Don’t try this at home
There are some things that should never be tried at home, and do-it-yourself hormone replacement or remediation both fall under this umbrella.
Generally, the body does a good job of balancing its own hormones. Most patients don’t need to be worried if they’re in good health. If they’re in doubt, they should seek advice from a doctor, ideally an endocrinologist, but an ob.gyn. or general practitioner are also good options.
One of the first questions to ask a patient is “Which hormone are you worried about?” or “What health issue is it specifically that is bothering you?” Narrowing the focus to a single thing, if possible, will lead to a more efficient evaluation.
Often, patients arrive with multiple concerns written on little pieces of paper. These ubiquitous pieces of paper are the red flag for the flood of questions to follow.
Ordering the appropriate tests for the conditions they are concerned about can help put their minds at ease. If there are any specific deficiencies, or excesses in any hormones, then appropriate solutions can be discussed.
TikTok hormone-balancing solutions are simply the 21st-century version of the snake oil sold on late-night cable TV in the 1990s.
Needless to say, you should gently encourage your patients to stay away from these non–FDA-approved products, without making them feel stupid. Off-label use of hormones when these are not indicated is also to be avoided, unless a medical practitioner feels it is warranted.
Dr. de la Rosa is an endocrinologist in Englewood, Fla. He disclosed no conflicts of interest.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.