Pathway to Aging in Reverse for Women

Reclaim Energy, Clarity, and Confidence

The first step to optimal health — including mood, mental clarity, and weight stabilization — is balancing your hormones and nutrient levels.

The reference ranges used in functional and evidence-based medicine differ significantly from those used in conventional, insurance-based models. Because of this, most traditional providers will not prescribe Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) at the doses needed for optimal health, and some may not prescribe them at all.

If you’ve ever been given a patch for estradiol, a pill for progesterone, and no testosterone, you’ve experienced this limitation firsthand.

This approach is rooted in misinformation from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, which has since been debunked but continues to shape medical opinions. It’s time to move on from the damage that study caused. Your heart, brain, and long-term health will thank you.

Why Hormones Matter

• Estrogen and progesterone are neuroprotective, decreasing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia.

• Testosterone protects against loss of libido, fatigue, anxiety, depression, osteoporosis, and low motivation.

• Estrogen also regulates glucose and supports cardiovascular health — providing vital protection for your heart.

Heart disease and dementia are not inevitable parts of aging. They occur, in part, due to hormone decline. Brain imaging can show changes as early as age 40.

Because we now live decades longer than past generations, many women outlive their hormones — but we don’t have to outlive our vitality.

The benefits of HRT far outweigh the risks for most women. Even one consultation with a functional medicine specialist can set you on a path toward vibrant, lasting health.

Evidence-Based Optimal Lab Values for Women

Test Optimal Range

Vitamin D 50–80

Estradiol 75–100

Progesterone. 10–30

Testosterone (Total) 200–300 ng/dL

Vitamin B12. 545–1300

General Recommendations

• Choose bioidentical HRT whenever possible.

• Avoid commercial estradiol made from pregnant horse urine.

• Do not use Prevarin.

• Estrogen should almost always be paired with progesterone.

• Progesterone alone can be beneficial for anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and hot flashes.

• For accurate progesterone testing, use dried urine labs (saliva and blood often overestimate levels).

• If you smoke, have cancer, or other health concerns — don’t avoid the conversation. There are specialized protocols that may still be safe and appropriate for you.

Forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy

There are several delivery methods for HRT. Each has advantages and should be discussed with your provider:

• Creams

• Capsules

• Pellets

• Intramuscular Injections

Pellets are convenient but not always ideal. Many women start with creams containing estrogen and testosterone to assess tolerance before transitioning to another form.

Progesterone is often commercially produced due to compounding laws.

• Those with peanut allergies should request compounded progesterone made without peanut oil.

• Some women find commercial progesterone more effective for sleep.

Optimal Functional Medicine Thyroid Ranges

Test Optimal Range / Notes

TSH 1.0–2.5 mIU/L (some practitioners prefer 1.0–2.0)

Free T4 Higher than 14 pmol/L (6.0–12.0 mcg/dL for Total T4)

Free T3 Upper end of the normal range

Thyroid Antibodies (TPO, Tg, TSH-R) Low or negative values are optimal and indicate minimal autoimmune activity

Your Path Forward

The healthcare landscape is slowly shifting, but meaningful change takes time. Many conventional providers are still guided by outdated research and fear-based narratives. You deserve a provider who understands women’s health through a modern, data-driven lens. There is a path to vibrant health, longevity, and emotional balance — and it starts with understanding your hormones.