Hormone Replacement
Therapy

Many traditional lab ranges are based on population averages—not optimal health.
At Maverick Medical Care, we evaluate:
Your symptoms

Functional (optimal) lab ranges

Metabolic markers like insulin, cortisol, and thyroid function

This allows us to treat the root cause, not just numbers on a lab report.

Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones your body naturally produces. Unlike some traditional synthetic hormones, BHRT is designed to:

Work more naturally with your body

Be individualized based on your symptoms and labs

Support long-term hormone balance and overall wellness

For many women, HRT can be both safe and highly beneficial when prescribed appropriately.

Current research shows that for healthy women, especially those within 10 years of menopause onset, HRT may:

-Improve quality of life

-Support bone health

-Benefit heart and brain health

At Maverick Medical Care, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to ensure therapy is appropriate and safe for you.

Yes—hormonal imbalance is a major reason many women struggle to lose weight despite diet and exercise.

Optimizing hormones can:

-Improve metabolism

-Reduce insulin resistance

-Support muscle mass

-Decrease stubborn fat storage

Many patients find that once hormones are balanced, their body finally responds to weight loss efforts.

When properly prescribed, hormone therapy typically does not cause weight gain.

In fact, many women experience:

-Improved body composition

-Reduced abdominal fat

-Increased energy to stay active

Weight gain is more commonly linked to an untreated hormonal imbalance rather than treatment itself.

We perform comprehensive lab testing, which may include:

-Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels

-Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)

-Cortisol (stress hormone)

-Insulin and glucose markers

-Lipid panel

This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your body.

Many patients begin to notice improvements within:

-2–4 weeks: better energy, sleep, and mood

-6–12 weeks: more noticeable metabolic and body composition changes

Full optimization can take a few months as we fine-tune your treatment.

Yes—we provide 100% virtual hormone replacement therapy for patients across Texas.

This includes:

-Virtual consultations

-At-home or local lab testing

-Ongoing follow-ups and support

-Medication shipped directly to your door

Our programs are designed to provide comprehensive, ongoing support—not just a prescription. Depending on your program, this may include:

-In-depth initial consultation

-Personalized lab review

-Customized hormone therapy plan

-Ongoing follow-ups

-Access to a registered dietitian

-Lifestyle and metabolic optimization support

Yes—and in many cases, combining hormone optimization with GLP-1 therapy leads to better results.

Hormone balance can:

-Enhance weight loss outcomes

-Improve energy and muscle preservation

-Address underlying metabolic dysfunction

If therapy is discontinued, hormone levels will gradually return to their previous state.

This may result in the return of symptoms such as:

-Fatigue

-Poor sleep

-Weight gain

-Mood changes

We work with patients to create a long-term plan that aligns with their goals.

No—hormone imbalance can occur well before menopause.

We commonly treat women in their 30s and 40s experiencing:

-Perimenopause symptoms

-Stress-related hormonal dysfunction

-Low testosterone or progesterone

Getting started is simple:

-Schedule a discovery call

-Complete your health history forms

-Complete lab testing

-Review your personalized treatment plan

From there, we guide you every step of the way.

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, and it follows a natural rhythm throughout the day—highest in the morning and lowest at night.

A single blood draw only captures cortisol at one moment in time, which can miss important patterns.

Saliva testing allows us to measure cortisol at multiple points throughout the day, helping us assess:

-Your natural cortisol rhythm

-Whether your body is producing too much or too little cortisol

-How stress may be impacting your hormones, sleep, and metabolism

This gives us a more complete picture of your hormonal health.

A 4-point saliva cortisol test measures your cortisol levels at four different times during the day—typically morning, midday, afternoon, and night.

This test helps us identify patterns such as:

-Elevated cortisol at night (which can disrupt sleep)

-Low morning cortisol (linked to fatigue and difficulty waking)

-Chronic stress patterns that affect weight, mood, and energy

Understanding your cortisol rhythm allows us to create a more targeted and effective treatment plan.

Most traditional providers rely on standard blood testing because it is:

-Faster to perform

-Covered by insurance in many cases

-Designed to detect extreme conditions (like adrenal disease)

However, blood tests are not ideal for evaluating functional hormone imbalances or daily cortisol patterns.

