This Clinical Pearl comes from Justin Groce, NP-C, CSCS, co-author of the Definitive Medical Weight Loss Clinic Course.

So, do you have a weight loss patient that also is interested in hormone replacement therapy? If so, you proceed to draw this patient’s labs and discover that their DHEA-S levels are low. As the prudent provider you are, you decide to introduce DHEA replacement as part of their HRT protocol.

However, this patient is also seeking you out for weight loss services. In lieu of prescribing standard DHEA, you being a knowledgeable nurse practitioner in both HRT and weight loss medicine, you decide to prescribe this patient 7-keto-DHEA.

Why?

There are a few reasons why 7-keto-DHEA may be the better option in this patient.

1) 7-keto-DHEA is less likely to have virilization in female patients. It will not increase their testosterone levels significantly. If your patients have experienced acne or hirsutism in the past on DHEA, then switch to 7-keto-DHEA. 7-keto-DHEA has less hormonally-mediated possible side effects when compared to standard DHEA, making it a better supplement in some women.

2) 7-keto-DHEA has weight loss properties as well.  It helps promote weight loss by having a mild basal metabolic rate (BMR) elevating effect.  Simply by introducing 7-keto-DHEA into the patient’s HRT program, you can enhance the patient’s BMR leading to an increased caloric expenditure upwards of around 3000 calories a month. That is almost 1 pound of fat loss a month through a simple supplement. 

Not bad, huh?

The patient will still reap the anti-aging effects that DHEA possesses, such as enhanced sense of well-being, increased energy, and improved libido, all while also increasing their BMR.  For more knowledge bombs like this, scoop up The Definitive Weight Loss Program where we cover 20 additional medications!

Remember, The Definitive Medical Weight Loss Clinic Course is still on sale at the discounted price of $499 until November, 2nd. We cover not only medication management, but also diet design, exercise programming, and how to coach the patient to make change. For more information, check out the course before the sale ends!