# Vitality Renewal

> Vitality Renewal is a women’s wellness practice in Crystal Lake, Illinois focused on hormone optimization, functional medicine, and personalized care.

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## Posts

### [Testosterone - The Forgotten Hormone: Why Women Deserve Better Than a 1/10 Pump of a Man's Prescription](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/03/10/the-forgotten-hormone/)

**Published:** March 10, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

# **Testosterone – The Forgotten Hormone: Why Women Deserve Better Than a 1/10 Pump of a Man’s Prescription**

The conversation about testosterone in women is finally gaining momentum. That is both exciting and concerning. Exciting because this hormone has been neglected in women’s medicine for decades. Concerning because the conversation risks going in the wrong direction from the very start.

Before we can fix the problem, we have to understand how deep it actually runs. And it runs deeper than most practitioners — and most patients — realize. It starts with a foundational question that medicine has not yet honestly answered: do we even know what a healthy testosterone level in a woman looks like?

The answer, as I will explain, is no. Not really. And that matters enormously for how we approach treatment.

 

## **Why Testosterone Matters in Women**

Testosterone is not a male hormone. It is the most abundant sex hormone in a woman’s body — more abundant than estradiol at virtually every stage of adult life. Premenopausal women produce approximately three times more testosterone than estrogen, yet this fact remains largely absent from routine clinical conversation.

The roles testosterone plays in women’s physiology are substantial and wide-ranging:

- Bone density — research suggests testosterone is approximately three times more potent than estrogen at stimulating new bone formation, making it a critical factor in osteoporosis prevention
- Skeletal muscle mass and strength
- Cognitive function, mental clarity, and protection against brain fog
- Energy and overall sense of vitality
- Libido, sexual arousal, and sexual satisfaction
- Mood stability and resistance to depression
- Metabolic health and body composition during midlife

Testosterone levels begin a natural decline well before menopause — in fact, a woman at 40 has roughly half the testosterone she had at 20. The decline continues through perimenopause and into the postmenopausal years. Not every woman becomes clinically deficient, but a significant proportion do, and the symptoms when levels fall — fatigue, cognitive fog, low libido, loss of muscle tone, diminished sense of wellbeing — are the same complaints that bring millions of women to their doctors’ offices every year, where they are routinely told their labs are normal.

The dismissal of testosterone as a “male hormone” has cost women decades of research attention, clinical recognition, and access to appropriate care. The 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement on testosterone therapy for women, co-authored by international endocrinology and gynecology societies, formally acknowledged both the evidence base for testosterone’s role in women’s health and the urgent need for female-specific research and formulations. (1)

## **The Measurement Problem: We Barely Know What “Normal” Is — Let Alone What “Optimal” Is**

### **Reference ranges are statistically derived, not clinically meaningful**

  ![Normal Curve](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Normal-Curve.png "Normal Curve") 

When your testosterone level comes back from the lab, it is compared to a “normal range.” That range is generated by plotting measurements from a reference population on a bell curve and capturing the middle 90%. The top 5% and bottom 5% are excluded as outliers. What remains becomes “normal.”

There are two immediate problems with this. First, it means that normal simply equals like 9 out of 10 people — not thriving, not optimally healthy, just statistically average. Second, if the population used to generate the range was itself running at suboptimal levels, the range codifies insufficiency as acceptable.

The situation with free testosterone in women is particularly troubling. Some prominent laboratory companies set the lower limit of the normal range for free testosterone in women at or near zero. Given testosterone’s established roles in brain function, bone metabolism, muscle maintenance, and sexual health, a lower limit of zero is not a physiologic standard — it is the absence of one.

## **The Assay Accuracy Problem: Measuring at the Edge of Detection**

Female testosterone concentrations exist at the lower boundary of what most standard laboratory assays can reliably detect. To understand why this matters, it helps to know how these units relate to one another. Total testosterone is typically reported in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Free testosterone — the biologically active fraction not bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) — is reported in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). These are not interchangeable units, and the difference in scale is significant: 1 ng/dL equals 10 pg/mL. A nanogram is 1,000 picograms, and a deciliter is 100 milliliters, so the conversion works out to a factor of 10.

In concrete terms: total testosterone in women typically falls somewhere in the range of 15–70 ng/dL, or equivalently 150–700 pg/mL. Free testosterone in women, however, is reported in a range of approximately 0.6–6.4 pg/mL — numbers so vanishingly small that they sit at or below the reliable detection threshold of many standard immunoassay methods used in routine clinical laboratories. To put that in perspective, a free testosterone level of 1.5 pg/mL is the same as 0.15 ng/dL. Written out that way, it becomes clear why standard assays — designed to measure hormones across a wide population that includes men, whose testosterone runs 10 to 20 times higher — struggle to accurately resolve these tiny values in women. The margin between “normal” and “deficient” at these concentrations may be smaller than the assay’s own margin of error.

Direct analog radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods for free testosterone, which are widely used in clinical practice, have been specifically criticized for their inaccuracy at the low concentrations found in women. Miller and colleagues demonstrated in 2004 that direct RIA methods were unreliable for assessing free testosterone in women and recommended equilibrium dialysis or mass action calculation instead. (2)

The gold standard for total testosterone measurement is liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which provides the sensitivity and specificity required to accurately quantify female concentrations. Equilibrium dialysis is the gold standard for free testosterone. Neither is universally available in routine clinical practice.

The clinical consequence of this is significant: a woman’s testosterone can be reported as “normal” on a standard lab panel using an assay that lacks the precision to meaningfully distinguish low-normal from deficient at female concentration ranges. She may be told her results are reassuring when the measurement itself is not reliable.

## **The Research Gap: A Field That Never Received Adequate Investment**

The major studies that established the testosterone reference ranges in use today include Davison et al. (2005), Braunstein et al. (2011), Haring et al. (2012), and Skiba et al. (2019). (3,4,5,6) These studies established statistical distributions of testosterone levels in screened female cohorts. They did not define what testosterone level corresponds to optimal cognitive function, bone health, sexual wellbeing, or energy in women. The reference range and the optimal range are entirely different questions — and only one of them has been studied.

Women’s health research as a whole is chronically underfunded relative to conditions affecting men, a disparity documented in a 2023 analysis published in Nature. (7) Testosterone in women exemplifies this gap: no FDA-approved product, no outcome-correlated reference ranges, and a clinical standard of care built largely on extrapolation from male data.

# **The Inclusion Criteria Problem: A Fundamental Flaw in How Reference Ranges Were Built**

This is one of the most overlooked methodological problems in the testosterone literature, and it deserves careful examination. When I reviewed the inclusion criteria for the major reference range studies, something important stands out.

## **What “Healthy” Meant in These Studies**

The primary proxy for health across the major reference range studies was regular menstrual cyclicity:

- Braunstein et al. (2011): regular menstrual cycles of 21–35 days, absence of known endocrine disorders (4)
- Davison et al. (2005): community-recruited women free of PCOS, exogenous steroid use, and surgical history (3)
- Skiba et al. (2019): regular cycles of 21–35 days, no PCOS diagnosis, no hormone therapy use (6)

These are the cohorts whose testosterone measurements were used to define what is “normal” for all women. And they were considered healthy, in large part, because they were having regular periods.

## **The Critical Flaw: Menstrual Regularity Does Not Reflect Testosterone Status**

Menstrual cycle regularity is governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis — specifically the coordinated interplay of GnRH, LH, FSH, estradiol, and progesterone. Progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum and estradiol produced by the developing follicle are the hormones that regulate cycle length, ovulation timing, and endometrial cycling.

Testosterone plays no primary regulatory role in generating or maintaining the menstrual cycle.

A woman can have textbook 28-day cycles, ovulate regularly, and carry estradiol and progesterone in their expected ranges — while simultaneously having suboptimal or frankly insufficient free testosterone. The two systems are regulated largely independently of one another.

Using menstrual cycle regularity as a proxy for androgenic sufficiency is therefore a category error. It confirms that the estrogen-progesterone axis is functioning. It tells us nothing meaningful about testosterone status.

## **What the Inclusion Criteria Confirmed — and What It Did Not**

What regular menstrual cycles confirmed in the reference population:

- Adequate LH and FSH pulsatility from the hypothalamus and pituitary
- Functional folliculogenesis and ovulation — an estradiol-driven process
- Intact corpus luteum function — a progesterone-driven process
- Absence of gross hyperandrogenism sufficient to disrupt cycling (as seen in PCOS)

What the inclusion criteria did not assess or exclude:

- Symptoms of androgen insufficiency: diminished libido, fatigue, cognitive fog, reduced muscle mass, loss of the sense of wellbeing
- Whether free testosterone in the lower portion of the measured range was associated with functional impairment
- SHBG levels that may suppress bioavailable testosterone even when total testosterone appears adequate
- Adrenal androgen contribution via DHEA-S, a significant precursor to testosterone in women that declines with age independently of ovarian function

## **The Circularity Problem**

These studies assumed that women without overt pathology had adequate hormone levels, then measured their testosterone to define the “normal” range, which is subsequently used to reassure future patients that their levels are acceptable. If the reference population was, as a group, running at suboptimal testosterone — which is entirely physiologically plausible — the resulting range simply codifies a population-wide insufficiency as normal. The cohort defines the range; the range then validates the cohort.

Consider a useful analogy: defining optimal iron stores by measuring ferritin in a population that was never screened for fatigue, hair loss, or cold intolerance — common functional symptoms of low-normal ferritin even in the absence of frank anemia. The numbers might look unremarkable. The women might not be well. The 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement explicitly acknowledged the absence of validated, outcome-correlated reference ranges as a defining gap in this field. (1)

## **What a More Rigorous Study Would Require**

To genuinely establish optimal testosterone reference ranges in women, a study would need to incorporate:

- Systematic symptom screening for androgen insufficiency using validated instruments such as the Female Sexual Function Index or the Decreased Sexual Desire Screener
- Correlation of measured free testosterone levels with clinical outcomes including sexual function, energy, cognitive performance, and musculoskeletal parameters
- Assessment of SHBG to confirm bioavailability, not just total testosterone in isolation
- Free testosterone measurement using LC-MS/MS combined with equilibrium dialysis
- A longitudinal design to track how hormone levels correlate with functional outcomes over time

None of the major reference range studies employed this design. This is not a criticism of the researchers — it reflects the state of the field and the absence of funding to do this work properly. But it does mean that when a lab report tells a woman her testosterone is “normal,” that claim rests on a foundation with significant structural limitations.

# **No FDA-Approved Product: The Wild West of Women’s Testosterone Therapy**

There is currently no FDA-approved testosterone formulation specifically indicated for women in the United States. Not one. Despite decades of off-label clinical use, a robust evidence base for benefits in sexual function and wellbeing, and an internationally recognized position statement calling for female-specific products, women in 2026 are still navigating a landscape with no regulatory home.

What they get instead is a patchwork of off-label options — men’s testosterone gels, injectable testosterone cypionate or enanthate formulated for male pharmacokinetics, or compounded preparations of wildly variable quality from pharmacies whose practices may or may not meet rigorous manufacturing standards.

The men’s formulation problem deserves particular attention. A woman instructed to apply one-tenth of a pump of AndroGel is being asked to self-administer a medication designed to restore testosterone in a hypogonadal man — whose target range is 300–1,000 ng/dL — at a dose increment that cannot be meaningfully titrated for a woman whose entire therapeutic range may span 15–50 ng/dL. The concentration is wrong. The dose resolution is wrong. The formulation was not designed for female skin absorption characteristics. The monitoring protocols were not developed for female physiology.

The result is exactly what one would predict: inconsistent dosing, unpredictable absorption, supraphysiologic levels in some women, insurance denials, access inequities, and a proliferation of online prescribing practices operating with minimal clinical oversight.

The 2019 Global Consensus Position Statement was unambiguous: there is both an evidence base for testosterone therapy in women and an urgent need for regulatory-approved, female-specific formulations. (1) That need remains unmet.

## **Compounded Preparations Done Properly**

In the absence of an approved product, thoughtfully prescribed compounded testosterone remains a reasonable option — when it is done with rigor. That means:

- Comprehensive baseline testing before initiation: total testosterone, free testosterone by LC-MS/MS with equilibrium dialysis where available, SHBG, and a full sex hormone panel including estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA-S
- Dosing formulated at female-physiologic concentrations by a compounding pharmacy with validated manufacturing practices — not a fraction of a men’s commercial product
- Regular follow-up monitoring of levels to confirm the patient is achieving physiologic range without accumulation or supraphysiologic drift
- Symptom correlation as the primary clinical target: resolution of androgen insufficiency symptoms at the lowest effective dose, not achievement of an arbitrary number on a lab report
- Urine hormone metabolite testing (such as the DUTCH test) to assess how testosterone is being processed, which pathways are active, and whether metabolites are accumulating in directions that warrant attention

## **Pellet Therapy: The Promise and the Pitfalls**

Subcutaneous testosterone pellet implantation offers an appealing premise: consistent, steady-state hormone delivery over several months without the compliance burden of daily application. For some patients, this is genuinely valuable.

A limitation is dose inflexibility. Once a pellet is implanted, the dose cannot be adjusted downward. If levels overshoot — which can occur with imprecise initial dosing or individual variation in pellet absorption — the patient carries supraphysiologic testosterone until the pellet is exhausted, which may take three to six months.

Pellet therapy done responsibly requires conservative initial dosing, pre-insertion laboratory evaluation, follow-up levels at four to six weeks post-insertion, and a provider who has developed genuine expertise in female-specific dosing. It is not appropriate for every patient, and the irreversibility of an implanted dose demands careful selection and informed consent.

## **Understanding Testosterone Metabolism: It Is Not Just About the Level**

Testosterone does not act in isolation. How the body metabolizes it shapes both the therapeutic response and the side effect profile. There are two primary downstream conversion pathways:

- Aromatization to estradiol — via the aromatase enzyme, particularly in adipose tissue. In most women, a small degree of aromatization is physiologically normal and contributes to estrogen balance. At appropriate physiologic doses of testosterone, this conversion is generally not a clinical concern. Monitoring estradiol levels as part of routine follow-up is sufficient to identify the uncommon situation where conversion is excessive.
- Conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — via 5-alpha reductase. DHT is a more potent androgen and is relevant to androgenic side effects such as acne and hair thinning.

SHBG must also be assessed as part of any testosterone evaluation. High SHBG binds testosterone and reduces bioavailability, meaning a woman with a “normal” total testosterone and elevated SHBG may have very little free, active hormone. Low SHBG, conversely, may allow greater free testosterone activity than the total level would suggest.

Two women on identical doses of testosterone can have very different clinical experiences depending on their individual metabolic enzyme activity. This is why the approach must be personalized — not protocol-driven.

# **A New Drug on the Horizon — But Not Without Questions: AVA-291 (d3-Testosterone)**

## **What It Is and Why It Matters**

AVA-291, developed by Aviva Bio, is an investigational deuterium-substituted isotopologue of testosterone. In plain terms: it is structurally identical to endogenous testosterone, but select hydrogen atoms have been replaced with deuterium — a naturally occurring, stable, non-radioactive heavy isotope of hydrogen with an atomic mass of 2 rather than 1.

The rationale for this substitution is specific and scientifically grounded. Deuterium-substituted bonds are more resistant to enzymatic cleavage than normal carbon-hydrogen bonds, due to the kinetic isotope effect. By placing deuterium at positions targeted by the aromatase enzyme, AVA-291 is engineered to resist aromatization — the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.

Aviva Bio frames aromatization as the primary safety concern justifying this structural modification, citing the theoretical link between local estrogen production in breast tissue and estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer risk. Preclinical data suggest AVA-291 stimulates ER+ breast cancer cell proliferation approximately 1,000-fold less than standard testosterone, with findings scheduled for presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in April 2026.

That premise deserves scrutiny. The FDA recently removed the black-box warning on estrogen therapy that had cast a long shadow over hormone replacement for more than two decades — a warning rooted in the misinterpretation of the Women’s Health Initiative data. That removal reflects a growing scientific consensus that estrogen, at physiologic doses, is not the carcinogenic agent it was once portrayed to be in healthy women without a personal history of hormone-sensitive cancer. If the foundational fear driving the aromatization concern has been substantially revised by the very regulatory body tasked with evaluating it, then the urgency of engineering around aromatization in the general female population requires re-examination.

For the small subset of women with a personal history of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, the clinical picture is more nuanced — and there is meaningful work in this space. Dr. Rebecca Glaser’s research on subcutaneous testosterone pellet therapy using anastrozole co-pellets to locally block aromatization has demonstrated both safety and benefit in this population, providing a targeted solution for women who have the most legitimate reason to limit estradiol conversion. (13) That is a real solution to a real problem in a specific, identifiable subgroup. It is not, however, a justification for altering the molecular structure of testosterone for all women.

For the vast majority of women without a history of hormone-sensitive cancer, a small percentage of testosterone converting to estradiol is not a pathological event — it is physiology. Testosterone has always aromatized in women. The body has co-evolved with that process. Monitoring estradiol levels during therapy, adjusting dose appropriately, and selecting a route of administration that minimizes supraphysiologic peaks are sufficient, evidence-aligned strategies for managing aromatization in the general population. Deuterium substitution is not required.

In January 2026, Aviva Bio received positive formal guidance from the FDA via a Type B meeting, clarifying the regulatory development pathway for a women’s testosterone therapy. A Phase 1 clinical trial was announced for early 2026. As of this writing, no interim human data have been publicly reported.

This represents the first serious regulatory pathway toward an FDA-approved testosterone product specifically designed for women. That is genuinely significant, and it deserves acknowledgment. Women have waited a very long time for this.

## **Why Scientific Caution Is Also Warranted: The Deuterium Question**

With that acknowledgment made, I want to raise a question that I believe deserves serious consideration before AVA-291 — or any deuterium-labeled steroid — is adopted as a standard of care for millions of women.

Deuterium is not inherently dangerous. It is present in biological systems at trace concentrations — approximately 0.015% of hydrogen atoms in natural water. At physiological ambient concentrations, it poses no known harm. Deuterium-substituted pharmaceuticals are not new: deutetrabenazine (Austedo), FDA-approved for Huntington’s disease chorea, uses the same strategy and has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile with reduced side effects compared to its non-deuterated parent compound.

However, the specific question of chronic systemic exposure to a deuterium-labeled steroid hormone — one that circulates throughout the body, enters the brain, bone, breast, and muscle — over months to years has not been studied in human trials. That is not the same as saying it is unsafe. It is saying we do not yet know.

Research by Stephanie Seneff and colleagues at MIT raises a theoretical concern worth noting. In a 2025 review published in FASEB BioAdvances, Seneff, Nigh, and Kyriakopoulos proposed that deuterium, at elevated concentrations in mitochondria, can interfere with the rotary mechanism of ATP synthase — the molecular motor responsible for generating ATP — by virtue of its greater mass and the resulting kinetic isotope effect on hydrogen-dependent reactions. (8) The proposed consequence is reduced ATP production and increased output of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction.

It is important to be precise about what this research does and does not claim. Mainstream scientific consensus holds that deuterium-substituted drugs at therapeutic doses do not produce systemic deuterium accumulation sufficient to disrupt mitochondrial function. The kinetic isotope effect in a deuterated pharmaceutical is exploited at the level of specific metabolic bonds in the drug molecule — not distributed throughout cellular water. Seneff’s broader hypotheses about deuterium, chronic disease, and glyphosate remain speculative and are not established consensus science.

That said, the question is not unreasonable to ask: when a deuterium-labeled steroid is administered chronically to women — a population that may use testosterone therapy for years to decades — what is the long-term fate of that deuterium label? Does it accumulate in tissues? Does it enter pathways relevant to mitochondrial hydrogen cycling? Does it behave differently than deuterium in a small-molecule neurological drug with a very different tissue distribution profile?

These questions have not been answered by existing preclinical data, and they are appropriate questions to ask before widespread clinical adoption.

## **The Chronic Illness Context: “Won’t Kill You” Should NOT be the Standard**

Here is the broader concern that I cannot set aside, and it goes beyond the pharmacology of AVA-291 specifically. We are not prescribing into a healthy population. We are prescribing into a population in which chronic illness has become the statistical norm.

According to the CDC, approximately 60% of American adults have at least one chronic disease, and 40% have two or more. Conditions once considered diseases of aging — metabolic dysfunction, autoimmunity, cognitive decline, persistent fatigue, inflammatory disorders — are now presenting in younger and younger patients. Chronic fatigue, in particular, has become so pervasive that many people have quietly reclassified it as a normal feature of modern life rather than a symptom that warrants investigation. It is not normal. But it is increasingly common.

This matters to the deuterium discussion in a specific way. The preclinical safety argument for AVA-291 is built, in part, on the premise that therapeutic doses of a deuterium-substituted compound will not produce systemic deuterium accumulation sufficient to cause harm. That argument is derived from studies of deuterium toxicity in otherwise healthy biological systems. But many of the women who will be prescribed this medication — if it is approved — are not operating in otherwise healthy biological systems. They are women with mitochondrial dysfunction already expressed as fatigue. Women with pre-existing inflammatory burden. Women with impaired detoxification capacity, gut dysbiosis, or years of accumulated environmental toxic load from pesticides, plasticizers, heavy metals, and other endocrine-disrupting compounds.

The threshold at which “won’t cause harm” is established in a healthy, well-functioning system may not be the same threshold that applies to a woman already carrying a substantial allostatic load. If Seneff’s proposed mechanism — that deuterium interferes with ATP synthase efficiency and increases reactive oxygen species output — has any validity at physiologically relevant concentrations, then the women most likely to be harmed are precisely those who are already the most metabolically compromised. They are also, not coincidentally, often the women most likely to be seeking testosterone therapy in the first place.

This connects to a principle I hold across all of clinical medicine: the goal of therapeutic intervention should not be merely to avoid acute harm. It should be to restore and support the body’s innate capacity to function. Every substance we introduce — every medication, every supplement, every intervention — is either contributing to that goal or working against it. The standard of “it won’t kill you” is not a standard at all. It is the lowest possible bar, and chronically ill patients deserve better than the lowest bar.

We are already living in a sea of toxicants. Glyphosate residues are detectable in human urine, breast milk, and cerebrospinal fluid. Phthalates and bisphenols are measurable in the vast majority of Americans tested. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been found in human blood at detectable concentrations across all age groups. Heavy metals accumulate in bone and brain tissue over decades. The body is not infinitely resilient in the face of this ongoing exposure. Its buffering capacity — its ability to manage, metabolize, and eliminate what does not belong — is finite, and for many patients, it is already strained.

Against that backdrop, the question I am compelled to ask is not “is this dose of deuterium acutely toxic?” The question is: why would we deliberately engineer a foreign isotope into a hormone medication when a chemically identical, isotopically natural alternative — bioidentical testosterone — already exists and can be compounded at female-physiologic doses? For the majority of women, aromatization at physiologic testosterone doses is not a problem to be solved — it is a normal biochemical process. Where aromatization does warrant attention, such as in women with a history of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, targeted solutions already exist. The broad aromatization concern does not justify a structural modification to the hormone molecule for the general female population.

The chronic illness epidemic mushrooming across our society did not arise from a single cause. It arose from the accumulation of many small insults — each one, in isolation, deemed acceptable by the standards of the day. We should be asking whether each new therapeutic addition reduces that burden or adds to it. That is not obstructionism. That is the practice of medicine with a long view.

## **The Core Tension**

We may be at risk of replacing one inadequately studied approach — off-label male formulations — with a novel molecular entity whose long-term isotope-related biology has not been characterized in human studies. The history of women’s hormone therapy is already marked by treatments that were adopted with enthusiasm before long-term data were available, with consequences that took decades to understand.

Supporting the development of AVA-291 and asking rigorous questions about it are not mutually exclusive positions. They are both part of practicing evidence-based medicine on behalf of women. The goal is not to obstruct progress. The goal is to ensure that when an FDA-approved testosterone product for women finally arrives, it is one whose long-term safety we have genuinely earned the right to assert.

# **What Women and Their Clinicians Should Be Demanding**

After reviewing the full landscape, here is what I believe women deserve — and should advocate for:

- Female-specific formulations at physiologically appropriate doses, studied in female populations, with regulatory approval. Not a fraction of a man’s prescription.
- Standardization of free testosterone measurement using LC-MS/MS with equilibrium dialysis across clinical practice — not immunoassay methods that lack the precision to reliably measure female concentrations.
- Outcome-correlated reference ranges, not just statistical normal ranges. Ranges derived from studies that assessed how testosterone levels relate to cognitive function, bone health, sexual wellbeing, and energy in women across reproductive life stages.
- Increased research funding for women’s androgen biology, including longitudinal outcome studies and trials specifically powered to establish clinical endpoints in female populations.
- Transparent, informed conversations about all available delivery options — compounded topicals, pellets, and emerging novel agents — with honest accounting of both benefits and monitoring requirements.
- Long-term safety evaluation of any novel formulation, including AVA-291, before it becomes a default standard of care. The absence of known harm in preclinical data is not the same as demonstrated long-term safety in humans.

# **The Right Conversation, Done Right**

The silence around testosterone in women is breaking. That is long overdue. But the goal of this conversation must be more than simply prescribing more — it must be to prescribe correctly, monitor rigorously, and research honestly.

Women deserve a testosterone therapy that was designed for them, studied in them, dosed for their physiology, and evaluated for long-term safety in their bodies. That means:

- Compounding done with precision and appropriate monitoring
- Pellets prescribed conservatively, with full informed consent about dose inflexibility
- Novel agents welcomed with scientific curiosity and appropriate scrutiny
- Reference ranges that reflect optimal function, not a statistical average of an understudied population

The reference ranges we use today were built on cohorts screened for regular menstrual cycles — a measure of estrogen and progesterone function that tells us nothing about testosterone status. The assays used to measure those ranges lack the precision required at female concentration levels. The inclusion criteria assumed health without measuring the very outcomes testosterone affects. And yet these ranges are used daily to tell women that their levels are normal and no further evaluation is warranted.

At Hormone Locksmith, the approach has always been this: normal is not the target. Optimal is. And optimal requires understanding the full picture — not just what is convenient to measure, but what the science has not yet bothered to ask.

If you have been told your testosterone is “normal” but you are exhausted, foggy, struggling with libido, losing muscle, or simply not yourself — that normal range may not be telling your whole story.

**You deserve better than that.**

## **References**

1. **Davis SR, Baber R, Panay N, et al. Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(10):4660-4666. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-01603**
2. **Miller KK, Rosner W, Lee H, et al. Measurement of free testosterone in normal women and women with androgen deficiency: comparison of methods. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(2):525-533. doi:10.1210/jc.2003-031008**
3. **Davison SL, Bell R, Donath S, Montalto JG, Davis SR. Androgen levels in adult females: changes with age, menopause, and oophorectomy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(7):3847-3853. doi:10.1210/jc.2005-0212**
4. **Braunstein GD, Reitz RE, Buch A, Schnell D, Caulfield MP. Testosterone reference ranges in normally cycling healthy premenopausal women. J Sex Med. 2011;8(10):2924-2934. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02380.x**
5. **Haring R, Hannemann A, John U, et al. Age-specific reference ranges for serum testosterone and androstenedione concentrations in women measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2012;77(2):318-325. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.2012.04351.x**
6. **Skiba MA, Bell RJ, Islam RM, Handelsman DJ, Desai R, Davis SR. Androgens during the reproductive years: what is normal for women? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2019;104(11):5382-5392. doi:10.1210/jc.2019-01357**
7. **Kozlov M. Women’s health research lacks funding — these charts show how. Nature. 2023. doi:10.1038/d41586-023-01475-2**
8. **Seneff S, Nigh G, Kyriakopoulos AM. Is deuterium sequestering by reactive carbon atoms an important mechanism to reduce deuterium content in biological water? FASEB BioAdvances. 2025. doi:10.1096/fba.2025-00032**
9. **Wierman ME, Basson R, Davis SR, et al. Androgen therapy in women: a reappraisal: an Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(10):3489-3510. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-2260**
10. **Burger HG. Androgen production in women. Fertil Steril. 2002;77 Suppl 4:S3-5. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(02)02985-0**
11. **Glaser RL, York AE, Dimitrakakis C. Beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in women measured by the validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Maturitas. 2011;68(4):355-361. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.02.007. See also: Glaser R, Dimitrakakis C. Testosterone therapy in women: myths and misconceptions. Maturitas. 2013;74(3):230-234. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.01.003**
12. **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Diseases in America. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm. Accessed March 2026.**
13. **Trasande L, Zoeller RT, Hass U, et al. Estimating burden and disease costs of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the European Union. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(4):1245-1255. doi:10.1210/jc.2014-4324**

**Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information presented reflects the author’s clinical perspective and a review of available scientific literature as of the date of publication. Individual hormone therapy decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare provider who can evaluate your specific clinical history, symptoms, and laboratory data. Off-label use of testosterone therapy in women should be undertaken only under appropriate medical supervision with regular monitoring.**

**Categories:** General Health

**Tags:** menstruation, testosterone

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### [It’s Time for Informed Consent about Mammograms](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/its-time-for-informed-consent-about-mammograms/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

# It’s Time for Informed Consent about Mammograms

For the last 50 years, mammography has been used for breast cancer screening. As a gynecologist for over 25 years, I’ve encouraged thousands of women to get their mammograms done on a regular basis.

Many of my patients confided in me of their dread of the procedure. Their issues were the pain of breast compression, the concern for radiation exposure, the anxiety of frequent call-backs requiring additional images and/or biopsy, and the fact that the study has severe limitations in accuracy for women who had dense breasts. Despite their pleas for something different, I would encourage them to get screening, because I really believed it was in their best interest. Didn’t they want to catch breast cancer at the earliest possible stage?

Over time though, I started to have my doubts. As a doctor, I took an oath to “first do no harm.” I began to wonder if recommending mammograms and my Hippocratic Oath could possibly be in conflict. I dealt with these concerns by having an honest conversation with my patients about the risks and benefits of mammography. At the conclusion of these conversations, I would offer my support for them, whatever THEIR decision was.

Now that I’ve learned more about true wellness, the causes of illness and studied the statistics of mammography in depth, I am compelled to have an honest conversation with whomever will listen. Women deserve to know this…

## What exactly IS a mammogram and how does it detect cancer?

A traditional screening mammogram is an x-ray study of the breasts in two orientations–top to bottom, and side to side (the medical terms are craniocaudal and mediolateral, respectively). This provides a 2-dimensional view. The goal is to detect abnormal calcification clusters that are present in many breast cancers.1 The hope is that detecting these calcifications before a lump is felt will lead to earlier diagnosis of cancer, making treatment easier. The ultimate goal is to decrease death from breast cancer.

In 2011 a new version of mammography was introduced, that allowed an approximation of a 3-D image, by stacking the 2-dimensional images on top of each other. This is digital tomosynthesis and involves the same initial set up of the patient, stabilizing the breast in two orientations. The images are obtained by having the x-ray camera rotate around the breast during the study, taking multiple pictures over a period of about 7 seconds.2

With either traditional mammography or the newer digital tomosynthesis, to get a decent view, the breast must be compressed between two plates to thin out the tissue. Otherwise, it’s impossible to see clearly. For women with large breasts, more than two images per breast are often required to include all the breast tissue. If the interpreting radiologist sees something he/she’s not sure of, then additional views with mammography, ultrasound, MRI and/or biopsy is recommended.

## What are the limitations of mammography?

There are several limitations to mammography…

### **Missed cancers (false negatives)**

Not all breast cancers have calcifications, and these are missed with mammography. For instance, lobular cancer is usually not detected on mammogram, and this makes up about 10% of breast cancers.3

### **Dense breast limitation**

For women with dense breasts, meaning a higher ratio of fibrous to fat tissue, the mammogram is difficult to interpret. The dense breast looks brighter on x-ray, and small calcifications are easily obscured. This is a significant limitation, because over 40% of women have dense breasts.4 In these women, it is estimated that a mammogram could miss up to 50% of cancers.5

### **False positives**

Half of women screened over a 10-year period will have a false positive mammogram. This occurs when the call-back for additional views and possible procedures ends up being non-cancerous. While around 12% of 2-D screening mammograms are recalled for more work-up, only 4.4% of those recalls, or 0.5% overall, conclude with a cancer diagnosis.6

Now, I’m truly glad that the woman involved doesn’t have cancer, but what about all the money, time, anxiety, and risk of complications from procedures that she spent to get the clean bill of health? Recently, a woman in my practice had her recommended mammogram and a call-back for additional views that culminated in a biopsy. The good news is she didn’t have cancer—the biopsy was benign. The bad news is that she developed a large painful hematoma from the biopsy and has been dealing with that for a long time.

## Are there risks to mammography?

With anything in medicine (and all of life, really) there are risks and benefits. The same is true with mammography. The term “risk” implies potential harm caused by the procedure. There are both quantifiable risks (meaning we have data and can calculate the percentiles) and subjective risks.

## The quantifiable risks of mammography

### **Radiation**

Radiation exposure is inevitable by the nature of mammography. Women with large or dense breasts typically require higher dose radiation per study than women with small, non-dense breasts. Overall, the radiation exposure is not much per individual study, but we think the risks of radiation exposure are cumulative, which mean they add up over time.7 Could this cumulative exposure become significant when we start regularly radiating the breast at age 35-40 and continue until a woman is in her 70s?

### **Breast trauma from compression**

Mammographic compression involves forces of up to 45 pounds on the breast. This is needed to layer the tissue thin enough to detect lesions. There have been numerous reports of beast hematomas following mammogram, sometimes requiring surgical intervention to drain.8

#### **Do the above two risks translate into mammography actually being a risk for CAUSING breast cancer?**

The answer is definitely yes, for radiation exposure, but not proven for trauma. Multiple case reports of cancer after trauma have been discussed, and prior to the invention of mammography, multiple texts listed breast trauma as a risk factor for cancer.9-11 Now though, experts are adamant that the trauma from compression does NOT cause cancer.12

Multiple sources have quantified the risk of mammography-induced cancers from the lifetime radiation exposure of the procedure. A study out of Japan calculated that for every 100K women screened annually (receiving 3.7 mGy each study) from 40-55 years, biennially from 55-74 years, there are 86 radiation-induced cancers and 11 deaths.13

The above data was extrapolated from atomic bomb survivors, which was exposure to high energy gamma radiation. Mammograms deliver lower frequency radiation, but that might actually be worse. A study out of England reported that low energy X-rays used in mammography are approximately four to six times more effective in causing mutational damage than higher energy gamma rays. Since current radiation-risk estimates are based on the effects of high energy gamma radiation, this implies that the risks of radiation-induced breast cancers from mammography X-rays are underestimated by the same factor.14

Yikes! That means that there could be 516 cancers (86 x 6 = 516) caused by mammographic radiation and 66 deaths from these cancers. I’m not a math major or statistician, but that sounds like a lot to me.

Despite these well-thought projections, The National Breast Cancer Foundation adamantly proclaims that the amount of radiation used in a screening mammogram does not cause cancer.11

### Overdiagnosis

Overdiagnosis is my BIGGEST concern. It’s a complicated issue, but I’ll try to help you understand it… The ultimate goal of mammography is to prevent death from cancer by early detection. The concept of overdiagnosis is that there are small cancers that would never cause death. This is because they are so slow growing, or because the immune system can sometimes step in and solve the problem with no outside interventions. Treating these cancers does nothing to prolong your life. In fact, treatment has multiple risks such as:

- Complications from surgery
- Radiation treatment has long-term potential complications such as an increased risk of heart disease15

Overdiagnosis is a situation where the cancer would never have been detected without the screening, and would never have caused symptoms, so the woman would have lived her life without ever knowing or worrying about cancer, and would have lived as long as she was going to live, dying from some other cause.

The problem is that once you see cancer, it’s almost impossible NOT to recommend treatment. Because at diagnosis, we have a snapshot in time. We don’t know what the true long-term behavior of a tumor will be unless we watch it, and nobody really wants to watch a cancer, in case it’s a more aggressive kind that would have a bad outcome. The usual reaction to cancer is “Get it out of me!”, understandably so, but there are likely many cases where that’s not increasing life expectancy, and may even be decreasing life expectancy, due to the complications of treatment from overdiagnosis.

These concerns were eloquently discussed in a report out of Norway where the authors concluded: “For every 2000 women invited for screening throughout 10 years, 1 will have her life prolonged. In addition, 10 healthy women, who would not have been diagnosed if there had not been screening, will be diagnosed as breast cancer patients and will be treated unnecessarily.”16

**Cost**

While most insurance companies cover the screening mammogram, many do not cover the additional studies. Even the accompanying ultrasound that is recommended for women with dense breasts (to make up for the painfully inadequate mammogram) is not always covered. These costs can be substantial, ranging from $700 to over $5000, depending on the amount of work-up required. The breast cancer screening industry is an $8 billion industry in the United States.

## The subjective risk of mammography

**Anxiety/Stress**

The subjective risk pertains mainly to the limitations of mammogram studies that lead to callbacks for additional studies.

The anxiety induced by the call backs can be significant. There’s always a waiting period between when a woman is notified of questionable findings and when the most-likely “all-clear” from the additional studies is finally given. During this time, she is often worried about a cancer diagnosis.

Some women also have anxiety because of the pain they experience from the compression of their breasts necessary to obtain the mammogram. And if they’ve ever had bruising or a hematoma, it may be magnified.

The effects of stress on the body are significant and a well-known cause of long-term disease.

The benefits of mammography

As already mentioned, the goal of mammography is to detect cancer early, making treatment easier and hopefully resulting in a lower death rate from breast cancer. That is a very noble goal. How has it panned out?

Unfortunately, not as good as we had hoped. Here, we must be sure to acknowledge the difference between death from breast cancer, and overall mortality. Death from breast cancer is just like it sounds, whereas overall mortality is death from all possible causes, including breast cancer. I would argue that for the person who is dead, it probably doesn’t matter to THEM what their cause of death was…

Probably the most thorough study on this was the Canadian National Breast Screening Study. Here’s the most recent data from that study on the effectiveness of mammography screening:

![Screenshot 2024 07 29 at 1.48.58 AM](https://vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-29-at-1.48.58%E2%80%AFAM.png "Screenshot 2024-07-29 at 1.48.58 AM")

The “intervention” group included those who underwent mammography. Note that the while there were 20 less breast cancer deaths (per 100,000) there were 89 ADDITIONAL all-cause deaths (per 100,000) in those who participated in mammography screening.17

## Missing informed consent

Informed consent involves an honest conversation, laying out all that we know regarding an issue, and letting the patient weigh the pros and cons to make her own decision. This is the duty of medical professionals, yet it seems to be missing with mammography.

Women aren’t told about the risks of mammography. We are simply encouraged to get them. In fact, I would go so far as to say we are scolded for being foolish if we don’t keep up with the not-infrequently changing recommendations. The studies discussing mammography from the earlier days, used the term “women invited to participate in screening.” Now, instead of being invited to screen, we are admonished if we don’t screen.

I believe that we are intelligent beings and should be allowed to make informed decisions about our health. To do so we need to be given ALL the information about the pros and cons, the risks and benefits.

I don’t believe that the average physician has ulterior motives. I think they believe that the governing medical bodies have fully considered all these things and they are following the guidelines. I used to be one of those physicians.

But now that I know what I know, I can’t unlearn it. I’m concerned that mammograms are NOT as good as we thought, and may actually cause more harm than good. Women deserve to know ALL the facts and be championed for making their own decisions, not bullied into a screening program that has significant issues.

