Can I just start a progesterone cream?
This is one of the questions I get most. My answer is: it depends. But I always suggest testing first.
Read the video transcript
Can I just start a progesterone cream? Well, my answer is it depends. But I always suggest testing first. We don't suggest using hormones until you have labs done so that I or another practitioner can give you a personalized protocol. Because knowing your levels is how we optimize your health instead of just guessing.
The place to start is our women's hormone panel. You go to the nearest LabCorp, and we have a requisition form for you already paid, and then you get your blood drawn. In about twenty-eight days, you'll get a twelve-week protocol, everything tailored to your needs, to your lifestyle, and to your health concerns.
If it suggests progesterone, we'll get you started on that. If you already have a provider and they are suggesting that you start progesterone, then yes, take the progesterone that we have. It's high quality, highly pure, very, very effective results. Tap the Ask Steph button and my team and I will reach out to you and respond to your questions directly.
We don't suggest using hormones until you have labs done, so that I or another practitioner can give you a personalized protocol. Knowing your levels is how we optimize your health instead of just guessing.
Where to start
If you're dealing with fatigue, hormone shifts, mood changes or symptoms nobody can explain, start with our Women's or Men's Hormone Panel. It covers sex hormones, thyroid, insulin, cortisol and inflammation markers. The men's panel adds a PSA.
Read the video transcript
Which labs do I start with? Hi, I'm Stephanie, board-certified family nurse practitioner, and I say you should start with testing your hormones. If you're dealing with fatigue, hormone shifts, mood changes, or symptoms nobody can explain, start with our women's or men's hormone panel. It covers sex hormones, thyroid, insulin, cortisol, and inflammation markers.
The men's panel adds a PSA. You get a LabCorp requisition, go to your nearest LabCorp, and I send you a written protocol in about twenty-eight to thirty days. Draw before ten AM, fasting, water only. If you're cycling, you'll go between days nineteen and twenty-one of your cycle. You'll hold your supplements until after your blood draw unless your doctor says otherwise.
If you have questions, ask the Ask Steph button and we'll get back to you.
How the panel works
- You order the panel and we send you a LabCorp requisition, already paid.
- Go to your nearest LabCorp. Draw before 10 AM, fasting, water only.
- If you're cycling, go between days 19 and 21 of your cycle.
- Hold your supplements until after your blood draw, unless your doctor says otherwise.
- In about 28 days you get a 12-week protocol, tailored to your needs, your lifestyle and your health concerns.
If your results point to progesterone
If your protocol suggests progesterone, we'll get you started on that. And if you already have a provider who's suggesting progesterone, then yes, take the progesterone we have. It's high quality and highly pure. Our Bioidentical Progesterone Cream has a measured 50 mg of progesterone per pump, and the product page has the directions for regular cycles, perimenopause and postmenopause.
Questions? Tap the Ask Steph button, and my team and I will respond to you directly. You can see all of our tests in the Lab Testing collection.
Stephanie Grutz, ARNP, FNP-C, is an integrative board-certified family nurse practitioner and the founder of Select Balance. This article is general education, not medical advice. Talk with your own provider about your situation.
