Biote® Hormone Replacement Therapy Pellets

Our bodies’ endocrine systems naturally produce chemical messengers called hormones that we rely on to keep many processes functioning correctly. Hormones play a vital role in nearly all bodily functions, from metabolism to sexual function to sleep and mood.

Hormone imbalances occur when the hormone levels in your bloodstream are too high or too low. These imbalances can occur with aging and other issues that cause an increase or decrease in hormone production. Unfortunately, even slight hormone imbalances can significantly affect your mind and body.

Biote® Hormone Optimization Therapy

At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we are a certified provider of the Biote® Method of hormone optimization therapy. With our individualized hormone optimization strategies, we aim to help our patients take control of their health and have a healthy aging process.

How Do I Know if I Have a Hormone Imbalance?

Hormone Imbalance Symptoms in Women

Estrogen and progesterone are the two main female sex hormones. We work to balance these hormones and alleviate the symptoms listed below.

Women with hormone imbalances may experience:

• Fatigue
• Decreased sex drive (low libido)
• Painful intercourse
• Insomnia
• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Weight gain
• Brain fog
• Mood swings
• Feelings of:
  • Sadness
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety

Hormone Imbalance Symptoms in Men

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, and it regulates many of the processes in the male body. From sexual and reproductive function to muscle mass and bone density, testosterone is one of the most important male hormones.

Men with hormone imbalances may experience:

• Fatigue
• Decreased sex drive (low libido)
• Decreased muscle mass
• Decreased bone mass
• Increased fat retention (especially around the waist)
• High cholesterol
• High blood sugar
• Brain fog
• Mood changes
• Feelings of:
  • Sadness
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Stress

Balancing your hormone levels with Biote can restore your vitality, improve your well-being and enhance your overall quality of life.

Who Is Biote®?

Biote is a leader in preventive medicine for health and wellness. Using over 80 years of scientific research, this company has established medical protocols for treating and preventing symptoms of aging.

What Are Biote® Pellets?

Biote pellets are small pill-like substances used in hormone replacement therapy. These pellets are about the size of a single grain of rice, and they are inserted beneath your skin to release hormones. Also known as subcutaneous hormone pellet therapy, the Biote Method is designed to replicate the natural sex hormones we lose with age and relieve a multitude of symptoms associated with hormone imbalances.

Certified Biote providers have helped patients optimize their hormone levels for over a decade, with more than 2.5 million Biote pellets inserted. With Biote, you can take control of your health and happiness.

A Personalized Approach to Hormone Replacement

Because everyone’s aging process and hormone levels are different, each pellet is custom-compounded. This means your pellet therapy will be personalized based on your goals, health status and the hormones your body needs.

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

Biote pellet therapy is also called bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) because it uses hormones that are bioidentical to the ones in our bodies. This means the hormones in the Biote pellets have the same chemical structure as hormones naturally produced by your body.

What Does Biote® Help With?

Biote can help relieve the symptoms of low hormone levels by balancing your sex hormones, which allows your body to function properly.

Biote patients often experience the following:

• Improved energy levels
• Increased muscle strength
• Balanced mood
• Improved sleep
• Boosted weight loss
• Enhanced mental clarity
• Restored libido

How Are Biote® Pellets Inserted?

Biote pellets are inserted beneath the skin during a 15-minute in-office procedure using local anesthetic. It is typically inserted into the hips, buttocks or thighs. After numbing with the anesthetic, a small skin incision will be made and your pellet will be inserted.

How Long Do Biote® Pellets Take to Work?

You may experience relief from certain symptoms of your hormone imbalance in as little as hours. However, most patients start to notice results in four weeks, with full results experienced after six months.

Optimal results are generally achieved after the insertion of the second pellet.

How Often Is Pellet Insertion Necessary?

Most BHRT patients have two to four pellets inserted per year. The frequency of your pellet insertion will depend on your medical needs and goals.

FAQs About Biote® Hormone Replacement Therapy

How Does Biote® Pellet Therapy Work?

Biote pellets gradually release hormones throughout the day to consistently replace the natural hormones in your body. Your body will naturally absorb the pellet as it dissolves over time.

What Should I Expect During My Biote Recovery?

After your pellet is inserted, you may experience some redness, swelling and bruising in the area. It may also be a little sore for a few days up to two weeks. Discomfort is generally very manageable and can be relieved using cold compresses.

You will have a short incision covered in gauze. The gauze can be removed the day after your procedure, at which point you can also shower. Skin tape should be left on for three days after your pellet insertion. Do not engage in lower body workouts, swim or use hot tubs for a few days.

Are Biote® Hormone Replacement Pellets Safe?

We work with highly specialized facilities and pharmacies that follow strict standards and practices to produce safe, sterile, potent pellets for our patients. The testosterone and estrogen hormones used in the pellets are approved by the FDA for hormone therapy. After insertion, the pellets are safely absorbed by your body.

Can I Get Hormone Replacement Without Pellets?

We also offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy using oral and topical medications. However, pellets provide the most consistent form of hormone delivery to the body.

Get Relief From Your Hormone Imbalances With Biote® in Coralville, Iowa

Don’t suffer from the symptoms of hormone imbalances. With Biote pellets, you can take charge of your health and attain and maintain optimized hormone levels.

To learn about hormone pellet therapy in Coralville, near Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Iowa City, call Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery at 319-450-7619.

Biote® Providers at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery

Kaitlyn Wheelan, MSN, ARNP, NP-C

Kaitlyn Wheelan, MSN, ARNP, NP-C, grew up in Southwest Iowa. She attended Nebraska Methodist College where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. After that, she worked for an RN for eight years before attending Walden University. In addition to being a board-certified nurse practitioner (NP-C), Kaitlyn has earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and completed a graduate-level educational program that earned her the title of advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).

She joined Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery in 2021 as our nurse practitioner and medical weight loss provider. She is married, has a bonus daughter, three dogs and a cat. She enjoys spending her time with her family, golfing and traveling.

Courtney Albritton, PA-C

Courtney Albritton graduated UW-Milwaukee in 2001 with a biological science major, chemistry minor while taking post-graduate courses in reproductive endocrinology. She felt compelled to enter healthcare to provide education for patients so that they could be involved and navigate their own health. She later pursued her graduate degree at Samuel Merritt in Oakland, CA, to become a physician associate while being vice president of her class in 2007.

Her determination to help patients led her to Cedar Rapids, IA, to work with women in OB/GYN, focusing on sexual health and hormonal evaluations/management. Besides working in women’s health, she also helped launch a medical spa, medical weight loss center and would “moonlight” in the emergency department. Following eight and a half years of this career, she then transitioned her skill set to plastic surgery.

“I felt this was an easy transition, as my goal of being a provider has always been about education and empowerment. I want my patients to be able to be confident in who they are and feel their best.”

In addition to her cosmetic procedures, Albritton continued to offer services with vaginal rejuvenation, O-Shots®, labiaplasty procedures and sexual health services.

Now, entering her 15th year of being a provider with sexual health experience, Albritton is excited to continue to offer her patients the ability to not only look their best, but improve their overall quality of life. She is a National and World Title Strongman Athlete, and she understands that aging is also about quality of life.

“Not everything can be corrected with diet and exercise. I have tried. I had no clue how low my own hormones were prior to testing!”