut-healing nutrients (L-glutamine, zinc, collagen)

Inflammation Chronic inflammation blocks hormone receptors and disrupts production. We reduce inflammation with:

• Anti-inflammatory diet

• Omega-3s, curcumin, vitamin D

• Address infections (gut, sinus, mold)

Nutrient Deficiencies Thyroid needs selenium, iodine, zinc. Sex hormones need vitamin D, magnesium, B vitamins. We supplement strategically based on testing.

Toxins Endocrine disruptors (BPA, phthalates, heavy metals, mold) sabotage hormones. We reduce exposure and support detox pathways:

• Filter water, avoid plastics

• Liver support (DIM, calcium-d-glucarate, milk thistle)

• Binders (if mold or heavy metals present)

Stress & Sleep Chronic stress = high cortisol = suppressed sex hormones. Poor sleep worsens everything. We optimize:

• Sleep hygiene (7-9 hours, quality sleep)

• Stress reduction (adaptogens, breathwork, boundaries)

• Cortisol timing (regulate circadian rhythm)

Step 3: Personalized Hormone Optimization

Based on your lab results and clinical picture, we create a personalized treatment plan:

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Hormone Pellets (Our Preferred Method):

• Women: Estradiol + testosterone pellets inserted under the skin (quick office procedure)

• Dosing: Individualized based on your labs and symptoms

• Duration: 3-4 months per insertion

• Cost: $100 per insertion (includes both hormones)• Men: Testosterone pellets inserted under the skin

• Dosing: Individualized based on your levels

• Duration: 4-6 months per insertion

• Cost: $150 per insertion

Why pellets?

• Steady hormone levels (no peaks/crashes like creams or injections)

• No daily application needed

• Better absorption than oral

• Most patients feel best on pellets

Other BHRT Options (If Preferred):

• Topical creams (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

• Oral micronized progesterone (best for sleep, anxiety)

• Vaginal estrogen (for vaginal atrophy, dryness)

Thyroid Medication

If thyroid is low:

• T4 only (levothyroxine): Works for some people

• T3 + T4 combination: Better for many (Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, or compounded)

• T3 only (liothyronine): For reverse T3 issues or T4-to-T3 conversion problems

We titrate based on symptoms and Free T3 levels (not just TSH).

Adrenal Support

For HPA axis dysfunction:

• Adaptogens: Ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil

• Phosphatidylserine: Lowers cortisol if elevated

• DHEA supplementation: If DHEA-S is low

• Licorice root: If morning cortisol is low

• Sleep + stress optimization

Estrogen Metabolism Support

For estrogen dominance:

• DIM (diindolylmethane): Helps liver metabolize estrogen properly

• Calcium-d-glucarate: Binds estrogen in gut for elimination

• Liver support: Milk thistle, NAC, B vitamins

Insulin Sensitization (If PCOS or Insulin Resistance)

• Metformin or berberine: Improves insulin sensitivity

• Low-carb diet: Reduces insulin

• Omega-3s, chromium, alpha-lipoic acid

Targeted Supplementation

• Vitamin D: Therapeutic dosing based on your levels

• Magnesium: Critical for hormone production and nervous system support

• Zinc: Especially important for testosterone production

• Selenium: Essential for thyroid support

• Omega-3s: Anti-inflammatory support and hormone production

• B-complex: Methylated forms for hormone metabolism

What to Expect

First Visit (60-90 minutes)

We'll review your full history: symptoms, previous labs (if available), medications, diet, stress, sleep. We'll order comprehensive hormone testing and start foundational support (supplements, diet recommendations) immediately.Follow-Up Visit (2-3 weeks after labs)

Review results, start hormone replacement therapy (BHRT pellets, thyroid medication, etc.), and create a full treatment plan addressing gut, inflammation, stress, and lifestyle.

Ongoing Care

We see you every 8-12 weeks initially to monitor symptoms and adjust dosing. Hormone optimization is a process—usually 2-3 months to dial in the right doses, sometimes 4-6 months for full benefits.

Membership Model

We don't accept insurance because insurance doesn't pay for comprehensive hormone care. Our Direct Primary Care membership gives you:

• Unlimited office visits — as often as needed

• Text/email access to Dr. Altman — questions don't wait for appointments

• Wholesale supplements — significant savings

• Affordable labs — through LabCorp direct billing

Membership Pricing:

• Pediatric (0-17): $185/month

• Adult (18-64): $245/month

• Senior (65+): $225/month

BHRT pellets and specialty treatments are additional, but you'll never be surprised—we discuss costs upfront.

Success Stories

"I feel like myself again." "Menopause made me miserable—hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, zero energy. Dr. Altman started me on estrogen and testosterone pellets. Within 2 weeks the hot flashes stopped. By 6 weeks I had energy again. My mood stabilized. I'm sleeping. I feel 10 years younger. This is life-changing." — D.W., Temple, TX

"My testosterone was 180. Now it's 650." "I was exhausted, couldn't build muscle, no libido, brain fog. My primary care said 'you're fine, 180 is normal.' Dr. Altman said 'that's not optimal.' Testosterone pellets changed everything. I'm back in the gym, my energy is great, my mood is better. I finally feel like a man again." — T.H., Salado, TX

"Thyroid medication alone wasn't enough." "I was on levothyroxine for years but still exhausted. Dr. Altman switched me to Armour Thyroid (T3+T4) and added gut healing. My energy came back. I lost 15 pounds without trying. I wish I'd found him years ago." — K.M., Killeen, TX

FAQ

How quickly will I feel better? Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 weeks (especially with pellets). Full benefits usually take 2-3 months as hormones stabilize.

Are hormone pellets safe? Yes. Bioidentical hormones (same molecular structure as your body's hormones) are safer than synthetic hormones. We monitor labs regularly to ensure safe dosing.

Will I need hormone replacement forever? Most people stay on BHRT long-term (especially post-menopause or low testosterone). Some people can reduce or stop after optimizing lifestyle, gut, and stress—we personalize based on your goals.What if my doctor says my thyroid is 'normal'? "Normal" TSH doesn't mean optimal. We test Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3—often people with "normal" TSH have low T3 (the active thyroid hormone). We treat based on symptoms + full panel, not just TSH.

Do you prescribe testosterone for women? Yes. Women need testosterone too (just in smaller amounts than men). Low testosterone in women causes fatigue, low libido, difficulty building muscle, weight gain. We optimize it.

Can I do this remotely? Yes for follow-ups and thyroid management. Initial visit and pellet insertions require in-person. We offer telemedicine for Texas residents.

Will my insurance cover this? We don't accept insurance, but you can use HSA/FSA funds for membership, labs, and treatments.

Ready to Get Your Hormones Back?

You don't have to live tired, moody, and uncomfortable. Hormone optimization works.

Schedule Your Consultation Call or text: 254-780-0023 Email: hello@elitefamilycare.sprucecare.com

Location: Rooted Health Clinic 1401 N Stagecoach Rd Salado, TX 76571

We serve patients in Salado, Temple, Killeen, Belton, Georgetown, Waco, and surrounding Central Texas communities.

This is comprehensive hormone care. This is how you feel like yourself again.