A Functional Approach to Hormone Replacement Therapy at One Point Six
Hormones affect almost everything: energy, mood, sleep, metabolism, libido, recovery, brain fog, weight changes, skin, hair, and how resilient you feel day to day. When something feels “off,” it can be frustrating to hear that your labs look “normal” while you still feel anything but normal.
At One Point Six, we take a functional approach to hormone replacement therapy. That means we start by listening to your symptoms, then use comprehensive bloodwork to understand what is happening under the surface. From there, we work with you to build a plan designed to address root causes, reduce symptoms, and support long term health optimization.
This article explains what “functional hormone replacement therapy” really means, who it may help, and how the One Point Six approach brings structure, monitoring, and measurable progress into your hormone optimization program.
What is hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical approach that supports the body when hormone levels decline or become imbalanced. Most people associate HRT with menopause, but hormone optimization can apply to many stages of life and many symptom patterns, including perimenopause, menopause, and andropause, as well as thyroid and adrenal related concerns.
The goal is not simply “more hormones.” The goal is to restore healthier balance in a way that is safe, individualized, and monitored. In modern hormone replacement therapy, your personal symptom profile, health history, lab values, and lifestyle factors all matter.
Because hormones are interconnected, a functional medicine approach to hormone imbalance looks at the whole system. For example, sleep debt, chronic stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, gut health, and poor recovery can all impact how you feel, even if one single number on a standard lab panel does not look alarming.
Why symptoms can exist even when labs look “normal”?
Many patients begin searching for hormone replacement therapy because they do not feel like themselves. Common symptoms of hormone imbalance can include:
Persistent fatigue or low motivation
Brain fog, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating
Poor sleep quality or frequent nighttime waking
Mood shifts, irritability, or increased anxiety
Weight gain, especially around the midsection
Reduced muscle tone, slower recovery, or decreased performance
Low libido or changes in sexual wellness
Hot flashes, night sweats, or temperature changes
Hair thinning, skin changes, or dryness
Irregular cycles or intense PMS symptoms
Sometimes these symptoms are brushed aside as stress, aging, or “just life.” While lifestyle factors absolutely matter, your symptoms are also important clinical data. At One Point Six, we treat symptoms as signals and we use comprehensive bloodwork to investigate what is driving them.
The One Point Six functional approach: Root Cause First
A functional approach to hormone replacement therapy starts with a simple premise: if we can identify what is contributing to your symptoms, we can create a plan that is more precise, more effective, and easier to sustain.
Rather than relying on a quick, one size fits all protocol, the 1.6 approach focuses on:
Comprehensive bloodwork to understand patterns, not just single values
A detailed consultation with a highly skilled medical provider
A personalized optimization plan to reverse symptoms and support health
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments based on how you feel and how you respond
Objective progress tracking, including the use of ShapeScale to benchmark change over time
This structure matters. Hormone optimization is not a one time decision, it is a guided process. When done correctly, it should feel thoughtful, collaborative, and data informed.
Step 1: Comprehensive bloodwork that goes beyond the basics
Many people have had “hormone labs” drawn that include only a small set of markers. That can be a starting point, but it rarely tells the full story. Hormones fluctuate, and symptoms can be caused by multiple overlapping factors.
At One Point Six, comprehensive bloodwork is designed to provide clarity. Your provider will consider which markers make sense for your symptoms and goals. Depending on the individual, bloodwork may include a deeper look at sex hormones, thyroid function, metabolic health, inflammation, nutrient status, and other related systems that influence hormone balance.
This is one of the biggest differences between basic hormone therapy and functional hormone replacement therapy. We are not looking at a single number in isolation. We are looking for patterns that explain why you feel the way you feel.
Important note: labs are only one part of the picture. Two people can have the same lab value and feel completely different. That is why the consultation and ongoing monitoring are essential.
Step 2: A consultation that connects symptoms to data
Your consultation with a highly skilled medical provider is where everything comes together. This is not a rushed visit. It is a clinical conversation that connects symptoms, history, lifestyle, and labs into a clear plan.
Topics often include:
Your symptom timeline and what has changed recently
Stress, sleep, nutrition, and training patterns
Current medications and supplements
Cycle history and reproductive health history
Weight changes and body composition goals
Mood, energy, and cognitive concerns
Family history and personal risk factors
Previous experiences with hormone replacement therapy, if any
The purpose is to identify what is most likely driving your symptoms and what needs to be addressed first. For some patients, hormone replacement therapy may be part of the solution. For others, supporting foundational systems such as sleep, metabolic health, micronutrients, and stress response can dramatically improve results and safety.
Step 3: A personalized optimization plan to reverse symptoms and support longevity
The outcome of the consultation is a customized optimization plan. This plan is built around your goals, your labs, and your real life.
