Hormone Testing & BHRT

Zaré Medical offers comprehensive hormone evaluation and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy guided by Dr. Sara Zaré, ND, PharmD. Lab panels cover sex hormones, thyroid markers including antibodies, cortisol, metabolic indicators, iron, B12, inflammation markers, nutrient status, and genetic assessments. BHRT protocols are personalized and delivered via topical, oral, injectable, or BioTE pellet formats. Thyroid optimization, menopause management, PCOS support, and hormone-assisted weight loss are among the clinical focuses.

Hormone evaluation at Zaré Medical Naturopathic Group in San Francisco goes well beyond a standard screening panel. Dr. Sara Zaré, who holds both a Doctorate of Pharmacy and a naturopathic medicine degree, approaches hormone health through a comprehensive lens — assessing not only sex hormones but thyroid function, adrenal output, metabolic markers, nutrient status, and environmental exposures that may influence how hormones are produced, converted, and cleared. The initial hormone consultation at the Cow Hollow clinic typically runs 60 minutes and includes a detailed health history alongside lab requisitions tailored to the patient's symptoms and goals. Common lab categories include sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, SHBG), thyroid markers (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies TPO and TgAb), adrenal indicators (cortisol and DHEA-S), metabolic markers (fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c), nutrient status (vitamin D, B12, iron studies, ferritin), inflammation markers (hs-CRP, homocysteine), genetic assessments where relevant, and environmental exposures such as mold or heavy metals if suspected. Once lab results are reviewed, Dr. Zaré develops a personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) protocol if indicated. Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to those produced by the body and may be delivered via topical creams, oral preparations, injections, or BioTE pellet implants — a long-acting option placed under the skin that releases hormones gradually over several months. Ongoing care is a core feature of the Zaré Medical model. Regular lab monitoring and protocol adjustments are built into the treatment relationship, ensuring dosing remains appropriate as the patient's needs evolve. This is particularly relevant for clients navigating perimenopause, menopause, thyroid dysfunction including Hashimoto's, PCOS, or age-related hormonal shifts. For clients whose hormone imbalances may contribute to weight management challenges, the clinic offers a hormone-guided weight loss program integrating lab findings with metabolic support strategies.