### **References:**

1. <https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/what-does-the-doctor-look-for-on-a-mammogram.html>
2. <https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/15939-digital-breast-tomosynthesis-and-breast-cancer-screening>
3. <https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/What-is-invasive-lobular-carcinoma-8-insights-on-lobular-breast-cancer.h00-159539745.html>
4. <https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes/dense-breasts>
5. <https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa062790?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>
6. Ho TH, Bissell MCS, Kerlikowske K, et al. Cumulative Probability of False-Positive Results After 10 Years of Screening With Digital Breast Tomosynthesis vs Digital Mammography. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(3):e222440.
7. The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP publication 103. Ann ICRP. 2007;37(2-4):1-332. doi: 10.1016/j.icrp.2007.10.003. PMID: 18082557.
8. van Netten JP, Hoption Cann S, Thornton I, Finegan R. Growing concern following compression mammography. BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Aug 31;2016:bcr2016216889. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216889. PMID: 27581236; PMCID: PMC5015182.
9. Lane-Claypon JE. A further report on cancer of the breast with special reference to its associated antecedent conditions. Ministry of Health Reports on Public Health and Medical Subjects (#32) London: HMSO; 1926. Cancer
10. Wainwright JM. A comparison of conditions associated with breast cancer in Great Britain and America. Am J Cancer. 1931;15:2610–45
11. Clemmensen JI. Results from statistical research. Br J Radiol. 1948;21:583–90. doi: 10.1259/0007-1285-21-252-583.
12. <https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-myths/a-mammogram-can-cause-breast-cancer-to-spread/>
13. Yaffe MJ, Mainprize JG. Risk of radiation-induced breast cancer from mammographic screening. Radiology. 2011 Jan;258(1):98-105. doi: 10.1148/radiol.10100655. Epub 2010 Nov 16. Erratum in: Radiology. 2012 Jul;264(1):306. PMID: 21081671.
14. Heyes GJ, Mill AJ, Charles MW. Enhanced biological effectiveness of low energy X-rays and implications for the UK breast screening programme. The British Journal of Radiology. 2006 Mar;79(939):195-200. DOI: 10.1259/bjr/21958628. PMID: 16498030.
15. <https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2015.00039/full>
16. Gøtzsche PC, Nielsen M. Screening for breast cancer with mammography. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD001877. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001877.pub2.
17. Kowalski AE. Mammograms and Mortality: How Has the Evidence Evolved? J Econ Perspect. 2021 Spring;35(2):119-140. doi: 10.1257/jep.35.2.119. PMID: 34421215; PMCID: PMC8371936.

**Categories:** Breast Health, General Health

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### [The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/the-reluctant-rebel-medical-doctor/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

# **The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor**

Not long ago I had an analysis of my messaging called the “brand archetype”. It’s a method to determine the “voice” you use in describing and delivering your services in order to be able to attract the kind of people who will most benefit from your work and be a joy to work with.

My results were “The Rebel Caregiver”. Hmmmm…. I expected the “caregiver” because that’s what we do at Vitality Renewal–we provide exceptional care, allowing people to be heard, while instilling hope and a plan for improving their health to the best level possible.

But “rebel”–REALLY? Me? I grew up blending in and pleasing, a true rule-follower. Not only that, but my career in medicine began in the military. I was active duty in the Air Force for 8 years. No rebel there. I was taught to say “Yes sir!” and follow the plan. My training in Ob/Gyn was very traditional. I could quote all the studies about why we do what we do, and could critique them as far as which were superior by being “randomized controlled trials”, the pinnacle of evidence-based medicine.

So WHERE did this rebel thing come from? And, more importantly, could it actually be true?

## My Rebel Path

Looking back at my career and path trajectory I can actually see it. I didn’t WANT to be a rebel. I was a “dyed in the wool” ACOG-knows-best kind of doctor. However, over time I started to realize that what I was doing WASN’T WORKING! I had no answer for the women who were confiding in me that they didn’t feel well even though their labs were “normal.” I actually believed them when they told me that they didn’t eat much and they DID exercise, so why were they gaining weight all of a sudden?

I just couldn’t stomach the “eat less and exercise” more standard answer. Or the blow-off statement “Well that’s normal for your age.”

## The Wake-Up Calls

Then there were a few “aha” moments that really sealed the deal.

One of them was related to the black-box warning of “Fosamax” , a medication for bone health. Do you remember that? There was a time when Fosamax (or Boniva) was recommended for both prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. I used to prescribe them frequently. It was a rare woman over 50 that WASN’T a candidate for the medication, since it was for both prevention and treatment… I thought I was helping. But then came a warning that after 5 years these medications could actually INCREASE the risk of fracture with minimal trauma–WTF???

Another “aha” moment was when I looked up the term “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis” in a medical encyclopedia/clinical resource and saw the statement: “Hashimoto’s is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries… but we don’t recommend checking for it. Just treat the hypothyroidism if it exists.” Excuse me? If your immune system is destroying your thyroid gland, don’t you think that is important?

And then there was the hormone replacement debacle. Pre-2003 everyone should take it. Post-2003 no one should take it. Didn’t seem to matter that the studies looking at the risks versus benefits weren’t even looking at the true hormones your body makes. They were looking at estrogens from a HORSE and a progesterone-like hormone called medroxy-progesterone-acetate. These are NOT the same thing. Yet very few people were talking about it–only “quacks” who talked about “bioidentical” hormones, and actually monitored levels and metabolism to customize a regimen… When I attended my first bio-identical hormone conference I was totally shocked that I had never learned about it before. After all, I had excellent training as an Ob/Gyn!

Once I learned this stuff, I couldn’t unlearn it. And I couldn’t keep silent. I no longer fit in at my multi-specialty group. I wanted more for my patients. I wanted to truly help them, not just band-aid their symptoms with potentially risky medications.

After lots of soul-searching and prayer, I realized I needed to leave my comfortable job in order to practice medicine the way I believed it should be practiced. I didn’t WANT to be a rebel. But I couldn’t, in good conscience, keep doing things that just didn’t work. I OWED it to my patients, the women who trusted me to be their guide, who confided in me of their struggles, to research and recommend things that actually WORK!

So yes, I guess I DID become a rebel. But reluctantly. I didn’t seek out being a rebel. I really tried to make the traditional environment work. It was a huge leap of faith to leave my established practice and start my own. I had to let go of some deeply ingrained ideas about following rules. I’d be lying if I said it was easy… but I HAD to do it in order to live my life with authenticity. I couldn’t recommend things that at best didn’t work well, and at worst might actually be harmful. I took an oath to HELP. I took an oath to FIRST DO NO HARM.

## I guess I AM the (Reluctant) Rebel Doctor

I am WILLING to be a rebel, if it means getting to the root of WHY you are struggling. I’m WILLING to be a rebel if I can instill hope for healing. I’m REBELLING that traditional medicine has all the answers. I’m REBELLING that we have to accept that fatigue, weight gain and brain fog are normal as we age! I’m REBELLING that the best we have to offer women for breast imaging is a mammogram that not only hurts, but comes with harmful radiation exposure. I’m REBELLING that we shouldn’t be able to ask questions as data comes in regarding Covid illness recovery and vaccination risks. I’m rebelling on YOUR behalf.

I’m NOT a rebel without (or with) a cause. I’m a rebel BECAUSE of a cause. I want to hold the flag of hope and empowerment. So much of our health is WITHIN our control. Let’s learn about it together. Let’s keep asking questions and challenging the status-quo. Let’s DO THIS. Are you with me?

**Categories:** General Health

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### [Why Aren’t My Hormones Working??](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/why-arent-my-hormones-working/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

# Why Aren’t My Hormones Working?? 

Do you ever feel like your hormones just aren’t working right? I see this A LOT in patients that first come to see me. Sometimes it’s that there aren’t the right amount of hormones. I’ve talked in the past about how much I hate the word “normal” when discussing health, and it applies especially to hormone levels. We want to have OPTIMUM levels, not just “normal range.”

However, what if your hormone levels ARE optimum, according to the testing you’ve had done (assuming of course you had the RIGHT tests run!) and you’re STILL struggling? This can be very frustrating, because you might be doing all the right things, and not having success. This is when you might just need a Hormone Locksmith…

## The Hormone System Lock & Key

Hormones are like keys – each one unique, designed to fit perfectly into a specific lock. These locks are the hormone receptors found on the surfaces of cells throughout our body. Just as a key must fit perfectly into its lock to open a door, hormones must latch onto their receptors to trigger their desired response.

The hormone-receptor interaction is a cornerstone of our bodily functions, influencing everything from our metabolism, mood, and energy levels to our reproductive health and response to stress. When a hormone (the key) binds to its receptor (the lock), it sends a signal inside the cell, prompting a specific response –it might be to make energy, regulate blood sugar, or control our mood.

However, what happens when the keys don’t fit as well as they should, or when the locks become rusty? Unfortunately, this happens A LOT, and leads to unnecessary suffering. It is also often unrecognized, even by well-meaning doctors. One thing is certain–piling on more of the same medications is usually not the answer.

## Defective Keys

Sometimes it’s a problem with the actual hormone. A prime example of this is menopausal hormone replacement therapy. There’s a difference between premarin (an equine-aka-horse-estrogen) and estradiol, a human estrogen naturally made by your ovaries. There’s also a difference between medroxy-progesterone-acetate (provera) and progesterone. These are NOT the same thing. Their chemical structures are different. The keys are shaped differently. This will cause side effects that are NOT seen with the true key.

And what is the true key? Bioidentical hormones. This term means that, at the molecular level, the hormone has the same shape as the hormone your body makes (or used to make….) THAT is the key you want.

## Rusty Locks: The Forgotten Hormone Receptor

Even with the right key, we must have a functioning lock. Here’s where, unfortunately, a lot of doctors have a gap. They forget about the importance of the hormone receptor. You can have beautiful levels of hormones, but if your receptors are damaged, you will FEEL hormone deficient–lousy. You want MORE than great hormone LEVELS… You want your hormones to actually WORK!

## So what happens to the receptor anyway?

This gets a little sciency… sorry. Your hormone receptors live on the cell membrane, and the cell membrane is made out of fat–phospholipids, actually, a special kind of fat. These fats are sensitive to oxidation by inflammation.

Oxidation is the same thing that causes rusting of the iron shovel left outside. So in essence the cell membrane rusts, and because the receptor is intimately intertwined with the cell membrane, it rusts too. If you have a rusty lock even well-formed keys won’t work on it. Just like that, your hormones won’t work if the receptors are damaged.

The oxidation that causes this rust comes from multiple sources–stress, poor nutrition, and toxins.

For instance, chronic stress can lead to an overproduction of cortisol, and cortisol is like ACID that eats you up from the inside out. Imagine what that does to the lock mechanism… And toxins from our environment are MAJOR rust producers, damaging the lock and preventing the right keys from fitting in and activating the necessary responses.

The consequence? A cascade of health issues, from fatigue and weight gain to mood swings and brain fog. The precision of the key-and-lock is disrupted, leaving our cells unable to respond appropriately to hormonal signals. Our cells lose the ability to regulate. Around for long enough, it leads to chronic illness, and that’s no fun.

## The Hormone Locksmith– Strategies for Restoring Hormone Harmony

The good news is that, much like maintaining the functionality of physical keys and locks, there are strategies to restore hormone harmony.

**Nutrition as a Key Cutter:** A balanced diet rich in nutrients can help shape our hormonal keys to fit their locks perfectly. Foods high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber support hormone production and detoxification, ensuring keys are the right shape and locks are clear of obstructions.

**Lifestyle as Lock Maintenance:** Regular movement, stress reduction, and adequate sleep act as lubricants for our hormonal locks, ensuring they remain responsive to the keys. Practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help manage stress, reducing the risk of lock corrosion from excessive cortisol.

**Detoxification Turns Off the Flame that Causes the Oxidation–aka rusting:** Minimizing exposure to toxins and supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes can help remove the rust and gum from the locks. This includes filtering drinking water, choosing organic foods when possible, and using natural personal care and cleaning products.

**Supplementation and Support are the Ultimate Lock Supporters:** Targeted supplementation can provide the extra copies of keys we need or act as specialized lubricants for our locks. It is best to consult with a professional that can help identify which supplements might be beneficial based on your individual hormone profiles and toxic exposures. Otherwise you’re just guessing. At best you are likely wasting some money, and at worst you could be sabatoging your health!

## Open the Door to Wellness

Just as a locksmith would approach a complex lock with precision tools and knowledge, addressing hormonal imbalances requires a personalized approach – one that considers the unique keys and locks of each individual’s hormonal system.

At Vitality Renewal, we are your Hormone Locksmith. We understand the importance of BOTH your hormones AND your receptors to unlock your full potential for feeling your best. We are here to help you open the door to your best health so you can live the life you were meant to live, with energy and focus. With vitality.

**Categories:** Anxiety, bio-identical hormones, General Health, Hormone Replacement

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### [What you NEED to Know about Thyroid Hormone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/what-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-hormone/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

# What you NEED to Know about Thyroid Hormone 

I frequently use the “factory analogy” to describe health. In case you aren’t familiar with it, here it is: Your body runs on electricity and chemistry. In chemistry there is a starting product→chemical reaction→different product. This is like a factory, where there are raw materials→factory workers assembling→finished product.

     ![Thyroid-Hormone2](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone2.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone2")

Here’s a key point–thyroid hormone is what turns on the lights and makes the conveyor belts run in your intracellular factory! Thyroid hormone stimulates energy production. And without energy? Nothing happens. Zippo, nada, nil. Thyroid hormone is important!

The traditional medicine algorithm for monitoring thyroid hormone is a test called “TSH with reflex to T4”. This test checks thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and if it is out of range the lab will automatically check a Free T4 (thyroxine) level. If it is within range, no other testing is done. You are told “Your thyroid is normal”.

But what if you don’t FEEL normal? What if you are tired, foggy, struggle with your weight, constipated, losing your hair? These are ALL very common symptoms of underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. What if you have these symptoms but your doctor tells you that you aren’t hypothyroid because your TSH is normal? Next step in this scenario is often “eat less and exercise more” or “it’s normal at your age to feel tired” or “here’s an antidepressant”… Ugh.

As a gynecologist, I heard this cry for help from SO many women “I KNOW something is wrong because I feel like sh\*t but my doctor tells me my labs are normal!”

## TSH is NOT the right test

Here’s the thing. I don’t believe TSH is the best test for monitoring thyroid health. Let me tell you THREE key reasons why:

### 1. TSH is NOT thyroid hormone!

TSH is made in the brain. The brain is the supervisor of the factory. It is looking down from above… Is everything going ok? Everybody happy? Workers getting their jobs done? If the brain senses that things are sluggish, that the factory’s lights are dim or the conveyor belts are too slow then it sends a signal to the thyroid to make more thyroid hormone. So TSH is just a signaling hormone, NOT thyroid hormone.

Another way to look at it… Let’s say that you are a parent (the brain) in charge of little Johnny (the rest of the body), and he needs to get up and get ready for school or he’s gonna miss the bus. TSH is how loud you have to knock on Johnny’s door in the morning. If he’s responsive, you don’t have to knock very loudly “I’m up and will be down soon!”… If he’s a slug then you have to bang on the door to get him out of bed. But what if YOU’RE in bed not feeling well? What if you aren’t supervising? What if you think Johnny is fine and he’s really asleep? You will not knock on the door and Johnny will miss the bus!

The above analogy happens in situations like severe stress, stealth infections and overwhelming environmental toxicity. The control center of the brain (the hypothalamus) gets knocked out and loses its ability to appropriately supervise. In these cases I’ve seen low thyroid hormone AND low TSH. But if I hadn’t checked all the hormones at once, if I’d only checked “TSH with reflex to T4” I would have totally missed it.

### 2. The normal range used for TSH is too broad.

While the normal range for TSH varies among laboratories, somewhere in the neighborhood is 0.45-4.5.1 That’s a 10-fold difference between lower and upper-end of normal range! Why is this? I honestly don’t know. Maybe it has to do with the fact that “normal range” is set to include 90% of the population.

Read that again–Lab companies (not doctors) set normal range specifically to include 90% of the population! The assumption is made that 9 out of 10 people are “normal”. Then using the statistical “normal curve” (remember the bell curve from highschool statistics?) they plot out the values in their lab and set a normal range to include 90% of the values.2

![Thyroid-Hormone3](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone3.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone3")

Wherever 5% is BELOW that point becomes the lower level of normal. Wherever 5% is ABOVE that point, that becomes the upper limit of normal. So with 5% on each end, that leaves 90% in the middle, and THAT is what “normal range” is!

Maybe SO MANY people have thyroid problems that the range is ALL OVER the place, and in order to capture 90% it has to be that big. What I DO know is that a factor of 10 is pretty big.

At Vitality Renewal, we want you to be at your BEST. We want you to feel GREAT, with plenty of energy and mental focus to get through your whole day. We want you to THRIVE. Do you honestly think that 9 out of 10 people are thriving? I don’t. That is why there’s a big difference between OPTIMUM and NORMAL RANGE!

### 3. Even if the test moves on to “reflex T4” things can get missed.

This is because T4 (thyroxine) is not the active hormone! While the hormone the thyroid gland secretes is 90% T4, T4 is a “pre-hormone”. In order to stimulate energy production the body must convert T4 (thyroxine) to T3 (triiodothyronine).

T4 consists of a tyrosine amino acid with 4 iodine molecules attached. T3 is the same tyrosine with 3 iodine molecules attached. The hormone receptor is for T3, not T4. The conversion to active hormone involves removing an iodine from T4.

Do you find it a little weird that T3 is the active hormone, yet that’s not what is checked even when the TSH is abnormal? I know I do!

## Thyroid testing you NEED to get

OK so if TSH is not the best test, what is? Well it’s not just one test. We run a thorough thyroid panel that includes (in order of importance in my opinion):

- Free T3
- Reverse T3
- Thyroid antibodies
- Free T4
- TSH

Wow–did you notice that the most commonly-run test (TSH) ranks at the BOTTOM of the list of importance? Permit me to explain why I rank them that way.

**Free T3** is the hormone that triggers the receptor on the membrane, triggering the energy production. THAT’S important.

**Reverse T3 (RT3)** gets a little complicated. RT3 is a stereoisomer of T3. Huh? This means it has the same ingredients, but a different shape. Since it has a different shape it doesn’t stimulate the receptor. So it’s a dud.

![Thyroid-Hormone4](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone4.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone4")

The picture above shows the different shapes of T3 and RT3. OK… if it’s a little too “sciency”, here’s a simple explanation:

Why would your body do that–make an inactive hormone? It’s a stress/protection response. It probably goes back to the origins of man, where the main stressor was lack of food. In times of famine you don’t want to be burning through energy. So the body would make RT3 as a protection, sort of a forced hypothyroidism, a biochemical hibernation, until food was in good supply again.

The problem is that with our modern life, MANY things lead to this abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism of too much RT3.

![Thyroid-Hormone5](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone5.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone5")

(graph courtesy of the Institute for Functional Medicine)

Gee… Notice that selenium and zinc are needed to make T3? Elevated RT3 can come from inability to make T3 (not enough selenium and zinc) or something pulling you down the RT3 pathway– like STRESS! And Toxins! The list is pretty significant!

In my practice, we see high RT3 a lot. In these cases the client totally feels hypothyroid, but the commonly-checked labs are normal. The ultimate treatment in this case is not thyroid hormone, but to fix the abnormal thyroid-hormone metabolism!

### Thyroid antibodies:

These include thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGA), and are listed #3 because if you have them you have a very confused immune system. It’s a big red flag! This is called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It’s a form of autoimmunity. Your immune system has built antibodies against components of your thyroid gland. Over time this attack can lead to hypothyroidism, as your thyroid gland gets destroyed and can’t make enough hormone.

It’s also a red flag because if your immune system is attacking your thyroid gland today, what’s to prevent it from attacking other body parts tomorrow?

### Free T4

Free T4 IS important, as it’s what the thyroid gland produces, but it’s just not as important as the other three markers. It has to be converted to the active hormone…

### TSH

Yep. I truly think TSH ranks last in importance. It’s not thyroid hormone. It’s a measure of how well the brain is supervising the rest of the body. We’ve already talked about this issue, and what can knock out the control center. I check it, but I don’t check it ALONE. And yet, that’s all your doctor is told to check by the traditional-medicine algorithm.

### Testing without a needle–Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

Since thyroid hormone is important for metabolism, checking your basal body temperature is a great non-invasive test to give you an idea of your thyroid-hormone status. Here’s how:

- Check your first morning temperature (before getting out of bed)
- It should ideally be 98.8-99.2 F under the tongue or 97.8-98.2 F axillary (armpit)
- Check several days in a row to get your average. If you are still menstruating, check it while you are on your period, if not you can check any time of the month

Consistent values less than 97.8 F (oral) or 97.3 F (axillary) suggest low thyroid.3

It is important for you to know that using BBT to assess thyroid function is controversial. That doesn’t bother me, because a lot of things are controversial! The American Thyroid Association does not recommend this.4 When we can’t prove something with certainty, I ask myself if it makes physiologic sense, based on what I know about how the body works. The answer, for me, with BBT and thyroid hormone optimization is “yes”.

Let’s go through the logic. We know that thyroid hormone is a primary mediator of our metabolic rate.5 We know that our basal metabolic rate is related to thermogenesis (heat creation).6 Does it make physiologic sense that our core temperature, then, would be an indicator of how well our thyroid hormone is functioning? I think yes. Notice I didn’t say what your thyroid hormones are, but rather how well your hormones are functioning. I’ll discuss that a little later…

## How to get the RIGHT tests

In order to get the appropriate testing done you have a few options. Obviously you can work with a knowledgeable practitioner who appreciates the importance of testing ALL the hormones. You can also try your luck with your primary care provider by taking a wish-list that has the above tests. [Here’s a link](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/thyroid-lab-guide300426) to a handout I made that summarizes the thyroid tests you should have done. It also gives you information on how to get them done on yourself, in case your provider won’t order the right tests.

## Natural support for thyroid

If your thyroid hormone is not optimized, a great starting point is to SUPPORT the proper thyroid gland function and thyroid hormone metabolism/activation. Here are some tips.

### Tyrosine

Tyrosine is the amino acid base for thyroid hormone. The Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI\*) for tyrosine is based on weight. For a 150 pound adult the recommendation is 980 mg7. Foods rich in tyrosine include:8

- Beef (2174 mg in 6 ounces)
- Pork (2088 mg in 6 ounces)
- Salmon (2052 mg in 6 ounces)
- Chicken breast (1964 mg in 6 ounces)
- Turkey breast (1365 mg in 6 ounces)
- White beans (490 mg per cup)
- Pumpkin seeds (306 mg per ounce)

### Iodine

Iodine is the crucial ingredient that distinguishes T4, T3 and RT3. T4 has 4 iodine molecules, T3 has 3 iodine molecules, and RT3 has 3 iodine molecules in a different location from T3.

![Thyroid-Hormone6](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone6.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone6")

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 mcg.9 I have to tell you this is hotly debated in functional medicine circles! MANY experts think it should be higher, as iodine is not only beneficial for thyroid function, but protective against breast cancer! But I digress… Let’s stick to thyroid function and food sources of iodine! Other than fortified foods (table salt and enriched flour) iodine is found in seaweed, seafood (especially white fish) dairy products, and liver.

### Selenium

Selenium is very important for T3 production. Deficiencies in this mineral also increase risk for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.10 The recommended daily intake for selenium is 55 mcg for non-pregnant women.

By far, the food richest in selenium is Brazil nuts.11 Just 3 Brazil nuts contain 272 mcg selenium! Other sources include:

- Sea food
- Beef
- Turkey

### A GREAT thyroid support supplement:

**[Renew Thyroid](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/renew-thyroid)** contains a blend of iodine, natural iodine sources, selenium, bovine thyroid gland and adrenal support herbs to give comprehensive thyroid support.

![Thyroid-Hormone7](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone7.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone7")

### Zinc

Zinc is important for converting T4 to T3. At Vitality Renewal, we check zinc levels to make sure they are optimum. The ideal range for serum zinc is 100-115 mcg/ml, even though “normal range” is much more broad– 44-115 mcg/ml, according to our local LabCorp.

Zinc can be found in the following foods:12

- Meat
- Shellfish
- Legumes
- Nuts & seeds
- Eggs

While most of my patients actually do require a zinc supplement to reach optimum levels, I recommend testing prior to starting zinc.

### Stress reduction

The adrenal glands and your thyroid are intimately connected. Persistent high stress strains the adrenal glands, and leads to abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism down the RT3 pathway. Another issue is that high stress triggers the control center that regulates your heart rate (the SA node). If you combine an uncontrolled stress-response with thyroid medication you might just get heart palpitations. This is uncomfortable. It makes you feel like you are too revved up, like you’re on too much medication. In short, it makes you intolerant to the thyroid medication, even if you need it. The bottom line is you can’t out-supplement or out-medicate a shitty lifestyle.

That’s why stress reduction is ALWAYS part of what we work on in my RENEW Method™ Programs.

### Detoxification

Toxins lead to inflammation and this causes abnormal thyroid hormone metabolism down the RT3 pathway. They also make your hormones not work well (I’ll talk more about this in a little bit…) We take a deep dive into this in my RENEW Method™ Programs.

You have to be careful with detoxification, because if you have a lot of stored toxins you can get really sick by mobilizing them too fast. What you CAN do safely is reduce the toxins you bring into your body–I never met anyone who got ill doing this!. I created a handout on this, which I’m happy to share with you [here](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/reduce-toxic-load-guide).

## What about thyroid medication?

OK so let’s say you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, tried the above support, and your levels are still not quite right. Your doctor will likely give you a prescription for thyroid hormone. So let’s talk about that next… Options for thyroid medication occur in three broad categories:

- Levothyroxine
- Liothyronine
- Natural desiccated thyroid

### Levothyroxine

The most commonly prescribed medication is Levothyroxine. It was discovered in the early 1900’s and since 1970 it has dominated medical recommendations. The brand name of this is Synthroid. This hormone is T4, and requires the conversion to T3 to be intact. If your hormone metabolism is healthy then it’s great! Your body will convert the T4 to Free T3 and everybody is happy.

But what if you don’t convert well, as we discussed above? In that case you may have great T4 levels, but you will still feel hypothyroid, because convert the T4 to RT3. And when you confide in your doctor that you don’t feel well, you will get all those hideous answers:

“Your labs are normal; It’s normal for your age; Maybe you’re depressed…” Medical gaslighting.

### Liothyronine

Liothyronine is T3, the active hormone. It has been around since the 1950’s. A study revealed that women felt better and had a higher morning temperature on Liothyronine compared to Levothyroxine.13 A downside of the medication is that it requires taking it multiple times a day (2-3) due to its short half-life. In my experience, it also causes heart palpitations in a significant proportion of takers.

### Natural desiccated thyroid

This comes from pork thyroid. Available forms are Armour Thyroid and NP Thyroid. Previously available was NatureThroid, but it’s been gone for a while. For simplicity I’m going to use the term NP to discuss desiccated thyroid.

Prior to the discovery of how to make Levothyroxine in the 1940s, desiccated thyroid was all we had.14 An advantage of NP is that it has both T4 and T3 in it. The ratio is fixed roughly at 80% T4 and 20% T3. A lot of people do really well with desiccated thyroid! There HAVE been some issues with quality-control, because it comes from a natural source instead of a lab. The dosing is by mg of pork thyroid, and the amount of hormone in this weight can vary slightly amongst lot numbers. This really bothers a lot of professionals.

Despite the periodic issues with lot variations, I find NP a very useful and well-tolerated medication. At Vitality Renewal, we check labs more frequently than other practices, and also educate our patients about symptoms of too-much or too-little medication, so we are far less likely to have negative experiences with undiagnosed abnormal hormone levels due to lot variations.

## Testing for thyroid dosing adequacy

This is an area that breaks my heart a little. Most people are tested for thyroid-hormone dosing adequacy once a year, and not given ANY guidance on WHEN to test. This is a big deal!

Here’s why… Your hormone levels will vary throughout the day as you absorb, use and metabolize the medication. If you test first thing in the morning, before you take your medication, your hormone levels will be the LOWEST of the day. I may see this level and tell you that you need more thyroid hormone. If you get your blood drawn about 2 hours after you take your medication, your levels will be the HIGHEST of the day, and I may think you’re on too high a dose. If you go at a different time for each blood draw your levels will look different, even though you’re on the same dose of medication. It’s like a moving target..

I ALWAYS check levels 6 hours after the morning dose. I often dose NP and ALWAYS dose Liothyronine at 12-hour intervals. So the 6-hours is right in the middle of the two doses. That will give me the mid-way point of hormone levels, and since we are consistent with this with EACH blood draw, it’s a stable point in time.

Of course, we also check the FULL thyroid panel and not just a TSH. We also use optimal level and not “normal range” as our goal. With these methods, we have excellent success in treating hypothyroidism.

## Let’s NOT forget the thyroid hormone RECEPTOR!

One more thing–probably the most important. We need to have a healthy hormone receptor!

Hormones are messengers. Thyroid hormone only works when it attaches to the receptor to trigger the cascade that leads to energy production. This was what I was alluding to above when I used the phrase “how well your thyroid hormone functions”… Just having the right amount of hormones is not enough. You need it to be able to trigger its intended response.

It gets a little sciency here, but stick with me… Hormone receptors live on the cell membranes and the membranes are made of fat–phospholipids actually.

The phospholipids that make up the membranes have fatty acids in them that are delicate. Snowflake delicate. These are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats get damaged by inflammation from toxins in a process called “oxidation”. When this happens their structure changes. Picture saran wrap that is held over an open flame–that’s what your cell membranes look like when the phospholipids are oxidized by inflammation!

The hormone receptors are now covered in this melted plastic. So how on earth is the hormone supposed to be able to access the receptor to trigger its intended response? It can’t! This is what I call “hormone resistance”. And THIS is why I say–It takes MORE than hormones to fix your hormones!

In order to get ANY of your hormones working right–thyroid, insulin, estrogen, testosterone… we have to repair/rebuild the damaged cell membranes so that the receptors are healthy. Then your hormones will have a fighting chance!

## How to repair the cell membrane (and hence hormone receptors)

This is something we take a deep dive into in my programs, using my RENEW Method™. A full discussion is beyond the scope of this post, or it would be a full-length book. The main thing for THIS current post is that you realize that it’s possible to heal.

## Summing it up

Thyroid hormone is pretty damn important. Equally important is healthy hormone receptors so that the hormone can do its job! Traditional medicine does a lousy job at helping you optimize your thyroid hormone because it doesn’t look deep enough. Traditional medicine does a lousy job at helping you optimize your health, because it is disease-focused and not health focused!

Knowledge is POWER. I hope you will take this information and go do something with it! We are here for you if you need us. Follow [this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/Confirmation-page-9271) to learn how we might work together.

\*RDI is the daily intake recommended to meet the needs of 97% of healthy individuals.

**References:**

1. <https://www.labcorp.com/tests/004259/thyroid-stimulating-hormone-tsh>
2. <http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/reference-ranges.html>
3. <https://careclinic.io/thyroid-temperature-chart/>
4. <https://www.thyroid.org/american-thyroid-association-statement-on-wilsons-syndrome/>
5. <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9100583/>
6. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2744512/>
7. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234922/#ddd0000066>
8. <https://www.myfooddata.com/articles/high-tyrosine-foods.php>
9. <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/#h2>
10. *Thyroid.* 2006; 16:455-60
11. <https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/>
12. <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-foods-high-in-zinc#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9>
13. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8639573/>
14. <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585642/>

**Categories:** energy, General Health

---

### [The 7 Hidden Signs Your Hormones Are Screaming for Help (That Doctors Miss)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/06/16/the-7-hidden-signs-your-hormones-are-screaming-for-help-that-doctors-miss/)

**Published:** June 16, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

# The 7 Hidden Signs Your Hormones Are Screaming for Help (That Doctors Miss)

You’ve been to three doctors. Your labs are “normal.” But you feel like you’re living in someone else’s tired, foggy, irritable body. Sound familiar?

What if I told you these aren’t separate problems, but your hormones sending you an SOS signal that most doctors are completely missing?

As a gynecologist with 30 years of experience—8 of those as a military doctor where I learned to follow protocols to the letter—I used to be one of those doctors who dismissed these symptoms. I’d look at your “normal” TSH, tell you to eat less and exercise more, and maybe offer an antidepressant. I didn’t know what else to say.

I’m deeply sorry for that.

Because what I’ve learned in my journey into functional medicine is that these symptoms are actually your body’s brilliant communication system. Your hormones are like keys trying to unlock important doors throughout your body—and when those keys don’t fit properly into the lock anymore, everything starts breaking down.

Today, I’m going to show you the 7 hidden signs that your hormone locks are crying out for help, the science behind why this happens, and exactly what tests you need to get to the bottom of it.

## **Why Traditional Medicine Misses these Signs**

Here’s the thing that breaks my heart: traditional medicine treats symptoms separately instead of seeing the hormone connection. We’re taught to look at fatigue as one problem, brain fog as another, weight gain as yet another—never connecting the dots.

But here’s what the research shows us: these symptoms are all connected through a beautifully complex web of hormone interactions. When one hormone system gets disrupted, it creates a cascade effect that touches EVERYTHING.

Think of it this way: if you had rusty locks throughout your house, you wouldn’t call separate repair people for each door. You’d recognize that all your locks need attention from someone who understands the whole system.

That’s exactly what’s happening in your body right now.

## **The 7 Hidden Signs Your Hormones are Screaming for Help**

### **1. Fatigue: “I’m Tired of Being Tired”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I used to be a go-getter, now I need a nap by 2 PM”
- “I can barely push through my day, and then crash on the couch with nothing left”
- “I feel guilty because I have no energy for my family”

#### **The hormone story:**

Your energy depends on three critical hormone systems working in harmony. Research shows that **thyroid hormone is essential for brain metabolism and cellular energy production.** Specifically, T3 (the active thyroid hormone) “triggers protein synthesis in mitochondria”—your intracellular batteries that make energy.

But here’s what most doctors miss: **you can have “normal” TSH and still be functionally hypothyroid.** Studies demonstrate that even with “normal range” a higher TSH was associated with longer completion times (slower performance)” on cognitive tests, showing that even subtle thyroid dysfunction affects your energy.

The second system is your adrenals. **Elevated cortisol “depletes dopamine, which decreases activity in the pleasure pathways of the brain; reduces norepinephrine, leading to a lack of motivation and alertness.”** Chronic stress KEEPS your cortisol elevated when it should only briefly go up. This leaves you feeling wired but tired.

The third critical system? **Insulin.** When you develop insulin resistance, your cells literally can’t access the glucose they need for energy, even when your blood sugar looks normal. It’s like having a full gas tank but a clogged fuel line—the energy is there, but it can’t get where it needs to go.

When all three systems are disrupted—thyroid dysfunction, cortisol dysregulation, and insulin resistance—you’ve got a perfect storm for crushing fatigue.

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

It’s like having jammed locks to the energy room of your house—the thyroid, adrenal and insulin keys can’t turn properly, leaving you locked out of the energy you need.

### **2. Brain Fog: “I literally feel hazy”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I used to be the one with all the answers in meetings”
- “I walk into rooms and forget why I’m there”
- “I’m afraid people will notice I’m not as sharp”

#### **The hormone story:**

This one hits close to home because I see it in so many brilliant women. The research is crystal clear: **estrogen is a master regulator of neurotransmitter production.**

Studies show that estrogen promotes “executive functions, such as working memory and reward processing” due to its affect on the making of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

When estrogen drops, your brain literally can’t make enough of the chemicals it needs for clear thinking. Next, add thyroid dysfunction—remember, **“clinical hypothyroidism is a cause of cognitive impairment which can be reversible upon the restoration of thyroid hormone levels.”** And the last ingredient? **Cortisol.** Studies show that **chronic stress “measurably shrinks your brain” and “destroys and harms existing brain cells.”**

And THAT, my friend is a recipe for a major brain-fog alert!

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

Picture this: the locks in your brain aren’t getting the right keys to open clear thinking pathways.

### **3. Weight Gain (Especially Around the Middle): “Nothing Works Anymore”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I eat the same but gain weight”
- “My jeans don’t fit and I hate shopping”
- “The scale keeps climbing despite my efforts”

#### **The hormone story:**

I need you to hear this: **it’s NOT about calories in versus calories out.** The research proves this completely.

Studies show that **“when we suppress ovarian hormones, the resting metabolic rate goes down by the equivalent of about 50 to 70 calories a day… you’d see an increase in fat mass of one pound over about two to three months.”** Yikes! That’s up to 12 pounds per year, which equates to an increase in clothing size every 1-2 years! I don’t know about you, but I prefer to buy new clothes because I WANT to, not because my current clothes don’t fit anymore!

But it gets worse. Research demonstrates that **“60% of postmenopausal women are affected by metabolic syndrome, whereas only 22% of the general population meet these criteria.”** These women show **“twice as much visceral abdominal and subcutaneous fat than premenopausal women.”** And visceral fat carries a markedly increased risk for heart disease, which happens to be the #1 killer of women over 50.

The culprits? **Insulin resistance** (which makes everything get stored as fat), **cortisol** promoting belly fat storage, **declining estrogen and testosterone** slowing metabolism, and **thyroid dysfunction** putting your metabolic rate in the basement.

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

Think of it this way: your metabolic locks are stuck in “fat storage mode”—no matter what keys you try, everything gets stored as fat.

### **4. Mood Swings: “I Don’t Recognize Myself”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I snap at my husband over nothing”
- “I feel like I’m on an emotional roller coaster”
- “My family asks ‘what’s wrong with mom?'”

#### **The hormone story:**

This breaks my heart because I know you’re probably blaming yourself. But the science is clear: **estrogen directly affects mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters.**

Research shows estrogen “inhibits serotonin breakdown” and “inhibits serotonin reuptake from the synaptic cleft, resulting in an increase in serotonin availability.” When estrogen drops, so does your happiness neurotransmitter. Hmmm… yet what we offer are antidepressants with side effects to increase serotonin (SSRI’s like prozac and lexapro) rather than get to the root of the decline? That’s BASS-ACKWARDS!

Progesterone also plays a crucial role by enhancing GABA—your brain’s “chill out” neurotransmitter. And **chronic stress makes everything worse by disrupting these delicate systems.**

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

Imagine your emotional regulation locks aren’t working with the available keys—the mood-stabilizing mechanisms are literally broken.

### **5. Sleep Disturbances: “I’m Exhausted But Can’t Sleep”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I fall asleep fine but wake up at 3 AM wired”
- “I toss and turn all night”
- “I wake up more tired than when I went to bed”

#### **The hormone story:**

That 3 AM wake-up isn’t random—it’s your hormones malfunctioning. **Research shows that “low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can cause sleep problems” and “even partial sleep deprivation over one night increases insulin resistance.”**

Here’s the vicious cycle: insulin resistance causes blood sugar spikes and crashes overnight. **“When you have insulin resistance, your body needs more insulin to lower blood glucose levels. When the insulin eventually catches up… you can experience a crash, leading to hypoglycemia”** that jolts you awake.

Cortisol should drop at night, but chronic stress keeps it elevated. Progesterone, which should promote deep sleep, is often low or missing entirely.

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

Here’s what’s happening: your sleep locks are getting the wrong keys at the wrong times—insulin spiking when it should be quiet, cortisol staying high when it should drop.

### **6. Constipation: “My Body Isn’t Working Right”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I go days without a bowel movement”
- “I feel bloated and uncomfortable”
- “I never feel ’empty’ or relieved”

#### **The hormone story:**

This is one that traditional medicine completely misses the boat on. **Research shows that “thyroid hormones control all metabolic pathways”** including gut motility. When T3 is low, everything slows down—including your digestive system.

But estrogen plays a huge role too. Estrogen promotes better gut motility– the ability to move things through the system.

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

What’s actually happening is that your digestive locks are moving too slowly because the hormone keys that control gut motility are worn out.

### **7. Prolonged Recovery/Aches & Pains: “I Feel Like I’m Falling Apart”**

#### **What you’re experiencing:**

- “I hurt in places I never used to”
- “A workout takes me days to recover from”
- “I feel like I’m aging in fast-forward”

#### **The hormone story:**

This one really gets to me because it makes women feel OLD when they’re not. The research shows that **growth hormone is needed for tissue repair, but cortisol causes chronic inflammation** that interferes with recovery. And the sleep issues I mentioned above? They suppress growth hormone release. See how it’s all related?

**Estrogen and testosterone are “needed for muscle recovery,”** and when they decline, your body simply can’t repair itself as efficiently.

#### **The hormone locksmith:**

The reality is that your repair and recovery locks aren’t getting the maintenance keys they need—your body’s renovation crew is understaffed and underfunded.

## **Why these 7 Signs All Point to the Same Problem**

Here’s what I want you to understand: **hormones work like a symphony, not solo acts.** When one section of the orchestra is off, the whole performance suffers.

The research shows us a clear cascade: stress leads to elevated cortisol, which disrupts thyroid function, which affects sex hormone production, which impacts neurotransmitter production, which affects sleep, which worsens insulin resistance, which increases inflammation—and round and round we go. Wow. Get me OFF this merry-go-round!