Saliva testing is more commonly used in functional and integrative medicine because it provides deeper insight into how your body is responding to stress over the course of the day—not just at a single moment.

Yes—chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation are major contributors to:

-Weight loss resistance

-Increased belly fat

-Poor sleep

-Anxiety and mood changes

-Hormonal imbalances (including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone)

If cortisol is not addressed, many patients struggle to see results—even with diet, exercise, or medications.

When used appropriately, saliva cortisol testing is a valuable tool for understanding cortisol patterns and stress response.

It is especially helpful for:

-Identifying disrupted daily cortisol rhythms

-Evaluating chronic stress impact

-Guiding personalized treatment strategies

At Maverick Medical Care, we use this testing as part of a comprehensive evaluation—not in isolation—to ensure your treatment plan is both accurate and effective.

Cortisol plays a key role in your overall hormonal balance.

Within our GLOW Protocol, cortisol testing helps us:

-Identify stress-related hormone disruption

-Optimize sleep and recovery

-Improve metabolism and energy levels

-Enhance results from hormone therapy and weight loss programs

By addressing cortisol alongside estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, we take a more complete, root-cause approach to your health.

Hormones do not work in isolation—your nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress levels all directly impact how your hormones function.

If these foundational areas are not addressed, patients may:

-Struggle to see results from hormone therapy

-Experience ongoing fatigue or weight resistance

-Require higher medication doses than necessary

By combining hormone optimization with lifestyle support, we help your body respond more effectively and sustainably.

Hormone therapy can provide some symptom relief on its own, but results are often limited if lifestyle factors are not addressed.

For example:

-Poor nutrition can worsen insulin resistance and inflammation

-Lack of movement can reduce metabolism and muscle mass

-Chronic stress and poor sleep can disrupt cortisol and other hormones

Our goal is not just short-term improvement—but long-term transformation—so we address all contributing factors.

What you eat directly affects your hormones, metabolism, and inflammation levels.
A well-balanced diet can:

-Support stable blood sugar and insulin levels

-Reduce inflammation

-Improve energy and mental clarity

-Support healthy weight loss

We guide patients toward sustainable nutrition strategies—not restrictive dieting—so results are realistic and maintainable.

Exercise plays a critical role in hormone health, especially for women over 35.
Regular movement can:

-Improve insulin sensitivity

-Support lean muscle mass (which boosts metabolism)

-Enhance mood and reduce stress

-Help regulate estrogen and testosterone levels

We focus on realistic, individualized movement plans—not extreme or unsustainable workouts.

This is one of the most common frustrations we see—and it’s often where hormones come in.

Even with a healthy lifestyle, underlying issues such as:

-Hormonal imbalances

-Insulin resistance

-Thyroid dysfunction

-Elevated cortisol

These can prevent your body from responding the way it should.

This is why we combine lifestyle optimization with advanced lab testing and hormone therapy—to address both sides of the equation.

No—our approach is designed to be sustainable and realistic.

We do not believe in:

-Extreme dieting

-Cutting out entire food groups unnecessarily

-Overly intense workout regimens

Instead, we help you build habits that fit your life, so you can see results without burnout.

We provide structured support so you are not trying to figure this out on your own.

Depending on your program, this may include:

-Access to a registered dietitian

-Personalized nutrition guidance

-Ongoing coaching and accountability

-Education on how hormones, metabolism, and lifestyle are connected

This support is a key reason many of our patients succeed where they previously struggled.

Treating symptoms alone—without addressing underlying lifestyle and metabolic factors—often leads to temporary results.

A root-cause approach allows us to:

-Identify what is actually driving your symptoms

-Create a personalized, comprehensive plan

-Deliver more consistent, long-term outcomes

This is the foundation of how we practice at Maverick Medical Care.

Think of hormones, nutrition, and movement as a system—not separate pieces.

When all three are aligned:

-Your metabolism functions more efficiently

-Your energy improves

-Your body can maintain weight loss more easily

-Your overall health and longevity improve

This is why our programs are designed to address all aspects of your health—not just one.