Your plan may include:
Hormone support strategies determined by your provider, when appropriate
Nutrition guidance to support metabolic health and hormone balance
Recovery and sleep support recommendations
Lifestyle strategies to reduce chronic stress load
Supplement recommendations when clinically appropriate
A monitoring schedule so changes are measured and adjustments are intentional
This is where the functional medicine mindset becomes practical. We are not chasing symptoms blindly. We are building a plan that targets the likely drivers of those symptoms, while supporting overall health optimization.
For example, if you are pursuing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, your provider may also focus on factors that influence how your body uses hormones, such as insulin sensitivity, inflammation, liver clearance pathways, or nutrient status. The goal is to help you feel better while also supporting long term health.
Step 4: Ongoing monitoring that makes the program safer and more effective
Hormone replacement therapy should never be “set it and forget it.” Your body changes. Your stress levels change. Your sleep changes. Your training changes. Your life changes. A responsible hormone optimization program adapts accordingly.
Ongoing monitoring is part of the 1.6 approach because it supports both safety and results. Monitoring may include follow up labs, symptom check ins, and provider guided adjustments based on your response.
This is especially important because symptom improvement does not always happen in a straight line. Some changes happen quickly, like sleep quality or mental clarity. Others take time, such as body composition, strength, and metabolic improvements. Your program should reflect that reality, with a plan that stays anchored in data and clinical oversight.
Step 5: ShapeScale progress tracking to benchmark change
One of the most motivating parts of a well designed health optimization program is being able to see progress, not just feel it.
At One Point Six, we incorporate the ShapeScale as a way to benchmark and monitor progress over time. ShapeScale is a 3D body measurement tool that can help track changes in shape and measurements. Rather than focusing only on a traditional scale, this adds another layer of feedback that many patients find useful during hormone optimization and body composition improvement.
Why this matters in a hormone replacement therapy program:
Hormone shifts can change water retention and scale weight
You may gain lean mass while losing inches, which can feel confusing without measurement tools
Many patients care about how they feel, how their clothes fit, and how their body composition changes
Seeing measurable progress can improve consistency and adherence to the plan
Used alongside your symptoms, your lab monitoring, and your clinical check ins, ShapeScale helps create a clearer picture of transformation. It becomes part of a measurable, data supported approach to feeling better and optimizing health.
Who may benefit from a functional hormone replacement therapy program?
People seek hormone replacement therapy for many reasons, but the common thread is that they want to feel like themselves again, and they want a plan that is individualized.
A functional approach may be a fit if you:
Have symptoms of hormone imbalance and want deeper answers
Want comprehensive bloodwork and a provider guided plan
Have tried quick fixes without lasting results
Want a structured hormone optimization program with monitoring
Care about measurable progress, including body composition tracking
Want a long term approach to health optimization, not just symptom suppression
It can also be especially valuable for patients navigating perimenopause and menopause, as hormone fluctuations can affect sleep, weight, mood, and quality of life. Many patients also explore testosterone optimization as they notice changes in energy, motivation, recovery, and body composition.
What results should you expect, and how long does it take?
The timeline for symptom improvement varies by individual, and it depends on what is driving your symptoms, how consistent you are with the plan, and how your body responds.
Some patients notice improvements in:
Sleep quality
Energy and mental clarity
Mood stability
Libido and overall vitality
Other goals, such as changes in body composition, strength, metabolic markers, and long term resilience, may take longer. That is why ongoing monitoring and tools like ShapeScale can be helpful. They make progress visible while your body adapts.
A functional hormone replacement therapy plan is not about chasing perfection. It is about building sustainable improvements with clinical oversight and a clear feedback loop.
A note on safety and individualized care
Hormone replacement therapy is medical care and it should always be individualized. The right approach depends on your unique health history, symptoms, labs, and goals.
At One Point Six, we emphasize:
Thorough assessment before starting any protocol
Evidence informed decision making
Clear monitoring and follow up
A collaborative patient provider relationship
An optimization plan that supports whole body health
If you are exploring hormone replacement therapy, the best next step is to work with a qualified provider who will evaluate your needs, review comprehensive bloodwork, and guide you through a monitored plan.
Ready to explore a root cause approach to HRT?
If you have been searching for answers about hormone imbalance, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or hormone optimization, the One Point Six approach is designed to bring clarity and structure to the process.
Our program includes comprehensive bloodwork, a consultation with a highly skilled medical provider, a personalized optimization plan, ongoing monitoring, and the use of ShapeScale to benchmark and track progress over time.
When hormone care is done with intention, it becomes more than symptom management. It becomes a pathway to feeling stronger, clearer, and more like yourself again.
About One Point Six Aesthetics
Inspired by the Golden Ratio (1.618), One Point Six Aesthetics in Santa Cruz blends wellness and aesthetic medicine to achieve natural, harmonious results. Our menu includes laser treatments, injectables, IV therapy, and wellness services.
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