**Here’s what you need to know: You’re not broken. Your hormone system just needs a skilled locksmith.**

## **The Testing Game-Plan: 7 Tests Your Doctor Should Order**

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, here are the specific tests you need to ask your doctor to order. If he/she won’t do it, then find one who will:

### **1. Complete Thyroid Panel (Not Just TSH!)**

- Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3, TSH, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies
- Why: TSH alone misses 90% of thyroid problems (TSH is NOT thyroid hormone)

### **2. Hemoglobin A1C**

- Measures average blood sugar over 3 months
- Ideal level is 4-5% (most Americans are NOT metabolically healthy!)
- Why: Insulin resistance is often the hidden culprit behind weight gain and fatigue

### **3. Total & Free Testosterone**

- Both forms matter for energy, muscle mass, and motivation
- Why: Women NEED testosterone and it’s hardly ever checked
- Note–Many labs say “zero” testosterone is normal for women—it’s NOT!

### **4. 4-Point Saliva Cortisol Test**

- Tests cortisol 4 times throughout the day
- Why: Blood cortisol only shows a snapshot; you need the whole movie

### **5. Vitamin D (25-OH)**

- Should be 60-90 ng/mL for optimal function
- Why: Low D affects every hormone system and immune function

### **6. B12 (with Methylmalonic Acid)**

- B12 should be 700-950 pg/ml
- The Methylmalonic Acid shows if the B12 in your blood is actually making into your cells
- Why: B12 deficiency mimics hormone problems and affects energy production

### **7. CRP-HS (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)**

- Measures inflammation levels
- Why: Inflammation disrupts all hormone systems (it’s a major lock ruster!)

### **8. If You’re Still Having Periods: Day 21 Estradiol & Progesterone**

- Tests hormone levels at their peak
- Why: Reveals if you’re actually ovulating and making adequate progesterone

## **You Don’t Have to Live This Way!**

Here’s what I want you to know: **this isn’t normal aging, and it’s not in your head.** Every single one of these symptoms has a biological basis that can be addressed.

But here’s the problem with traditional medicine: **the algorithms they train doctors to follow are designed to detect disease, not optimize health.** When you don’t have obvious disease—when your labs fall within “normal” ranges and you’re not acutely ill—the system labels it “normal aging” and sends you home.

This drives me absolutely crazy because there’s a HUGE difference between being truly healthy and simply not being sick. The algorithms can’t help you bridge that gap. They’re built for crisis management, not for helping you thrive.

So when you go to your doctor feeling exhausted, foggy, and frustrated, and your basic labs come back “normal,” you get dismissed. You’re told it’s just part of getting older. Maybe you get offered an antidepressant or told to try harder with diet and exercise.

**But that’s NOT good enough for you–you deserve MORE!**

You didn’t work this hard to build a life just to feel terrible living it. You deserve to wake up with energy, think clearly all day, and have some left over at the end of the day. You deserve the vitality to enjoy everything you’ve worked for.

Here’s the TRUTH—**when we identify and treat the root hormone imbalances, women get their lives back.** I’ve seen it thousands of times in my practice.

You deserve to feel like yourself again. You deserve to have energy for the things you love. You deserve to think clearly and sleep peacefully and feel comfortable in your own body.

But you have to be your own advocate. Print out this list of tests. Take it to your doctor. If they dismiss you or tell you “it’s normal to feel this way,” find another doctor.

**Your time is NOW.** Don’t let anyone convince you that feeling awful is just part of being a woman over 40. It’s not.

Understanding these 7 signs is just the beginning. Once you know what to look for, you can start to connect the dots and see the patterns in your own body.

Remember: **knowledge is power.** The more you understand about how your hormones work together, the better you can communicate with your healthcare providers and advocate for the testing and treatment you deserve.

## **Ready to Work With a Hormone Locksmith?**

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to dig deeper, we’d love to help you on your journey to getting your life back. Because you matter, your energy matters, and your health matters. Call our office at 815-271-7300 and ask for a Deep Dive Wellness Assessment. We do a 2-part visit to get a thorough picture of where your hormones and health are today.

  [ Learn More Here ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/deep_dive_wellness_assessment) 

*What questions do you have about these 7 signs? Which ones resonate most with your experience? Share in the comments below—I read every single one.*

**References:**

1. Bendis PC, Zimmerman S, Onisiforou A, Zanos P, Georgiou P. The impact of estradiol on serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine systems. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2024;18:1348551.
2. Sabatino L, Vassalle C, Del Seppia C, Iervasi G. Factors and Mechanisms of Thyroid Hormone Activity in the Brain: Possible Role in Recovery and Protection. Biomolecules. 2024;14(2):198.
3. Beydoun MA, Beydoun HA, Kitner-Triolo MH, et al. Thyroid Hormones Are Associated With Cognitive Function: Moderation by Sex, Race, and Depressive Symptoms. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2013;98(8):3470-3481.
4. Designs for Health. Stress, Cortisol & Mood Disorders. October 10, 2018.
5. Janssen I, Powell LH, Crawford S, Lasley B, Sutton-Tyrrell K. Menopause and the metabolic syndrome: the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2008;168(14):1568-1575.
6. University of Rochester Medical Center. Metabolic Syndrome and the Role of Estrogen. March 2016.
7. Zhang Y, Zhou H, Wu W, et al. Association between Menopause, Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Metabolic Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023;12(13):4435.
8. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. International Journal of Neuroscience. 2005;115(10):1397-1413.
9. Sleep Foundation. Sleep & Glucose: How Blood Sugar Can Affect Rest. October 26, 2023.
10. Veri. Glucose During Sleep: Why Your Blood Sugar Drops at Night.
11. Hermann R, Krajčová A, Přádný M, Saudek F. Role of estrogen and stress on the brain-gut axis. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2019;317(3):G203-G209.
12. Al-Shboul OA, Nazzal MS, Mustafa AG, et al. Estrogen relaxes gastric muscle cells via a nitric oxide‑ and cyclic guanosine monophosphate‑dependent mechanism: A sex‑associated differential effect. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2018;16(3):1685-1692.
13. Herstasis Health Foundation. Abdominal Issues – Estrogen and Pregnancy. May 31, 2022.
14. Australian Spinal Research Foundation. Chronic Stress – The Effects On Your Brain. June 24, 2024.
15. Bendis PC, Zimmerman S, Onisiforou A, Zanos P, Georgiou P. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid in Stress and Depressive Disorders through the Gut–Brain Axis. Biomedicines. 2023;11(12):3128.

**Categories:** Anxiety, bio-identical hormones, Brain health, energy, General Health, Hormone Replacement

---

### [Is It Ever Too Late to Start Hormone Therapy?](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/05/20/is-it-ever-too-late-for-hormone-therapy/)

**Published:** May 20, 2026
**Author:** Yvonne Karney

**Excerpt:** Your doctor said it’s too late for hormone therapy. But is it? Dr. Yvonne Karney reviews the real science — risks, timing, and what the FDA’s 2026 label change actually means for women in their 60s.

**Content:**

# **Is It Ever Too Late to Start Hormone Therapy?**

*What 23 years of fear got wrong — and what the evidence really says about HRT benefits, risks, and timing at any age*

By Yvonne Karney, MD  ·  Vitality Renewal, Crystal Lake, IL

*“I finally asked. And my doctor told me it was too late.”*

Julie came in at 63. She had built a career she was proud of, raised her kids, and kept moving through menopause the way she’d been taught to move through hard things — quietly, and without complaint. She’d heard the headlines in 2002. Hormones cause breast cancer. She believed it. She never asked.

But ten years into menopause, she couldn’t pretend anymore. The exhaustion wasn’t normal tiredness — it was the kind that sleep didn’t fix. Words she’d always found easily now slipped away mid-sentence. She’d stopped being the sharpest person in the room and started wondering if she ever really had been. Intimacy had become painful. She wasn’t depressed, exactly. She just felt like a dimmer version of herself — and she’d been living that way long enough that it had started to feel permanent.

So she finally asked her gynecologist about hormone therapy. And she was told it was too late. That the window had closed. That at her age, the risks weren’t worth it.

She accepted that. She was a reasonable woman, and her doctor was someone she trusted. She didn’t know there was anything left to question.

This post is for Julie — and for every woman who was told “no” without ever being told the truth.

## **Why a Generation of Women Was Told No — and Why That Has Finally Changed**

To understand the conversation we’re finally having in 2026, you have to go back to the summer of 2002.

That July, a large government study called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) published its results. The headline was alarming: hormone therapy causes breast cancer and heart disease. Women across the country got calls from their doctors telling them to stop taking their hormones immediately. Physicians stopped prescribing. The FDA applied its most serious safety label to every hormone product on the market. That black box warning stayed in place for 23 years.

The damage was enormous and very measurable.

## **70–80%**

Drop in hormone therapy use within a few years of the 2002 WHI publication

## **41 Million**

US women in menopause in 2020 — only about 2 million had a hormone prescription

As of early 2026, only about 1 in 20 women in the prime treatment window (ages 45–54) has an active estrogen prescription. The gap between women who could benefit and women actually receiving treatment is staggering — and it was built on a study that was widely misunderstood.

## **What the WHI Actually Studied — and Why It Was the Wrong Population**

Here’s what most women were never told: the Women’s Health Initiative wasn’t designed to test whether hormone therapy was safe. It was designed to test whether it could prevent heart disease in older women. The average participant was 63 years old — more than a decade past the average age of menopause. Some were as old as 79.

Why does that matter? Think of it this way. If you want to test whether a fire sprinkler prevents damage, you have to test it before the fire starts — not after the building is already burning. Many of the women in the WHI may have already had early heart disease that had no symptoms yet. Estrogen can’t prevent something that’s already in progress.

The hormones used in the study were also a specific combination that’s not what we prescribe today: an oral pill called Prempro, which combined estrogen derived from horse urine with a synthetic drug called medroxyprogesterone acetate. Not bioidentical. Not transdermal. And not in women who were newly menopausal.

Two years after the WHI was stopped, a separate analysis looked at women in the study who had taken estrogen alone — those who had a hysterectomy and didn’t need the synthetic progestin. That group showed a lower risk of breast cancer than women who took nothing at all. That finding barely made the news. The fear had already taken hold, the algorithm was set, and a generation of physicians was trained inside it.

November 10, 2025: The FDA announced it was removing the black box warnings for breast cancer, heart disease, and dementia from all menopausal hormone therapy products. The change went into effect February 12, 2026.

FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary called it “maybe one of the greatest screw-ups of modern medicine” — estimating that 50 million women had been denied this therapy as a result.

Most physicians’ practices haven’t changed yet. Removing a label doesn’t automatically re-educate a generation of doctors. That’s why this conversation still matters so much right now.

## **Hormone Therapy Risks Explained in Plain Numbers — Not Scary Headlines**

Every medical decision carries risk — including the decision not to treat. The problem with how hormone therapy has been talked about for 23 years is that women were handed fear instead of facts.

There’s a critical difference between relative risk and absolute risk. Relative risk tells you the percentage change: “a 20% increase in breast cancer!” That sounds alarming. Absolute risk tells you the actual number: how many more women out of 10,000 were affected. Headlines use relative risk because it sounds bigger. Informed medical decisions require absolute risk, because that’s what actually helps you weigh your options.

The numbers below come from the 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) — the leading clinical guideline on this topic, endorsed by more than 20 international medical organizations.

## **Breast Cancer: What the Numbers Actually Show**

A large French study followed more than 80,000 postmenopausal women and found that the type of progesterone used is the most important variable. Women using estrogen with natural micronized progesterone — the kind structurally identical to what the body produces — had no increased breast cancer risk at all compared to women using no hormones. Women using estrogen combined with a synthetic progestin (the WHI combination) had a small increase in risk.

**Hormone Therapy Type**

Estrogen + natural micronized progesterone

Estrogen + synthetic progestin (WHI combination)

Estrogen alone (women without a uterus)

**Breast Cancer Impact per 10,000 women/year**

No increased risk

9 additional cases — NAMS classifies this as “rare”

7 fewer invasive breast cancers

NAMS puts the small risk from synthetic oral hormone therapy in perspective: it’s “slightly greater than that seen with one daily glass of wine, less than with two daily glasses, and similar to the risk from obesity and low physical activity.” None of those carry a black box warning.

Duration matters with synthetic progestins — risk rises with very long-term use. This is real and worth knowing, and that’s where the “stop HRT after 5 years” came from. But it doesn’t apply to transdermal bioidentical estradiol with natural micronized progesterone, which is the approach we use at Vitality Renewal.

## **Cardiovascular and Clot Risk – Delivery Method is Key**

This piece of the conversation is almost never explained properly, and it’s one of the most important things to understand.

When you swallow estrogen as a pill — even a bioidentical one — it travels from your stomach through your intestines into a blood vessel called the portal vein, and then directly into your liver, all before it reaches the rest of your body. This is called the “first pass effect.” When estrogen goes through the liver first, it triggers the liver to produce inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, and it activates clotting factors. That’s what raises the risk of blood clots, stroke, and cardiovascular events associated with oral hormone therapy.

Here’s the key point: this is a delivery route problem, not a hormone problem. The estrogen molecule itself isn’t the issue. Sending it through the liver first is the issue. And it applies equally to oral bioidentical estradiol — not just the horse-derived estrogen (premarin) used in the WHI. If it’s a pill, it has the same first-pass liver effect regardless of its source.

**At Vitality Renewal, we don’t prescribe oral estrogen**. Every patient receives estrogen delivered through the skin — as a patch, cream, gel, or pellet — which bypasses the liver and enters the bloodstream directly, the way the ovaries used to release it naturally. NAMS confirms: observational studies show no meaningful increase in blood clot or stroke risk with transdermal estradiol. This single difference changes the entire cardiovascular and clotting risk picture.

## **Cardiovascular and Clot Risk – Timing Matters**

When women start hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause, the heart disease data looks very different from the WHI. A large review of studies found that women in this timing window had their risk of coronary heart disease cut roughly in half and their risk of dying from any cause reduced by 30%. An 18-year follow-up of WHI participants found that women who were 50–59 at the start had a statistically significant 31% lower rate of all-cause mortality.

The WHI’s harm signal on cardiovascular events came from women who were already more than a decade past menopause, given an oral pill, many of whom likely had early heart disease that wasn’t yet symptomatic. That’s not the same clinical scenario as a newly menopausal woman receiving transdermal estradiol.

## **Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Disease: An Under-reported Benefit**

One of the most under-reported stories in hormone therapy research is what happens to the brain without estrogen. Estrogen receptors are found throughout the brain. Estrogen supports memory, processing speed, mood, and the clearance of inflammatory debris. When estrogen drops, the brain changes — and those changes are cumulative over time.

A 2021 study analyzed health records from nearly 380,000 women and found that hormone therapy users had a 58% lower relative risk of combined neurodegenerative diseases — including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and MS — compared to women who never used hormones. The greatest protection appeared in women 65 and older, and longer duration of therapy produced more protection than shorter use.

There’s important nuance here: beginning synthetic oral hormone therapy in women who are already elderly and already experiencing cognitive decline doesn’t show the same benefit, and in some studies showed increased risk. The protective effect is greatest in women with healthy cognition who start earlier. This is another reason the timing and formulation conversation matters so much.

## **The Risk Nobody Discusses: Decades of Estrogen Deficiency**

We spend enormous time talking about the risks of hormone therapy. We almost never talk about the risks of estrogen deficiency — and those risks are real, cumulative, and affect nearly every system in the body. Women today live 30 to 40 years past menopause. That’s three to four decades without the hormone that supported their bones, hearts, brains, metabolism, and urogenital health. Estrogen deficiency isn’t a neutral state. It’s an active process of accelerating decline — and most women are never told that.

Let’s put some numbers on it. NAMS cites WHI data showing that hormone therapy reduces hip fractures by six per 10,000 women per year and vertebral fractures by six per 10,000 women per year — in both the estrogen-alone and combined arms. Hip fractures in older women carry a mortality rate of up to 20–30% within the first year. This isn’t a minor side effect of aging. It’s a preventable catastrophe.

On the metabolic side, NAMS also reports that hormone therapy reduced new-onset type 2 diabetes by 19–30% in WHI data — a finding that almost never gets mentioned. Insulin resistance accelerates in menopause. Heart disease risk climbs. These aren’t separate problems. They’re connected, and they’re driven in large part by estrogen loss.

As for the brain: the 2021 study of nearly 380,000 women showed a 58% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions in hormone therapy users.

The FDA’s 2025 announcement put it plainly: women who start hormone therapy before age 60 may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by up to 50%, Alzheimer’s risk by 35%, and bone fracture risk by **50–60%**.

The urogenital changes are quieter but no less real. Vaginal tissue thins and loses elasticity. Lubrication decreases. The bladder becomes more reactive. Urinary tract infections become recurrent. Intimacy becomes painful, then avoided. These changes don’t plateau — they progress steadily year after year without estrogen. Most women assume this is just what aging feels like. It isn’t. It’s what estrogen deficiency feels like, and much of it is addressable.

We’ve spent so much time on the risks of treatment that we’ve created a generation of women who fear the medicine and accept the disease. Estrogen deficiency has real consequences — in bones, in blood vessels, in the brain, in the bladder, in intimacy, in metabolic health. Those consequences compound quietly for decades.

**The question is never “is there any risk with hormone therapy?” The right question is whether the risks of hormone therapy outweigh the risks of estrogen deficiency for the specific woman. For most healthy women in the right window, the answer is clear.**

## **How Vitality Renewal Evaluates Whether Hormone Therapy Is Right for You**

A 10-minute appointment can’t do this work. Most women are told yes or no to hormones based on a brief history and maybe a mammogram result. At Vitality Renewal, we build a complete picture before deciding on any protocol — cardiovascular health, breast health, metabolic function, gut health, hormone metabolism, and toxic load. NAMS itself states: “Treatment should be individualized using the best available evidence to maximize benefits and minimize risks, with periodic reevaluation.” That word — individualized — requires time, thorough testing, and a team that has read the research.

## **Cardiovascular Assessment: Going Beyond the Standard Cholesterol Test**

Standard cholesterol panels miss approximately half of all heart attacks. Heart disease is fundamentally an inflammation problem, and inflammation doesn’t always show up in basic blood work. At Vitality Renewal, we use advanced cardiovascular testing that includes LDL particle number (not just total cholesterol), a genetic marker called Lp(a) that raises clotting risk independent of diet or lifestyle, and multiple markers of blood vessel inflammation– high-sensitivity CRP, LpPLA2, Myeloperoxidase, ADMA.

We also use a coronary artery calcium score — a simple, low-cost imaging test that shows whether plaque has begun to build up in the arteries around the heart. A woman with a calcium score of zero at age 65 has a completely different risk picture from a woman with significant calcification. That score gives us real data to work with. An age on a driver’s license doesn’t.

## **Breast Health: What Standard Imaging Doesn’t Tell You**

Beyond mammography or standard breast imaging, we use urine hormone testing to evaluate how the body breaks down and clears estrogen. There are healthy breakdown pathways and more inflammatory ones. If estrogen is being sent down the wrong pathway, that increases cancer risk over time even at normal estrogen levels. We can identify this and address it.

Gut health is directly connected to estrogen metabolism. Certain gut bacteria produce a chemical called beta-glucuronidase. When these bacteria are out of balance, beta-glucuronidase breaks down the packaging that allows estrogen to leave the body — and instead, estrogen gets reabsorbed and recirculated, a revolving door. This is one reason some women have symptoms of too much estrogen even at normal doses.

Vitality Renewal also offers QT Imaging — radiation-free, true 3D breast imaging. For women who want to avoid radiation, have dense breast tissue, or are anxious about mammograms, this gives a meaningful alternative. We believe breast health monitoring shouldn’t be avoided out of fear of the process itself.

THE HORMONE LOCKSMITH PRINCIPLE

### **The Key and the Lock — Why Hormones Sometimes Seem to Stop Working**

Hormones work by connecting to receptors on your cells — like a key fitting into a lock. When the connection is made, the cell gets its signal and responds. When the lock works well, even a small amount of hormone produces the desired response.
But years of chronic inflammation, gut issues, toxic exposures, and long-term stress can damage those receptors. The locks get rusty. You can have a perfectly made key — the right hormone, the right dose — but if the lock is corroded, the door doesn’t open. This is why some women try hormone therapy and feel no different. The problem was never the hormone.

At Vitality Renewal, whether we work on healing those rusty locks before starting hormones or alongside them is an individualized decision we make together with each patient based on her specific situation, her symptoms, and her timeline. What we never do is hand over a prescription and skip this step. Healing the gut, reducing inflammation, lowering toxic burden, and managing chronic stress are what allow hormone therapy to actually do its job.

## **The Full Metabolic Picture: Thyroid, Blood Sugar, and Adrenal Health**

Blood sugar, insulin, thyroid function, adrenal health, and micronutrient levels all affect how the body uses hormones. An underactive thyroid causes LDL particle number to rise and slows every metabolic process — a woman with unaddressed hypothyroidism won’t respond well to hormone therapy. Chronic high cortisol competes with sex hormones for the same raw materials in the body. A woman under sustained stress is hormonally disadvantaged before we even begin.

We look at all of it. Because hormones don’t work in isolation. Treating them as if they do produces disappointing results.

## **Starting Hormone Therapy After 60: Honest Answers to the Question That Matters Most**

Now we return to Julie. For ten years she had accepted that estrogen deficiency was just aging — because no one had told her otherwise. When she finally asked for help, she was sent away. She wanted to know whether starting now would do anything at all, or whether the window had truly closed.

The honest answer is neither a blanket yes nor a blanket no. It is: it depends on one’s individual picture, and that picture is measurable.

## **What the Research Actually Shows for Women Who Start Later**

It is very clear that the best outcomes from hormone therapy come when it’s started within 10 years of menopause or before age 60. Women who start earlier have cleaner receptors, less accumulated cardiovascular damage, and a hormonal system that hasn’t been in deficiency as long. The data is consistent on this, and it’s now embedded in the FDA’s updated labeling.

But later doesn’t mean **NO** benefits.

A large study of older women in Iceland (the AGES-Reykjavik Study) found that women who started hormone therapy more than 5 years after menopause still had significantly less arterial plaque buildup than women who never used hormones — 56 Agatston units lower on the coronary calcium score. That’s smaller than the benefit seen in women who started at menopause (87 units lower), but it’s real and statistically meaningful.

The large Alzheimer’s and dementia study mentioned earlier found its greatest brain-protective effect in women 65 and older, with longer duration producing more protection than shorter use. NAMS also states clearly that there are **no data to support routinely stopping hormone therapy in women aged 65** who are doing well on it and remain at low cardiovascular and breast cancer risk.

## **What Is Genuinely Different for Later Starters — and Why It Matters**

Honesty requires saying this directly. For women who start oral hormone therapy more than 10 years after menopause or after age 60, observational studies show increased risk of stroke and blood clots compared to earlier starters. This is a real finding — and it’s precisely why transdermal delivery is even more critical in this group, and why a thorough cardiovascular baseline is non-negotiable before we prescribe. But it’s a non-issue at Vitality Renewal, because we don’t use oral estrogen.

A coronary artery calcium score and a full cardiovascular inflammatory panel tell us what we’re actually dealing with. A 65-year-old with a calcium score of zero doesn’t have the cardiovascular disease burden that drives those risk numbers. A 65-year-old with a high calcium score is a different conversation — not necessarily a closed door, but a conversation that requires more careful planning.

The rusty lock problem is also amplified with later starters. Years without estrogen mean more receptor damage, more inflammation, more gut imbalance, a greater accumulated toxic load. More foundational work is often needed — possibly lower starting doses, slower titration, more frequent monitoring. This isn’t an argument against starting. It’s an argument for starting correctly, with a team that’s paying attention.

## **What Responds Well to Hormone Therapy Regardless of When You Start**

**Hot flashes and night sweats** respond to hormone therapy at any age — provided they’re caused by low estrogen. It’s worth noting that not all hot flashes come from estrogen deficiency. Other causes include thyroid dysfunction, adrenal issues, high cortisol, and certain toxic exposures. A proper evaluation distinguishes these, because treating estrogen-driven hot flashes with estrogen works beautifully, while treating other causes with estrogen does not. This is one more reason a thorough assessment matters.

**Sleep quality** improves with oral micronized progesterone at any age. Progesterone has a mild calming effect on the brain through its interaction with GABA receptors — the same receptor system that makes certain sleep medications work. Unlike those medications, progesterone supports the natural sleep architecture your brain needs.

**Genitourinary symptoms** — vaginal dryness, pain with intimacy, bladder urgency and frequency, recurrent urinary tract infections — are highly responsive to hormone therapy and, in our experience, largely reversible at any age. Low-dose vaginal estradiol is appropriate for use at any age and for extended duration, according to NAMS. This is one of the most undertreated and most quality-of-life-affecting areas of menopause medicine.

**Bone health** shows benefit from hormone therapy at virtually any age of initiation. Estrogen is a key regulator of bone density. NAMS cites data showing six fewer hip fractures and six fewer vertebral fractures per 10,000 women per year with hormone therapy compared to no treatment.

**Brain health** is the most nuanced. If significant memory loss or cognitive decline has already begun, hormone therapy is less likely to reverse it and more likely to slow further progression. But for a woman with brain fog, word-finding difficulty, or concentration problems that started around menopause — and who hasn’t yet developed true dementia — addressing hormone deficiency as part of a broader brain health plan is worth a serious conversation.

## **True Contraindications — and Where Vitality Renewal Individualizes Beyond Standard Guidelines**

NAMS 2022 lists the following as contraindications to hormone therapy: unexplained vaginal bleeding, active liver disease, prior estrogen-sensitive cancer, prior coronary heart disease, stroke, or blood clot, and known or inherited high risk of thromboembolic disease.

**Being over 60 is not on that list.Being over 65 is not on that list. Having started late is not on that list.**

These are factors requiring careful individualized evaluation — not reasons to close the conversation before it starts.

On the question of prior estrogen-sensitive cancer: NAMS lists this as a contraindication, and we take it seriously. At Vitality Renewal, however, we don’t treat this as an automatic and permanent no. For a woman who has been treated for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, is now cancer-free, and is struggling significantly with quality of life, we believe she deserves a thorough evaluation and an honest, in-depth conversation about the risks and benefits in her specific situation. That conversation may include considering testosterone therapy first, which has strong data for improving quality of life in women with a hormone-sensitive cancer history. It may result in a decision to proceed with careful monitoring and informed consent. It may also result in a mutual decision that hormone therapy isn’t the right path for her. But the conversation must happen. A blanket no, handed down without evaluation, isn’t patient-centered care.

 

## **The Question That Actually Needs Asking**

“Is it too late?” is the wrong question. It assumes age is the deciding variable. It’s not.
The right question is: what are your symptoms, what does your full health picture show, what’s your cardiovascular baseline, how is your body metabolizing and clearing estrogen, and what formulation and delivery route are appropriate for you? That’s an individualized assessment. That’s what we do at Vitality Renewal every day.

**You’re not your age.** There are 50-year-olds with the metabolic health of someone 20 years older. There are 70-year-olds with a coronary calcium score of zero and the cardiovascular profile of someone far younger. A birthday doesn’t tell us which one you are. A thorough evaluation does.

Julie came in at 63 having believed for a decade that estrogen deficiency was just something you accepted. When she finally asked, she was told it was too late. Neither of those things was true. She deserved that real conversation 15 years ago. She can still have it now — and we can give her answers based on her actual picture, not her age.

So can you.

## **Ready to Have the Real Conversation?**

At Vitality Renewal, every hormone evaluation starts with your full health picture — heart, gut, metabolism, breast health, and toxic load. If you’ve been told no without that work being done, you received an answer to a question that was never properly asked.

**vitalityrenewal.org —> [Schedule a Discovery Call](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2)**

CLINICAL SOURCES

1. NAMS 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. Faubion et al. Menopause 2022;29(7):767–794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028
2. Manson et al. Menopausal hormone therapy and long-term all-cause and cause-specific mortality. JAMA 2017;318(10):927–938.
3. Fournier et al. Breast cancer risk in relation to different types of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 2008;107(1):103–111.
4. Vinogradova, Coupland, Hippisley-Cox. Use of hormone replacement therapy and risk of breast cancer. BMJ 2020;371:m3873.
5. Stute, Wildt, Neulen. Micronized progesterone and breast cancer risk — systematic review. Climacteric 2018;21(2):111–122.
6. Gudmundsson et al. (AGES-Reykjavik Study). Coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular risk. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2017;65(1):200–206.
7. Kim et al. Hormone therapy and risk of neurodegenerative disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia (NY) 2021;7(1):e12174.
8. Lobo et al. Hormone replacement therapy as part of a prevention strategy for women. Atherosclerosis 2016;254:282–290.
9. FDA label change announcement: November 10, 2025; effective February 12, 2026. fda.gov

**Categories:** Hormone Health

---


## Pages

### [Homepage](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/)

**Published:** August 14, 2026
**Author:** Scott Royce

**Content:**

Board-Certified OB-GYN

•   25+ Years Clinical Experience

•   Hormone & Functional Medicine Specialist

•   Crystal Lake, IL

PERIMENOPAUSE, MENOPAUSE & HORMONE SPECIALIST — CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

# **Your Labs Are “Normal.”** 
**But You Know**
***Something Is Wrong.***

You’re exhausted. Foggy. Gaining weight despite doing everything right. And you’ve been told everything looks fine.

*“With them it was more about giving my body what it actually needed to feel my best, not just handing me a prescription and sending me home.”*

— Vira D., Arlington Heights, IL

Hormones are the keys. Your cells are the locks. When the locks are damaged by toxins, inflammation, or chronic stress, the keys don’t work. That’s where we start.

- [ Video Overview & Clinical Philosophy by Dr. Yvonne Karney ](#acc-1woo726-0) 

    *“If you are struggling with crushing fatigue, stubborn weight gain, brain fog, or erratic sleep, and your doctor keeps telling you that your labs are ‘completely normal’—I want you to know: you are not crazy, and you are not alone.*
    
    *In conventional medicine, standard lab tests only look for acute disease pathology using broad statistical averages. But optimal health is entirely different from the absence of disease.*
    
    *Think of your hormones as **keys**, and your cells as the **locks**. You can have plenty of keys circulating in your bloodstream—which is why your standard blood labs look ‘normal’—but if the locks on your cells are damaged by chronic inflammation, environmental toxins, gut dysbiosis, or prolonged stress, the keys cannot turn. The signal never gets through.*
    
    *At Vitality Renewal, we don’t just hand you a prescription to mask your symptoms. As a board-certified OB-GYN with over 25 years of clinical experience, I look at the complete physiological picture. We evaluate comprehensive functional biomarkers, repair the cellular locks, clear systemic inflammation, and restore your body’s natural harmony using precision Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and root-cause therapies.*
    
    *You deserve to feel vibrant, clear-headed, and energized again. Welcome to Vitality Renewal—let’s uncover what your body has been trying to tell you.”*

  [ Begin Your Care ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

  [ Check Your Hormone Health ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz) 

as seen in

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Why You’re Here

## Do Any of These Sound Familiar? 

Many of our patients have seen two, three, even five doctors before finding us. Their story is remarkably consistent:

Fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep. Weight gain despite doing the right things. A brain that doesn’t feel sharp. Mood shifts that don’t match your life. And a doctor who looked at your labs and said: “Everything looks fine.”

*“Something is being missed.”*

We believe you. And we know where to look.

Persistent fatigue or low energy that doesn’t improve with rest

Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating

Weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite effort

Hormone imbalance perimenopause, menopause, testosterone concerns

Anxiety, low mood, or feeling emotionally “off”

Poor sleep or waking up exhausted

Inflammation, pain, or autoimmune symptoms

Digestive issues and food sensitivities

#### Not sure where to start?

Take our Hormone Imbalance Assessment thorough, free, and often the first step toward real answers.

  [ Take the Hormone Balance Assessment ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz) 

FOR THE WOMAN WHO FEELS GOOD — AND WANTS MORE

You Need DATA and a PLAN for the Next Decade

Some of the women we work with aren’t chasing a symptom. They’re reaching for their BEST HEALTH. If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place too.

✓ You’re proactive about your health and want to stay ahead of what’s coming

✓ You’ve started thinking about the next decade differently and you don’t want to leave it to chance

✓ You want real data about where you actually stand, not just reassurance that your labs are “normal”

✓ You suspect your hormones are shifting and want to get ahead of it before symptoms start

✓ You’re already investing in your health and you want to make sure it’s working

 [ Learn how our Vitality Wellness Program is designed for you ](/why-functional-medicine) 

The Hormone Locksmith® Approach

## You Need More than Hormones. You Need Your Body to Respond to Them.

Hormones don’t work in isolation. You can have “normal” levels on paper and still feel completely off. Why?

Because hormones are only effective if your body can respond to them. If your cells are inflamed, if toxins are interfering, if your nervous system is out of balance, the message doesn’t get through.

We believe in hormone optimization, but we HAVE to include restoring function. We look at the whole picture: hormones, metabolism, gut health, brain chemistry, inflammation, and stress response.

We repair the locks, so the keys can finally work.

The Hormone Locksmith®

🔑 Hormones = Keys

🔒 Cells = Locks

When locks are damaged by toxins, inflammation, or chronic stress, hormones can’t work, even at “normal” levels.

   Icon label 

**Identify what’s damaging the locks** — advanced testing beyond standard labs

   Icon label 

**Restore cellular function** — address toxin burden, inflammation, gut health

   Icon label 

**Optimize hormones when appropriate** — with the right levels and monitoring

What to Expect

 

## **A Different Approach to Your Health**

This is not quick-fix medicine. We take the time to understand your body — and guide you step by step toward lasting change.

01

### A Deep, Unhurried First Visit

We review your full health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and goals, often connecting dots that haven’t been discussed before.

02

### Advanced Testing for Real Insight

Comprehensive lab panels interpreted for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.” We look at hormones, metabolism, inflammation, nutrient status, and more.

03

### A Plan Built Around Your Body

Your care plan is tailored to your biology, your priorities, and your capacity. We focus on what makes the biggest difference, not doing everything at once.

 

04

### Ongoing Guidance as You Heal

Healing is a process. We adjust your plan over time, track your progress, and make sure you understand each step along the way.

  [ Start with a Conversation ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

*No pressure, no obligation — just a thoughtful starting point.*

Founded by

## **Yvonne Karney, MD**

Board-Certified OB-GYN · Functional & Integrative Medicine · The Hormone Locksmith®

“I practice the kind of medicine I wish had existed when I needed answers myself.”

Functional medicine gave me the tools to ask better questions not just “are your labs normal?” but “why do you feel the way you do?” and more importantly, what do we do about it.

I came to this work because I lived it. There was a period in my own life when I felt like I was becoming someone I didn’t recognize. My emotions were unpredictable things that rolled off my back one day made me furious the next. I had barely enough energy to get through my day, and any speed bump would send me into a spiral. I felt like I was drowning, lashing out at the people I loved for no good reason.

I was a physician. I knew something was wrong. And I couldn’t figure out why no one was looking in the right places.

At Vitality Renewal, I serve as Medical Director, leading a team of experienced nurse practitioners who deliver personalized care to each patient.

#### training & background

✔ Board-Certified OB-GYN, 25+ years

✔ USAF Physician, 8 years

✔ Functional & Integrative Medicine

✔ 14+ years specializing in BHRT

✔ 80,000+ patient encounters

  ![Dr. Karney at table](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Dr.-Karney-at-table-scaled.jpeg "Dr. Karney at table") 

*“It took a long time to get to a point where I was willing to invest in myself. After meeting Dr. Karney and her team, I felt like there was a group of people I could trust to help me get to where I wanted to be where I know I was before.”*

— Shannon D., Pingree Grove, IL

## **Your Care Team**

Most of your visits at Vitality Renewal will be with our nurse practitioner team, each experienced, each practicing the same root-cause philosophy this practice was built on, and each supported by Dr. Karney’s clinical oversight at every step. This is how exceptional care scales

  ![Charmagne (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Charmagne-1-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Charmagne (1)") 

#### Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Charmagne came to functional medicine the way the best providers do, she rotated through Vitality Renewal as a student, saw what root-cause care could do for patients, and knew she had to be part of it. She brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to women’s hormone health.

  ![Tanya - v2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Tanya-v2-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Tanya - v2") 

#### Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

With more than 20 years of clinical experience and a faculty position at Northern Illinois University, Tanya brings rare depth to every appointment. She specializes in BHRT, pellet hormone therapy, and adrenal health in menopausal women.

   Icon label 

Meet the Full Team

Learn more about our providers, our health, coaches, and the team building behind your care

  ![Charmagne (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Charmagne-1-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Charmagne (1)") 

#### Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Charmagne came to functional medicine the way the best providers do, she rotated through Vitality Renewal as a student, saw what root-cause care could do for patients, and knew she had to be part of it. She brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to women’s hormone health.

  ![Tanya - v2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Tanya-v2-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Tanya - v2") 

#### Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

With more than 20 years of clinical experience and a faculty position at Northern Illinois University, Tanya brings rare depth to every appointment. She specializes in BHRT, pellet hormone therapy, and adrenal health in menopausal women.

   Icon label 

Meet the Full Team

Learn more about our providers, our health, coaches, and the team building behind your care

Free Download

## What Your Labs Aren’t Telling You

The Micronutrient Gap: The nutrients most women are missing and the tests that actually find them

You eat well. You take supplements. You do the right things. But there are six nutrients that high-functioning women in their 40s and 50s are almost universally depleted in and most of them never show up on a standard lab panel.

This guide shows you what they are, what optimal levels actually look like, and why getting them right is often what makes the difference between your hormones working and not.

✔ The six nutrients we test that most practices don’t

✔ Why “normal” lab ranges aren’t the same as optimal

✔ The copper-zinc connection and why it matters before hormone therapy

✔ What depletion actually looks like at this stage of life

  [ Download the Free Guide ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/the-micronutrient-gap) 

  ![1](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/1-724x1024-539x649.png "1") 

*“In three months, I lowered my bad cholesterol by 100 points, brought my A1C out of the pre-diabetic range, felt better, slept better, and lost 15 pounds.”*

— Roxanne B., Cary, IL

Free Download

## **Finally Understand Why You’re So Tired – Even When You’re Doing Everything Right**

From Fatigued to Fabulous gives you five evidence-based keys to understanding why you’re exhausted and what to actually do about it.

✔  Why fatigue is almost never about sleep alone

✔  The hormone–energy connection most doctors miss

✔  Five things you can start doing this week

✔  When to push for more comprehensive testing

  [ Download the Free Guide ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/fatigue_optin) 

Enter your first name and email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

  ![Screenshot 2026-05-06 212302](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-05-06-212302.webp "Screenshot 2026-05-06 212302") 

*“In three months, I lowered my bad cholesterol by 100 points, brought my A1C out of the pre-diabetic range, felt better, slept better, and lost 15 pounds.”*

— Roxanne B., Cary, IL

Patient Stories

## **Real Women. Real Answers. Real Change.**

Hear from our happy patients

 ![Promotional-Video_thumbnail](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Promotional-Video_thumbnail.png "Promotional-Video_thumbnail") 

“

I finally feel like myself again. After three years of being told my labs were normal, someone finally looked deeper and found what was wrong.

— Patient, Chicago northwest suburbs

“

For the first time in years, everything made sense. The explanation of how hormones actually work changed how I understood my own body.

— Patient, traveling from Wisconsin

“

I wasn’t crazy something was actually wrong. I just needed a doctor who was willing to look for it. That’s what Vitality Renewal did.

— Patient, Crystal Lake area

  [ Read More Patient Stories → ](/testimonials/) 

Functional Medicine

## **Treatments & Therapies**

We combine the best of traditional medicine with innovative functional approaches tailored to you. Tools are powerful. But only when your body is ready to receive them.

Foundation & Core Treatments

**Biodentical Hormone Therapy**

Hormones molecularly identical to what your body produces, prescribed precisely, monitored carefully, and adjusted as your biology changes.

**Advanced Lab Testing**

Comprehensive panels interpreted for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.” We test what conventional medicine doesn’t including DUTCH hormone testing, organic acids, and inflammatory markers.

**Neurofeedback Therapy**

Non-invasive brain training that helps regulate mood, focus, sleep, and stress response guided by a QEEG brain map of your unique neural activity.

