Dosage Guidelines for Hormone Specific™ Formulations by Joseph J. Collins, RN, ND
The Hormone Specific™ Formulations that are 100% herbal were all developed to support the function of specific hormones or hormone systems. They may be used instead of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) by making your hormones function more efficiently. They may be used with BHRT to improve the efficacy of the BHRT and decrease the side effects and risks of HBRT.
Since these formulations can improve the function of hormones that your body naturally makes, and can improve the function of hormones you may have to take, the dosages of the formulations may be adjusted as your hormone function improves. To demonstrate that the dosages may change, each of the herbal Hormone Specific™ Formulations show the variable dosage of Protocol 242™ right on the label.
Protocol 242™
Protocol 242™ is a variable dosage protocol designed exclusively for the Hormone Specific™ Formulations. This protocol recognizes that dosages of these specific herbal formulations may be adjusted as hormone function improves. The Hormone Specific™ Formulations that are 100% herbal all use the Protocol 242™ dosage guideline.
The 2-4-2 dosage guideline was created to emphasize the reality that the dosages of herbal therapies have traditionally been customized based on the unique need of each patient and where the patient is in the healing and therapeutic process. Many factors should be considered when providing a personalized approach with the Hormone Specific™ Formulations, as discussed in the Personalized Hormone Healthcare article.
This protocol recognizes that when using potent herbal formulations, it is appropriate to start at a lower dosage before increasing to the full therapeutic dosage, and then lowering the dosage to a maintenance dosage once the goals have been accomplished.
The 2-4-2 dosage is on the labels of AdrenoMend™, EstroMend™, EstroQuench™, ProgestoMend™, TestoGain™, TestoQuench for Men, TestoQuench™ for Women & ThyroMend™.
The personalized dosage guidelines of Protocol 242™ uses 2 capsules per day during the Initiation Phase, 4 per day during the Restoration Phase, and 2 per day during the Maintenance Phase. The amount of time in each Phase can be customized based on clinical experience, and how long the patient feels they need to be at each dosage. This ability to customize is on the label of each formulation, which each have the following suggested usage recommendations:
Suggested Usage: As a dietary supplement, adults may take 2
capsules each day with food for 1 to 2 weeks or as directed by
your healthcare professional.
The dose may then be increased to 4 capsules each day with food
for 2 to 4 months or as directed by your healthcare professional.
After 2 to 4 months, dosage may be lowered back down to 2
capsules each day with food and may continue on that dosage as
needed or as directed by your healthcare professional.
Learn More about Protocol 242™
Customizing the Dosage
While Endocrine Complete™ is more advanced than the basic Suggested Usage used on most supplements, it is important to realize that the dosage can be further customized based on the unique needs of each patient.
Some patients may start with only 1 capsule each day. This lower dosage is appropriate for people who are already on other herbal therapies, or already taking some form of hormone therapy. Patients who are sensitive to herbal products, such as patients with irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disorders, may also do better by starting with the lower dosage of 1 capsule per day.
Taking one of each capsule is also appropriate when more than one of the Hormone Specific™ Formulations are being started at the same time, such as men who want to take TestoGain™ and EstroQuench™, or women who want to take EstroMend™ and TestoGain™ and ProgestoMend™. Another widely used combination is AdrenoMend™ and ThyroMend™. That combination is used by both genders to increase energy and vitality and re-establish a healthy metabolism that will make it easy to lose weight. Most people will at a low dosage and gradually increase the dosages until they are taking 4 of each.
Example: Customizing Dosages for Adrenal & Thyroid Optimization
Month One: (Increase dosages each week)
Week One: 1 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 1 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Week Two: 2 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 2 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Week Three: 3 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 3 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Week Four: 4 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 4 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Month Two:
4 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 4 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Month Three:
4 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 4 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
If energy, vitality, mental clarity and healthy weight are restored, consider lowering to Maintenance dosage.
Month Four: (Lowering to Maintenance Dosage)
3 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 3 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Month Five: (Lowering to Maintenance Dosage)
2 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 2 ThyroMend™ each PM with food
Continue on 2 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 2 ThyroMend™ each PM with food for maintenance for a couple of months to make sure you can maintain the benefits.
If energy, vitality, mental clarity and healthy weight are maintained at 2 of each per day, consider trying a lower maintenance dosage of 1 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 1 ThyroMend™ each PM with food long term.
If fatigue and weight gain return, or if the energy, vitality, mental clarity and healthy weight that you have achieved begin to fade, consider increasing the dosage again as needed, starting with 2 AdrenoMend™ each AM with food & 2 ThyroMend™ each PM with food each day, and increase as needed.
Next: Hormones Work Together
This article is part of the Educational Module on Hormone Health.