There are several common reasons why patients don’t get results from hormone therapy:

-Hormones were prescribed without comprehensive lab testing

-Only one hormone was treated instead of evaluating the full hormonal picture

-Dosing was not optimized for your body

-Underlying issues like cortisol imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, or insulin resistance were not addressed

-Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, sleep, and stress were overlooked

Hormone therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Without a comprehensive approach, results can be limited.

Yes—many of our patients come to us after trying hormones elsewhere without success.
The difference is in the approach.

At Maverick Medical Care, we:

-Perform a deeper evaluation of your hormones and metabolism

-Assess cortisol patterns, thyroid function, and insulin resistance

-Customize your treatment plan based on your symptoms—not just lab ranges

-Provide ongoing adjustments and support

When the underlying causes are addressed, many patients finally begin to feel better.

In many traditional settings, hormone therapy is approached in a simplified way.

This can include:

-Limited or basic lab testing

-Standardized dosing instead of personalized treatment

-Minimal follow-up or adjustment

-Treating symptoms without addressing root causes

While this approach may work for some, many patients require a more individualized and comprehensive plan to see real results.

We take a root-cause, personalized approach to hormone health.

This includes:

-Comprehensive lab testing (including cortisol patterns, thyroid, and metabolic markers)

-Individualized hormone dosing and delivery methods

-Integration of nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management

-Ongoing support and adjustments—not a “set it and forget it” model

Our goal is not just to prescribe hormones—but to help your body function optimally.

If symptoms persist despite hormone therapy, it often means something else is being missed.

Common contributing factors include:

-Cortisol imbalance (chronic stress)

-Thyroid dysfunction

-Insulin resistance

-Poor sleep or recovery

-Inflammation or gut health issues

Hormones are one piece of the puzzle—but not the only piece.

We take a step back and look at the full picture.

This includes:

-Reviewing your previous labs and treatment plan (if available)

-Identifying gaps in testing or treatment

-Re-evaluating your current symptoms and health history

-Running comprehensive labs to uncover missed contributors

From there, we build a more complete and personalized plan.

In many cases, yes.

Even small changes can make a significant difference, such as:

-Adjusting hormone dosing

-Changing the type or delivery method (cream, oral, injection, etc.)

-Addressing cortisol, thyroid, or metabolic factors

-Incorporating lifestyle and nutrition support

The goal is to create a plan that actually works for your body.

Yes—and this is more common than many people realize.

Sometimes symptoms that appear hormonal are actually driven by:

-Chronic stress and cortisol dysregulation

-Thyroid imbalance

-Blood sugar instability

-Poor sleep or recovery

That’s why we take a comprehensive approach—to ensure we’re treating the right problem.

When therapy is properly optimized and underlying factors are addressed, many patients notice:

-Early improvements (2–4 weeks): sleep, mood, energy

-Continued progress (6–12 weeks): metabolism, weight, and overall well-being

Consistency and proper follow-up are key to long-term success.

Yes—this is exactly the type of patient we specialize in helping.

Many of our patients come to us feeling:

-Frustrated

-Dismissed by previous providers

-Stuck despite doing “everything right”

Our approach is designed to uncover what’s been missed and create a clear, personalized path forward.

Estrogen plays a key role in many aspects of a woman’s health, including:

-Regulating the menstrual cycle

-Supporting brain function and mood

-Maintaining bone density

-Supporting heart health

-Promoting healthy skin and vaginal tissue

Low estrogen levels may lead to:

-Hot flashes and night sweats

-Vaginal dryness

-Brain fog

-Mood changes or anxiety

-Decreased bone density over time

Progesterone is often referred to as the “calming hormone” because of its impact on the brain and nervous system.

It helps:

-Promote restful sleep

-Reduce anxiety and irritability

-Balance the effects of estrogen

-Support a healthy menstrual cycle

Low progesterone may cause:

-Insomnia or poor sleep

-Increased anxiety

-Mood swings

-Irregular or heavy periods

Testosterone is not just a male hormone—it is essential for women as well.

In women, testosterone helps:

-Support energy and motivation

-Maintain muscle mass

-Enhance libido and sexual function

-Improve focus and mental clarity

-Low testosterone levels may lead to:
Fatigue

-Low libido

-Decreased strength or muscle tone

-Brain fog

The thyroid is a key regulator of metabolism and overall energy production in the body.
Healthy thyroid function supports:

-Metabolism and weight regulation

-Energy levels

-Body temperature regulation

-Hair, skin, and nail health

Thyroid dysfunction may contribute to:

-Fatigue and low energy

-Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

-Hair thinning

-Depression or brain fog

These hormones function as a balanced system—not independently.