**Far Infrared Sauna**

Cellular recovery, circulation support, and deep relaxation heat therapy used to support detox pathways and cardiovascular health.

**Frequency Specific Microcurrent**

Targeted electrical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation, and improve nervous system regulation.

**QT Breast Imaging**

Breast imaging without radiation or compression — advanced ultrasound technology that sees more, with none of the drawbacks of conventional mammography.

Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments — Introducing the glow suite of services

NEW

#### Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation

Restore comfort, confidence, and function without surgery or downtime. Our non-invasive treatments address pelvic floor weakness, bladder control, and intimate wellness as a natural part of women’s whole-body health.

NEW

#### Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments

Physician-supervised aesthetic care with no neurotoxins, no synthetic fillers, and no radiation. PRF, radiofrequency microneedling, and light therapy that work with your biology — not against it. Because beauty shouldn’t be toxic.

*Every tool we use is chosen for a reason — and only when it’s right for you.*

  [ Explore All Treatments & Therapies ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/) 

common questions

## Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers from Crystal Lake’s hormone and functional medicine experts.

- [   What's the difference between functional medicine and traditional medicine for hormone issues? ](#acc-sp1k727-0) 
    
     Here’s the fastest way I can explain it: traditional medicine asks “are you normal?” Functional medicine asks “are you *thriving*?”
    
     
    
    When you walk into a traditional doctor’s office feeling exhausted, foggy, and like a stranger in your own body, they run labs and compare your results to something called “normal range.” What most people don’t realize is that normal range is just a statistical equation, it’s set to include 90% of the population. It has nothing to do with optimal. It has nothing to do with feeling good. And frankly, I’d argue that 90% of people are not thriving.
    
     
    
    So when your doctor looks up from your labs and says “everything looks fine”, they may be technically correct by that standard. But you know you’re not fine. That’s not in your head.
    
     
    
    The other critical difference: traditional medicine is built around managing symptoms. Fatigue? Here’s an antidepressant. Can’t sleep? Here’s a sleeping pill. Anxious? Here’s another prescription. Nothing wrong with treating symptoms when needed, but if we never ask *why* those symptoms are there, we’re just putting a very expensive band-aid on a problem that keeps growing underneath.
    
     
    
    Functional medicine starts with a completely different question: *what is causing this?* We dig into root causes, hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, toxin burden, gut health, stress, and we interpret your labs looking for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.”
    
     
    
    Same labs. Completely different lens. Completely different outcomes.
- [   What are the signs of hormone imbalance in women? ](#acc-sp1k727-1) 

    Common signs of hormone imbalance include chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, unexplained weight gain (*especially around the abdomen*), mood swings, anxiety or depression, irregular or heavy periods, hot flashes and night sweats, low libido, hair loss or thinning, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. At Vitality Renewal, we use comprehensive hormone testing to identify which specific hormones are out of balance and create a personalized treatment plan.
- [   Can hormone imbalance cause weight gain? ](#acc-sp1k727-2) 
    
     Yes, but it’s not that simple, and the *why* matters enormously.
    
     
    
    Hormonal shifts in midlife absolutely contribute to weight gain. Declining estrogen changes where your body stores fat. High cortisol from chronic stress raises insulin, which signals your body to store fat. Low testosterone reduces muscle mass, slowing your metabolism. These are real and significant drivers.
    
     
    
    But here’s what most doctors miss: hormones and weight gain often share the same root cause, damage to your mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses inside your cells. When toxins and chronic inflammation damage your mitochondrial membranes, your cells literally lose their ability to produce energy efficiently. The result? Your metabolism slows, you gain weight, you’re exhausted, and your brain feels like it’s wrapped in fog.
    
     
    
    It’s the same toxic and inflammatory load that damages hormone receptors, making your hormones less effective even when levels look “normal” on labs.
    
     
    
    So yes, hormone imbalance can cause weight gain. But chasing hormones alone without addressing the underlying inflammation and toxic burden is like trying to drive a car with a broken engine, you can put in all the right fuel and it still won’t run right.
    
     
    
    The key isn’t just *what* your hormone levels are. It’s *why* they’re off in the first place.
- [   How do I know if my fatigue is hormone-related? ](#acc-sp1k727-3) 

    Hormone-related fatigue often comes with specific patterns: worsening fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep, brain fog that affects your ability to concentrate, unexplained weight gain especially around the midsection, mood swings or irritability, and changes in your menstrual cycle or hot flashes. Our hormone quiz can help you identify if hormones are contributing to your exhaustion. We serve patients throughout McHenry County and the greater Chicago northwest suburbs.
- [   What makes your lab testing different? ](#acc-sp1k727-4) 

    Many of the tests we use are standard, the difference is we order far more comprehensive panels, and we interpret results looking for optimal function, not just “normal range.”
- [   Do I need to take hormones? ](#acc-sp1k727-5) 

    Not necessarily. Our goal is to restore your body’s ability to function first. We look at both the hormones (*the keys*) and your cells ability to respond to them (*the locks*). Hormones are used when appropriate, never as a default.
- [   How long does it take to see results? ](#acc-sp1k727-6) 

    Healing is a process, not an event. Many patients begin noticing meaningful changes within the first few months. Our programs run six months to a year, with ongoing support to refine and guide your progress.
- [   What symptoms indicate you need functional medicine instead of traditional care? ](#acc-sp1k727-7) 
    
     At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, we actually see two very different kinds of patients, and both deserve better than what traditional medicine typically offers.
    
     
    
    The first is someone who is relatively healthy but refuses to settle for “fine.” They want to perform at their best, think sharply, maintain their energy, and optimize every aspect of their health, not just avoid disease. Traditional medicine has very little to offer this person. If your labs don’t show anything glaringly wrong, the conventional system essentially has nothing for you. We do.
    
     
    
    The second is someone who is struggling, and has often been struggling for years. They come to us with fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, brain fog that makes them feel like they’re thinking through wet concrete, unexplained weight gain despite doing everything “right,” mood swings, poor sleep, low libido, and a general sense that they’re no longer themselves. They’ve been to their doctor. Maybe multiple doctors. And they’ve been handed a sleeping pill, an antidepressant, a birth control pill, or worse, told “this is just normal for your age.”
    
     
    
    It is not normal. It is common. There’s a significant difference.
    
     
    
    If any of this sounds familiar, traditional medicine isn’t failing you because you’re unfixable. It’s failing you because it’s only designed to identify and treat diagnosed disease, not to find the underlying reasons why you feel the way you do.
    
     
    
    That’s exactly what we do at Vitality Renewal. Whether you’re chasing optimal or just trying to feel like yourself again, we’re looking for root causes, not just symptom management. You deserve answers, not dismissal.

- [   What is the difference between regular HRT and bioidentical hormones? ](#acc-ou55983-0) 

    Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones your body produces naturally, derived from plant sources like yams and soy. Conventional HRT often uses synthetic hormones or hormones from animal sources (*like pregnant mare urine in Premarin*) that are similar but not identical to human hormones. Bioidentical hormones can be customized to your specific needs and typically have fewer side effects because your body recognizes them as identical to what it produces.
- [   Why am I so tired all the time even though I sleep enough? ](#acc-ou55983-1) 

    Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep usually indicates an underlying issue beyond simple sleep deprivation. Common root causes include thyroid dysfunction (*even subclinical hypothyroidism*), adrenal fatigue or cortisol imbalance, hormone deficiencies (*estrogen, progesterone, testosterone*), chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies (*iron, B12, vitamin D, magnesium*), blood sugar imbalances, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Functional medicine testing can identify your specific cause.
- [   What causes chronic fatigue in women over 40? ](#acc-ou55983-2) 

    Chronic fatigue in women over 40 typically stems from hormone imbalances (*particularly thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone decline*), cortisol dysregulation from chronic stress, insulin resistance, nutritional deficiencies (*especially B12, iron, and vitamin D*), and mitochondrial dysfunction. At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, we use comprehensive lab testing to identify your specific root causes rather than just treating symptoms.
- [   Do you treat thyroid problems? ](#acc-ou55983-3) 

    Yes, thyroid dysfunction is one of our specialties. We treat hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, subclinical hypothyroidism, and thyroid hormone resistance. Unlike conventional treatment that often only checks TSH, we run complete thyroid panels and look at the entire picture, not just whether you’re making enough thyroid hormone, but whether your body is converting it properly and whether it’s getting into your cells effectively.
- [   What lab tests do you use that regular doctors don't? ](#acc-ou55983-4) 
    
     The honest answer might surprise you: many of the tests I use are standard blood tests available at any lab, the difference is that I order far more comprehensive panels, and I interpret the results looking for *optimal* function, not just “normal range.”
    
     
    
    That distinction is everything. Normal range is a statistical equation set to include 90% of the population. It doesn’t mean those people are healthy or thriving. I can’t tell you how many patients have walked through my door with labs their doctor called “completely normal”, yet they were exhausted, gaining weight, and couldn’t think straight. When I looked at those same labs through an optimal lens, the picture told a very different story.
    
     
    
    Beyond more comprehensive traditional testing, I also use functional medicine tests when indicated: urine hormone testing (*DUTCH test*) for detailed hormone metabolism, salivary cortisol testing to assess adrenal rhythm, comprehensive stool analysis for gut and microbiome health, and urine toxic elements testing for heavy metal and environmental toxin burden.
    
     
    
    More tests. Deeper interpretation. A completely different standard for what “good” actually looks like.
- [   Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy safe? ](#acc-ou55983-5) 
    
     Yes, but it’s not that simple, and the *why* matters enormously.
    
     
    
    Hormonal shifts in midlife absolutely contribute to weight gain. Declining estrogen changes where your body stores fat. High cortisol from chronic stress raises insulin, which signals your body to store fat. Low testosterone reduces muscle mass, slowing your metabolism. These are real and significant drivers.
    
     
    
    But here’s what most doctors miss: hormones and weight gain often share the same root cause, damage to your mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses inside your cells. When toxins and chronic inflammation damage your mitochondrial membranes, your cells literally lose their ability to produce energy efficiently. The result? Your metabolism slows, you gain weight, you’re exhausted, and your brain feels like it’s wrapped in fog.
    
     
    
    It’s the same toxic and inflammatory load that damages hormone receptors, making your hormones less effective even when levels look “normal” on labs.
    
     
    
    So yes, hormone imbalance can cause weight gain. But chasing hormones alone without addressing the underlying inflammation and toxic burden is like trying to drive a car with a broken engine, you can put in all the right fuel and it still won’t run right.
    
     
    
    The key isn’t just *what* your hormone levels are. It’s *why* they’re off in the first place.
- [   Can you fix hormone problems without taking hormones? ](#acc-ou55983-6) 

    Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many factors affect hormone function beyond just hormone levels, including stress management, sleep quality, nutrition, gut health, liver function, and inflammation. We look at your hormones like a locksmith: both the key (*the hormone itself*) and the lock (*the receptor*) need to work properly. We optimize diet, address nutrient deficiencies, reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and balance blood sugar. In some cases, this is enough. In others, hormone replacement is needed alongside these lifestyle changes for optimal results.
- [   Do you take insurance? ](#acc-ou55983-7) 

    We are a cash-based practice. This allows us to spend more time with you, use more comprehensive testing, and focus entirely on root-cause care, not what an insurance company will approve.

“I feel like I’ve got a new lease on life — a way of feeling I didn’t think was possible at this point in my life.”

— Heidi A., Woodstock, IL

## **You Don’t Have to Keep** **Guessing.**

If you’re ready to understand what’s really going on in your body — and to work with a team that will actually look — we’re here.

  [ Work With Us ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

  [ Take the Hormone Balance Assessment ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz)

---

### [Breast Imaging](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/breast-imaging/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

## **The Future of Breast Imaging is Here!**

###### **Clear, Comfortable, and Compassionate Imaging for Every Woman**

  No Compression (aka SQUISH) 

  No Radiation 

  Excellent Image Quality 

 [ Request a QT Scan ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/qt-breast-scan/) 

 ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/qlarity-breast-imaging.jpg "Breast Imaging") 

*Image provided courtesy of QT Imaging and used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Breast Imaging Statistics– Why Change is Needed!**

 ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/pink-black-women-graphic.png "Breast Imaging") 

# 250K

It is estimated that 250,000 women in the US will get diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

# **35%**

35% of women in the US do not get mammograms. Without screening, they are missing out on the chance for early detection.

# **50%**

Almost 50% of women have dense breasts, placing them at increased risk of breast cancer.

# **50%**

Mammograms miss up to 50% of breast cancers in women with dense breasts.

# **80%**

80% of callback biopsies are benign. A goal of the QT Scan is to reduce the number of biopsies by identifying benign cysts and calcifications during the initial scan.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Frequently Asked Questions**

- [   How Do I Book A Scan? ](#acc-0n43700-0) 

    You can schedule your scan online by using this link: <https://vitalityrenewal.md-hq.com/embedded/schedule.php?provider_options=35>
- [   Who can book a QT scan? ](#acc-0n43700-1) 

    The QT scan is available to women of all ages who are interested in evaluating breast health.
- [   Who CANNOT have a QT scan? ](#acc-0n43700-2) 

    There are only a few contraindications to getting a QT scan:

    1. Pacemakers or other metal implants in the chest (like a defibrillator); Note that breast clips as markers from previous biopsies are OK and not considered a contraindication.
    2. Open sores on the breast
    3. Chlorine allergies (we use slightly chlorinated water at 8-10 ppm) for machine hygiene
    4. Pregnancy–wait until after you have your baby and are done breastfeeding
    5. You must be able to lay on the table with your head turned and your arm above your head. If you have severe limitations to head or arm mobility, you should not schedule a scan.
    6. You must be able to climb 2 steps on your own in order to get situated on the table
- [   Does it matter what size breasts? ](#acc-0n43700-3) 

    YES. The machine can accommodate bra cup size A through DD.
    
    Reason for this:

    - Smaller breasts are harder to get good images because the tissue remains closer to the chest wall, and the transmission portion of the scan can be blurry.
    - Larger breasts may come into contact with the rotating transducers and disrupt the scan
    
    [▶️ **Learn More About Breast Size Limitations of QT Scan**](https://vimeo.com/1129012848/d9a4e34318?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci)

    [More ](#) 

    2. [   Do I need a referral to have a scan done? ](#acc-0n43700-4) 
        
         No. We are offering the scan to women without a referral.
    
    3. [   Do I need to become a patient at Vitality Renewal to have a scan? ](#acc-0n43700-5) 
        
         No. We are offering this revolutionary technology to all interested women, whether or not they are patients in our functional medicine practice.
    
    4. [   How much does the scan cost? ](#acc-0n43700-6) 
        
         Bilateral scan (both breasts): $775
        
        Unilateral scan (single breast): $525
    
    5. [   Who reads the scan? ](#acc-0n43700-7) 
        
         The scans are analyzed by a radiologist with special training in QT Technology imaging.
    
    6. [   How long does it take to get results and how do I get them? ](#acc-0n43700-8) 
        
         The results will be delivered within 4 weeks of your scan.
    
    7. [   What if my results are normal? ](#acc-0n43700-9) 
        
         The technology is so sophisticated that if your results are normal and you are at average risk, you can wait 2 years for a repeat scan. If you are higher risk, annual screening is recommended.

- [   What if my results are abnormal? ](#acc-a6ru183-0) 

    If there is a concern on your scan, the radiologist will make a recommendation for either:
    
    Biopsy. This is if there’s enough concern that it is cancerous. Some specialists will require a mammogram prior to doing a biopsy. We hope this changes as QT imaging gets more exposure.
    
    Short-interval follow-up to evaluate doubling time. This is an excellent feature of QT. Doubling time can be used to help determine if the lesion is truly serious. Agressive cancer replicates quickly, with a short doubling time, whereas benign lesions and non-aggressive cancers have a longer time. Using doubling time can help avoid unnecessary biopsies, as well as overdiagnosis and overtreatment of very slow growing cancers.
    
    If your results require a biopsy we will advise you to follow up with a breast surgeon. We will provide you with options for this consultation.
- [   How can I share them with my General Practitioner? ](#acc-a6ru183-1) 

    You will have access to the report on the portal and can either print a copy or e-send it directly to your doctor.
- [   What if I have dense breasts? ](#acc-a6ru183-2) 

    This is an excellent test for women with dense breasts.
- [   Can Pregnant women get the procedure done? ](#acc-a6ru183-3) 

    This test is not cleared for pregnant women.
- [   How soon after giving birth can I have a scan? ](#acc-a6ru183-4) 

    Breast feeding is not a contraindication to a QT scan. However, unless you have a specific concern, it may be better to wait until you are done breast feeding, as the breast tissue varies quite a lot during breast feeding.
- [   What if I have breast implants? ](#acc-a6ru183-5) 

    Because there is no compression, the QT scan is an excellent choice for women with implants. There is no risk of implant rupture with a QT scan.
- [   Will this be accepted by my general practitioner in place of a Mammogram? ](#acc-a6ru183-6) 

    The QT scan is not considered by the FDA or the general medical establishment to be a replacement for a mammogram.
- [   How do I prepare for a scan? ](#acc-a6ru183-7) 

    We recommend showering the night before or the morning of your scan. Please do not use lotion, powder, or any other products on your breasts. If you have open sores or wounds on your breasts, we will need to reschedule your appointment until it heals.
- [   Can a QT scan detect or monitor DCIS? ](#acc-a6ru183-8) 

    Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) means abnormal cells are found inside the milk ducts but have not spread into surrounding breast tissue. Most DCIS shows up on mammography as tiny calcium deposits called microcalcifications, which is why mammography remains the standard tool for finding and following it.
    
    The QT scan does show calcium, but it has not been proven to reliably detect the fine microcalcifications typical of DCIS. A normal QT scan cannot rule DCIS out, so we do not recommend it as the only way to monitor DCIS. For women with DCIS, QT can be a helpful addition between scheduled mammograms, offering a comfortable, radiation-free look at the breast. We encourage you to make imaging decisions with your breast specialist, and we are glad to share your QT report with your care team.

## **Comparison of Breast Imaging Options**

 ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/breast-imaging-comparison.jpg "Breast Imaging") 

*Images provided courtesy of QT Imaging and used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Clarity is Key at Qlarity Breast Imaging**

Come experience this technology if you have: frequent imaging

  Dense breasts (superior images with less call-backs) 

  Breast implants (no compression) 

  A family history breast cancer requiring more frequent imaging 

  Opted-out of mammograms 

  Want additional imaging for peace of mind 

 [ Schedule a QT Scan ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/qt-breast-scan/) 

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Every Woman Deserves Clarity and Comfort**

At Qlarity, we use the revolutionary QT Technology that provides true 3D images of the breast, down to a few hundred cells. It measures the speed of sound through tissue and has the potential to distinguish between different types of tissue.

And the best part? It does all this WITHOUT painful compression or harmful radiation.

You do not need a referral or to become a member of our clinic to book your appointment. We offer this service a la carte to benefit our community and improve women’s breast health.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **What Women Are Saying**

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Traveling to Qlarity for your Scan?**

  ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Office-Sign-400x277-1.jpeg "Breast Imaging") 

- **Airport:** O’Hare International Airport (We are about 50 minutes from the airport)
- **Metra Train:** UP-NW Union Pacific Northwest, Crystal Lake stop
- **Overnight Accommodations:**  We recommend staying near O’Hare Airport or in Schaumburg and driving to Crystal Lake for your appointment. This will give you more lodging and dining options.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

**Location**

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine

31 N. Virginia St, Suite 101

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: (815) 975-3495

**Imaging Hours**

Monday– Friday: 9 am – 5 pm

1st & 3rd Saturdays: 8:45 am-12:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

  ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/vitality-renewal-logo-350.png "Breast Imaging") 

 [ Request a QT Scan ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/qt-breast-scan/) 

 ![Breast Imaging](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/qlarity-breast-imaging.jpg "Breast Imaging") 

*QTSCAN and QT IMAGING are trademarks of QT Imaging, Inc and manufactures of the machine. Qlarity Breast Imaging uses the QT Imaging machine and is not a direct affiliate of QT Imaging, Inc.*

---

### [Neurofeedback Therapy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/neurofeedback-therapy/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

# Neurofeedback Therapy

#### What if you could eliminate or reduce chronic neurological conditions just by watching a movie or listening to music?

The amazing technology of Neurofeedback works by aligning brainwaves to a healthy pattern while you are engaged in a movie or music.

  ![Ladies in neurofeedback therapy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Gemini_Generated_Image_lakmr8lakmr8lakm-scaled.jpg "Ladies in neurofeedback therapy") 

  ![neuro-feedback](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/neuro-feedback-534x355.jpg "neuro-feedback") 

### What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback literally means brain and input, where the brain is monitored and input is given instantly. Neurofeedback specifically monitors brainwaves, looks for irregularities, then produces a signal that is designed to guide the brain back into a healthy pattern. With repeated exercises the brain sustains this healthy pattern on its own. The brain is better regulated, which can reduce or eliminate many neurological symptoms.

### Why Brain Health Matters

Brain health is so important, but we don’t notice it – we take a healthy brain for granted until it’s not there! The brain is the control center, playing a role in nearly every function of your body. Critical thinking, imagination, mood, memory, sleep quality, digestion, and regulating hormones are a few of the brain’s important functions. If your brain isn’t working properly, you will suffer in many ways. Neurofeedback is an important tool for maintaining brain health.

 

##### Neurofeedback is NOT New

 

Its been around since the 1960’s. There are decades of research and case studies that document its effectiveness in improving brain health. Advances in computer technology now make it possible to easily administer neurofeedback in our office.

### Who Benefits?

In short, almost everyone!

This therapy can benefit those suffering with the following conditions.

          ■ ADD/ ADHD
          ■ Anxiety
          ■ Chronic pain
          ■ Concussion
          ■ Depression
          ■ Fibromyalgia
          ■ Insomnia
          ■ Memory loss
          ■ Migraine headaches
          ■ Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
          ■ Stoke
          ■ Tinnitus
          ■ Vertigo

Neurofeedback can also help your brain achieve peak performance!

If you don’t have major ailments, you can still use neurofeedback–to maximize brain performance. If you use your brain a lot, why not train it to be its best, the way an elite athlete works to train his or her body?

### The therapy occurs in a 2-step process:

##### Brain Mapping

The first step is to analyze the current state of brain conductivity with a ‘brain mapping’. An EEG is performed and recorded to evaluate specific areas of brain wave activity. The data is analyzed compared to optimal patterns. From there, a report is generated showing whether you have excess or under activity in various brain areas, and a treatment protocol is recommended to train your brain waves to a healthier pattern.

##### Retraining Phase

Treatment is technically advanced, but easy on the patient (and provider!). You get connected to glasses that emit light pulses, electrodes to pick up brain activity, and a computer system that will either play a video or music while you receive therapy. The system provides audio and visual cues to change timing and activity patterns of your brain. Each session lasts about 30 minutes. Twenty sessions are recommended as the starting point. Some people start to notice improvement after 3-5 sessions. Those with chronic, severe conditions may require upwards of 40 sessions to gain maximum relief. The very exciting thing is that once results are obtained the re-trained brain retains the balance it learned. The results are long-lasting!

##### Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage varies depending on your diagnosis (reason for treatment) and your individual plan. We are happy to supply you with a super-bill to submit for reimbursement.

##### CPT Codes:

- EEG Brain-mapping: 95957
- Neurofeedback session: 90901

##  

##  

##  

##  

## I’m excited to offer this service in my practice. I’d love to help you balance your brain for better health!

 [ Book a Complimentary Discovery Call ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What is neurofeedback therapy and how does it work at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-bxso429-0) 

    Neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive brain-training treatment that monitors brainwave activity and uses real-time feedback to guide the brain into balanced, healthy patterns. At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL, patients sit comfortably wearing sensory glasses and sensors while watching a movie or listening to music. When irregular brainwaves occur, the system provides subtle audio and visual cues, training the brain over repeated sessions to sustain optimal neurological regulation on its own.

    - **Primary Mechanism:** Real-time EEG monitoring and audio/visual sensory feedback.
    - **Goal:** Correct irregular brainwave timing to reduce chronic neurological symptoms.
- [   What conditions can neurofeedback therapy treat? ](#acc-bxso429-1) 

    Neurofeedback therapy helps treat a wide variety of chronic neurological, cognitive, and mood-related conditions, as well as optimize executive performance. At Vitality Renewal, it is commonly used for:

    - **Mental Health & Mood:** Anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
    - **Cognitive & Sleep Issues:** ADD/ADHD, insomnia, and memory loss.
    - **Neurological & Pain Conditions:** Migraine headaches, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, concussion recovery, stroke rehabilitation, tinnitus, and vertigo.
    - **Peak Performance:** Brain optimization for focus and cognitive stamina in healthy individuals.
- [   What does the two-step neurofeedback treatment process involve? ](#acc-bxso429-2) 

    Treatment at Vitality Renewal is administered in two distinct phases:

    1. **Brain Mapping (qEEG):** An initial electroencephalogram (EEG) records and evaluates brainwave electrical patterns across various regions. A comparative report identifies areas of overactivity or underactivity to build an individualized training protocol.
    2. **Retraining Phase:** Patients participate in 30-minute sessions using light-emitting glasses, surface electrodes, and a computer system delivering audio/video cues that train the brain toward target frequencies.
- [   How many neurofeedback sessions are required, and are results permanent? ](#acc-bxso429-3) 

    Most treatment protocols start with a baseline recommendation of **20 sessions** lasting approximately 30 minutes each.

    - **Early Progress:** Many clients report initial improvements within **3 to 5 sessions**.
    - **Chronic or Severe Conditions:** More complex cases (e.g., severe traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, or long-standing PTSD) may require **40 or more sessions** to achieve optimal relief.
    - **Longevity:** Because neurofeedback leverages neuroplasticity to retrain neural pathways, the brain naturally retains this balance, delivering long-lasting results after therapy concludes.
- [   Does insurance cover neurofeedback therapy at Vitality Renewal, and what are the CPT codes? ](#acc-bxso429-4) 

    Insurance coverage depends on the patient’s individual provider, diagnosis, and plan benefits. While Vitality Renewal does not bill insurance directly, they provide clients with a detailed **superbill** to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
    
    The relevant medical billing CPT codes are:

    - **CPT Code 95957:** EEG Brain-mapping (diagnostic brainwave analysis)
    - **CPT Code 90901:** Neurofeedback treatment session

---

### [Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/regenerative-aesthetic-treatments/)

**Published:** June 25, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments · Crystal Lake, IL

# Non-Toxic Beauty.
Real Regeneration.

*Advanced treatments that work with your body’s biology — not against it.*

At Vitality Renewal, aesthetics isn’t about masking aging. It’s about restoring what your body is designed to do naturally — produce collagen, renew tissue, and maintain healthy, vibrant skin. Every treatment we offer is selected for its ability to support real biological change.

  ![Gemini_Generated_Image_bwn132bwn132bwn1](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Gemini_Generated_Image_bwn132bwn132bwn1-1024x572-530x340.jpg "Gemini_Generated_Image_bwn132bwn132bwn1") 

New to Vitality Renewal? You don’t need to be a current patient to access our aesthetic services. A complimentary 15-minute nurse practitioner consultation helps us understand your goals and recommend the right treatment for you.

  [  815-271-7300 ](tel:8152717300) 

  ![Gemini_Generated_Image_xgdsipxgdsipxgds](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Gemini_Generated_Image_xgdsipxgdsipxgds-765x1024-527x442.jpg "Gemini_Generated_Image_xgdsipxgdsipxgds") 

Our Approach

## Aesthetics Rooted in Functional Medicine

We believe beautiful skin is healthy skin. Every treatment in our aesthetic suite is selected not just for what it does on the surface, but for how it supports tissue health, collagen synthesis, and your body’s own regenerative capacity. No synthetic fillers. No shortcuts. Just your biology, optimized.

  ![OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Morpheus8-Glow-Lift-Before-485x335.jpg "OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA") 

  ![OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Morpheus8-Glow-Lift-After.jpg "OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA") 

BEFORE

AFTER

  ![Morpheus8 (Glow Lift) Before](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Morpheus8-Glow-Lift-Before.png "Morpheus8 (Glow Lift) Before") 

  ![Morpheus8 (Glow Lift) After](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Morpheus8-Glow-Lift-After.png "Morpheus8 (Glow Lift) After") 

Signature Treatment

### The Glow Lift

Morpheus8 · Topical Exosomes · Celluma Red Light Therapy

The Glow Lift is our most structurally transformative facial treatment. Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling tightens lax skin and stimulates deep collagen remodeling — then, while the microchannels are open, we apply 10 billion topical exosomes to penetrate at maximum depth. Celluma Red Light Therapy completes the session. The result: firmer, tighter, genuinely lifted skin that continues improving for months.

✓  Morpheus8 tightens skin laxity and remodels collagen deep below the surface

✓  Open microchannels allow exosomes to penetrate far deeper than on intact skin

✓  5 billion exosomes applied immediately after to trigger cellular repair

✓  Celluma Red Light Therapy provides ATP energy for cells to execute the healing response

✓  Results continue improving for 3–6 months as new collagen matures

The Glow Lift — what to expect

   Icon label 

**Numbing (60 min)** — topical numbing cream applied and allowed to take full effect

   Icon label 

Morpheus8 treatment (30–40 min) — radiofrequency microneedling to face and neck

   Icon label 

Topical exosomes applied immediately after — 10 billion exosomes through open microchannels

   Icon label 

Celluma Red Light Therapy (30 min) — stimulates healing and collagen synthesis

   Icon label 

Plan approximately 2 hours per session. Series of 3 recommended, spaced 6 weeks apart.

Program patients and Core Vitality members receive 10% off. Maintenance sessions available after completing your series.

Signature Treatment

### The Glow Renewal

PRF · Exosomes · GHK-CU · BPC-157 · FSM · Celluma Red Light Therapy

The Glow Renewal is regenerative facial medicine at its most sophisticated. Where The Glow Lift tightens structurally, The Glow Renewal works at the cellular and biological level — delivering your own concentrated growth factors alongside exosomes and two therapeutic peptides to initiate a deep, sustained collagen regeneration cascade.

✓ PRF releases growth factors gradually over 10–12 days for a sustained regenerative response

✓ 1 billion exosomes amplify cell-to-cell repair signals at the biological level

✓ GHK-CU copper peptide targets collagen remodeling and tissue regeneration

✓ BPC-157 accelerates healing, reduces inflammation, supports collagen synthesis

✓ FSM and Celluma Red Light Therapy optimize the healing response at each session

The Glow Lift — what to expect

   Icon label 

Blood draw & PRF preparation — combined with exosomes and peptides

   Icon label 

Subdermal injection (15 min) — PRF, exosome, and peptide mixture injected into targeted areas

   Icon label 

FSM therapy (30 min) — reduces inflammation and supports tissue regeneration

   Icon label 

Celluma Red Light Therapy (30 min) — energizes cells to execute the collagen-building program

   Icon label 

Plan approximately 75 minutes per session. Series of 3 recommended, spaced 4 weeks apart.

Program patients and Core Vitality members receive 10% off. Maintenance sessions available after completing your series.

  ![PRF (Glow Renew) BEFORE](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/PRF-Glow-Renew-BEFORE-485x480.png "PRF (Glow Renew) BEFORE") 

  ![PRF (Glow Renew) AFTER](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/PRF-Glow-Renew-AFTER-485x480.png "PRF (Glow Renew) AFTER") 

BEFORE

AFTER

  ![Lumecca - Face Before](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Lumecca-Face-Before-491x478.png "Lumecca - Face Before") 

  ![Lumecca - Face After](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Lumecca-Face-After-491x478.png "Lumecca - Face After") 

BEFORE

AFTER

  ![Lumecca - Hands Before](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Lumecca-Hands-Before-491x372.png "Lumecca - Hands Before") 

  ![Lumecca - Hands After](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Lumecca-Hands-After-491x372.png "Lumecca - Hands After") 

### Lumecca IPL

Intense Pulsed Light · Skin Tone & Clarity

Lumecca delivers up to three times more energy than standard IPL systems, targeting sun damage, hyperpigmentation, age spots, broken capillaries, and rosacea with precision. Skin is noticeably clearer and more even-toned after just one to two sessions.

✓ Reduces sun spots, age spots, and hyperpigmentation

✓ Improves skin clarity, tone, and radiance

✓ Targets broken capillaries and redness associated with rosacea

✓ Fast treatment — most sessions under 20 minutes

Lumecca IPL is most effective on lighter skin tones. Skin type and medications are reviewed at consultation to confirm candidacy.

### Diolaze XL

Laser Hair Removal · Long-Term Reduction

Diolaze XL combines a large treatment surface with powerful diode laser technology, making sessions faster, more comfortable, and more effective than older systems. Safe for most skin types and aligned with our non-toxic beauty philosophy.

✓ Long-term hair reduction with each session

✓ Built-in cooling for a more comfortable experience

✓ Larger applicator means faster sessions

✓ No waxes, no chemicals — consistent with non-toxic beauty

Lumecca IPL is most effective on lighter skin tones. Skin type and medications are reviewed at consultation to confirm candidacy.

  ![Laser Hair Face Before](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Laser-Hair-Face-Before-859x1024-485x580.jpg "Laser Hair Face Before") 

  ![Laser Hair Face After](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Laser-Hair-Face-After-865x1024-485x580.jpg "Laser Hair Face After") 

BEFORE

AFTER

common questions

Do I need to be a current Vitality Renewal patient to access these treatments?

No. Our aesthetic services are open to new clients who aren’t currently in our functional medicine programs. You’ll start with a brief 15-minute consultation with one of our nurse practitioners to determine what’s right for you. Call 815-271-7300 to schedule.

What is the difference between The Glow Lift and The Glow Renewal?

No. Our aesthetic services are open to new clients who aren’t currently in our functional medicine programs. You’ll start with a brief 15-minute consultation with one of our nurse practitioners to determine what’s right for you. Call 815-271-7300 to schedule.

Who performs the aesthetic treatments at Vitality Renewal?

All aesthetic treatments are performed by our licensed nurse practitioners, Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC and Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC, under the medical direction of Dr. Yvonne Karney, MD.

Can I combine treatments?

Yes. Many treatments complement each other well. Lumecca IPL addresses skin tone while The Glow Lift addresses texture, laxity, and firmness. Your nurse practitioner will recommend what makes sense for your goals at consultation.

Are these treatments relevant for women going through perimenopause or menopause?

Particularly so. Estrogen decline accelerates collagen loss, skin thinning, and changes in texture and tone. Our regenerative aesthetic treatments directly address these shifts at the cellular level — a natural complement to hormone optimization for women in midlife.

Ready to Get Started?

## Schedule Your Consultation

New and existing patients are welcome. A complimentary 15-minute nurse practitioner consultation is the first step — we’ll review your goals, assess candidacy, and recommend the right treatment for you.

 [  815-271-7300 ](tel:8152717300) 

*Monday – Thursday 8:00–5:00 · Friday 8:00–2:00 · Crystal Lake, IL*

---

### [🆕 Women's Intimate Rejuvenation](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/new-womens-intimate-rejuvenation/)

**Published:** May 29, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Crystal Lake, IL — Serving the Greater Chicago Area

# You Deserve to Feel *Comfortable*

# *in Your Own Body Again*

Non-surgical pelvic floor restoration and intimate wellness — physician-led, evidence-based, and designed around the changes that happen to women’s bodies over time.

  [ Call for Your Free Consultation ](tel:+18152717300) 

 [ Explore the Glow Below™ Suite ](#suite) 

You’re not imagining it

## These Changes Are Real.
And They’re Not Something You Have 
to Simply Accept.

Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause affect far more than your mood or your sleep. Tissue changes, pelvic floor weakening, and decreased comfort during intimacy are physiological — not inevitable. And they’re not something you have to manage alone or be embarrassed to address.

We hear this from so many women who come through our doors:

“I leak when I laugh, sneeze, or exercise and I’m exhausted by it.”

“Things don’t feel the same since menopause. Intimacy is uncomfortable now.”

“My pelvic floor feels weak and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“I’ve had children and my body just doesn’t feel like mine anymore.”

“I was told this is just part of aging. I hope that isn’t true.”

“I want to feel confident and comfortable again — without surgery.”

If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about what’s actually possible.

From Dr. Karney

## Why We Created
The Glow Below™ Suite

As a board-certified OB-GYN with over 25 years of clinical experience, I’ve watched women dismiss these concerns as “just part of getting older.” They’re not. These are physiological changes with real, effective, non-surgical solutions — and every woman deserves to know that.

This is why we built a dedicated intimate wellness program at Vitality Renewal, grounded in evidence-based technology and delivered with the same level of care we bring to every area of our practice.

— Dr. Yvonne Karney, MD, FACOG, ABAARM
Founder & Executive Medical Director

Dr. Karney explains the Glow Below™ Suite and what you can realistically expect.

EmpowerRF by InMode

## Introducing The Glow Below™ Suite

A curated, physician-overseen collection of non-surgical treatments for pelvic health, intimate tissue restoration, and feminine wellness — each selected and delivered under medical guidance, never as an off-the-shelf service.

Modality 01

### Forma-V

Gentle Radiofrequency for Tissue Health

Forma-V uses controlled radiofrequency energy to gently warm internal and external tissues — stimulating collagen production, improving circulation, and restoring hydration and comfort over time. No downtime. No surgery. Gradual, natural improvement.

— Dryness and discomfort during intimacy

— Tissue thinning related to hormonal changes

— Overall vaginal health and hydration

— Improved circulation and collagen production

Modality 02

### V-Tone

Pelvic Floor Strengthening

V-Tone uses targeted electrical muscle stimulation to re-educate and strengthen the pelvic floor — the equivalent of thousands of precise Kegel exercises in a single session. Treatments are quick, in-office, and require no recovery time.

— Stress and urge urinary incontinence

— Pelvic floor weakness and laxity

— Post-pregnancy or post-childbirth muscle changes

— Loss of pelvic muscle tone over time

Modality 03

### MorpheusV

Advanced Fractional Radiofrequency

MorpheusV combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to support deeper tissue remodeling and structural integrity. It’s used for more significant tissue changes and is always performed with physician oversight.

— Significant tissue laxity

— Structural support and tissue remodeling

— More advanced concerns requiring deeper treatment

— Comprehensive treatment planning with other modalities

Treatment plans are always individualized. No two women are the same — and neither are their plans.

Why it matters who you choose

## **This Isn’t an “Off-the-Menu” Service.**
**It’s Expert-Led Care.**

At Vitality Renewal, EmpowerRF treatments are never offered as standalone retail services. Every patient begins with a clinical consultation. Every treatment plan is built around your specific symptoms, history, and goals — not a package someone else chose.

This is women’s wellness grounded in medical expertise, physiology, and genuine care. That’s a meaningful distinction.

01

Physician-led evaluation

Every treatment recommendation begins with a clinical conversation — not a brochure.

02

Personalized treatment planning

Your plan may include one modality or a combination — determined by your concerns, not by a preset package.

03

Evidence-based technology

EmpowerRF by InMode is backed by clinical data. We chose it because the research supports it.

04

Focus on long-term function

We’re not looking for a quick fix. We’re supporting your pelvic health as part of your overall wellness.

05

A professional, respectful environment

These conversations deserve a safe, clinical space — and that’s exactly what we provide.

The process

## What to Expect

01

### Your Consultation

You’ll meet with one of our nurse practitioners for a private, respectful conversation about your symptoms, history, and goals.

02

### Your Treatment Plan

Based on your consultation, we’ll recommend a combination of Forma-V, V-Tone, and/or MorpheusV tailored to your specific concerns and desired outcomes.

03

### Your Experience

In-office treatments with minimal to no downtime. Clear guidance before, during, and after each session. Most women describe the treatments as comfortable and the improvements as gradual and natural-feeling.

Is this right for you?

## Good Candidates for The Glow Below™ Suite

This may be a meaningful option if you’re experiencing any of the following — whether you’re a current patient or not.

✓  Urinary leakage or urgency — stress, urge, or mixed

✓  Pelvic floor weakness or prolapse symptoms

✓  Discomfort, dryness, or laxity related to menopause

✓  Post-childbirth changes you’d like to address

✓  Decreased comfort or confidence during intimacy

✓  A desire for physician-guided, non-surgical options

Not sure if this is right for you? That’s exactly what the consultation is for. We’ll tell you honestly what we can and can’t help with.

Take the next step

### Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

Open to current patients and new patients alike. A brief conversation with one of our nurse practitioners is the right starting point — no commitment required.

