FAQ's

Dr. Esquerdo of DreamBody specializes in age management medicine and offers bio-identical hormones (hormone replacement therapy) and Testosterone Therapy.

DreamBody’s goal is to prevent disease through healthy medicines such as bio-identical hormones, vitamin supplements, and lifestyle. More importantly our physicians do not overmedicate patients. Our goal is to use as many natural solutions to solve the cause of the problem rather than treat the symptoms with prescription medications.

Hormone replacement therapy is a medical treatment used to treat aging-related diseases, such as osteoporosis, menopause in women and andropause in men.

HRT can be beneficial for men when testosterone starts to lower, causing andropause. When receiving HRT, men can lose weight, gain muscle, improve energy and prevent age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis*.

For women, Hormone Replacement Therapy should be initiated when a woman starts seeing signs of menopause. HRT can help women with the symptoms of insomnia, depression, irritability, low energy levels and weight gain.*.

Testosterone therapy should be administered intramuscular, transdermally (women only) or by pellets, but should never be taken orally. Testosterone cypionate or propionate is most bioidentical to the bodies natural testosterone. Synthetics are more anabolic and may have more side effects.

Testosterone injections should be given every 7-14 days with the smallest dose to relieve symptoms of low T and elevate blood levels to the acceptable range*.

Testosterone creams and gels may be prescribed for daily use and should be applied to hairless areas of the body that won’t come in contact with other people.

Pellets are placed with a minor procedure that includes local anesthesia using lidocaine, very small incision and insertion of a trochar into the muscle fascia to drop the prescribed amount of testosterone pellets. These pellets act in a time release fashion.

Several ways to optimize testosterone therapy include a diet high in protein; lean meat, fish, eggs, protein shakes. Avoid refined carbohydrates such as bread (whole wheat included), flour, sugar, white rice, bagels, cookies, tortillas, donuts, crackers, noodles, pasta, and most cereals. No soda, sweets or candy. Although some aged cheeses are ok, dairy should be avoided.*

Testosterone can convert to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme in the fat tissue*. To avoid this conversion the patient should follow the dietary recommendations especially avoiding refined carbohydrates and alcohol. Persons that have too much testosterone for anabolic reasons take estrogen blocking drugs like Tamoxifen or Arimidex. The use of these drugs is discouraged and proper testosterone dosing is best, but if the patient is obese and has a risk for estrogen production we recommend Chrysin, a natural estrogen blocking supplement*. Symptoms of excessive estrogen production include tender nipples and frequent urinating throughout the night.

Testosterone is a drug with the potential for abuse and should be managed by a experienced specialty trained physician. Board Certified Age management and Regenerative Medicine Physicians have specific training in hormone replacement therapy.