When properly balanced, they help regulate:

-Mood and emotional stability

-Sleep quality

-Metabolism and body composition

-Reproductive and sexual health

If one hormone is out of balance, it can affect the others, leading to a cascade of symptoms.

Yes—this is very common.

Many standard lab ranges are broad and based on population averages, not optimal health.

You may still experience symptoms if:

-Your hormones are technically “normal” but not optimal for your body

-The balance between hormones is off

-Other factors like cortisol or thyroid function are affecting your system

This is why we focus on both lab values and how you feel.

Focusing on a single hormone can miss the bigger picture.

For example:

-Treating estrogen alone without addressing progesterone can worsen symptoms

-Ignoring thyroid or cortisol can limit results from hormone therapy

-Low testosterone may be overlooked but still impact energy and libido

A comprehensive approach ensures that all contributing factors are addressed.

Hormones directly influence how your body functions on a daily basis.

-Imbalances can lead to:

-Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

-Low energy and fatigue

-Mood swings, anxiety, or depression

-Poor sleep

When hormones are optimized, many patients experience significant improvements in all of these areas.

We take a comprehensive and individualized approach by evaluating:

-Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels

-Thyroid function

-Cortisol patterns and stress response

-Metabolic markers such as insulin

Yes—hormone replacement therapy can be very helpful during perimenopause.

Perimenopause is the transition phase before menopause, when hormones begin to fluctuate—not just decline. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms.

Appropriately prescribed hormone therapy can help:

-Stabilize hormone fluctuations
-Improve sleep and mood
-Reduce night sweats and hot flashes
-Support energy and mental clarity

Perimenopause is the phase leading up to menopause and can begin as early as your mid-30s to 40s.

During this time:

-Hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably
-Periods may become irregular
-Symptoms can come and go

Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle.

Many women experience the most disruptive symptoms during perimenopause—not after menopause.

Perimenopause symptoms can vary widely but often include:

-Irregular periods
-Mood swings or increased anxiety
-Insomnia or poor sleep
-Night sweats or hot flashes
-Fatigue
-Brain fog
-Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
-Low libido

These symptoms are often caused by fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels.

Hormone levels during perimenopause can fluctuate daily, which makes them harder to capture on standard lab tests.

This means:

-Labs may appear “normal” at one moment in time
-Symptoms may still be significant due to rapid hormonal shifts

This is why we focus on both your symptoms and comprehensive testing when evaluating perimenopause

Treatment depends on your specific symptoms and lab findings, but commonly addressed hormones include:

-Progesterone (often one of the first to decline)
-Estrogen (which fluctuates during this phase)
-Testosterone (which can impact energy and libido)

We also evaluate cortisol and thyroid function, as these can significantly impact how you feel during perimenopause.

No—it is not too early.

You do not have to wait until menopause to address symptoms.

In fact, many women benefit from support during perimenopause to:

-Reduce symptom severity
-Improve quality of life
-Prevent worsening imbalances over time

Yes—hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can significantly impact the brain and nervous system.

Optimizing hormones may help:

-Improve sleep quality
-Reduce nighttime awakenings
-Decrease anxiety and irritability
-Promote a more stable mood

Progesterone, in particular, plays an important role in sleep and calming the nervous system.

Hormone therapy may help stabilize hormone fluctuations, which can improve cycle regularity for some women.

However, results can vary because perimenopause is a naturally fluctuating phase.

The primary goal is to:

-Reduce symptoms
-Improve how you feel day-to-day
-Support overall hormonal balance

Yes—pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause if you are ovulating.

Hormone therapy is not considered birth control.

If pregnancy prevention is important, we will discuss appropriate options as part of your care plan.

We take a personalized, root-cause approach by:

-Evaluating your symptoms—not just lab values
-Assessing hormone patterns, cortisol, and thyroid function
-Creating a customized plan based on your unique needs
-Providing ongoing adjustments as your body changes

Perimenopause is a dynamic phase, and your treatment plan should evolve with you.