  [ Call Us: (815) 271-7300 ](tel:(815)%20271-7300) 

Our team will help you schedule your complimentary consultation.

Common questions

## What Women Ask Us Most

- [   What is EmpowerRF and how does it work? ](#acc-ne1q812-0) 

    EmpowerRF by InMode is a women’s wellness platform that combines radiofrequency energy and electrical muscle stimulation to address a range of pelvic and intimate health concerns — including pelvic floor weakness, urinary leakage, vaginal laxity, and tissue changes related to menopause and hormonal shifts. It’s non-surgical, in-office, and allows you to return to normal activity quickly.
- [   Do I have to be a current patient at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-ne1q812-1) 

    No. Women who are not current patients are warmly welcome to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our nurse practitioners. You don’t need to enroll in a program or be an established patient to access The Glow Below™ Suite. If you’d like to also explore our functional medicine programs, that conversation can happen separately.
- [   What's the difference between Forma-V, V-Tone, and MorpheusV? ](#acc-ne1q812-2) 

    They each address different concerns and use different mechanisms. Forma-V uses gentle radiofrequency warming for tissue hydration, collagen stimulation, and overall vaginal health. V-Tone uses targeted electrical muscle stimulation to strengthen pelvic floor muscles — comparable to thousands of Kegel exercises in a single session. MorpheusV combines microneedling with radiofrequency for deeper tissue remodeling and is used for more advanced laxity or structural concerns. Many women benefit from a combination of two or all three.
- [   Is the treatment uncomfortable? ](#acc-ne1q812-3) 

    Most women describe Forma-V and V-Tone as comfortable — warm, gentle, and not painful. MorpheusV, which goes deeper into tissue, uses topical anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Your provider will discuss what to expect for each modality before your first session, and treatment parameters are always adjusted to your individual tolerance.
- [   How many treatments will I need and how quickly will I see results? ](#acc-ne1q812-4) 

    This varies by individual and by the concern being addressed. During your consultation, our nurse practitioner will give you a realistic picture of what to expect — including the recommended number of sessions and a general timeline. Improvements tend to be gradual and build over time, which is consistent with how these technologies work at the tissue level. We’ll never overpromise.
- [   Is there downtime? ](#acc-ne1q812-5) 

    Forma-V and V-Tone typically require no downtime at all — most women return to their regular activities immediately. MorpheusV may involve a brief recovery period depending on the depth and intensity of treatment. Your treatment plan will include clear guidance on what to expect before, during, and after each session.
- [   Is this covered by insurance? ](#acc-ne1q812-6) 

    Vitality Renewal is a cash-based practice, and these services are not billed directly to insurance. However, we can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt with the relevant clinical codes — that you can submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Whether your plan reimburses you will depend on your individual coverage. Our team can answer questions about this when you call.

You don’t have to keep managing this

## You Deserve to Feel Like Yourself Again — In Every Part of Your Life.

A single conversation is the right starting point. Honest, clinical guidance from a team that takes women’s health seriously.

  [ Call Us: (815) 271-7300 ](tel:+18152717300) 

  [ Meet Our Clinical Team ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/meet-the-team/) 

We’re happy to answer questions before you schedule: **[(815) 271-7300](tel:(815)%20271-7300)**

---

### [Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/bio-identical-hormone-replacement-therapy/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

##### Are you suffering from hot flashes? Do you have less energy than you used to? Are you tipping the scales lately and don’t know why? Are you struggling from brain fog or difficulty making decisions? It may be due to critically low hormones.

As we age our hormones decline. When they reach a critical level we age faster. Bioidentical hormone therapy can help slow this process. Dr. Karney can design a custom regimen for you to keep your hormones at their healthiest levels.

## What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?

Hormones have important jobs to do, then they must be disposed of (metabolized). Their function and disposal are dependent on their 3-dimensional shape, as a hormone and its receptor work like a hand in a glove. Bioidentical hormones have the exact same molecular shape as the hormones your body makes. They are the safest hormones possible, both in their function and in their metabolization (disposal).

### Women’s Hormones

Near the time of menopause, aka perimenopause, hormone levels can fluctuate widely. With the onset of menopause hormone levels decrease rapidly in many women. These fluctuations can cause symptoms such as:

          ■ Weight gain
          ■ Hot flushes
          ■ Mood swings
          ■ Sleep disturbances
          ■ Fatigue
          ■ Brain fog
          ■ Decreased libido

### Hormone Replacement for Men

The decline of hormones, mainly testosterone, is more gradual in men, but still very significant. It is happening at ever younger ages these days, likely related to toxins in the environment causing lower peak testosterone levels in younger men, therefore the decline doesn’t have to be as much to reach critically low levels.

What are symptoms of low testosterone?

          ■ Muscle loss
          ■ Weight gain
          ■ Fatigue
          ■ Sleep disturbances
          ■ Lower sex drive
          ■ Sexual dysfunction
          ■ Irritability
          ■ Depression
          ■ Memory loss

### Why Use Hormone Replacement?

Hormone replacement can rebalance hormone levels, alleviate symptoms and restore vitality. One size does NOT fit all. At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine we carefully evaluate hormone levels, hormone metabolism, lifestyle and inflammation in order to customize the best plan for YOU. We consider multiple options including traditional pharmacies (as long as the hormones are bioidentical), compounding pharmacies, in-office injections and longer-acting implantable pellets for continuous hormone release. Let us help you love the way you feel!

 [ Connect for a Vitality Review ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## FAQs

### Here are some frequently asked questions.

#### How do I make a good FAQ page?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida.

#### What conditions and symptoms does BHRT treat in women?

At Vitality Renewal, BHRT is used to treat hormone fluctuations and rapid declines associated with perimenopause and menopause. Common symptoms treated include:

- Unexplained weight gain
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Brain fog and difficulty making decisions
- Chronic fatigue and low energy
- Mood swings and irritability
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Decreased libido (sex drive)

#### What are the signs of low testosterone and hormone decline in men?

Testosterone decline in men can start at earlier ages due to lifestyle factors and environmental toxins. Symptoms treated with hormone replacement include:

- Loss of muscle mass and strength
- Weight gain and increased body fat
- Fatigue and lack of drive
- Sleep issues
- Low libido and sexual dysfunction
- Mood changes, irritability, or depression
- Memory loss and poor focus

#### **How does Vitality Renewal customize hormone replacement therapy?**

Under the medical direction of Dr. Karney, Vitality Renewal uses a functional medicine approach where “one size does not fit all.” Treatment plans are personalized by evaluating:

1. Complete hormone levels
2. Individual hormone metabolism and clearance pathways
3. Underlying inflammation levels
4. Lifestyle, diet, and overall health factors

### Didn’t find your answer?

 Our heroic support team can help you. 

  [ Contact Us ](https://themify.org/)

---

### [Meet our Functional Medicine Team](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/meet-the-team/)

**Published:** January 3, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

![Team](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Team-scaled.jpeg "Team") 

# **Meet the Team Behind Your Healing Journey**

At Vitality Renewal, you’re never handed off to whoever’s available. Our clinical team is small by design — because thoughtful, root-cause care can’t happen in a revolving door. Every clinician, coordinator, and support specialist on this page plays a specific role in your experience, from your very first conversation with us to your long-term care. We’re glad you’re here.

## **Your Clinical Care Team**

The providers who will assess, guide, and oversee your care.

  ![Self Picture](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Self-Picture.jpeg "Self Picture") 

## **Yvonne Karney, MD, FACOG, ABAARM** \| *Founder & Executive Medical Director*

*“Through thousands of hours of research and over 80,000 patient encounters I’ve learned that knowledge truly is power. I’m passionate about helping you UNDERSTAND what’s happening in your body–not just treating your symptoms.”*

---

Dr. Yvonne Karney has spent over 25 years in medicine doing one thing: finding better answers for women who deserve them. She’s a sought-after clinician, educator, and researcher, and the founder and Executive Medical Director of Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

She began her career as a U.S. Air Force physician after graduating from Loma Linda University School of Medicine — proudly serving her country for eight years before transitioning to OB/GYN practice in the Chicago suburbs, where she also served as Department Chair.

What changed everything was her patients. Women came to her exhausted, foggy, and dismissed — told their labs were normal when they knew something was wrong. Her traditional training didn’t have the answers. Then perimenopause hit her personally, and she understood exactly what they’d been describing for years. She threw herself into research. Once she discovered what functional medicine made possible, she couldn’t unlearn it — and she felt she owed it to her patients to bring them something that actually works.

She founded Vitality Renewal in 2016 on that conviction.

---

### **Teaching & Empowering Through Education**

Dr. Karney believes that an informed patient is an empowered one. She teaches other physicians in functional medicine, has appeared on CBS Chicago News and Bloom TV in Tampa, and uses frameworks like The Hormone Locksmith® to help patients truly understand what’s happening in their bodies — as well as what to do about it.

Her goal is simple: help women reclaim their health so they can show up fully for the life they’re meant to live.

*Making the world a better place, one healthy person at a time.*

 [ Read the full Curriculum Vitae ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19atKXyVVLOGI8vodMv5Pje8gCPKFatak/view?usp=drive_link) 

  ![Tanya Tanzillo](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Tanya-Tanzillo-scaled.jpeg "Tanya Tanzillo") 

### **Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC** \| *Family Nurse Practitioner*

Tanya has been caring for McHenry County families for over 20 years. That kind of roots-down commitment to a community isn’t something you find everywhere — and it shapes everything about how she practices.

Through years of searching for better ways to help her patients optimize their health, Tanya discovered functional medicine and knew she’d found her clinical home. She went on to earn her doctorate, focused on men’s health — bringing a rigorous research foundation to her already deep clinical experience.

What draws her to this work is the same thing that draws patients to Vitality Renewal: the belief that the body has a remarkable capacity to heal when it’s given what it truly needs. Tanya loves the way functional medicine honors the whole person — diet, movement, stress, sleep — rather than simply layering medications on top of symptoms.

When she’s not in the office, Tanya enjoys time with her wonderfully supportive husband. She loves good food, travel, and doing almost anything that gets her outside.

  ![Meet our Functional Medicine Team](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/charmagne-benz.jpg "Meet our Functional Medicine Team") 

### **Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC** \| *Family Nurse Practitioner*

Charmagne has always believed that the best healthcare is the kind that actually gets to the bottom of things. That conviction led her from nine years of hospital-based nursing to becoming a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner — and eventually to Vitality Renewal, where root-cause thinking isn’t the exception. It’s the standard.

She discovered functional medicine during her training at Northern Illinois University, where she had the privilege of rotating through Vitality Renewal. What she witnessed — the depth of care, the time taken with each patient, the genuine commitment to healing rather than symptom management — drew her in immediately. She never looked back.

Charmagne brings warmth, clinical rigor, and a deep respect for each patient’s individual journey. She believes that real healing requires partnership — and that every woman who walks through the door deserves to be heard, believed, and given a clear path forward.

Outside the office, you’ll find her enjoying time with her four children, playing piano, singing, and spending as much time outdoors as possible — with pickleball currently at the top of the list.

## **Your In-Office Support Team**

The people who make your visits run smoothly and your experience feel personal.

  ![Barbara Bisanz](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Barbara-Bisanz.jpeg "Barbara Bisanz") 

#### **Barbara Bisanz** \| *Lead QT Technologist & Health Coach*

Barbara has been working as a medical assistant since 2013 — starting in conventional care before transitioning to functional medicine in 2021, where she found the approach to patient support she’d been looking for all along.

What drew her deeper into this work was the opportunity to do more than assist — to genuinely educate and walk alongside patients through real transformation. In 2025 she completed her certification as an Integrative Health Practitioner, adding health coaching to her role at Vitality Renewal and expanding the ways she can support patients between clinical visits.

Barbara is a big animal lover and spends her time outside the office being active outdoors with her husband and son.

  ![Nicole Garcia-Knapp](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Nicole-Garcia-Knapp.jpeg "Nicole Garcia-Knapp") 

#### **Nicole Garcia-Knapp** \| *Medical Assistant Team Lead*

Nicole joined Vitality Renewal in November 2025 — and after 22 years in conventional medicine, she’ll tell you there’s no going back.

She came to this work with two decades of experience watching patients cycle through a system that treated their symptoms without ever asking why. Stepping into functional medicine for the first time was, in her words, a revelation. The difference in how patients are seen, heard, and cared for is something she feels every single day.

What moves her most is witnessing it firsthand — patients whose lives have been meaningfully changed through an approach that finally took their concerns seriously. Being part of that kind of work isn’t something Nicole takes for granted.

  ![Araceli Delgado](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Araceli-Delgado.jpeg "Araceli Delgado") 

#### **Araceli Delgado** \| *Medical Assistant*

Araceli joined the Vitality Renewal team in December 2025 and felt the alignment immediately — with the mission, the people, and the purpose behind the work.

As a medical assistant, she’s often one of the first faces a patient sees. Whether she’s helping with labs, preparing for an appointment, or simply taking a moment to make someone feel at ease, she understands that those interactions matter. Healing doesn’t only happen in the exam room — and Araceli takes that seriously.

What she loves most about this work is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives inside an environment that genuinely values growth and human connection. She believes every patient deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered in their journey.

Outside the office, Araceli is grounded in her faith, her community, and the things that bring peace and balance to her life.

  ![Kristin Salagaj](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Kristin-Salagaj.jpeg "Kristin Salagaj") 

#### **Kristin Salagaj**  \|  *Director of Operations*

Kristin brings 23 years of healthcare administration experience to her role as Director of Operations at Vitality Renewal — and she puts every one of those years to work creating an environment where exceptional care can actually happen.

Her work is driven by a genuine passion for building systems that support both the clinical team and the patient experience. When providers aren’t bogged down by operational friction, patients feel it. That connection between behind-the-scenes structure and front-facing care is where Kristin thrives.

What drew her to Vitality Renewal was the proof. The patients’ own success stories spoke louder than any job description — and that’s not something you find everywhere.

A Texas transplant, Kristin has quickly made Crystal Lake home and fallen in love with the warmth of this Midwest community. Outside the office you’ll find her on the local trails with her two sons and her boxer Thalia, training at her CrossFit gym, or unwinding with a good true-crime podcast.

  ![Danny Whited](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Danny-Whited.jpeg "Danny Whited") 

#### **Danny Whited**  \|  *Reception Team Lead & Wellness Coordinator*

Danny is often one of the first people you’ll connect with at Vitality Renewal — and he plays a unique dual role on our team.

As Reception Team Lead, he helps ensure your experience from the very first contact is smooth, warm, and well-coordinated. As our Wellness Coordinator, he works with current patients to explore the ancillary services available to them — things like neurofeedback, frequency specific microcurrent, and our aesthetic and rejuvenation treatments — so that nothing that could support your healing goes overlooked.

Danny joined the Vitality Renewal team in September 2024 and brought with him a genuine curiosity and love of learning that fits right into a practice built on education and discovery. Outside the office, he’s an avid camper, a dedicated gamer, and a proud dog dad to two dachshunds, Rex and Ruby.

  ![Kimberly Reich](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Kimberly-Reich.jpeg "Kimberly Reich") 

#### **Kimberly Reich**  \|  *Reception*

Kimberly came to Vitality Renewal first as a patient in 2022 — and what she experienced changed everything.

After years of feeling unwell and being dismissed, she found a team that took the time to listen, validated what she was experiencing, and went looking for the root cause instead of offering another quick fix. That experience was so meaningful that when the opportunity came to join the team in August 2024, she didn’t hesitate.

Now she gets to be part of the reason other women find their way here — and that’s not something she takes lightly.

Outside the office, Kimberly and her husband love getting out into nature — hiking, camping, and enjoying time with their church community in Elgin. She’s also a proud Michigan girl who loves visiting family back home.

  ![4](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/4.png "4") 

#### **Dian Hoggatt**  \|  *Reception*

Dian joined the Vitality Renewal front desk team in February 2025 — and the more she learned about the practice before coming on board, the more certain she was that this was where she wanted to be.

What drew her in was the culture. The way Dr. Karney and the entire team care for their patients — the compassion, the tireless commitment to finding what’s truly best for each person, the camaraderie that makes every day feel worthwhile. That’s not something you stumble into. It’s built intentionally, and Dian recognized it immediately.

She shows up every day proud to be part of a team that’s doing something that genuinely matters.

## **Your Behind-the-Scenes Team**

The specialists working on your behalf before, between, and after your appointments.

  ![heather moeller](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/7.png "heather moeller") 

#### **Heather Moeller**  \|  *Patient Concierge*

Your first conversation with Vitality Renewal will likely be with Heather.

As our Patient Concierge, she’s the one who takes the time to understand where you are, what you’ve already tried, and what you’re hoping to find here. She hosts every Discovery Call — a real conversation so you can ask questions and get a clear picture of what working with our team looks like before you commit to anything. Not only that, she’s a prior patient who experienced a 180-degree turn-around in her health at Vitality Renewal, so she gets it. She can relate to where you’re at and help you see the possibility of a healthy future.

If you’re wondering whether Vitality Renewal is the right fit for you, Heather is your first call.

  ![Ria Alqueza](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Ria-Alqueza.jpeg "Ria Alqueza") 

#### **Ria Alqueza**  \|  *Patient Care Coordinator*

Ria joined Vitality Renewal in May 2025 as our Patient Care Coordinator — working remotely from the Philippines as a full and seamlessly integrated member of our team.

Behind the scenes, she’s the one making sure the details don’t fall through the cracks. From scheduling QT breast imaging scans and delivering imaging reports to patients, to ensuring questionnaires are completed before appointments, Ria keeps the coordination that supports your care running smoothly.

What she values most about this work is the people — a collaborative, kind, and genuinely supportive team that makes every day both productive and meaningful. That kind of environment inspires her to keep growing and bring her best to every patient interaction.

  ![Lynn Johnson](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Lynn-Johnson-1-scaled.jpeg "Lynn Johnson") 

#### **Lynn Johnson**  \|  *Marketing Assistant*

Lynn came to Vitality Renewal first as a patient — and the experience left a mark she couldn’t ignore.

The compassionate care, the supportive atmosphere, the real and lasting impact she witnessed firsthand — it made her want to be part of what was happening here. When the opportunity came to join the team in April 2025, she didn’t hesitate.

Now she channels that personal connection into her work helping Vitality Renewal grow and reach more women who need this kind of care. Being part of an environment where patients feel heard, supported, and genuinely empowered in their health is something she doesn’t take lightly.

Lynn has called this community home for 29 years. Outside the office you’ll most likely find her at a baseball field cheering on her kids — family, community, and contributing to something meaningful are what drive her, both at home and at work.

### **Ready to meet your team in person?**

*Your first step is a Discovery Call — a no-pressure conversation to see if we’re the right fit.*

 [ Schedule Your Discovery Call ](#) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What defines the care philosophy and mission of the team at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-qor1376-0) 

    The care philosophy at Vitality Renewal is rooted in deep clinical compassion, genuine empathy, and an unwavering drive to help patients reclaim their quality of life. Rather than rushing clients through impersonal 10-minute appointments, the practitioners take the time to truly listen to your story, validate your symptoms, and walk alongside you as dedicated health partners focused on identifying root causes rather than simply managing symptoms.

    - **Core Mission:** Restoring vitality and whole-person wellness through personalized, relationship-driven medicine.
    - **Guiding Standard:** *“First, do no harm”*—prioritizing non-invasive, restorative therapies that support the body’s natural healing capacity.
- [   How does the multidisciplinary team environment at Vitality Renewal improve patient outcomes? ](#acc-qor1376-1) 

    Vitality Renewal operates as an integrated, collaborative care team where medical providers, functional health coaches, diagnostic technicians, and administrative staff work together seamlessly on every patient’s behalf. This team structure ensures no detail slips through the cracks:

    - **Holistic Perspective:** Clinical data, lifestyle barriers, nutritional needs, and stress factors are evaluated together rather than in clinical silos.
    - **Unified Protocols:** When complex cases require multiple therapies—such as bio-identical hormones, neurofeedback, and targeted nutrition—the team coordinates each phase to ensure a coherent, synchronized treatment plan.
    - **Patient Advocacy:** Every patient has a complete support system dedicated to answering questions, offering emotional encouragement, and removing barriers to healing.
- [   How does the team stay at the leading edge of functional medicine and emerging therapies? ](#acc-qor1376-2) 

    The team at Vitality Renewal is committed to continuous advanced education, routinely training in cutting-edge integrative diagnostics, biophysics, and therapeutic protocols. Team members frequently attend functional medicine symposiums, study evolving peer-reviewed research, and undergo hands-on certifications in advanced modalities—such as Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), genomics, neurofeedback brain-mapping, and bio-identical hormone optimization. This rigorous commitment to ongoing learning ensures patients in McHenry County and the greater Chicago area receive the most modern, evidence-informed care available.
- [   What drives the team at Vitality Renewal to go beyond conventional symptom management? ](#acc-qor1376-3) 

    The Vitality Renewal team is motivated by a passionate drive to help individuals who have felt dismissed, unheard, or stuck in the conventional healthcare system. Driven by a core belief that chronic fatigue, brain fog, and autoimmune distress should never be accepted as “just aging,” the team digs beneath surface-level blood work to uncover environmental, hormonal, and cellular root causes, giving patients the answers and clarity they have been searching for.
- [   What can a new patient expect when working with the Vitality Renewal team in Crystal Lake, IL? ](#acc-qor1376-4) 

    From your initial inquiry to ongoing follow-ups, you can expect an environment of respect, warmth, and proactive clinical guidance:

    - **In-Depth Discovery:** Comprehensive initial consultations that explore your full medical history, lifestyle factors, and personal goals.
    - **Collaborative Support:** Ongoing access to both clinical decision-makers and health coaches who guide you step-by-step through lab interpretations, dietary changes, and in-office therapies.
    - **Empowerment Focus:** Clear, jargon-free education so you understand exactly how your body functions and feel fully equipped to take ownership of your long-term health.

---

### [Laboratory Testing](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/laboratory-testing/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Laboratory Testing

#### At Vitality Renewal we offer the best blend of traditional laboratory testing AND functional medicine testing. When we meet to review the results, expect a detailed explanation along with a comparison of your results to OPTIMUM and not just “normal range”.

### Traditional Laboratory Testing

You can actually learn quite a bit about your health with traditional testing. This is done with a blood draw looking at hormones, inflammatory markers, micronutrients, metabolism markers, and immune system markers. The advantage of this type of testing is that it is best covered by your health insurance. If you have poor/no health insurance benefits for lab testing don’t worry, we have in-house phlebotomy services and offer a cash discount on labs that can save 80-90% over the regular price from the clinical laboratory prices.

### Functional Medicine Testing

Sometimes we need more information than is available from traditional laboratories. We individualize the testing recommendations just for you. These tests may be blood, saliva, urine, or stool tests. Examples are:

          ■ Stool tests for digestive analysis and microbiome health
          ■ Breath testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
          ■ Urine testing for various toxins
          ■ Food-sensitivity testing
          ■ Urine or saliva tests for hormone balance and adrenal function
          ■ Urine testing for hormone metabolism

#####  

#####  

#####  

#####  

##### Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

##### We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

##### You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

##### Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What makes laboratory testing at Vitality Renewal different from conventional blood work? ](#acc-whld949-0) 

    While conventional medicine typically runs basic blood panels to screen for established disease against broad reference ranges, Vitality Renewal combines standard labs with advanced functional medicine testing evaluated against **optimal ranges**. This approach detects subtle functional declines, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic imbalances before they progress into full-blown chronic disease, treating the patient’s individual biology rather than settling for “not abnormal.”
- [   What specialized functional medicine lab tests are offered at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-whld949-1) 

    At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL, testing protocols are customized to each individual’s root-cause health picture and frequently include:

    - **Comprehensive Hormone Profiling:** In-depth sex and adrenal hormone panels, including advanced dried-urine testing (such as DUTCH testing) and diurnal cortisol curves.
    - **Gut Microbiome & Digestive Panels:** Comprehensive stool tests assessing dysbiosis, gut pathogens, inflammation markers, and intestinal permeability (leaky gut).
    - **Nutritional & Organic Acids Testing (OAT):** Assessments that measure cellular micronutrients, mitochondrial energy production, and detoxification pathways.
    - **Cardiometabolic & Inflammatory Biomarkers:** Sensitive lipid particle metrics, fasting insulin, homocysteine, and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP).
    - **Genomic & Precision DNA Panels:** Gen
- [   How does Vitality Renewal interpret "optimal" vs. "normal" lab ranges? ](#acc-whld949-2) 

    Conventional “normal” ranges are derived from a broad bell curve of the general population—many of whom may already be suffering from fatigue, weight gain, or undiagnosed chronic conditions. Functional medicine interprets biomarkers through narrower “optimal ranges” that reflect peak health and physiological resilience. By identifying patterns that sit at the fringes of normal, practitioners can intervene early
- [   How are lab results used to build a personalized treatment protocol? ](#acc-whld949-3) 

    Following test completion, clients attend a comprehensive results review where findings are explained clearly without complex medical jargon. Vitality Renewal connects the dots between symptoms and biomarkers to create a customized therapeutic roadmap. This plan integrates targeted nutraceuticals, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), nutrition, and modalities like Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) or infrared sauna therapy rather than masking symptoms with synthetic band-aids.
- [   Does insurance cover advanced functional laboratory testing at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-whld949-4) 

    While some conventional diagnostic lab orders may be billed directly to health insurance through partner laboratories (such as Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp), most specialized functional medicine panels (e.g., DUTCH, comprehensive microbiome tests, or genomic sequencing) are self-pay. Vitality Renewal provides detailed **superbills** with appropriate diagnostic and procedure codes that patients can submit to their insurance providers for potential out-of-network reimbursement or HSA/FSA coverage.

---

### [Health Coaching](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/health-coaching/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Health Coaching

#### At Vitality Renewal we don’t just tell you what to do and leave you on your own. We make a plan together WITH you, and then we make sure you have the tools you need to succeed! Health coaching is exactly one of those tools.

### What is a good coach?

A good health coach will:

          ■ Meet you where you’re at and help you get where you need to be
          ■ Provide practical suggestions to help you take the next best step on your health journey
          ■ Help hold you accountable once you commit to a change
          ■ Explain things in an easily understandable fashion
          ■ Help make sure the changes you make are sustainable infections

The medication requires a prescription from a compounding pharmacy, because it is not made at the low-dose from the manufacturer.

We use LDN as a powerful addition to support the immune system while we work diligently on the underlying-root cause of what led to the disruption in the first place.

 [ WORK WITH US ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) 

### We offer health coaching as an included service in our programs. It is also available outside of programs as a stand-alone service.

#####  

#####  

#####  

#####  

##### Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

##### We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

##### You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

##### Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What is functional medicine health coaching at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-p66o452-0) 

    Functional medicine health coaching at Vitality Renewal is a personalized, collaborative partnership designed to bridge the gap between clinical recommendations and sustainable daily habits. While medical providers identify root causes and formulate treatment protocols, health coaches empower clients with tailored action steps, behavioral tools, mindset support, and accountability to implement lasting diet, lifestyle, and wellness transformations.
- [   How does a health coach support your functional medicine treatment plan? ](#acc-p66o452-1) 

    A health coach translates complex clinical guidance into practical, manageable daily routines. At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL, coaches support clients by:

    - **Nutrition & Meal Planning:** Navigating therapeutic elimination diets, anti-inflammatory protocols, and nutrient-dense meal prep.
    - **Stress Reduction & Sleep Hygiene:** Integrating nervous system regulation, restorative sleep practices, and stress management tools.
    - **Movement & Energy Restoration:** Developing sustainable physical activity plans tailored to energy reserves and adrenal health.
    - **Accountability & Overcoming Roadblocks:** Providing continuous guidance, tracking metrics, and breaking large health goals into small, achievable milestones.
- [   Who benefits from working with a health coach at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-p66o452-2) 

    Health coaching benefits anyone struggling to implement or sustain lifestyle changes on their own, especially individuals managing:

    - **Chronic Conditions:** Autoimmune flare-ups, chronic fatigue, metabolic dysfunction, or hormonal imbalances.
    - **Overwhelm from Complex Protocols:** Clients needing help prioritizing supplements, dietary shifts, and daily lifestyle recommendations.
    - **Yo-Yo Dieting & Habit Consistency:** Individuals seeking to break cycles of burnout, restrictive eating, or inconsistency to build long-term vitality.
- [   What is the difference between a functional medicine doctor and a health coach? ](#acc-p66o452-3) 

    A functional medicine practitioner diagnoses conditions, orders and interprets advanced lab work, prescribes bio-identical hormones or medications, and creates the medical treatment roadmap. A functional health coach focuses on the behavioral science of execution—providing the ongoing guidance, emotional support, and practical strategies needed to turn that clinical roadmap into lifelong wellness habits.
- [   How do I get started with health coaching at Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL? ](#acc-p66o452-4) 

    Prospective clients begin by scheduling a discovery call or applying for a **Vitality Review** at Vitality Renewal. Health coaching can be integrated as an essential component of a comprehensive functional medicine care plan or utilized as focused lifestyle support tailored to your unique goals.

---

### [Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-dose-naltrexone/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

##### Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is well-studied to be used for immune system modulation. That means to stabilize the immune system! Because it is a stabilizer (as opposed to something that either enhances or blunts) it is used for BOTH autoimmunity and cancer.

Here’s a brief video discussing immune system balance.

At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine, we are experts in using LDN for those with:

          ■ Autoimmunity
          ■ A history of cancer
          ■ A family history of cancer
          ■ Stealth/recurring infections

The medication requires a prescription from a compounding pharmacy, because it is not made at the low-dose from the manufacturer.

We use LDN as a powerful addition to support the immune system while we work diligently on the underlying-root cause of what led to the disruption in the first place.

 [ WORK WITH US ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) 

**References**

1\. Brown N, Panksepp J. Low-dose naltrexone for disease prevention and quality of life. Med Hypotheses. 2009;72:333-337. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2008.06.048.

2\. Zagon IS, McLaughlin PJ. Naltrexone modulates tumor response in mice with neuroblastoma. Science. 1983;221:671-673. doi:10.1126/science.6867737.

3\. Donahue MJ. Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN). 1995;(4).

4\. 9. LDNScience – How Does LDN Work? <http://www.%20ldnscience.org/low-dosenaltrexone/how-does-ldn-work>. Accessed February 23, 2015.

#####  

#####  

#####  

#####  

##### Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

##### We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

##### You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

##### Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and how does it modulate the immune system? ](#acc-29hg367-0) 

    Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is a low-concentration formulation of naltrexone prescribed to regulate and stabilize the immune system rather than artificially boosting or suppressing it. Because LDN acts as an immune stabilizer, it helps calm an overactive immune response in autoimmune conditions while simultaneously supporting natural defense mechanisms against abnormal cell growth, making it valuable for both autoimmunity and cancer support.
- [   Who is a candidate for Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) therapy at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-29hg367-1) 

    At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL, the clinical team utilizes LDN therapy for patients presenting with:

    - **Autoimmune Diseases:** Individuals suffering from immune system dysregulation (e.g., Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, MS, or lupus).
    - **History of Cancer:** Patients seeking adjunctive immune stabilization after cancer treatment.
    - **Family History of Cancer:** Individuals looking to proactively balance their immune surveillance and cellular defense.
    - **Stealth and Recurring Infections:** Patients dealing with chronic, dormant, or recurring infectious processes that deplete immune reserves.
- [   How does LDN support functional medicine and root-cause healing? ](#acc-29hg367-2) 

    t Vitality Renewal, LDN is not used as a standalone “quick fix” or symptomatic band-aid. Instead, it serves as a powerful foundational bridge that calms systemic inflammation and stabilizes the immune response while the functional medicine team works concurrently to identify and resolve the underlying root causes, such as gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, toxic load, or chronic infections that originally disrupted the body’s health.
- [   Why does Low Dose Naltrexone require a prescription from a compounding pharmacy? ](#acc-29hg367-3) 

    Standard commercial naltrexone manufactured by pharmaceutical companies is only produced in higher doses (typically 50 mg tablets) intended for addiction recovery. Because functional medicine uses micro-doses—typically ranging between 1.5 mg and 4.5 mg daily—LDN must be custom-prepared by a specialized compounding pharmacy according to a physician’s exact prescription.
- [   What scientific evidence supports the use of LDN for disease prevention and cancer? ](#acc-29hg367-4) 

    The clinical application of LDN is backed by peer-reviewed research exploring immune regulation and oncology. Foundational studies, such as research published in *Science* (demonstrating naltrexone’s ability to modulate tumor responses via opioid growth factor receptor pathways) and *Medical Hypotheses* (highlighting low-dose naltrexone for disease prevention and enhanced quality of life), document how low concentrations of naltrexone promote biological balance and bolster host defenses.

---

### [Genomics](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/genomics/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Genomics

##### Genomics allows us to do true precision medicine. YOU are unique. What works for someone else may not work for you, and a genomic evaluation can help predict that. Let’s use the information locked in your DNA to harness your full potential!

### What’s the science?

Your body runs like a factory, with your intracellular enzymes acting like the factory workers. Well, the enzymes are made out of protein, and protein is coded for in your DNA. Knowing the “recipe” for various enzymes is powerful at predicting how you will respond to various potential therapies, as well as identifying potential hidden problem areas.

This is true precision medicine. Your genetics, as well as your lifestyle and life experiences, is what makes you uniquely YOU. At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine we care about and treat the WHOLE YOU.

 [ SEE IF GENOMICS IS RIGHT FOR YOU ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) 

  ![Screenshot](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/genomics-whatwedo-1000x667.jpg "Screenshot") 

#####  

#####  

#####  

#####  

##### Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

##### We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

##### You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

##### Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What is genomics testing and precision medicine at Vitality Renewal? ](#acc-5qrt465-0) 

    Genomics testing at Vitality Renewal evaluates your individual DNA to deliver true precision functional medicine. Because no two people have the same biochemistry, genetic variations dictate why a treatment, diet, or supplement protocol that works for someone else may not work for you. Genomic evaluation unlocks the unique instructions in your DNA, enabling practitioners to identify hidden metabolic vulnerabilities and predict precisely how your body will respond to targeted therapies.
- [   How does genomics science explain enzyme function and metabolic health? ](#acc-5qrt465-1) 

    Genomics analyzes the DNA codes that create your body’s intracellular enzymes—the microscopic “factory workers” responsible for biochemical reactions. Enzymes are made of proteins coded directly by your genetic blueprint. Understanding your specific genetic “recipe” reveals whether key enzymatic pathways are sluggish, hyperactive, or nutrient-dependent, pinpointing root causes of chronic fatigue, detoxification issues, and systemic imbalances.
- [   How does Vitality Renewal integrate genomics into a personalized treatment plan? ](#acc-5qrt465-2) 

    Rather than offering one-size-fits-all prescriptions or quick fixes, Vitality Renewal combines your genomic data with an assessment of your lifestyle, environment, and life experiences to treat the whole person. The clinical team in Crystal Lake, IL, designs a customized, root-cause health plan tailored to your genetic strengths and weaknesses—addressing diet, lifestyle modifications, and targeted functional therapies to help overcome chronic fatigue and optimize long-term vitality.
    
    ###
- [   Who should consider genomic evaluation at a functional medicine practice? ](#acc-5qrt465-3) 

    Genomic evaluation is ideal for individuals struggling with persistent, unexplained health issues—such as chronic fatigue, hormone dysregulation, digestive disorders, or treatment resistance—as well as those seeking proactive longevity and disease prevention. If conventional medicine’s trial-and-error approach has failed to resolve your symptoms, genomics provides clear, actionable biological data to guide effective, personalized interventions.
- [   How do I get started with genomics testing at Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL? ](#acc-5qrt465-4) 

    To begin genomics evaluation at Vitality Renewal, prospective clients apply to unlock a **Vitality Review** or schedule a discovery consultation. During this initial assessment, the functional medicine team reviews your comprehensive health history, determines the most relevant genomic panels to order, and outlines a collaborative roadmap toward optimal wellness.

---

### [Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/frequency-specific-microcurrent/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Frequency Specific Microcurrent

## What is Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)?

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) was developed by Dr. Carolyn McMakin in 1995. Microcurrent devices deliver frequencies and current in millionths of an amp (about 1/1000 the strength of a TENS unit).

In published studies, FSM was shown to increase energy (ATP) production in cells by 500%.
(Just think what that alone can do!). It has been documented to reduce pain and inflammation.
There are 17 peer reviewed published papers documenting the positive effects of FSM in case reports and controlled trials.
Ongoing research is being conducted for additional clinical applications including post-operative recovery, diabetes, organ-system function and more.

  ![Untitled-design-1](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-1-2-1024x1024-300x300.png "Untitled-design-1") 

### About FSM

Microcurrent dates back to the early 1900’s, however, it wasn’t introduced as a battery operated unit until the 1980’s. In the late 1990’s, it was clear that the effects of FSM were reproducible. Since then Dr. McMakin has been training practitioners on using FSM worldwide.

FSM uses the principles of biophysics and the effects of biological resonance and frequencies that seem to change cell signaling and thereby change cell function and even structures, such as scar tissue, to reduce pain and improve function. The frequencies seem to improve healing from physical and emotional injuries, resolve nerve pain, phantom limb pain, muscle, joint, neck and low back pain, fibromyalgia, shingles and inflammatory conditions such as irritable bowel, asthma and chronic fatigue. FSM is not used to treat active infections or cancer or any potentially fatal condition.

At Vitality Renewal, we use FSM as part of our treatment plans, using the philosophy: First, do no harm, with the goal of achieving faster results.

For more information, check out the books ***The Resonance Effect***, and Frequency Specific Microcurrent in Pain Management, or visit Dr. McMakin’s website **[Frequencyspecific.com](https://frequencyspecific.com/).**

  ![FSM-Therapy-picture](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/FSM-Therapy-picture-266x200.png "FSM-Therapy-picture") 

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## I’m excited to offer this service in my practice. I’d love to help you balance your brain for better health!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## Frequently Asked Questions

- [   What is Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) and how does it work? ](#acc-24ge201-0) 

    Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a non-invasive electromedical therapy developed by Dr. Carolyn McMakin in 1995. It delivers gentle electrical currents measured in millionths of an amp (microamps)—approximately 1/1,000th the strength of a traditional TENS unit. FSM operates on the principles of biological resonance and biophysics, utilizing targeted frequencies to alter cell signaling, soften scar tissue, diminish inflammation, and relieve acute and chronic pain.
- [   How does FSM therapy affect cellular energy (ATP) and healing? ](#acc-24ge201-1) 

    Published clinical research shows that Frequency Specific Microcurrent increases cellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) energy production by up to **500%**. By boosting cellular energy and restoring normal membrane function, FSM accelerates tissue repair, neutralizes inflammatory cytokines, and facilitates faster recovery from physical injuries, surgeries, and chronic cellular dysfunction.
- [   What conditions can Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) treat? ](#acc-24ge201-2) 

    At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, IL, FSM is integrated into individualized functional medicine treatment protocols to address:

    - **Musculoskeletal Pain:** Neck pain, low back pain, joint stiffness, and muscle spasms.
    - **Neurological & Nerve Issues:** Nerve pain, shingles (herpes zoster), and phantom limb pain.
    - **Chronic Inflammatory & Systemic Conditions:** Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and asthma.
    - **Tissue & Trauma Recovery:** Scar tissue remodeling, myofascial restrictions, and recovery from physical or emotional trauma.
- [   How does FSM differ from a standard TENS unit? ](#acc-24ge201-3) 

    While both therapies use electrical current, they operate at completely different intensities and biological mechanisms:

    - **Current Strength:** TENS units use milliamps (1,000 times stronger than microamps), which causes muscle contractions and aims to temporarily numb or block pain signals to the brain.
    - **Cellular Mechanism:** FSM uses microamps that mirror the body’s natural electrical currents. Rather than merely masking pain, FSM stimulates cellular healing, enhances protein synthesis, and boosts ATP by 500% to create sustained structural and functional improvements.
- [   Are there any safety restrictions or contraindications for FSM treatment? ](#acc-24ge201-4) 

    FSM is exceptionally safe, non-invasive, and painless, operating under the functional medicine philosophy of *“First, do no harm.”* However, FSM therapy is **not** used to treat active malignant cancers, active infections, or any acute, potentially life-threatening medical conditions. A clinical assessment at Vitality Renewal ensures FSM is appropriate and safely customized for each patient’s health profile.

---

### [Far Infrared Sauna](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/far-infrared-sauna/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Frequency Specific Microcurrent

## What is Far Infrared?

##### Detoxify your body at the cellular level, reduce blood pressure, and lose weight.

Far infrared sauna therapy heats the body directly rather than simply warming the air. It raises the core body temperature and produces a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where most toxins reside. Your sweat then pushes out the toxins, cleansing your body and rejuvenating your skin.

### Benefits

**Detoxification**
Sweating is good for you. It is the body’s safe and natural way to heal and stay healthy. Sunlighten far infrared sauna detoxification happens by heating the body directly, causing a rise in core temperature. This results in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where toxins reside.

**Lower Blood Pressure**
In a 2005 clinical study by the University of Missouri Kansas City, Sunlighten’s Solocarbon far infrared heaters were shown to lower blood pressure through a program of 30 minute infrared sauna session 3 times per week. The study concluded that Sunlighten infrared sauna therapy dilated blood vessels and reduced the volume of their inner lining, thus increasing circulation to promote healthy blood pressure.

**Relaxation**
Unlike traditional saunas which operate at extremely harsh temperatures, infrared is a gentle, soothing and therapeutic heat that promotes relaxation and improved sleep. Infrared sauna benefits include therapy that helps you relax while receiving an invigorating deep-tissue sweat, leaving you fully refreshed after each session.

**Weight Loss**
Infrared saunas promote weight loss by detoxifying the body and burning calories while you relax in total comfort. Studies have shown that benefits of an infrared sauna session can burn upwards of 600 calories while you relax! As the body works to cool itself, there is a substantial increase in heart rate, cardiac output and metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories.

  ![Signature-2-cedar-optimized](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Signature-2-cedar-optimized-500x592.png "Signature-2-cedar-optimized") 

### Sauna Therapy Pricing

**30 Minute Sessions**

Single sessions: $25

Package of 10 sessions: $200

Unlimited use 1 month: $180

Unlimited use multi-month: $160 per month (requires purchase of at least 2 months)

## Is Far Infrared Sauna right for you?

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

## FAQs

### Here are some frequently asked questions.

#### What is far infrared sauna therapy and how does it differ from traditional saunas?

Far infrared sauna therapy uses gentle light waves to heat the body directly rather than heating the ambient air around you. Unlike traditional dry or steam saunas that operate at harsh, stifling air temperatures, far infrared heaters—specifically the Sunlighten® Solocarbon® technology used at Vitality Renewal—penetrate deep into muscle and soft tissue. This gently raises core body temperature to induce a deep, cellular-level sweat at much more comfortable and soothing temperatures.

#### What health benefits does a far infrared sauna provide?

Regular far infrared sauna sessions deliver four primary evidence-based health benefits:

- **Cellular Detoxification:** Produces an invigorating deep-tissue sweat that helps the body naturally flush out stored environmental toxins and heavy metals.
- **Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure Support:** Increases vasodilation and peripheral circulation, which helps lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- **Weight Loss & Calorie Burn:** As your body cools itself, your heart rate and metabolic output increase, burning up to 600 calories per session.
- **Deep Relaxation & Sleep Quality:** Delivers gentle, non-aggressive therapeutic heat that calms the central nervous system, relieves muscle tension, and improves sleep.

### How does far infrared sauna therapy help lower blood pressure?

Far infrared sauna therapy lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and increasing cardiac circulation. In a clinical study conducted by the University of Missouri Kansas City using Sunlighten’s Solocarbon heaters, participants who completed 30-minute sessions three times per week experienced significant reductions in blood pressure. The soothing infrared heat decreases vascular resistance and reduces the volume of the inner blood vessel lining, promoting long-term cardiovascular health.

#### How long is a session, and how many calories can you burn in an infrared sauna?

Each standard far infrared sauna session at Vitality Renewal lasts **30 minutes**. During this time, the body actively works to cool its core temperature, triggering a measurable increase in metabolic rate, cardiac output, and heart rate. As a result of this passive cardiovascular workout, a single 30-minute session can burn upwards of **600 calories**.

### Didn’t find your answer?

 Our heroic support team can help you. 

  [ Contact Us ](https://themify.org/)

---

### [Brain Map](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/brain-map/)

**Published:** June 5, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine

The Hormone Locksmith®  ·  Crystal Lake, IL

vitalityrenewal.org  ·  815-271-7300

Complimentary brain mapping session

# Is menopause
*changing
your brain?*

Brain fog. Broken sleep. Anxiety. Memory lapses. Hormone shifts physically alter your brainwave patterns — and **we can see exactly where the imbalance is.**

— Register below to claim your complimentary brain map

  ![Dr. Karney at table](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Dr.-Karney-at-table-scaled.jpeg "Dr. Karney at table") 

Yvonne Karney, MD

Founder & Medical Director  ·  Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine

What you’ve been experiencing

## You’re not losing your mind.
Your brain may be out of balance.

I hear this from women every week. Sharp, accomplished, capable women who suddenly feel like they can’t trust their own brain. The fog. The 3am wake-ups. The anxiety that comes from nowhere. The words that disappear mid-sentence.

They’ve been told it’s just menopause. But here’s what I want you to know: **these aren’t things you simply have to live with.** Your brain produces four types of electrical waves. When those waves fall out of balance — something hormone shifts directly contribute to — symptoms follow. And a brain map shows us exactly where.

- Brain fog and slow, sluggish thinking
- Waking at 3am with a racing mind
- Anxiety that doesn’t feel like you
- Words disappearing mid-sentence
- Mood shifts you can’t explain or control
- Exhausted but unable to rest deeply

Here’s what happens next

1. Register with your contact information — it takes 60 seconds
2. Our team reaches out within 2 business days to schedule your 30-minute brain mapping session at our Crystal Lake office
3. You receive a personal video from me reviewing your individual results and what they mean for you

Our gift to you

Claim your complimentary brain map

Register below and our team will contact you within 2 business days to schedule your session. No obligation. No cost to you.

---

Your information is private and will never be shared.
You’ll hear from us within 2 business days.

25+

Years of clinical experience
in women’s medicine

80,000+

Patient encounters informing
our approach

30 min

Non-invasive, drug-free
brain mapping session

## FAQs

### Here are some frequently asked questions.

#### What is a brain map at Vitality Renewal?

A brain map (qEEG) is a non-invasive, drug-free 30-minute assessment that measures and analyzes the brain’s electrical wave patterns. At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine, brain mapping is used to identify where brainwave imbalances are occurring—often triggered or exacerbated by hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause.

#### What happens during and after the brain mapping appointment?

The brain mapping process consists of three simple steps:

1.  Online Registration: Submit your contact details on the website.
2.  In-Office Mapping: Within two business days, the team contacts you to schedule an in-person, 30-minute session at the Crystal Lake, IL clinic.
3.  Doctor Review: Dr. Yvonne Karney, MD, creates a personalized video reviewing your individual brain map results, explaining the root cause of your symptoms, and discussing potential next steps.

#### How does menopause affect brainwave patterns and cognitive function?

Hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause physically alter brain chemistry and electrical wave balance. These imbalances commonly cause neurological and cognitive symptoms, including:

  – Brain fog and slow processing speed
  – Memory lapses or losing words mid-sentence
  – Sleep disturbances, such as waking at 3:00 AM with racing thoughts
  – Uncharacteristic anxiety and sudden mood shifts
  – Fatigue, feeling “tired but wired”

#### How much does the brain mapping session cost?

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine offers a complimentary brain mapping session with no cost or obligation. Patients register online to claim their session.

#### Where is Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine located?

Vitality Renewal is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The practice is led by Founder and Medical Director Dr. Yvonne Karney, MD (“The Hormone Locksmith®”), who brings over 25 years of clinical experience in women’s medicine.

### Didn’t find your answer?

 Our heroic support team can help you. 

  [ Contact Us ](https://themify.org/)

---

### [Homepage](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/homepage/)

**Published:** May 6, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Board-Certified OB-GYN

•   25+ Years Clinical Experience

•   Hormone & Functional Medicine Specialist

•   Crystal Lake, IL

PERIMENOPAUSE, MENOPAUSE & HORMONE SPECIALIST — CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

# **Your Labs Are “Normal.”** 
**But You Know**
***Something Is Wrong.***

You’re exhausted. Foggy. Gaining weight despite doing everything right. And you’ve been told everything looks fine.

*“With them it was more about giving my body what it actually needed to feel my best — not just handing me a prescription and sending me home.”*

— Vira D., Arlington Heights, IL

Hormones are the keys. Your cells are the locks. When the locks are damaged — by toxins, inflammation, or chronic stress — the keys don’t work. That’s where we start.

  [ Work With Us ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

  [ Take the Hormone Balance Assessment ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz) 

as seen in

 ![2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/2-1-1024x1024-220x220.jpg "2") 

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Why You’re Here

## Do Any of These Sound Familiar? 

Many of our patients have seen two, three, even five doctors before finding us. Their story is remarkably consistent:

Fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep. Weight gain despite doing the right things. A brain that doesn’t feel sharp. Mood shifts that don’t match your life. And a doctor who looked at your labs and said: “Everything looks fine.”

*“Something is being missed.”*

We believe you. And we know where to look.

Persistent fatigue or low energy that doesn’t improve with rest

Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating

Weight gain or difficulty losing weight despite effort

Hormone imbalance — perimenopause, menopause, testosterone concerns

Anxiety, low mood, or feeling emotionally “off”

Poor sleep or waking up exhausted

Inflammation, pain, or autoimmune symptoms

Digestive issues and food sensitivities

#### Not sure where to start?

Take our Hormone Imbalance Assessment — thorough, free, and often the first step toward real answers.

  [ Take the Hormone Balance Assessment ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz) 

FOR THE WOMAN WHO FEELS GOOD — AND WANTS MORE

You Need DATA and a PLAN for the Next Decade

Some of the women we work with aren’t chasing a symptom. They’re reaching for their BEST HEALTH. If any of these sound familiar, you’re in the right place too.

✓ You’re proactive about your health and want to stay ahead of what’s coming

✓ You’ve started thinking about the next decade differently — and you don’t want to leave it to chance

✓ You want real data about where you actually stand, not just reassurance that your labs are “normal”

✓ You suspect your hormones are shifting and want to get ahead of it before symptoms start

✓ You’re already investing in your health — and you want to make sure it’s working

 [ Learn how our Vitality Wellness Program is designed for you ](/why-functional-medicine) 

The Hormone Locksmith® Approach

## You Need More than Hormones. You Need Your Body to Respond to Them.

Hormones don’t work in isolation. You can have “normal” levels on paper and still feel completely off. Why?

Because hormones are only effective if your body can respond to them. If your cells are inflamed, if toxins are interfering, if your nervous system is out of balance — the message doesn’t get through.

We believe in hormone optimization, but we HAVE to include restoring function. We look at the whole picture: hormones, metabolism, gut health, brain chemistry, inflammation, and stress response.

We repair the locks — so the keys can finally work.

The Hormone Locksmith®

🔑 Hormones = Keys

🔒 Cells = Locks

When locks are damaged by toxins, inflammation, or chronic stress — hormones can’t work, even at “normal” levels.

   Icon label 

**Identify what’s damaging the locks** — advanced testing beyond standard labs

   Icon label 

**Restore cellular function** — address toxin burden, inflammation, gut health

   Icon label 

**Optimize hormones when appropriate** — with the right levels and monitoring

What to Expect

 

## **A Different Approach to Your Health**

This is not quick-fix medicine. We take the time to understand your body — and guide you step by step toward lasting change.

01

### A Deep, Unhurried First Visit

We review your full health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and goals — often connecting dots that haven’t been discussed before.

02

### Advanced Testing for Real Insight

Comprehensive lab panels interpreted for optimal function — not just “not abnormal.” We look at hormones, metabolism, inflammation, nutrient status, and more.

03

### A Plan Built Around Your Body

Your care plan is tailored to your biology, your priorities, and your capacity. We focus on what makes the biggest difference — not doing everything at once.

 

04

### Ongoing Guidance as You Heal

Healing is a process. We adjust your plan over time, track your progress, and make sure you understand each step along the way.

  [ Start with a Conversation ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

*No pressure, no obligation — just a thoughtful starting point.*

Founded by

## **Yvonne Karney, MD**

Board-Certified OB-GYN · Functional & Integrative Medicine · The Hormone Locksmith®

“I practice the kind of medicine I wish had existed when I needed answers myself.”

Functional medicine gave me the tools to ask better questions — not just “are your labs normal?” but “why do you feel the way you do?” and more importantly, what do we do about it.

I came to this work because I lived it. There was a period in my own life when I felt like I was becoming someone I didn’t recognize. My emotions were unpredictable — things that rolled off my back one day made me furious the next. I had barely enough energy to get through my day, and any speed bump would send me into a spiral. I felt like I was drowning, lashing out at the people I loved for no good reason.

I was a physician. I knew something was wrong. And I couldn’t figure out why no one was looking in the right places.

At Vitality Renewal, I serve as Medical Director, leading a team of experienced nurse practitioners who deliver personalized care to each patient.

#### training & background

✔ Board-Certified OB-GYN, 25+ years

✔ USAF Physician, 8 years

✔ Functional & Integrative Medicine

✔ 14+ years specializing in BHRT

✔ 80,000+ patient encounters

  ![Dr. Karney at table](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Dr.-Karney-at-table-scaled.jpeg "Dr. Karney at table") 

*“It took a long time to get to a point where I was willing to invest in myself. After meeting Dr. Karney and her team, I felt like there was a group of people I could trust to help me get to where I wanted to be — where I know I was before.”*

— Shannon D., Pingree Grove, IL

## **Your Care Team**

Most of your visits at Vitality Renewal will be with our nurse practitioner team — each experienced, each practicing the same root-cause philosophy this practice was built on, and each supported by Dr. Karney’s clinical oversight at every step. This is how exceptional care scales

  ![Charmagne (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Charmagne-1-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Charmagne (1)") 

#### Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Charmagne came to functional medicine the way the best providers do — she rotated through Vitality Renewal as a student, saw what root-cause care could do for patients, and knew she had to be part of it. She brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to women’s hormone health.

  ![Tanya - v2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Tanya-v2-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Tanya - v2") 

#### Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

With more than 20 years of clinical experience and a faculty position at Northern Illinois University, Tanya brings rare depth to every appointment. She specializes in BHRT, pellet hormone therapy, and adrenal health in menopausal women.

   Icon label 

Meet the Full Team

Learn more about our providers, our health, coaches, and the team building behind your care

  ![Charmagne (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Charmagne-1-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Charmagne (1)") 

#### Charmagne Benz, MS, FNP-BC

Family Nurse Practitioner

Charmagne came to functional medicine the way the best providers do — she rotated through Vitality Renewal as a student, saw what root-cause care could do for patients, and knew she had to be part of it. She brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to women’s hormone health.

  ![Tanya - v2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Tanya-v2-1024x768-360x180.jpeg "Tanya - v2") 

#### Tanya Tanzillo, DNP, FNP-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

With more than 20 years of clinical experience and a faculty position at Northern Illinois University, Tanya brings rare depth to every appointment. She specializes in BHRT, pellet hormone therapy, and adrenal health in menopausal women.

   Icon label 

Meet the Full Team

Learn more about our providers, our health, coaches, and the team building behind your care

Free Download

## What Your Labs Aren’t Telling You

The Micronutrient Gap: The nutrients most women are missing — and the tests that actually find them

You eat well. You take supplements. You do the right things. But there are six nutrients that high-functioning women in their 40s and 50s are almost universally depleted in — and most of them never show up on a standard lab panel.

This guide shows you what they are, what optimal levels actually look like, and why getting them right is often what makes the difference between your hormones working — and not.

✔ The six nutrients we test that most practices don’t

✔ Why “normal” lab ranges aren’t the same as optimal

✔ The copper-zinc connection — and why it matters before hormone therapy

✔ What depletion actually looks like at this stage of life

  [ Download the Free Guide ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/the-micronutrient-gap) 

  ![1](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/1-724x1024-539x649.png "1") 

*“In three months, I lowered my bad cholesterol by 100 points, brought my A1C out of the pre-diabetic range, felt better, slept better, and lost 15 pounds.”*

— Roxanne B., Cary, IL

Free Download

## **Finally Understand Why You’re So Tired – Even When You’re Doing Everything Right**

From Fatigued to Fabulous gives you five evidence-based keys to understanding why you’re exhausted — and what to actually do about it.

✔  Why fatigue is almost never about sleep alone

✔  The hormone–energy connection most doctors miss

✔  Five things you can start doing this week

✔  When to push for more comprehensive testing

  [ Download the Free Guide ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/fatigue_optin) 

Enter your first name and email. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

  ![Screenshot 2026-05-06 212302](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-05-06-212302.webp "Screenshot 2026-05-06 212302") 

*“In three months, I lowered my bad cholesterol by 100 points, brought my A1C out of the pre-diabetic range, felt better, slept better, and lost 15 pounds.”*

— Roxanne B., Cary, IL

Patient Stories

## **Real Women. Real Answers. Real Change.**

Hear from our happy patients

 ![Promotional-Video_thumbnail](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Promotional-Video_thumbnail.png "Promotional-Video_thumbnail") 

“

I finally feel like myself again. After three years of being told my labs were normal, someone finally looked deeper — and found what was wrong.

— Patient, Chicago northwest suburbs

“

For the first time in years, everything made sense. The explanation of how hormones actually work changed how I understood my own body.

— Patient, traveling from Wisconsin

“

I wasn’t crazy — something was actually wrong. I just needed a doctor who was willing to look for it. That’s what Vitality Renewal did.

— Patient, Crystal Lake area

  [ Read More Patient Stories → ](/testimonials/) 

Functional Medicine

## **Treatments & Therapies**

We combine the best of traditional medicine with innovative functional approaches — tailored to you. Tools are powerful. But only when your body is ready to receive them.

Foundation & Core Treatments

**Biodentical Hormone Therapy**

Hormones molecularly identical to what your body produces — prescribed precisely, monitored carefully, and adjusted as your biology changes.

**Advanced Lab Testing**

Comprehensive panels interpreted for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.” We test what conventional medicine doesn’t — including DUTCH hormone testing, organic acids, and inflammatory markers.

**Neurofeedback Therapy**

Non-invasive brain training that helps regulate mood, focus, sleep, and stress response — guided by a QEEG brain map of your unique neural activity.

**Far Infrared Sauna**

Cellular recovery, circulation support, and deep relaxation — heat therapy used to support detox pathways and cardiovascular health.

**Frequency Specific Microcurrent**

Targeted electrical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation, and improve nervous system regulation.

**QT Breast Imaging**

Breast imaging without radiation or compression — advanced ultrasound technology that sees more, with none of the drawbacks of conventional mammography.

Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments — Introducing the glow suite of services

NEW

#### Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation

Restore comfort, confidence, and function — without surgery or downtime. Our non-invasive treatments address pelvic floor weakness, bladder control, and intimate wellness as a natural part of women’s whole-body health.

NEW

#### Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments

Physician-supervised aesthetic care with no neurotoxins, no synthetic fillers, and no radiation. PRF, radiofrequency microneedling, and light therapy that work with your biology — not against it. Because beauty shouldn’t be toxic.

*Every tool we use is chosen for a reason — and only when it’s right for you.*

  [ Explore All Treatments & Therapies ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/) 

common questions

## Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers from Crystal Lake’s hormone and functional medicine experts.

Do you take insurance?

We are a cash-based practice. This allows us to spend more time with you, use more comprehensive testing, and focus entirely on root-ca use care — not what an insurance company will approve.

Do I need to take hormones?

Not necessarily. Our goal is to restore your body’s ability to function first. We look at both the hormones (the keys) and your cells’ ability to respond to them (the locks). Hormones are used when appropriate — never as a default.

What makes your lab testing different?

Many of the tests we use are standard — the difference is we order far more comprehensive panels, and we interpret results looking for optimal function, not just “normal range.”

 

How long does it take to see results?

Healing is a process, not an event. Many patients begin noticing meaningful changes within the first few months. Our programs run six months to a year, with ongoing support to refine and guide your progress.

Have more questions? We have answers.

 [ View All FAQs → ](/frequently-asked-questions/) 

“I feel like I’ve got a new lease on life — a way of feeling I didn’t think was possible at this point in my life.”

— Heidi A., Woodstock, IL

## **You Don’t Have to Keep** **Guessing.**

If you’re ready to understand what’s really going on in your body — and to work with a team that will actually look — we’re here.

  [ Work With Us ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

  [ Take the Hormone Balance Assessment ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz)

---

### [Why Functional Medicine?](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/why-functional-medicine/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Root-Cause Medicine  ·  Crystal Lake, IL

# What Functional Medicine 
Actually Does

Whether you’re trying to understand why you feel the way you do — or you feel good and want to feel exceptional — the approach is the same. So is the science.

One Approach. Every Stage.

## The system accepts disease as practically inevitable. We don’t.

Declining energy, complex symptoms, a slow drift toward disease – the conventional system calls this aging. It’s reactionary, waiting for symptoms and then treating them without asking why. That leaves two women with nowhere to go: the one who’s struggling but doesn’t fit into a diagnostic box, and the one who is overall healthy by standard measure, but knows she’s capable of more. Functional medicine can help both of them.

For the woman seeking answers

### If you’ve been dismissed — told your labs are normal when you know something is wrong

Functional medicine finds what conventional testing misses and addresses the cause, not just the symptom. You’re not imagining it. And you are not alone.

For the woman seeking more

### If you feel good and want to feel exceptional — and are thinking about the next decade

Functional medicine gives you the data, strategy, and tools to build the biological foundation your goals require. Because good and optimal are not the same thing.

The principles are identical. The starting point is different.
The destination — for both women — is the same.

A Different Way of Looking at the Same Body

## How functional medicine differs from conventional care

Neither approach is wrong — conventional medicine saves lives every day and we work alongside it, not against it. But for the woman whose symptoms don’t fit a diagnostic code — or whose goals extend beyond the absence of disease — functional medicine is where the real work happens.

Conventional Medicine

Functional Medicine

Asks: what’s wrong?

Asks: why is this happening?

Treats the symptom

Investigates the root cause

Measures disease

Measures function and optimal range

“Your labs are normal”

“Normal” is a low bar. We optimize, not just normalize.

Manages chronic conditions

Works to resolve them at the source

Acts when a threshold is crossed

Acts before thresholds are crossed

One organ, one specialist

The whole person, one integrated picture

Prescribes when disease is present

Optimizes before disease develops

How We Think About It at Vitality Renewal

## The Hormone Locksmith®

Hormones are keys. Your cells are locks. When everything is working the way it should, the keys turn the locks — and you feel sharp, energetic, resilient, and present.

But locks can become damaged. Inflammation damages them. Toxins damage them. Chronic stress and poor gut health damage them. When the locks are damaged, it doesn’t matter how much hormone you have — the key won’t turn.

At Vitality Renewal, we address both sides of that equation. We optimize the keys and we repair the locks. That’s what makes functional medicine, done well, so different from anything you’ve likely experienced before.

“We repair the locks — so the keys can finally work.”

Hormones

The Keys

\+

Cell Receptors

The Locks

=

Function

The Goal

Toxins

disrupt hormonal signaling

Toxins

disrupt hormonal signaling

 Chronic Stress

dysregulates the HPA axis

Inflammation

impairs hormone metabolism

The Same Principles Work at Every Level

## The tools of functional medicine

These tools are not symptom-specific. They work across the entire health continuum — from recovery to peak performance. What changes is the order we apply them, the depth we go, and the goals we are building toward.

 

### Hormone Optimization

Bioidentical hormones, precisely dosed and carefully monitored using comprehensive testing — not a generic protocol.

Recovery

Restores what depletion has taken from a woman whose symptoms have gone unaddressed

Optimize

Ensures hormones are working at the level her performance goals require

### Advanced Micronutrient Assessment

We measure what your body actually has available at the cellular level — not just what you’re consuming.

Recovery

Identifies deficiencies driving fatigue, brain fog, and immune dysfunction

Optimize

Closes the gaps limiting energy, cognition, and resilience

### Gut Health & Microbiome

The gut governs hormone metabolism, immune regulation, brain chemistry, and nutrient absorption. It is rarely the presenting complaint and almost always part of the picture.

Recovery

Addresses the upstream cause of inflammation and hormonal imbalance

Optimize

Ensures the foundation is solid enough to support everything built on top of it

### Genomic Testing

Your DNA holds the blueprint for how your body processes hormones, metabolizes nutrients, responds to stress, and accumulates risk over time.

Recovery

Identifies genetic factors making standard protocols less effective for her specifically

Optimize

Provides a long-term risk map and allows prevention strategy decades ahead of diagnosis

### Toxin Assessment & Removal

Environmental toxins, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors accumulate and interfere with hormone receptor function, cellular energy, and immune regulation.

Recovery

Removes the burden preventing healing despite doing everything else right

Optimize

Addresses the stress response keeping her body in a state of alarm

### Nervous System Regulation

Chronic stress dysregulates the HPA axis, suppresses immune function, accelerates cellular aging, and blocks hormonal signaling everything else depends on.

Recovery

Addresses the upstream cause of inflammation and hormonal imbalance

Optimize

Builds the resilience that separates good performance from exceptional performance

You Might Be in the Right Place

## Functional medicine is not for everyone.

It requires time, commitment, and a willingness to look at the whole picture — not just the presenting problem. But for the right woman, it changes everything.

You’ve been to two, three, maybe five doctors. Your labs come back normal. You’ve been offered an antidepressant, a sleep aid, or a referral to a specialist who finds nothing definitive. You know something is being missed. You’re exhausted by a system that keeps looking at your parts without ever looking at you as a whole. You want answers — real ones — and a plan built around what’s actually happening in your body.

You feel good by most measures. You work out, you watch what you eat, you invest in your health. But you are starting to think about the next decade differently. You want to know where you actually stand — not just that you’re not sick yet, but where you are relative to your **potential.** You want the data. You want the strategy. And you want a team that operates at the same standard you hold everything else in your life to.

Both of these women are exactly who Vitality Renewal was built for.

 

Common Questions

## What you’re probably wondering

 

- [   Is functional medicine only for people who are sick? ](#acc-0dyl177-0) 

    No — and this is one of the most important things to understand about the functional medicine model. The same root-cause approach that helps a woman recover from years of unexplained fatigue also helps a high-performing woman identify where her biology is limiting her potential before she ever develops a symptom. The tools are identical. The goals are different. We work with women across the full health continuum — from complex chronic conditions to straightforward optimization and longevity programs.
- [   How is your lab testing different from what my doctor already orders? ](#acc-0dyl177-1) 

    Most standard lab panels are designed to identify disease — they flag values that fall outside a wide reference range built around the average population. We interpret labs for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.” We also order tests most physicians do not — including DUTCH comprehensive hormone testing, organic acids, salivary cortisol, micronutrient panels, and inflammatory markers that give us a far more complete picture of what is actually happening in your body and why.
- [   Do I have to stop seeing my regular doctor? ](#acc-0dyl177-2) 

    No — and we never ask you to. Functional medicine works alongside conventional care, not instead of it. Many of our patients continue to see their primary care physician for acute needs while working with us on root causes and optimization. We will never recommend discontinuing a medication prescribed by another provider without a thoughtful, collaborative conversation.
- [   How long does it take to see results? ](#acc-0dyl177-3) 

    It depends on where you are starting. For women recovering from significant hormonal or metabolic dysfunction, meaningful changes typically begin within two to three months — with the most significant shifts happening between months four and six. For women in an optimization program, the Deep Dive assessment often reveals things immediately, and the program builds systematically from there. Our programs run twelve months because lasting change — whether recovery or optimization — is not a quick fix. It is a process of rebuilding or elevating function from the ground up.
- [   What is the difference between the Wellness program and the Functional Medicine program? ](#acc-0dyl177-4) 

    Both programs begin with our two-visit Deep Dive Wellness Assessment and run for twelve months. The difference is in the starting point and the goals. The Functional Medicine program is designed for women dealing with symptoms that have not been adequately addressed — hormone dysfunction, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, early autoimmunity. The Wellness program is designed for women who feel good and want to build on that foundation — optimizing hormones, assessing long-term risk, and building a proactive longevity strategy. Both are physician-designed and delivered by our specialist nurse practitioner team, with Dr. Karney’s clinical oversight at every stage.

The First Step Is Understanding Where You Are

## Ready to find out what’s actually possible?

Whether you’re looking for answers you haven’t been able to get — or a baseline you’ve never had — it starts the same way. A conversation with our team, no pressure and no obligation. Just clarity.

 

  [ BOOK YOUR DISCOVERY CALL ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) 

[Not sure yet? Take the Hormone Quiz first →](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz)

---

### [Treatments & Therapies](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/treatments-therapies/)

**Published:** June 4, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Functional Medicine  ·  Crystal Lake, IL

# Treatments & Therapies

*Every tool we use is chosen with a purpose — and only offered when your body is ready to receive it.*

At Vitality Renewal, we combine the best of traditional and functional medicine — tailored to the woman in front of us, not a protocol. Some tools you’ll use from day one. Others come later, when the foundation is in place and your body is ready to respond. That’s The Hormone Locksmith® difference: we don’t just offer keys. We make sure the locks are ready to open.

New to functional medicine? \[[Learn how it differs from conventional care →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/why-functional-medicine/)\]

Functional Medicine Tools

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Hormones molecularly identical to what your body produces — prescribed precisely, monitored carefully, and adjusted as your biology changes.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/bio-identical-hormone-replacement-therapy/)

 

Advanced Laboratory Testing

Comprehensive panels interpreted for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.” We test what conventional medicine doesn’t — including DUTCH hormone testing, organic acids, and inflammatory markers.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/laboratory-testing/)

 

Neurofeedback Therapy

Non-invasive brain training that helps regulate mood, focus, sleep, and stress response — guided by a QEEG brain map of your unique neural activity.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/neurofeedback-therapy/)

 

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)

Targeted micro-electrical therapy that reduces pain, inflammation, and tissue dysfunction at the cellular level.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/frequency-specific-microcurrent/)

 

Far Infrared Sauna

Deep detoxification and cardiovascular support through heat that penetrates at the cellular level — where most toxins reside.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/far-infrared-sauna/)

 

Genomics

Your DNA holds the blueprint for personalized care. Genomic analysis helps us understand exactly what your body needs — and what it doesn’t.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/genomics/)

 

Personalized Wellness Programs

Real healing takes time. Our 12-month programs are built around your biology, your goals, and your life — including the UNLOCK Method, a structured six-month curriculum addressing the foundational steps of healing that every patient works through as part of their care.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-dose-naltrexone/)

 

Health Coaching

Accountability and education woven into your care plan — so the lifestyle changes you make actually stick.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/health-coaching/)

 

THE GLOW SUITE — Non-Toxic Aesthetic & Regenerative Care

*Beauty and biology are not separate at Vitality Renewal. The Glow Suite brings the same physician-supervised, non-toxic philosophy to aesthetic and regenerative care — no neurotoxins, no synthetic fillers, no radiation. Just your own biology, working the way it was designed to.*

new

Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation

Restore comfort, confidence, and function — without surgery or downtime. Non-invasive treatments for pelvic floor health, bladder control, and intimate wellness. A natural part of whole-body care for women.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/new-womens-intimate-rejuvenation/)

 

new

Regenerative & Aesthetic Treatments

Physician-supervised aesthetic care with no neurotoxins, no synthetic fillers, and no radiation. PRF, radiofrequency microneedling, laser hair removal, and light therapy that work with your biology — not against it. Because beauty shouldn’t be toxic.

[Learn more →](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/new-anti-aging-treatments/)

 

common questions

What treatments does Vitality Renewal offer in Crystal Lake, IL?

We offer a comprehensive range of functional medicine therapies including BHRT, neurofeedback, frequency specific microcurrent, far infrared sauna, genomics, LDN, health coaching, advanced laboratory testing, and regenerative aesthetic treatments.

Does Vitality Renewal offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Yes. BHRT is central to our practice. We use molecularly identical hormones tailored to your individual lab results and symptoms — not a generic protocol.

What is the difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine?

Functional medicine looks for root causes rather than managing symptoms. Where conventional medicine asks “what’s wrong?” functional medicine asks “why is this happening?” — and works to resolve it at the source.

Does Vitality Renewal treat perimenopause and menopause?

Perimenopause and menopause care is our core specialty. We work with women in Crystal Lake and across the Midwest to address root causes — not just manage symptoms.

What is Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation?

Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation uses advanced energy-based technologies to support pelvic health, bladder function, and intimate wellness — a natural part of whole-body care for women at Vitality Renewal.

What regenerative aesthetic treatments are available at Vitality Renewal?

We currently offer Lumecca IPL, Morpheus8 Burst radiofrequency microneedling, and Diolaze XL laser hair removal. PRF collagen injections are coming soon. All aesthetic services align with our non-toxic beauty philosophy.

Yes. Neurofeedback therapy is available in our Crystal Lake office — particularly beneficial for women experiencing brain fog, sleep disruption, mood changes, and stress-related symptoms during perimenopause and menopause.

We currently offer Lumecca IPL, Morpheus8 Burst radiofrequency microneedling, and Diolaze XL laser hair removal. PRF collagen injections are coming soon. All aesthetic services align with our non-toxic beauty philosophy.

*“Every tool we use is chosen for a reason — and only when it’s right for you.”*

 [ work with us ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2)

---

### [QT Breast Scan](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/qt-breast-scan/)

**Published:** June 20, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Safety & Eligibility

# QT Breast Scan — Eligibility Screening

Please review the following before booking your appointment. If any of the items below apply to you, the QT scan may not be appropriate at this time, and a team member will reach out to discuss your options.

- ## You may not be eligible if any of the following apply

Bra size outside A–DDD range

The QT scanner is optimized for bra sizes A through DDD. If your size falls outside this range, image quality may be affected.

Implanted cardiac device

The QT scan cannot be performed if you have a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator. Note: metal markers from a prior breast biopsy are safe and do not disqualify you.

Weight over 400 lbs

The scanning table has a maximum capacity of 400 pounds.

Limited shoulder or upper-body mobility

The scan requires you to raise your arm above your head and lie face-down. Significant shoulder mobility limitations may prevent a successful scan.

Unable to climb steps or move onto the table unassisted

Active open sores in the scan area will need to resolve before the procedure can be performed.

Open sores or skin breakdown on the breasts

The QT scanner is optimized for bra sizes A through DDD. If your size falls outside this range, image quality may be affected.

Currently pregnant or recently breastfeeding

The QT scan cannot be performed during pregnancy. If you have recently stopped breastfeeding, we recommend waiting 2–3 months before imaging for the most accurate results.

 Not sure if you qualify? Call our office at (815) 271-7300 before scheduling. Our team will review your health history and help determine whether the QT Scan is appropriate for you. We want every patient to have a safe and successful experience.

 [ If you've viewed the video and have no restrictions to scheduling, click here to schedule now. ](https://vitalityrenewal.md-hq.com/embedded/schedule.php?provider_options=35)

---

### [Blog](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/blog/)

**Published:** April 5, 2018
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Articles

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=2590&action=edit)  [ ![Consulting patient](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Late-to-Start-Hormone-Therapy-2-1024x683-420x230.jpg "Consulting patient") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/05/20/is-it-ever-too-late-for-hormone-therapy/) 

## [Is It Ever Too Late to Start Hormone Therapy?](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/05/20/is-it-ever-too-late-for-hormone-therapy/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1721&action=edit)  [ ![YK_Blog Headers](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/YK_Blog-Headers-1024x576-420x230.png "YK_Blog Headers") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/03/10/the-forgotten-hormone/) 

## [Testosterone – The Forgotten Hormone: Why Women Deserve Better Than a 1/10 Pump of a Man’s Prescription](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/03/10/the-forgotten-hormone/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1369&action=edit)  [ ![Mature Women](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Mature-Women-420x230.jpg "Mature Women") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/06/16/the-7-hidden-signs-your-hormones-are-screaming-for-help-that-doctors-miss/) 

## [The 7 Hidden Signs Your Hormones Are Screaming for Help (That Doctors Miss)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/06/16/the-7-hidden-signs-your-hormones-are-screaming-for-help-that-doctors-miss/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=357&action=edit)  [ ![What you NEED to Know about Thyroid Hormone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Thyroid-Hormone-420x230.jpg "Thyroid-Hormone") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/what-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-hormone/) 

## [What you NEED to Know about Thyroid Hormone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/what-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-hormone/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=353&action=edit)  [ ![Why-Arent-My-Hormones-Working](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Why-Arent-My-Hormones-Working-420x230.jpg "Why-Arent-My-Hormones-Working") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/why-arent-my-hormones-working/) 

## [Why Aren’t My Hormones Working??](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/why-arent-my-hormones-working/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=349&action=edit)  [ ![The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Rebel-Medical-Doctor-420x230.jpg "The-Rebel-Medical-Doctor") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/the-reluctant-rebel-medical-doctor/) 

## [The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/the-reluctant-rebel-medical-doctor/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=345&action=edit)  [ ![mammograms](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/mammograms-420x230.jpg "mammograms") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/its-time-for-informed-consent-about-mammograms/) 

## [It’s Time for Informed Consent about Mammograms](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/its-time-for-informed-consent-about-mammograms/)

---

### [Meet our Team](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/meet-our-team/)

**Published:** April 6, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**



---

### [Learn](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/learn-2/)

**Published:** April 6, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**



---

### [Learn](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/learn/)

**Published:** April 6, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**



---

### [Privacy Policy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/privacy-policy/)

**Published:** March 26, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 3/1/2026

**Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine** (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website www.vitalityrenewal.org the “Site”) and use our services.
By accessing or using our Site or services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

**1. Information We Collect**

We may collect the following types of information from you:

a. Personal Information

When you interact with us, we may collect personally identifiable information, including but not limited to:

- - - - - Name
                - Email address
                - Phone number
                - Business name
                - Mailing address
                - Payment information

b. Non-Personal Information

We also collect non-personally identifiable information, such as:

- - - - - IP address
                - Browser type and version
                - Pages visited on our Site
                - Referring websites
                - Time and date of visit

c. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but doing so may limit certain functionalities of our Site.

**2. How We Use Your Information**

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

- - - To provide, maintain, and improve our services
        - To process transactions and send order confirmations
        - To respond to customer inquiries and provide support
        - To send promotional emails, special offers, and newsletters (you may opt-out at any time)
        - To analyze user behavior and improve website performance
        - To comply with legal obligations and enforce our policies

**3. Sharing Your Information**

We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We commit not to transfer consumer data to external organizations except as necessary for providing our services, complying with legal obligations, or in the event of a business transfer. However, we may share your information in the following cases:

- - - **Service Providers:** We may share information with trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our business, such as payment processors and IT service providers.
        - **Legal Compliance:** We may disclose information when required by law or to protect our legal rights.
        - **Business Transfers:** In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.
        - **Mobile Information Sharing:** No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All OPT-IN requests include text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with third parties.
            - The policy permits sharing data with service providers.
            - Data may be shared in legal or business transfer situations.
        - **Data Protection Measures:** We implement strict access controls and regularly audit our data sharing practices.
        - **Opt-Out Rights: ‘**To opt out of future communications, text STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE.’

**4. Data Security**

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

**5. Your Privacy Rights**

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

- - - **Access & Correction:** Request access to or correction of your data.
        - **Opt-Out:** Unsubscribe from marketing communications.
        - **Deletion:** Request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal obligations.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at [**hello@vitalityrenewal.org**](mailto:hello@vitalityrenewal.org)

**6. Third-Party Links**

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites and encourage you to review their policies before providing any personal information.

**7. Changes to This Privacy Policy**

We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

**8. Contact Us**

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

**Vitality Renewal**

31 N Virginia Street

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

**Email:** <hello@vitalityrenwal.org>

**Phone:** 815-271-7300

---

### [Contact](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/contact/)

**Published:** January 7, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Contact Us

   Office Location 

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine
31 North Virginia Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

  815-271-7300 

  815-893-0448 (Fax) 

  Office Hours 

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am to 12:30pm and 2:00 to 5:00 pm (closed Tuesdays 12:30-2:00 for Training)
Friday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
1st and 3rd Saturday: 8:45 am to 12:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

 [ Apply To Unlock A Vitality Review ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2)

---

### [🆕 Anti-Aging Treatments](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/new-anti-aging-treatments/)

**Published:** March 4, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Anti-Aging Treatments at Vitality Renewal Advanced, Physician-Led Solutions for Radiant, Youthful Skin

At Vitality Renewal, we offer a comprehensive suite of advanced anti-aging treatments designed to address sun damage, pigmentation, wrinkles, skin laxity, and unwanted hair — all under the guidance of highly experienced providers.

Using a customized combination of Lumecca IPL, Morpheus8 Burst, and Diolaze XL by InMode, Dr. Karney and her team create individualized treatment plans that restore your skin’s natural radiance and turn back the visible signs of aging.

## **What Are Advanced Anti-Aging Treatments?**

Anti-aging care at Vitality Renewal is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

We combine multiple clinically proven technologies to address:

- Sun damage and age spots
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin laxity and texture irregularities
- Vascular lesions and redness
- Unwanted facial and body hair
- Loss of collagen and skin firmness

Each treatment plan is custom-designed, because no two patients — or skin concerns — are the same.

#### The Anti-Aging Modalities Available at Vitality Renewal

### Lumecca IPL

*Powerful Light Therapy for Pigmentation & Clarity*

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002411](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002411.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002411") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002602](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002602.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002602") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002701](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002701.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002701") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002725](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002725.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002725") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002827](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002827.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002827") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 002841](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-002841.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 002841") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003013](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003013.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003013") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003026](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003026.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003026") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003300](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003300.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003300") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003311](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003311.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003311") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003444](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003444.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003444") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003501](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003501.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003501") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003847](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003847.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003847") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003903](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003903.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003903") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004000](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004000.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004000") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004018](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004018.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004018") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004202](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004202.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004202") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004211](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004211.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004211") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004530](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004530.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004530") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004604](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004604.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004604") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 004637](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-004637.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 004637") 

  ![Screenshot 2026-03-05 003715](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2026-03-05-003715.png "Screenshot 2026-03-05 003715") 

Lumecca is the most powerful Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment available, using advanced photothermolysis technology to target and eliminate:

- Age spots and sun damage
- Brown and red pigmentation
- Vascular lesions (spider veins, broken capillaries)
- Rosacea and diffuse redness
- Freckles and uneven skin tone
- Acne-related hyperpigmentation

Lumecca delivers up to 3 times more energy than traditional IPL systems, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin and achieve dramatic results in just 1-3 sessions rather than the 4-6 sessions required by other treatments.

The treatment includes a built-in sapphire cooling tip for patient comfort and can be performed on the face, neck, chest, hands, arms, and legs — anywhere sun damage appears.

### What to Expect?

Treatment time: 20-30 minutes depending on area. Immediate darkening of pigmented spots followed by a natural flaking over 7-10 days. Minimal downtime with slight redness that typically subsides within hours. Visible improvements in skin clarity and tone after just one session.

## **Morpheus8 Burst**

Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling for Deep Skin Remodeling

  ![unnamed (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-1-1024x442-642x277.jpg "unnamed (1)") 

 ![unnamed (2)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-2-1024x442-642x277.jpg "unnamed (2)") 

 ![unnamed (3)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-3-1024x442-642x277.jpg "unnamed (3)") 

 ![unnamed (4)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-4-642x277.jpg "unnamed (4)") 

 ![unnamed (5)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-5-642x277.jpg "unnamed (5)") 

 ![unnamed](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/unnamed-642x277.png "unnamed") 

Morpheus8 Burst is a revolutionary fractional radiofrequency microneedling technology that combines precision microneedling with advanced RF energy to stimulate natural collagen production and remodel skin from within.

This breakthrough treatment addresses:

- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Skin laxity and sagging
- Acne scars and texture irregularities
- Loss of facial contour
- Stretch marks and surgical scars
- Subdermal tissue changes

Unlike surface treatments, Morpheus8 Burst penetrates up to 8mm into the skin, targeting deeper layers where true skin remodeling occurs. The proprietary BURST technology delivers radiofrequency energy to multiple tissue depths simultaneously in millisecond intervals, dramatically reducing treatment time while maximizing results.

**What Makes Morpheus8 Burst Different:** Safe for all skin types and tones Minimal downtime (1-2 days of mild redness) Visible results within days, optimal results at 3 weeks Improvements continue for up to 3 months as collagen remodels Typically 1-3 sessions recommended for optimal results

Treatment areas include face, neck, décolletage, abdomen, arms, and any area needing skin tightening and rejuvenation.

  ![diolaze handpiece](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/diolaze-handpiece.jpg "diolaze handpiece") 

##  Diolaze XL** *Advanced Laser Hair Removal for Smooth, Hair-Free Skin*

Diolaze XL is a state-of-the-art diode laser hair removal system that delivers permanent hair reduction with exceptional speed, power, and comfort.

This treatment provides long-lasting freedom from:

- Unwanted facial hair (upper lip, chin, sideburns)
- Body hair (legs, arms, underarms, bikini area)
- Back and chest hair
- Any area with stubborn, recurring hair growth

Diolaze XL features the largest treatment spot size of any hair removal device, allowing for faster treatment sessions — one full leg can be treated in as little as 10-15 minutes versus 45+ minutes with competitor devices.

**Advanced Technology for Superior Results:** Built-in Triple Cooling System for virtually painless treatment Safe and effective for all skin types, including darker skin tones High peak power for permanent hair reduction Targets hair follicles while protecting surrounding skin

**What to Expect:** 4-6 treatment sessions typically needed for optimal results Each session spaced 4-6 weeks apart Hair reduction visible after each treatment Progressively finer, sparser regrowth until permanent reduction achieved

Why Vitality Renewal?

At Vitality Renewal, anti-aging treatments are never offered as cookie-cutter solutions.

Patients benefit from the following:

Physician-led consultations and treatment planning
Advanced InMode technologies backed by clinical evidence
Customized combination treatments for comprehensive results
A professional, discreet clinical environment
A focus on natural-looking, long-lasting outcomes
Safety, precision, and patient comfort as top priorities

This is anti-aging care grounded in medical expertise, advanced technology, and individualized attention.

  ![diolazexl-before-after-dr-j-diamond-preview-3](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/diolazexl-before-after-dr-j-diamond-preview-3-1024x690-847x448.jpg "diolazexl-before-after-dr-j-diamond-preview-3") 

What to Expect From Your Visit

**Your Consultation** A comprehensive evaluation to assess your skin concerns, discuss your goals, and review your medical history in a private, professional setting.

**Your Treatment Plan** A customized combination of Lumecca IPL, Morpheus8 Burst, and/or Diolaze XL based on your unique skin type, concerns, and desired outcomes.

**Your Experience** In-office treatments performed with precision and care, minimal downtime, and clear guidance throughout your treatment journey.

**Your Results** Gradual, natural-looking improvements that enhance your appearance without looking “overdone” — just refreshed, radiant, and confident.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Anti-aging treatments at Vitality Renewal may be appropriate for patients who:

- Want to address visible signs of aging without surgery
- Are concerned about sun damage, age spots, or uneven skin tone
- Desire smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin
- Experience fine lines, wrinkles, or skin laxity
- Want permanent reduction of unwanted hair
- Prefer evidence-based treatments with proven results
- Are looking for physician-guided care with advanced technology

A consultation helps determine the safest and most effective approach for your individual needs.

You don’t have to accept the visible signs of aging as inevitable.

Advanced anti-aging treatments at Vitality Renewal offer a modern, non-surgical path to refreshed, radiant skin — guided by medical expertise and customized to your individual goals.

---

### [Home SR](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/home-3/)

**Published:** February 9, 2026
**Author:** Scott Royce

**Content:**

🔇  

  Board-certified providers Functional medicine experts Hormone specialists 

# You Don’t FEEL Like YOURSELF —and You’re Not Imagining It 

##### If you feel tired, inflamed, foggy, anxious, or frustrated by “normal” lab results, there may be more going on beneath the surface. At Vitality Renewal, we take the time to look deeper and help you understand what your body is trying to tell you.

I’m Dr. Yvonne Karney. Many of my patients say the hardest part is being told everything looks fine when they know it doesn’t. Functional medicine helps us connect the dots, look for root causes, and build a plan that fits your body and your life.

 [ Start With a Conversation ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2 "Care that starts with listening — and leads to clarity.") 

#### Could hormone imbalances be contributing to your fatigue, brain fog, or mood changes? 

#### Take our hormone quiz to find out!

 ![Home SR](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/hormone-imbalance-600x400-1.jpg "Home SR") 

 [ Take Our Hormone Quiz ](https://quiz.yvonnekarneymd.com/take-quiz) 

### You’re not just dealing with symptoms.

### You’re dealing with patterns.

##### Many patients come to us after years of chasing separate symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and anxiety without getting a clear explanation. Functional medicine helps us step back and see how those symptoms may be connected.

##### We commonly help patients with:

- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Brain fog, memory issues, or trouble concentrating
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Hormonal imbalance (perimenopause, menopause, testosterone concerns)
- Anxiety, low mood, or feeling “off” emotionally
- Poor sleep or waking up exhausted
- Inflammation, pain, or autoimmune symptoms
- Digestive issues and food sensitivities

##### We help you get to the root of hormone symptoms by looking at the whole picture.

##### 
Hormones are only one part of your health.

   ![Home SR](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/vitality-tree-250.png "Home SR") 

## Functional Medicine for Women with Fatigue, Brain Fog and Hormone Imbalance

#### Traditional medicine is often very good at treating disease once it appears. Functional medicine asks an earlier question:

#### **What’s driving the symptoms in the first place?**

At Vitality Renewal, we take the time to understand how your body systems work together — hormones, metabolism, gut health, brain chemistry, inflammation, and stress response. When one area is out of balance, others are affected too.

Instead of chasing symptoms, we look for patterns.

**That means:**

- Longer, more thoughtful appointments
- Advanced and personalized lab testing
- Care plans built around *your* biology — not averages
- Education, so you understand what’s happening in your body

This isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the *right* things for you.

 [ See What Working Together Looks Like ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

### What it’s like to work together

Functional medicine is different from most medical visits — and that’s intentional. We take the time needed to understand your health story and create a plan that makes sense for you.

Here’s what you can expect at Vitality Renewal:

**1. A thoughtful first visit**
Your initial appointment is unhurried and focused. We review your health history, current concerns, lifestyle, and goals — often connecting dots that haven’t been discussed before.

**2. Deeper insight through testing**
When appropriate, we use advanced lab testing to better understand hormones, metabolism, inflammation, nutrient status, and other key systems.

**3. A personalized care plan**
Your plan is built around your body, your priorities, and your capacity. We focus on what will make the biggest difference — not doing everything at once.

**4. Ongoing guidance and support**
Healing is a process. We adjust your plan over time, track progress, and make sure you understand each step along the way.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start.

  ![Home SR](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/woman-bike-mountain.jpg "Home SR") 

##   Praise From Our Clients    

   [ View More Testimonials ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/testimonials/) 

##   Functional Medicine Tools We Use    

  ![Home SR](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/woman-mountain.jpg "Home SR") 

At Vitality Renewal, we combine the best of traditional medical practices with innovative Functional Medicine to create a personalized healing plan. You are UNIQUE, and so is your path to healing. Below is a sampling of tools we may recommend.

- **[Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy](https://vitalityrenewal.org/bio-identical-hormone-replacement-therapy/)**
- **[Neurofeedback Therapy](https://vitalityrenewal.org/neurofeedback-therapy/)**
- **[Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)](https://vitalityrenewal.org/frequency-specific-microcurrent/)**
- **[Far Infrared Sauna](https://vitalityrenewal.org/far-infrared-sauna/)**
- **[Genomics](https://vitalityrenewal.org/genomics/)**
- **[Low Dose Naltrexone](https://vitalityrenewal.org/low-dose-naltrexone/)**
- **[Health Coaching](https://vitalityrenewal.org/health-coaching/)**
- **[Laboratory Testing](https://vitalityrenewal.org/laboratory-testing/)**
- **[Why Functional Medicine?](https://vitalityrenewal.org/why-functional-medicine/)**

 [ Call Today! (815) 271-7300 ](tel:8152717300) 

##   Understand Your Body, Take Charge of Your Health    

### Knowledge is power. We’re here to help you take charge of your health.

[Check out our wellness resource blog here to get more valuable information.](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/blog/)

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=1721&action=edit)  [ ![YK_Blog Headers](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/YK_Blog-Headers.png "YK_Blog Headers") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/03/10/the-forgotten-hormone/) 

## [Testosterone – The Forgotten Hormone: Why Women Deserve Better Than a 1/10 Pump of a Man’s Prescription](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2026/03/10/the-forgotten-hormone/)

Testosterone – The Forgotten Hormone: Why Women Deserve Better Than a 1/10 Pump of a Man’s Prescription

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=345&action=edit)  [ ![mammograms](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/mammograms.jpg "mammograms") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/its-time-for-informed-consent-about-mammograms/) 

## [It’s Time for Informed Consent about Mammograms](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/its-time-for-informed-consent-about-mammograms/)

It’s Time for Informed Consent about Mammograms

   [Edit Post](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=349&action=edit)  [ ![The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Rebel-Medical-Doctor.jpg "The-Rebel-Medical-Doctor") ](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/the-reluctant-rebel-medical-doctor/) 

## [The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/2025/01/04/the-reluctant-rebel-medical-doctor/)

The (Reluctant) Rebel Medical Doctor

##   Shop Our Store    

Find essential oils, supplements, and self-care products. Clients receive special discounts. Learn more by talking to our team!

 [ Browse Products ](https://renewwellnessemporium.com) 

#### Stop surviving on caffeine and willpower!

#### Grab my free eBook and go From Fatigued To Fabulous!

 [ ![Home SR](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Vitality-e-book-graphic.jpg "Home SR") ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/fatigue-optin) 

 [ Download: From Fatigued to Fabulous ](https://go.yvonnekarneymd.com/fatigue-optin) 

##   Featured In    

 ![Heading](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Heading-1024x1024-300x300.png "Heading") 

 ![Heading (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Heading-1-1024x1024-300x300.png "Heading (1)") 

 ![featured01](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/featured01-300x300.jpg "featured01") 

 ![appearances07](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances07-300x300.jpg "appearances07") 

 ![featured03](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/featured03-300x300.jpg "featured03") 

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 ![featured09](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/featured09-300x300.jpg "featured09") 

 ![featured10](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/featured10-300x300.jpg "featured10") 

 ![HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women-1024x1024-300x300.webp "HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women") 

 ![Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51-300x300.webp "Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51") 

 ![Heading (4)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Heading-4-300x300.png "Heading (4)") 

 ![300x300bb](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/300x300bb-300x300.webp "300x300bb") 

 ![1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640-300x300.png "1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640") 

   ![Self Picture](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Self-Picture-1024x1024-200x200.jpeg "Self Picture") 

## Thoughtful care, guided by experience.

I’m Dr. Yvonne Karney, a physician who believes medicine works best when we slow down, listen carefully, and treat the whole person — not just lab values or diagnoses.

Over the years, I’ve seen how often patients are left feeling unheard or rushed. Functional medicine allows me to practice the kind of medicine I believe in: thoughtful, science-based, and deeply personalized.

At Vitality Renewal, care is guided by three core principles:

- **Listen first** — your story matters
- **Look deeper** — symptoms don’t happen in isolation
- **Partner together** — healing works best when you’re informed and supported

This isn’t about doing more medicine — it’s about doing better medicine

###   Common Questions Answered   To Your Functional Medicine Questions  

Real Answers from Crystal Lake’s Hormone and Functional Medicine Experts

##   Health Condition FAQs    

- [   What are the signs of hormone imbalance in women? ](#acc-9top148-0) 

    Common signs of hormone imbalance include chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, brain fog and difficulty concentrating, unexplained weight gain (especially around the abdomen), mood swings, anxiety or depression, irregular or heavy periods, hot flashes and night sweats, low libido, hair loss or thinning, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues. At Vitality Renewal, we use comprehensive hormone testing to identify which specific hormones are out of balance and create a personalized treatment plan.
- [   Why am I so tired all the time even though I sleep enough? ](#acc-9top148-1) 

    Persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep usually indicates an underlying issue beyond simple sleep deprivation. Common root causes include thyroid dysfunction (even subclinical hypothyroidism), adrenal fatigue or cortisol imbalance, hormone deficiencies (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies (iron, B12, vitamin D, magnesium), blood sugar imbalances, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Functional medicine testing can identify your specific cause.
- [   Can hormone imbalance cause weight gain? ](#acc-9top148-2) 
    
     Yes — but it’s not that simple, and the *why* matters enormously.
    
     
    
    Hormonal shifts in midlife absolutely contribute to weight gain. Declining estrogen changes where your body stores fat. High cortisol from chronic stress raises insulin, which signals your body to store fat. Low testosterone reduces muscle mass, slowing your metabolism. These are real and significant drivers.
    
     
    
    But here’s what most doctors miss: hormones and weight gain often share the same root cause — damage to your mitochondria, the energy-producing powerhouses inside your cells. When toxins and chronic inflammation damage your mitochondrial membranes, your cells literally lose their ability to produce energy efficiently. The result? Your metabolism slows, you gain weight, you’re exhausted, and your brain feels like it’s wrapped in fog.
    
     
    
    It’s the same toxic and inflammatory load that damages hormone receptors, making your hormones less effective even when levels look “normal” on labs.
    
     
    
    So yes, hormone imbalance can cause weight gain. But chasing hormones alone without addressing the underlying inflammation and toxic burden is like trying to drive a car with a broken engine — you can put in all the right fuel and it still won’t run right.
    
     
    
    The key isn’t just *what* your hormone levels are. It’s *why* they’re off in the first place.
- [   What lab tests do you use that regular doctors don't? ](#acc-9top148-3) 
    
     The honest answer might surprise you: many of the tests I use are standard blood tests available at any lab — the difference is that I order far more comprehensive panels, and I interpret the results looking for *optimal* function, not just “normal range.”
    
     
    
    That distinction is everything. Normal range is a statistical equation set to include 90% of the population. It doesn’t mean those people are healthy or thriving. I can’t tell you how many patients have walked through my door with labs their doctor called “completely normal” — yet they were exhausted, gaining weight, and couldn’t think straight. When I looked at those same labs through an optimal lens, the picture told a very different story.
    
     
    
    Beyond more comprehensive traditional testing, I also use functional medicine tests when indicated: urine hormone testing (DUTCH test) for detailed hormone metabolism, salivary cortisol testing to assess adrenal rhythm, comprehensive stool analysis for gut and microbiome health, and urine toxic elements testing for heavy metal and environmental toxin burden.
    
     
    
    More tests. Deeper interpretation. A completely different standard for what “good” actually looks like.
- [   Do you treat thyroid problems? ](#acc-9top148-4) 

    Yes, thyroid dysfunction is one of our specialties. We treat hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, subclinical hypothyroidism, and thyroid hormone resistance. Unlike conventional treatment that often only checks TSH, we run complete thyroid panels and look at the entire picture—not just whether you’re making enough thyroid hormone, but whether your body is converting it properly and whether it’s getting into your cells effectively.
- [   What is the difference between regular HRT and bioidentical hormones? ](#acc-9top148-5) 

    Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to the hormones your body produces naturally, derived from plant sources like yams and soy. Conventional HRT often uses synthetic hormones or hormones from animal sources (like pregnant mare urine in Premarin) that are similar but not identical to human hormones. Bioidentical hormones can be customized to your specific needs and typically have fewer side effects because your body recognizes them as identical to what it produces.

##   Functional Medicne FAQs    

- [   What causes chronic fatigue in women over 40? ](#acc-33l0148-0) 

    Chronic fatigue in women over 40 typically stems from hormone imbalances (particularly thyroid, estrogen, and progesterone decline), cortisol dysregulation from chronic stress, insulin resistance, nutritional deficiencies (especially B12, iron, and vitamin D), and mitochondrial dysfunction. At Vitality Renewal in Crystal Lake, we use comprehensive lab testing to identify your specific root causes rather than just treating symptoms.
- [   How do I know if my fatigue is hormone-related? ](#acc-33l0148-1) 

    Hormone-related fatigue often comes with specific patterns: worsening fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep, brain fog that affects your ability to concentrate, unexplained weight gain especially around the midsection, mood swings or irritability, and changes in your menstrual cycle or hot flashes. Our hormone quiz can help you identify if hormones are contributing to your exhaustion. We serve patients throughout McHenry County and the greater Chicago northwest suburbs.
- [   What's the difference between functional medicine and traditional medicine for hormone issues? ](#acc-33l0148-2) 
    
     Here’s the fastest way I can explain it: traditional medicine asks “are you normal?” Functional medicine asks “are you *thriving*?”
    
     
    
    When you walk into a traditional doctor’s office feeling exhausted, foggy, and like a stranger in your own body, they run labs and compare your results to something called “normal range.” What most people don’t realize is that normal range is just a statistical equation — it’s set to include 90% of the population. It has nothing to do with optimal. It has nothing to do with feeling good. And frankly, I’d argue that 90% of people are not thriving.
    
     
    
    So when your doctor looks up from your labs and says “everything looks fine” — they may be technically correct by that standard. But you know you’re not fine. That’s not in your head.
    
     
    
    The other critical difference: traditional medicine is built around managing symptoms. Fatigue? Here’s an antidepressant. Can’t sleep? Here’s a sleeping pill. Anxious? Here’s another prescription. Nothing wrong with treating symptoms when needed — but if we never ask *why* those symptoms are there, we’re just putting a very expensive band-aid on a problem that keeps growing underneath.
    
     
    
    Functional medicine starts with a completely different question: *what is causing this?* We dig into root causes — hormone imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, toxin burden, gut health, stress — and we interpret your labs looking for optimal function, not just “not abnormal.”
    
     
    
    Same labs. Completely different lens. Completely different outcomes.
- [   Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy safe? ](#acc-33l0148-3) 
    
     This is probably the question we get most often at Vitality Renewal — and our answer is: yes, when three critical components are in place.
    
     
    
    **The right hormones.** Bioidentical means molecularly identical to what your body has always made. This matters because hormone receptors are exquisitely specific — they’re designed for *your* hormones, not a pharmaceutical approximation of them.
    
     
    
    **The right levels.** Testing is non-negotiable. Not just checking a box — actually optimizing. Estrogen and progesterone must be balanced with each other, not just within some broad “normal” range. Too much estrogen relative to progesterone creates its own set of problems. This is why at Vitality Renewal we never prescribe hormones without comprehensive testing, and why we don’t just test once and walk away.
    
     
    
    **The right metabolism.** This is the piece most providers skip entirely — and it’s crucial for safety. Even if hormone levels look perfect in the blood, *how your body breaks down and eliminates those hormones* determines your risk profile. At Vitality Renewal we use urine hormone testing to monitor hormone metabolites and ensure your body is processing hormones through the safest pathways. If it’s not, we address that directly.
    
     
    
    With over 30 years of OB/GYN experience and 14 years specializing in BHRT, we’ve learned that the fear around hormone therapy almost always comes from studies that used the wrong hormones at the wrong doses with zero metabolic monitoring. Done correctly, BHRT doesn’t just feel safe — for the right woman, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for long-term health.
- [   Can you fix hormone problems without taking hormones? ](#acc-33l0148-4) 

    Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many factors affect hormone function beyond just hormone levels—including stress management, sleep quality, nutrition, gut health, liver function, and inflammation. We look at your hormones like a locksmith: both the key (the hormone itself) and the lock (the receptor) need to work properly. We optimize diet, address nutrient deficiencies, reduce inflammation, support detoxification, and balance blood sugar. In some cases, this is enough. In others, hormone replacement is needed alongside these lifestyle changes for optimal results.
- [   What symptoms indicate you need functional medicine instead of traditional care? ](#acc-33l0148-5) 
    
     At Vitality Renewal, we actually see two very different kinds of patients — and both deserve better than what traditional medicine typically offers.
    
     
    
    The first is someone who is relatively healthy but refuses to settle for “fine.” They want to perform at their best, think sharply, maintain their energy, and optimize every aspect of their health — not just avoid disease. Traditional medicine has very little to offer this person. If your labs don’t show anything glaringly wrong, the conventional system essentially has nothing for you. We do.
    
     
    
    The second is someone who is struggling — and has often been struggling for years. They come to us with fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, brain fog that makes them feel like they’re thinking through wet concrete, unexplained weight gain despite doing everything “right,” mood swings, poor sleep, low libido, and a general sense that they’re no longer themselves. They’ve been to their doctor. Maybe multiple doctors. And they’ve been handed a sleeping pill, an antidepressant, a birth control pill — or worse, told “this is just normal for your age.”
    
     
    
    It is not normal. It is common. There’s a significant difference.
    
     
    
    If any of this sounds familiar, traditional medicine isn’t failing you because you’re unfixable. It’s failing you because it’s only designed to identify and treat diagnosed disease — not to find the underlying reasons why you feel the way you do.
    
     
    
    That’s exactly what we do at Vitality Renewal. Whether you’re chasing optimal or just trying to feel like yourself again, we’re looking for root causes, not just symptom management. You deserve answers, not dismissal.

#### Ready to take the next step?

If you’re feeling stuck, unheard, or unsure where to turn next, a conversation can help bring clarity. Your first visit is an opportunity to be heard, ask questions, and decide if this approach is right for you.

There’s no pressure and no obligation — just a thoughtful starting point.

 [ Schedule a Consultation ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) 

  ![Health-Coaching-picture-scaled](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Health-Coaching-picture-scaled-1-1024x683-933x647.jpg "Health-Coaching-picture-scaled")

---

### [Practice Policies](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/practice-policies/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

## Practice Policies

### Wellness searches for new levels of excellence.

**Digital Requirements**

We use an electronic medical record, and communicate mostly through our patient portal. After each visit, a summary of recommendations will be available to you in your portal. Please make sure you are comfortable with this. You will need a valid email address and have just enough computer savvy to check your email and log-in to the portal in order to get the most benefit from our practice.

Virtual visits are an option, and are scheduled exactly like regular in-office visits. Make sure to check with your insurance company regarding their rules on reimbursement for virtual visits, as not all insurances cover them.

**Insurance**

None of the providers at Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine are contracted with insurance companies–they are out-of-network providers. If you have a PPO insurance, you may submit a form to your insurance to recoup a portion of your costs. We will provide you with the necessary codes in the form of a “super bill”. HMO insurances do not reimburse for out-of-network providers.

**Medicare Information**

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine does not participate in Medicare. If you are a Medicare Part B beneficiary and wish to become a patient, per Medicare guidelines you are required to accept the terms and conditions set forth in a Private Contract between you and the practice. This Private Contract provides that absolutely no Medicare payments will be made to you or to Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine for the services provided, even if such services are normally covered by Medicare. Under the Private Contract, you acknowledge that you accept full responsibility for the payment of charges for all services rendered by the providers.

**Lab Testing**

Most insurances will cover testing from conventional labs. Your provider may also recommend testing from research and functional-medicine lab companies, which may not be covered. You will be advised of the reason for the testing and possible out-of-pocket expenses of functional-medicine labs prior to committing to do them. Insurance companies may deem that some labs are “experimental” and deny coverage. If coverage for labs is crucial to you, you should contact your insurance company to inquire. In general, we do not do pre-approval requests for labs, as it has been our experience that if the company requires this the answer is universally “not covered” for reasons of being considered “experimental”. We DO have the option for in-office testing at about a 90% cash discount for those who have no coverage or poor coverage for labs.

**Late Arrival/Cancellation**

At least 2 business-days notice is required for cancellations. We are reserving time for you in our schedule, and potentially turning patients away to give you a reserved appointment time. If you cancel less than 2 business-days before your appointment time, or no-show an appointment, you will be charged $100.

**Test Results**

We will notify you if any of your lab results require urgent action. Otherwise, test results will be reviewed at your next scheduled appointment. Results for test kits that are sent to specialized labs generally have a 3-4 week turnaround time, so please be sure to schedule a follow up appointment approximately 4 weeks from the time you submit test kits.

**Primary Care Physician**

We can serve as your primary care provider, with the exception that we do not do acute-care visits. If you need an acute-care visit you would have to go to an immediate care or similar facility.

  ![Practice Policies](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/vitality-tree-white.png "Practice Policies") 

##### We only accept clients we believe will be successful with our approach. For this reason, we require an application and a Vitality Review as a prerequisite to acceptance into the practice.

Expect to spend about 20 minutes discussing your concerns and we will give you an honest assessment of whether we think we can help you achieve your goals.

 [ Apply To Unlock A Vitality Review ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2)

---

### [More Than 3 Imbalances](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/more-than-3-imbalances/)

**Published:** February 13, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## More Than 3 Imbalances

##### Wow… You’re an overachiever! You scored high on AT LEAST 4 hormone imbalance symptoms!
That’s going above and beyond with hormone issues!

##### Need personal support? [**Here’s a link**](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app-v2) to request a call to learn if we’re a good fit to work together!

##### Here’s the list of all the potential Hormone Imbalances for which this quiz screened.
Follow the links for the ones you scored high on to learn more.

##### **Pre-menopause (still having periods)**

##### [High Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-estrogen-premenopause/)
[Low Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-estrogen-premenopause/)
[Both High & Low Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-estrogen-premenopause/)

##### **Post-menopause (no period in a year)**

##### [High Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-estrogen-postmenopause/)
[Low Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-estrogen-postmenopause/)
[Both High & Low Estrogen](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-estrogen-postmenopause/)

##### **The below categories are the same, regardless of menopause status:**

##### [High Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-testosterone/)
[Low Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-testosterone/)
[Both High & Low Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-testosterone/)

##### [High Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-cortisol/)
[Low Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-cortisol/)
[Both High & Low Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-cortisol/)

##### [Low Thyroid](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-thyroid/)
[High Insulin](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-insulin/)
[High Histamine](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-histamine/)

---

### [Tools We Use](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tools-we-use/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Tools We Use

##### The list below is a sampling of the modalities we use. It is not meant to make you feel like you have to decide what you need! We will guide you! The bottom line is that we are here for YOU and will use many different therapies to help you achieve your best health. We want you to have VITALITY, with ENERGY and FOCUS!

  ![Affectionate couple smiling](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/middle-age-couple.jpg "Affectionate couple smiling") 

### Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Are you suffering from hot flashes Do you have less energy than you used to? Are you tipping the scales lately and don’t know why? Are you struggling from brain fog or difficulty making decisions? It may be due to critically low hormones.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/bio-identical-hormone-replacement-therapy/) 

  ![Untitled-design-8](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-8.png "Untitled-design-8") 

### Neurofeedback Therapy

Neurofeedback specifically monitors brainwaves, looks for irregularities, then produces a signal that is designed to correct the irregularity and guide the brainwave back into a healthy pattern. The amazing technology works by aligning brainwaves to a healthy pattern while you are engaged in a movie or music.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/neurofeedback-therapy/) 

  ![Untitled-design-2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-2-1.png "Untitled-design-2") 

### Frequency Specific Microcurrent

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) was developed by Dr. Carolyn McMakin in 1995. Microcurrent devices deliver frequencies and current in millionths of an amp (about 1/1000 the strength of a TENS unit).

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/frequency-specific-microcurrent/) 

  ![far-infrared-sauna1-e1544464016316](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/far-infrared-sauna1-e1544464016316.jpg "far-infrared-sauna1-e1544464016316") 

### Far Infrared Sauna

Detoxify your body at the cellular level, reduce blood pressure, and lose weight. Far infrared sauna therapy heats the body directly rather than simply warming the air. It raises the core body temperature and produces a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where most toxins reside.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/far-infrared-sauna/) 

  ![Peptide-therapy-whatwedo](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Peptide-therapy-whatwedo.png "Peptide-therapy-whatwedo") 

### Peptide Therapy

Peptides are small groups of amino acids, sequenced together. They are similar to hormones in that they are signaling molecules, but they are not hormones, because they don’t have receptors on the cell membrane.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/peptide-therapy/) 

  ![Screenshot](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/genomics-whatwedo.jpg "Screenshot") 

### Genomics

Genomics allows us to do true precision medicine. YOU are unique. What works for someone else may not work for you, and a genomic evaluation can help predict that. Let’s use the information locked in your DNA to harness your full potential!

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/genomics/) 

  ![LDN](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/LDN-whatwedo.jpg "LDN") 

### Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is well-studied to be used for immune system modulation. That means to stabilize the immune system! Because it is a stabilizer (as opposed to something that either enhances or blunts) it is used for BOTH autoimmunity and cancer.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/low-dose-naltrexone/) 

  ![Raised hands catching sun on sunset sky. Concept of spirituality, wellbeing, positive energy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/hands-sun.jpg "Raised hands catching sun on sunset sky. Concept of spirituality, wellbeing, positive energy") 

### RENEW MethodTM Programs for Complex Chronic Illness

You were made to be resilient! It takes a lot of things going wrong in order to develop a chronic illness. We want to help you reclaim your health by learning what went wrong and making it right again!

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/functional-medicine-approach-to-chronic-illness/) 

  ![Untitled-design-4-1](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-4-1.png "Untitled-design-4-1") 

### Health Coaching

At Vitality Renewal we don’t just tell you what to do and leave you on your own! We make a plan together WITH you, and then we make sure you have the tools you need to succeed! Health coaching is exactly one of those tools.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/health-coaching/) 

  ![Untitled-design-9](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-9.png "Untitled-design-9") 

### Laboratory Testing

At Vitality Renewal we offer the best blend of traditional laboratory testing AND functional medicine testing. When we meet to review the results, expect a detailed explanation along with a comparison of your results to OPTIMUM and not just “normal range”.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/laboratory-testing/) 

  ![functional-medicine-e1543512481213](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/functional-medicine-e1543512481213.png "functional-medicine-e1543512481213") 

### Why Functional Medicine?

Because wellness is so much more than the absence of disease! YOU are unique! True health cannot be achieved by cookie-cutter methods. Let’s get to the ROOT of what is causing your issues so you can break free and finally feel like yourself again! Otherwise it’s just a bandaid.

 [ LEARN MORE ](https://vitalityrenewal.org/why-functional-medicine/) 

NEW Women’s Intimate Rejuvenation

 LEARN MORE

---

### [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/frequently-asked-questions/)

**Published:** January 3, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Frequently Asked Questions

- [   Do I have to come in person to my visits or can we meet by video or phone? ](#acc-bf6z831-0) 

    If you live in Illinois, any visit can be virtual. If you live outside of Illinois the first visit must be in person. Please note that even if you live in Illinois, it is highly encouraged to come in-person for the first visit.
- [   Besides my condition or symptoms, what are the things that would make me a good fit? ](#acc-bf6z831-1) 

    The 3 most important things are that you value your health, that you are committed to growth and that you are coachable. Dr. Karney sees people improve their health when they follow the protocols and dedicate the necessary time to healing.
- [   Does insurance cover services at Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine? ](#acc-bf6z831-2) 

    Insurance may pay a portion of the office visits conducted during the program. You will be provided access to a super-bill at each visit that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- [   What is unique about Dr. Karney's approach? ](#acc-bf6z831-3) 

    She is here to partner with you on your health journey. While she will make suggestions to you that she believes will help to improve your health, she acknowledges the importance of autonomy, and that the ultimate person in charge of your health is YOU. The number one focus is getting YOU well. Dr. Karney is open to anything that is going to help expedite the process.
    
    It is also important to Dr. Karney to help you learn the “why” behind any recommendations and protocols. Behind the scenes, Dr. Karney is constantly researching, and communicating with colleagues around the world on the best approaches to achieve healing. She is always learning and staying in touch with the most cutting-edge research.
- [   What is unique about Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine? ](#acc-bf6z831-4) 

    1. The WHOLE team is here for ONE reason–to help you achieve your health goals!
    2. We are dedicated to helping you find the underlying root cause of what is causing your problems.
    3. We use a combination of traditional labs and functional labs to get the full picture of your health AND we interpret the labs results compared to OPTIMUM rather than “normal range”.
    4. We are constantly researching and evaluating new methods for reaching best health so that we can offer you the best cutting-edge therapies.

---

### [Breast Imaging - Backup](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/breast-imaging-2/)

**Published:** January 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## **The Future of Breast Imaging is Here**

###### **Clear, Comfortable, and Compassionate Imaging for Every Woman**

  No Compression (aka SQUISH) 

  No Radiation 

  Excellent Image Quality 

 [ REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ](https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/vdF66dzQO2dXr4NbgLcs) 

 ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/qlarity-breast-imaging.jpg "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

*Image provided courtesy of QT Imaging and used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Breast Imaging Statistics– Why Change is Needed!**

 ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/pink-black-women-graphic.png "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

# 50%

50% of women have dense breasts, placing them at increased risk of breast cancer.

# 2024

This year, more than 250,000 U.S. Women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

# 80%

80% of callback biopsies are benign. A goal of QT is to decrease the number of unnecessary biopsies by identifying benign cysts and micro calcifications in the screening phase.

# 35%

35% of women aged 40–70 do not get screened and may have the risk of having breast cancer.

# 65%

Of the 65% of women who do get screened, many suffer through unnecessary callbacks.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Frequently Asked Questions**

- [   How Do I Book A Scan? ](#acc-ssgk002-0) 

    You can schedule your scan online by calling the office hotline.
- [   Who can book a QT scan? ](#acc-ssgk002-1) 

    The QT scan is available to women of all ages who are interested in evaluating breast health.
- [   Do I need a referral to have a scan done? ](#acc-ssgk002-2) 

    No. We are offering the scan to women without a referral.
- [   Do I need to become a patient at Vitality Renewal to have a scan? ](#acc-ssgk002-3) 

    No. We are offering this revolutionary technology to all interested women, whether or not they are patients in our functional medicine practice.
- [   What’s the difference between a screening, diagnostic and follow-up scan? ](#acc-ssgk002-4) 

    **A SCREENING scan is for a woman who:**

    1. Has no significant breast concerns
    2. Reports they are here for screening;
    3. They may have an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer (family history or genetic issue) but as long as they’ve never had an abnormal biopsy
    4. Breast implants can still be considered screening as long as meet other criteria
    
    ##### A DIAGNOSTIC scan will be defined as a scan done on a woman who

    1. Has breast-related symptoms like 
        - Breast lump, skin or nipple change, or other breast complaint
        - Cyclic breast tenderness or generalized tenderness of life-long duration does NOT count as symptomatic

        - Known breast cancer current or past
        - Prior abnormal pathology on breast biopsy: 
            - Atypia, hyperplasia, cancer
            - Fibroadenoma is NOT abnormal pathology
            - If they don’t know the pathology then will need a diagnostic scan

            1. Requires interpretation and correlation with outside breast images (including mammograms, handheld ultrasound, automated breast ultrasound, breast thermography and breast MRI patient)
            2. Desires a “second opinion” regarding confirmation of findings from other medical providers or breast consultants
            
            ##### A FOLLOW-UP scan is one recommended by interpreting radiologist in lieu of a breast biopsy. Must be performed at same facility and within 6 months of original scan.
- [   How much does the scan cost? ](#acc-ssgk002-5) 

    Screening scan: $700
    
    Diagnostic scan: $775
    
    Follow-up scan of single breast done at this facility within 6 months: $350
- [   Who reads the scan? ](#acc-ssgk002-6) 

    The scans are analyzed by a radiologist with special training in breast MRI and QT Technology imaging.
- [   How long does it take to get results and how do I get them? ](#acc-ssgk002-7) 

    The results will be delivered to you online in the portal within 1 week of your scan.
- [   What if my results are normal? ](#acc-ssgk002-8) 

    The technology is so sophisticated that if your results are normal and you are at average risk, you can wait 2 years for a repeat scan. If you are at high risk, annual screening is recommended.

- [   What if my results are abnormal? ](#acc-gp7x222-0) 

    If there is a concern on your scan, the radiologist will make a recommendation for either:
    
    Biopsy. This is if there’s enough concern that it is cancerous. Some specialists will require a mammogram prior to doing a biopsy. We hope this changes as QT imaging gets more exposure.
    
    Short-interval follow-up to evaluate doubling time. This is an excellent feature of QT. Doubling time can be used to help determine if the lesion is truly serious. Agressive cancer replicates quickly, with a short doubling time, whereas benign lesions and non-aggressive cancers have a longer time. Using doubling time can help avoid unnecessary biopsies, as well as overdiagnosis and overtreatment of very slow growing cancers.
    
    If your results require a biopsy we will advise you to follow up with a breast surgeon. We will provide you with options for this consultation.
- [   How can I share them with my General Practitioner? ](#acc-gp7x222-1) 

    You will have access to the report on the portal and can either print a copy or e-send it directly to your doctor.
- [   What if I have dense breasts? ](#acc-gp7x222-2) 

    This is an excellent test for women with dense breasts.
- [   Can Pregnant women get the procedure done? ](#acc-gp7x222-3) 

    This test is not cleared for pregnant women.
- [   How soon after giving birth can I have a scan? ](#acc-gp7x222-4) 

    Breast feeding is not a contraindication to a QT scan. However, unless you have a specific concern, it may be better to wait until you are done breast feeding, as the breast tissue varies quite a lot during breast feeding.
- [   What if I have breast implants? ](#acc-gp7x222-5) 

    Because there is no compression, the QT scan is an excellent choice for women with implants. There is no risk of implant rupture with a QT scan.
- [   Will this be accepted by my general practitioner in place of a Mammogram? ](#acc-gp7x222-6) 

    The QT scan is not considered by the FDA or the general medical establishment to be a replacement for a mammogram.
- [   How do I prepare for a scan? ](#acc-gp7x222-7) 

    We recommend showering the night before or the morning of your scan. Please do not use lotion, powder, or any other products on your breasts. If you have open sores or wounds on your breasts, we will need to reschedule your appointment until it heals.

## **Comparison of Breast Imaging Options**

 ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/breast-imaging-comparison.jpg "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

*Images provided courtesy of QT Imaging and used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Clarity is Key at Qlarity Breast Imaging**

Come experience this technology if you have:

- Dense breasts (superior images with less call-backs)
- Breast implants (no compression)
- A family history breast cancer requiring more frequent imaging
- Opted-out of mammograms
- Want additional imaging for peace of mind

 [ REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ](https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/WiF7wcOUtv1a1s8gHc4d) 

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Every Woman Deserves Clarity and Comfort**

At Qlarity, we use the revolutionary QT Technology that provides true 3D images of the breast, down to a few hundred cells. It measures the speed of sound through tissue and has the potential to distinguish between different types of tissue.

And the best part? It does all this WITHOUT painful compression or harmful radiation.

You do not need a referral or to become a member of our clinic to book your appointment. We offer this service a la carte to benefit our community and improve women’s breast health.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **What Women Are Saying**

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

## **Traveling to Qlarity for your Scan?**

  ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Office-Sign-400x277-1.jpeg "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

- **Airport:** O’Hare International Airport (We are about 50 minutes from the airport)
- **Metra Train:** UP-NW Union Pacific Northwest, Crystal Lake stop
- **Overnight Accommodations:**  We recommend staying near O’Hare Airport or in Schaumburg and driving to Crystal Lake for your appointment. This will give you more lodging and dining options.

*This material is provided courtesy of QT Imaging and is used pursuant to permission from QT Imaging, LLC.*

**Location**

Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine

31 N. Virginia St, Suite 101

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone: (815) 980-7429

**Imaging Hours**

Monday– Friday: 9 am – 5 pm

1st & 3rd Saturdays: 8:45 am-12:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

  ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/vitality-renewal-logo-350.png "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

 [ REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT ](https://link.fgfunnels.com/widget/form/WiF7wcOUtv1a1s8gHc4d) 

 ![Breast Imaging – Backup](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/qlarity-breast-imaging.jpg "Breast Imaging – Backup") 

*QTSCAN and QT IMAGING are trademarks of QT Imaging, Inc and manufactures of the machine. Qlarity Breast Imaging uses the QT Imaging machine and is not a direct affiliate of QT Imaging, Inc.*

---

### [Peptide Therapy](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/peptide-therapy/)

**Published:** March 17, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

### Peptide Therapy

##### Peptides are small groups of amino acids, sequenced together. They are similar to hormones in that they are signaling molecules, but they are not hormones, because they don’t have receptors on the cell membrane.

### Peptides direct a wide range of biologic processes including:

          ■ Hormone production
          ■ Cellular repair
          ■ Immune system support
          ■ Libido/sexual function
          ■ Metabolism
          ■ Inflammation reduction
          ■ Neural protection

Peptide therapy involves injecting the peptide compound into your hip, lower abdomen or thigh with a very small needle, similar to what is used to inject insulin or administer allergy testing. While some companies make oral versions of peptides, the concern is that the digestive process will break down the specific sequence; and there’s no guarantee that the body will put it back together in the specific sequence that is needed to trigger the response.

Conditions treated with peptide therapy include:

          ■ Chronic Inflammation
          ■ Auto-Immunity
          ■ Fibromyalgia
          ■ Lyme Disease
          ■ Cancer

          ■ Weight management
          ■ Anti-Aging
          ■ Neurodegenerative diseases
          ■ Concussion and stroke recovery
          ■ Insomnia
          ■ Improving repair from injury

We may offer Peptide Therapy as a powerful component of your customized plan.

#####  

#####  

#####  

#####  

##### Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

##### We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

##### You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

##### Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

 [ APPLY TO UNLOCK A VITALITY REVIEW ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app)

---

### [Becoming A Client](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/becoming-a-client/)

**Published:** January 3, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

![Becoming A Client](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/vitality-renewal-logo-350.png "Becoming A Client") 

CALL TODAY!

[815-271-7300](tel:+1815-271-7300)

### NEW PATIENT APPLICATION

At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine, we want to PARTNER with you on your journey to optimal health. We are here for ONE reason–to help you achieve your health goals so you can live the life you were meant to live—**with ENERGY and FOCUS!**

##### We only accept clients into the practice who we believe will be successful– the first step is the application below.

![](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/down-arrows.png)

Please answer the following questions with 100% honesty so that we can learn more about you. While we would love to work with everyone, it is simply not possible. We limit acceptance of new patients to only those who are fully committed to restoring their health.

 Screening ToolName \* 

   Name   First Name  First Name

  Last Name  Last Name

 Email \*   

 Phone \*   

 How old are you? \*   

 How would you rate your physical energy level? (1 is poor, 10 is awesome) \*   

 How would you rate your mental clarity/ ability to focus & create? (1-10) \*   

 How would you rate your emotional well-being? (1-10) \*   

 What is your main issue you would like help with? \*   

 Tell us about your physical symptoms and how they affect your life.    

 What has stopped you from reaching your goals?    

 Did you have any success with these other practitioners? If so, what were your wins?    

Are you an IL resident?  

   Yes

   No

Are you able to come to Crystal Lake, Illinois for your first visit?  

   Yes

   No

 \* 

   I agree to terms & conditions provided by the company. By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the business.

 Submit Application 

   If you are human, leave this field blank.   

Δ

---

### [Low Estrogen - Postmenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-estrogen-postmenopause/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## Low Estrogen – Postmenopause

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF LOW ESTROGEN**

Low estrogen is the MOST common issue with menopause. Estrogen deficiency is real, and it leads to issues with:

- - Bone thinning
    - Blood vessel stiffening (increased risk of hypertension)
    - Immune dysfunction
    - Vaginal dryness (and eventual pain with attempted intimacy)
    - Accelerated skin aging
    - Cognitive decline

Of all these issues, cognitive decline is the biggest. Believe me… you DON’T want to outlive your brain!

##### **WOULD YOU CONSIDER HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?**

If you are like most of my patients, that question brings up a little anxiety. Yes, of course you want to feel better, but isn’t hormone replacement risky?

Unfortunately, I think traditional gynecology has totally missed the boat on HRT. They acknowledge the difficult transition into menopause, with the declining estrogen leading to hot flushes and poor sleep. But that’s about it. They recommend hormone therapy for about 5 years, to ease the transition, but that’s it.

Traditional gynecology also lumps all hormone options into the same bucket, but there’s a HUGE difference! This was actually one of my “aha moments” as a gynecologist, that I needed to find a better way to do things!

Numerous studies tout the benefits of hormone replacement therapy for quality of life, slowing down aging, improving brain health (memory–why did I walk into this room, where did I park…).

I’m a huge proponent that hormone replacement therapy, done right, is very beneficial for women.

But what is “done right”? There are THREE components to HRT safety:

1. 1. Use the RIGHT HORMONES. That sounds so basic!  Use the ones that have the same molecular structure as what your ovaries used to  make. This is BIOIDENTICAL. Please DON’T take fake hormones like premarin or provera. They are not the same. And PLEASE don’t take estrogen in a pill format.  It is so much safer in a cream or a patch. Estrogen taken in pill form gets mutilated by the liver to lead to inflammation and THAT is what causes an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
    2. Use the RIGHT BALANCE. You have to monitor levels. Unfortunately, this is not something I was taught to do in my traditional training. I was taught to use any hormone, at any dose to relieve symptoms. Oh, but make sure to get off them in 5 years or they may cause problems…
    3. Make sure your body DISPOSES of the hormones SAFELY. This is monitored with a urine study of estrogen metabolites. There are 3 different pathways for estrogen metabolism. Two are not harmful but one of them can cause harm. If you make too much of this ugly estrogen metabolite it can lead to estrogen problems. Luckily there are things to do to improve estrogen metabolism, but KNOWING the current pathways is the starting point.

If we follow the above three principles, then we can get all the benefits of hormone therapy, while minimizing the risk. We can maintain healthy brains to live our 2nd half of life to the fullest!

If you are menopausal and interested in starting HRT please reach out!  At Vitality Renewal Functional Medicine, we are experts at hormone replacement.  Let us help you get on the right track! If you are interested in exploring this option, [just reach out through this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) and my team will set you up with a call to see if we are a good fit to work together.

---

### [High Estrogen - Postmenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-estrogen-postmenopause/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Estrogen – Postmenopause

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH ESTROGEN**

First of all, I need to tell you there actually is no hormone called “estrogen”. We use this term to define three separate hormones with similar functions: estrone, estradiol and estriol. For simplicity though, I’ll use the term “estrogen”.

Estrogen and Progesterone are like dance partners and they need to be balanced for you to feel your best. When Estrogen is higher than Progesterone we call that “Estrogen Dominance”.

In menopause, too much estrogen is from a few possibilities:

- - Too high dose in hormone replacement
    - Not enough progesterone in your hormone replacement regime
    - Inability to properly dispose of estrogen
    - Xenoestrogens (toxins that mimic estrogen)
    - Conversion of testosterone to estrogen
    - Estrogen-secreting tumors (unlikely)

1. Too much estrogen or not enough progesterone
    
    This would be if you are taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT). At Vitality Renewal we monitor hormone levels in order to catch this, and make adjustments if necessary. It’s not difficult, but unfortunately regularly-trained Ob/Gyns don’t usually check this. That’s one of the reasons I left traditional Ob/Gyn!
2. Inability to dispose of estrogen
    
    In this case you may be on the right amount but you can’t dispose of estrogen properly, so it accumulates and ends up being too much. The key to healthy hormone metabolism is to use the hormones and then dispose of them. We certainly don’t want them hanging around indefinitely!
    
    Believe it or not this is most often related to gut health problems. Dysbiosis, or an abundance of unfriendly bacteria (aka a rowdy crowd) in your gut, can cause the estrogen that is supposed to be disposed of to get reabsorbed. Because you can’t get rid of the estrogen, it builds up and leads to too much over time…
    
    The treatment is to fix the gut! Decreasing processed foods and sugar will stop feeding the bad bacteria and is a great start.
3. Exposure to things that MIMIC estrogen–Xenoestrogens
    
    Plastics and many chemicals have a similar molecular shape to estrogen. In biochemistry shape determines function. So a similar shape will allow these molecules to attach to the estrogen receptor and trigger an estrogen response. This is pretty bad news, because the body cannot regulate this and shut off the estrogen. This leads to a massive increase in estrogen.
    
    The treatment is to detoxify. Stop the exposure and help your body get rid of the fake, ugly, xenoestrogens.
4. Weight struggles that lead to the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in fat tissue
    
    Testosterone can be converted to estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme is very prevalent in adipose (aka fat) tissue. This is likely a big part of the reason that obesity is considered a risk factor for estrogen-related cancers like breast, ovarian and endometrial (uterine) cancer.
    
    The treatment is to lose weight. Forgive me if this sounds too simple. It’s not. While dietary changes are certainly indicated for many people who struggle with weight, some people can’t seem to lose weight even on an appropriate nutrition plan. This is often from too much inflammation. Taking a deep dive into what is causing the inflammation may be necessary.
5. Estrogen secreting tumor
    
    This is very rare, but it needs to be considered. This is where a gynecologic evaluation would be beneficial. It is the least likely, but most serious of the possibilities. Work on the other things but don’t ignore this one…

While estrogen is important to healthy aging, you don’t want too much. If you would like to work with hormone experts, [just reach out to my team](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) and they will set you up with a call to see if we are a good fit to work together.

---

### [Both High and Low Estrogen - Premenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-estrogen-premenopause/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High and Low Estrogen
Premenopause

### **SIG****NIF****ICANCE OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW ESTROGEN**

While your estrogen levels will vary significantly during your normal menstrual cycles, you really shouldn’t have symptoms of too high or too low estrogen.

The exception to this is if you are taking fertility drugs that lead to wide fluctuations in estrogen levels.

Otherwise, it’s a symptom of a deeper issue, as discussed in the below video:

Need personalized help? Follow [this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to request an application call!

---

### [Low Estrogen - Premenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-estrogen-premenopause/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## Low Estrogen – Premenopause

### **SIG****NIF****ICANCE OF LOW ESTROGEN**

Either premature ovarian failure (early menopause) or a temporary condition called hypothalamic dysfunction.

Hypo–WHAT?? The hypothalamus is an area of our brain, the control center, the master hormone regulator. It secretes regulating hormones to stimulate the ovaries to do their job–ovulate and make hormones! In times of severe stress (physical, chemical or emotional) the hypothalamus will decide NOT to stimulate the ovaries. This is reversible, provided that the source of stress is resolved.

Physical stress is being underweight, or having a low body fat percent. Elite athletes can have this issue. Chemical stress is toxins. And emotional stress is, well, stress! During times of significant stress, the body is wise enough to acknowledge that getting pregnant is not a good idea. Therefore the brain will shut down the ovulation system, and hormone levels drop.

##### **TESTING TO CONSIDER**

Several tests may be helpful to determine your next best step:

1. Check your serum estradiol levels.  This hormone fluctuates widely during your menstrual cycle–ranges from 45 to 300 are common.
2. FSH and LH are the regulatory hormones from the hypothalamus.   If they are elevated then the diagnosis is menopause.  Depending on your age it is either expected or premature menopause.  If these hormones are not elevated then it is an issue with the hypothalamus…

If your issue is hypothalamic in nature (low estradiol as well as low FSH and LH) that will take some investigating to determine the cause.

##### **IMPORTANCE OF ESTROGEN**

There are sooooo many benefits of estrogen–bone health, skin elasticity, pelvic health, but the biggest one, in my opinion, is BRAIN health. Appropriate estrogen levels help maintain memory. We NEED our brains!

The big question, though, is WHY. You can take bioidentical estradiol while you figure out why your estrogen is so low, but, because the causes are potentially serious, that could lead to more problems over time, it’s important to KNOW the cause and then move forward with healing.

##### **ONE THING I DON’T RECOMMEND**

Your regular doctor may tell you just to take birth control pills, because it’s a quick fix. But I don’t like that plan. The estrogen in “the pill” is not the same as your body makes. Taking it orally leads to inflammation. Plus there’s the issue of the other health problems that would be associated with malnutrition, stress and toxins… Please don’t ignore this. Get help!

If you are ready to get help, reach out to my team and we can set you up with a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together. [Just follow this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to request a session.

---

### [High Estrogen - Premenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-estrogen-premenopause/)

**Published:** February 13, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Estrogen – Premenopause

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH ESTROGEN**

Another name for high estrogen is “Estrogen Dominance”.

First of all, I need to tell you there actually is no hormone called “estrogen”. We use this term to define three separate hormones with similar functions: estrone, estradiol and estriol. For simplicity though, I’ll use the term “estrogen”.

Estrogen and Progesterone are like dance partners and they need to be balanced for you to feel your best.

When Estrogen is higher than Progesterone we call that “Estrogen Dominance”. There are several possible reasons for Estrogen Dominance:

##### **NOT ENOUGH PROGESTERONE**

This is caused by failure to ovulate, or sometimes “luteal phase deficiency”, where you don’t make as much progesterone even when you ovulate. In this case, because you don’t make enough progesterone to balance the estrogen, you FEEL as if you have too much estrogen.

Treatment for this involves figuring out WHY you aren’t ovulating. In the meantime, you can balance your cycles by taking extra progesterone. This requires keeping track of your cycles and taking it at the appropriate “time of the month”.

If you’re not ovulating and you want to have a baby, this is obviously a problem… You might need fertility treatment, but ideally we could get you to start ovulating on your own, without fertility drugs.

##### **EXTRA ESTROGEN**

There are four causes of extra estrogen.

1. Inability to dispose of estrogen
    
    This is when your body makes the right amount (or you may be taking the right amount) but you can’t dispose of estrogen properly, so it accumulates and ends up being too much. The key to healthy hormone metabolism is to use the hormones and then dispose of them. We certainly don’t want them hanging around indefinitely!
    
    Believe it or not this is most often related to gut health problems. Dysbiosis, or an abundance of unfriendly bacteria (aka a rowdy crowd) in your gut, can cause the estrogen that is supposed to be disposed of to get reabsorbed. Because you can’t get rid of the estrogen, it builds up and leads to too much over time…
    
    The treatment is to fix the gut! Decreasing processed foods and sugar will stop feeding the bad bacteria and is a great start.
2. Exposure to things that MIMIC estrogen–Xenoestrogens
    
    Plastics and many chemicals have a similar molecular shape to estrogen. In biochemistry shape determines function. So a similar shape will allow these molecules to attach to the estrogen receptor and trigger an estrogen response. This is pretty bad news, because the body cannot regulate this and shut off the estrogen. This leads to a massive increase in estrogen.
    
    The treatment is to detoxify. Stop the exposure and help your body get rid of the fake, ugly, xenoestrogens.
3. Weight struggles that lead to the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in fat tissue
    
    Testosterone can be converted to estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. This enzyme is very prevalent in adipose (aka fat) tissue. This is likely a big part of the reason that obesity is considered a risk factor for estrogen-related cancers like breast, ovarian and endometrial (uterine) cancer.
    
    The treatment is to lose weight. Forgive me if this sounds too simple. It’s not. While dietary changes are certainly indicated for many people who struggle with weight, some people can’t seem to lose weight even on an appropriate nutrition plan. This is often from too much inflammation. Taking a deep dive into what is causing the inflammation may be necessary.
4. Fertility treatment
    
    If you’re receiving fertility drugs, then you might make a lot of estrogen in response to the medication. This is an expected occurrence in this situation.

##### **BEWARE OF A QUICK FIX WITH BIRTH CONTROL PILLS…**

Here’s where I’ve totally changed from the way I was trained as an OB/Gyn… The easy standard treatment for any estrogen/progesterone imbalance was hormonal birth control–either pill, patch, injection, or IUD. While these methods WILL help with heavy periods, they don’t address the underlying problem and they are NOT natural hormones. Over time, these very strong “fake” hormones can lead to health problems, even breast cancer. It really is best to address the ROOT and not just put a bandaid over the symptoms.

##### **NEED PERSONALIZED HELP?**

We are here for you! [Just follow this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to request a call where we will determine if we are a good fit to work together to get your hormones balanced.

---

### [High Histamine](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-histamine/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Histamine

### **SIGNIFICANC****E OF** **HIGH HISTAMINE**

You may be thinking that histamine isn’t a hormone, and you’d be partially right. Histamine is kind of a cross between a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It is released by the immune system during times of alarm.

So I’m going to be straight with you—this is a HUGE  red flag! It’s one of the most serious imbalances.  Your body is really struggling! There are 2 main causes of elevated histamine:

- - Allergies
    - Environmental toxic exposures (especially mold exposure)

If you have significant seasonal or food allergies, you need to do something to get them under control. Believe it or not, healing your gut by eliminating corn, wheat, dairy and processed foods can make a HUGE difference in your allergies.

If it’s not allergies then I’m concerned that your immune system has been knocked out of whack by toxins. This is something that traditional medicine calls Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) but they don’t really have an explanation for what causes it. I’ve seen it frequently in people exposed to toxic mold.

In addition to the miserable symptoms of unexplained rashes, swelling, hives, raging intestinal upset at the drop of a hat, headaches and anxiety, elevated histamine is worrisome because of its significance of immune system dysfunction.

You need your immune system primed and ready, but on stand-by, to fight viruses, bacteria and cancer. If your immune system is so alarmed that the mast cells are irritated and ready to dump histamine at any moment, then it’s not available to do the above important tasks. That’s why it’s a serious imbalance.

I urge you to take an inventory of your surroundings. Do you see visible mold anywhere? Is there a musty smell? Where there is a musty smell there IS mold nearby—guaranteed! If so, get a professional to come inspect and remediate. This will make a huge difference in your health for the rest of your life!

##### **DIGESTIVE ISSUES WITH HIGH HISTAMINE**

Do you ever notice that sometimes you are very sensitive to foods and other times you can eat them without an issue? I see this a lot in people with elevated histamine.

I explain this with my Histamine Bucket Analogy:

You have a bucket that holds histamine. If the bucket overflows you get miserable symptoms like unexplained rashes, swelling, hives, raging intestinal upset at the drop of a hat, headaches and anxiety

If you are exposed to things in the environment that stimulate immune system alarm, like allergens or toxins (like mold) then the immune system will trigger a release of histamine, maybe it’s just a small amount, so then if don’t have other sources of histamine you won’t have significant symptoms.

However, if you eat red meat, aged cheese, nuts or drink red wine these all contain histamine. Some days they may cause symptoms and other days you may tolerate them. On days when the rest of your immune system is calm and on stand-by, instead of irritated and ready to dump histamine at the drop of a hat, you may tolerate these foods. Then you have an exposure to a toxin (possibly one you are not aware of) and all of a sudden these foods cause horrible symptoms.

I actually see this a lot in my practice. It definitely causes frustration. And confusion in people who don’t realize the connection between histamine in the diet and histamine from toxic exposures…

If you are really struggling then you should consider a low histamine diet until things calm down. Here’s a link to a blog post I wrote that has information on low and high histamine foods.

##### **HOW TO TAKE ACTION**

If you have high histamine from environmental toxicity, you really should work with an expert. If you want to try it “on your own” then [here’s a good book to read](https://amzn.to/3y6UMMw). If you want to tackle this with the help of a guide, then reach out to my team and we’ll explore if we’re a good fit to work together. [Here’s the link to request a call](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app).

---

### [High Insulin](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-insulin/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Insulin

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH INSULIN**

This is a concern, because prolonged elevated insulin is very inflammatory. And inflammation is the root of illness. Now is the time for action!

Causes of elevated insulin are a high sugar/carbohydrate diet and the continuum of Insulin Resistance—>Pre-diabetes—>Type 2 Diabetes.

Insulin resistance is where your body has to make A LOT more insulin to control blood sugar than normal. This perpetual high insulin causes inflammation. Once it progresses to pre-diabetes your blood sugar starts to rise. When your blood sugar rises past a rather arbitrary threshold then you are given the diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

I’m going to be straight with you—high insulin is bad news! Studies now show that the health risks of insulin resistance are just as significant as overt diabetes. It is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and dementia. Yikes!

The good news is that it is REALLY amenable to lifestyle changes. That means you can make some changes that will have a huge impact on your health for the rest of your life.

Something you need to do ASAP is get your blood sugar, fasting insulin level and hemoglobin A1C level checked. This will tell you where you are on the continuum, and how urgently you need to take action.

##### **INTERMITTENT FASTING TO DECREASE INSULIN LEVELS**

Intermittent Fasting is simple. Compress your “eating window”, the hours a day in which you consume food or calories. A great method is to allow 16-18 hours from the end of food-intake one day to the start of food-intake the next day. This compresses your “eating window” to 6-8 hours. The result is lowered insulin, improved blood sugar, easier weight loss, and lower inflammation–all VERY GOOD THINGS! Make sure you do a “clean fast”. Black coffee, black tea and water are allowed during the fasting period. Don’t think you can cheat with cream in your coffee–that breaks the fast. I know… believe me, I know. Just put your big girl pants on and drink it black.

I have some personal experience with this. I have a family history of diabetes. Not long ago my blood sugar average was in the pre-diabetes range. Knowing this was a health-hazard, I had to take action. I decided to take up intermittent fasting. After I got over my initial temper-tantrum about black coffee, I did it. The results were impressive! I reversed the pre-diabetes, even though the time-frame encompassed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, AND my birthday and wedding anniversary… These are times when most people’s blood sugar goes UP, and not down.

##### **STRESS REDUCTION TO REDUCE INSULIN LEVELS**

You see, stress leads to high cortisol.. High cortisol increases blood sugar, and this leads to high insulin. Therefore, reducing stress will lead to improvements in insulin levels.

It sounds simple, because it is. Notice though, that I did NOT say “easy”. There’s a difference between simple and easy! Some people, me included, do not find relaxation an easy thing to do. Sure, I may LOOK relaxed, sitting in my chair, but what you don’t see is the hamster wheel going 100 miles-per-hour in my head!

That’s the thing. Stress has multiple forms, but they are ALL associated with high cortisol. A life threatening emergency and multi-tasking have the same biochemical effect–high cortisol, with its blood-sugar issues. So what can you do? Here’s some practical suggestions:

- - Practice gratitude. Start a gratitude journal.  Every morning take 5 minutes to write down 3 things you are grateful for.
    - Read a passage from a book that helps you focus on simplicity and beauty.
    - Practice focused mindfulness (aka meditation).  There are many sources available online. Some are free and others charge a nominal fee for access to guided meditations.
    - Spend time in nature.
    - Walk barefoot outside.
    - Sing or hum–this activates the vagus nerve, which is the “calm down” nerve that controls the opposite part of the nervous system.
    - Practice rhythmic breathing; deep breath over 4 seconds, hold for 3-4 seconds and exhale slowly over 4 seconds. Do that 5 times and you just spent a minute on stress reduction!

##### **IF YOU NEED HELP WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!**

[Just follow this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to learn about becoming a patient.  We are passionate about balancing hormones to help you live your best life!

---

### [Low Thyroid](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-thyroid/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## Low Thyroid

### **SIGNIFI****CANC****E OF LOW THYROID**

Thyroid hormone is absolutely essential to life! It stimulates making ENERGY. It is what turns on the lights and makes the conveyor belts run in your intracellular factories!

EVERY single cell in your body has thyroid hormone receptors on it. That is rare for hormones… Most are only active on certain cells, but thyroid hormone is needed by EVERY cell.

If you can’t make energy, you can’t do much.

So what causes low thyroid?

##### **HYPOTHYROIDISM**

This is where your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormone. In the USA, the #1 reason is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. That’s where your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. Eventually damaging it so much that the thyroid can’t make hormones, and you suffer.

It’s also a BIG RED FLAG of immune system dysfunction! God made your immune system to fight viruses, bacteria, and cancer, and if you have Hashimoto’s, it’s attacking YOU! I wrote a blog post on Hashimoto’s–link here.

##### **THYROID HORMONE METABOLISM PROBLEMS**

Your thyroid gland makes T4 (thyroxine), but your cells need T3 (tri-iodothyronine). Your body has to convert the T4 to T3 to get the benefits of thyroid hormone.

Here’s where it gets a little tricky! In times of stress, toxins, liver or kidney dysfunction and inflammation, your body will make a DIFFERENT hormone out of T4. Instead of T3 it makes Reverse-T3. Look at your TWO HANDS. They are similar (they both have 4 fingers and a thumb) but they are not interchangeable… Well, T3 is your right hand and RT3 is your left hand. It just so happens that the thyroid hormone receptor is a right-handed glove. Get the picture?

So making enough T4 is only half the picture. You also need to convert it to the active hormone. If you’re making RT3 instead of T3, you’ll FEEL hypothyroid, because you don’t have enough active hormone.

##### **FOR MORE INFORMATION**

[Here’s a link](https://youtu.be/4Cx3SnyTM5I) to a masterclass I held on thyroid function.

Here’s a link to a blog post I wrote: [Thyroid Tests you NEED to Get!](https://vitalityrenewal.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-thyroid-hormone/)

##### **IF YOU NEED HELP WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!**

[Just follow this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to learn about becoming a patient.  We are passionate about balancing hormones to help you live your best life!

---

### [High and Low Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-cortisol/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High and Low Cortisol

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW CORTISOL AT THE SAME TIME**

Can you even have BOTH high and low cortisol at the same time? Hmmm…. Well maybe, but it’s not good news!

It suggests that your adrenals (the glands responsible for making cortisol) are being constantly stimulated to crank out cortisol, and every now and then something causes the circuit to overload and short!

I’ve seen this happen in situations of

- - Prolonged Inflammation
    - Extreme stress
    - Environmental toxins
        Stealth infections

But I’ll tell you one thing it’s NOT—It’s NOT adrenal fatigue! I hear people use the term “adrenal fatigue” in functional-medicine circles, but that’s not a real thing. It’s a deeper issue than that. In the vast majority of cases it’s something with significant importance in the body (a higher control center) that suppresses the adrenals from making cortisol, not that they’re too tired!

##### **IF IT’S NOT ADRENAL FATIGUE… WHAT IS IT?**

It’s a symptom, not a root cause. The word “fatigue” implies that they just can’t do it anymore. But in the vast majority of cases if you STIMULATE the adrenals with an upper-level hormone, called ACTH, the adrenals will respond by releasing cortisol. In these cases (almost ALL cases of low cortisol) there is something else that is suppressing the adrenals from making cortisol. Kind of like a short circuit.

So then, what are the root causes of low cortisol?

##### **BRAIN SUPPRESSION OF ADRENAL FUNCTION**

In times of stress the adrenals pump out cortisol. It’s supposed to happen that way so that we are primed and ready to run from or fight the immediate threat. That’s called the stress (aka fight-or-flight) response. However, prolonged high cortisol is very irritating. It actually causes the brain cells to shrink–yikes!

Now, the brain is the CONTROL center–the mother-board. When it recognizes the irritation from the prolonged high cortisol it short circuits the switch, and BAM your cortisol levels go flat. And you feel like crap–depleted, exhausted, a complete lack of resiliency. The brain says “sorry guys, but I’m the control center! I know the rest of the body wants cortisol to get that get-up-and-go in the morning, but we can’t have the control center SHRINKING!”

It’s not that the adrenals are too tired, it’s that the brain has super-powers over the circuit and has the ability to flip the switch and turn it off in dire situations.

##### **IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPRESSION OF ADRENAL FUNCTION**

The other system that has the super-power to short-circuit the adrenals is the immune system. Cortisol suppresses the immune system. In cases of low-grade hidden infections (I call them “stealth infections”) the immune system has the ability to flip the switch and says “sorry guys, I know the rest of the body wants cortisol to get that get-up-and-go in the morning, but we are fighting invaders here and we need all hands on deck! We can’t afford to be suppressed by cortisol so we are short-circuiting the system!”

The above two cases, the brain and the immune system acting to short-circuit the adrenal stress response, are far more likely the reason for low cortisol than any other possibility. So it’s not fatigue, it’s the response of a system with high priority in the body, because of a dire situation.

Of course, there is a rare condition, Addison’s disease, where the adrenals really can’t respond by making hormones. This is very rare though, affecting only 1 in 100,000 people. It is FAR more likely to be a short-circuit issue.

##### **IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION!**

The ramifications of doing nothing are pretty severe.  If your adrenals are short-circuited you are headed for serious trouble.  It’s time to get testing done and then investigate which of the above causes is the issue for your low cortisol.

Unfortunately, traditional medicine is not well equipped to deal with adrenal dysfunction, unless it’s from the very rare Addison’s disease.  You really need to work with a functional medicine provider.

If you are ready to get help, reach out to my team and we can set you up with a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together. [Just follow this link ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app)to request a session.

---

### [Low Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-cortisol/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## Low Cortisol

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF LOW CORTISOL**

I’m going to be straight with you. Low cortisol is a serious matter!

Low cortisol signifies depletion. The inability to bounce back. It is actually one of the most serious hormone imbalances to have, because it usually indicates YEARS of ignoring warning signs. I bet you feel utterly exhausted!

NOW is the time to take care of your health, before it’s too late. You need some serious self care my friend! Need a place to start? Here you go–start this TODAY:

- 1. Bedtime tonight no later than 10 pm.
    2. First thing tomorrow morning when you wake up, drink a slightly warm glass of water with 1 tsp mineral salt and ½ lemon.

##### **LOW CORTISOL IS NOT ADRENAL FATIGUE!**

Have you heard of the term “Adrenal Fatigue”? It’s a buzzword. I’ve had patients come to me who have received this diagnosis from a well-meaning integrative/functional provider.

I’m here to tell you that in 99.9% of the cases with low cortisol, your adrenals are NOT fatigued! It’s a symptom, not a root cause. The word “fatigue” implies that they just can’t do it anymore. But in the vast majority of cases if you STIMULATE the adrenals with an upper-level hormone, called ACTH, the adrenals will respond by releasing cortisol. In these cases (almost ALL cases of low cortisol) there is something else that is suppressing the adrenals from making cortisol. Kind of like a short circuit.

So then, what are the root causes of low cortisol?

##### **BRAIN SUPPRESSION OF ADRENAL FUNCTION**

In times of stress the adrenals pump out cortisol. It’s supposed to happen that way so that we are primed and ready to run from or fight the immediate threat. That’s called the stress (aka fight-or-flight) response. However, prolonged high cortisol is very irritating. It actually causes the brain cells to shrink–yikes!

Now, the brain is the CONTROL center–the mother-board. When it recognizes the irritation from the prolonged high cortisol it short circuits the switch, and BAM your cortisol levels go flat. And you feel like crap–depleted, exhausted, a complete lack of resiliency. The brain says “sorry guys, but I’m the control center! I know the rest of the body wants cortisol to get that get-up-and-go in the morning, but we can’t have the control center SHRINKING!”

It’s not that the adrenals are too tired, it’s that the brain has super-powers over the circuit and has the ability to flip the switch and turn it off in dire situations.

##### **IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPRESSION OF ADRENAL FUNCTION**

The other system that has the super-power to short-circuit the adrenals is the immune system. Cortisol suppresses the immune system. In cases of low-grade hidden infections (I call them “stealth infections”) the immune system has the ability to flip the switch and says “sorry guys, I know the rest of the body wants cortisol to get that get-up-and-go in the morning, but we are fighting invaders here and we need all hands on deck! We can’t afford to be suppressed by cortisol so we are short-circuiting the system!”

The above two cases, the brain and the immune system acting to short-circuit the adrenal stress response, are far more likely the reason for low cortisol than any other possibility. So it’s not fatigue, it’s the response of a system with high priority in the body, because of a dire situation.

Of course, there is a rare condition, Addison’s disease, where the adrenals really can’t respond by making hormones. This is very rare though, affecting only 1 in 100,000 people. It is FAR more likely to be a short-circuit issue.

##### **IT’S TIME TO TAKE ACTION!**

The ramifications of doing nothing are pretty severe. If your adrenals are short-circuited you are headed for serious trouble. It’s time to get testing done and then investigate which of the above causes is the issue for your low cortisol.

Unfortunately, traditional medicine is not well equipped to deal with adrenal dysfunction, unless it’s from the very rare Addison’s disease. You really need to work with a functional medicine provider.

If you live in Illinois, or are able to come to Crystal Lake for your first visit, reach out to my team and we can set you up with a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together. [**Just follow this link**](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to request a session.

---

### [High Cortisol](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-cortisol/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Cortisol

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH CORTISOL**

High cortisol means you are stressed out. I’m going to be straight with you– something must be done about it!

Prolonged high cortisol eats your body up from the inside out like acid. It can lead to increases in infections due to a suppressed immune system, leaky gut with all its problems, bone thinning, weight gain, diabetes and memory loss. Your brain actually shrinks from the effects of prolonged high cortisol!

But what if you don’t FEEL stressed out? We all would agree that a life-threatening emergency is stressful. But did you know that high cortisol is also from:

- - Anger
    - A to-do list that is too long
    - Multi-tasking (you KNOW what I mean here–I get you!)
    - Monkey-mind (always thinking about what you have to do next…)

That’s right–your body cannot tell the difference between the stress of a true emergency and monkey-mind! Stress. Equals. High. Cortisol. PERIOD.

##### **WAYS TO LOWER CORTISOL**

Well, I think the most important thing is to acknowledge out loud that it’s a problem. Quit ignoring it. No more thinking that stress reduction or self-care is a luxury. It is life saving!

Here’s some practical suggestions:

- - Practice gratitude.
    - Start a gratitude journal. Every morning take 5 minutes to write down 3 things you are grateful for.
    - Read a passage from a book that helps you focus on simplicity and beauty.
    - Practice focused mindfulness (aka meditation). There are many sources available online. Some are free and others charge a nominal fee for access to guided meditations.
    - Spend time in nature.
    - Walk barefoot outside.
    - Sing or hum–this activates the vagus nerve, which is the “calm down” nerve that controls the opposite part of the nervous system.
    - Practice rhythmic breathing; deep breath over 4 seconds, hold for 3-4 seconds and exhale slowly over 4 seconds. Do that 5 times and you just spent a minute on stress reduction!

So now you know what you may have suspected… you are super stressed out. You now have a choice– do something about it or continue to ignore it and face long-term health problems.

##### **NUTRIENT CONSIDERATIONS IF YOU HAVE HIGH CORTISOL**

The following micronutrients are needed in extra doses in times of stress:

- - [**B-Vitamins**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/renew-b-complex)–they work in concert. A good B-Complex is crucial.
    - Vitamin C–did you know the highest concentration of Vitamin C in your body is in your adrenal glands?
    - [**Magnesium**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/magnesium_malate_240)–this is calming, and when you have high cortisol, calming is a good idea. It’s pretty hard to take too much, because your body usually needs it that bad!
    - [**Vitamin D**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/renew-k2-d3) is important for EVERY hormone to work right, and the adrenal hormones are no exception… You really should get your levels checked (25-OHD) in order to know how much you should take.

There are also herbal preparations that are called adaptogenic herbs. These are helpful during times of high stress/ high cortisol. Some people think they dampen the cortisol response, but I believe they work by protecting the brain from the damaging effects of prolonged high cortisol… Remember I mentioned that prolonged high cortisol eats you up like acid from the inside out? It can cause the brain to start shrinking, and that’s when things get really bad.

The adaptogenic herbs include:

- - Rhodiola–all around my favorite for adrenal support
    - Ashwagandha–except avoid if you have autoimmunity
    - Holy Basil–especially helpful if you also have gut problems (IBS) and/or insomnia
    - Eleuthero–scientific name for ginseng
    - Cordyceps–good for adrenals AND kidneys

A great blend of adaptogenic herbs is [**Renew Cortichill**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/renew-cortichill).

Other nutrients for adrenal support:

- - [**L-Theanine**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/l-theanine)–improves ability to make GABA, a calming neurotransmitter
    - [**Taurine**](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/product/taurine)–also used in the synthesis of GABA

##### **IF YOU NEED HELP WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!**

[**Just follow this link**](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to learn about becoming a patient.  We are passionate about balancing hormones to help you live your best life!

---

### [High and Low Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-testosterone/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High and Low Testosterone

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH AND LOW TESTOSTERONE**

Hmmm…. Is that even possible? Not really, unless you are taking varying amounts of testosterone as part of a hormone-replacement regimen!

It suggests that there’s a deeper issue than just testosterone going on. I’ve seen the following things cause fluctuating/contradictory symptoms:

- - Inflammation
    - Adrenal dysfunction with high cortisol
    - Environmental toxins
    - Stealth infections

You may wonder how the above list messes up testosterone? It’s because IT TAKES MORE THAN HORMONES TO FIX YOUR HORMONES….

You see, hormones need receptors to do their job. It’s the hormone-receptor complex that triggers the desired response. Any problem with this process can lead to hormone-like symptoms. You could have appropriate levels of a hormone but if it can’t trigger the response it’s supposed to, you will have hormone-related symptoms!

##### **YOU MIGHT NEED A HORMONE LOCKSMITH**

The hormone-receptor complex is like a key and a lock. Hormones (the keys) have to fit perfectly on their receptors (the locks) in order to trigger their response. You can have beautifully-made keys, but if your locks are rusty, the lock won’t open.

Rusty locks are damaged cell membranes. Damaged by inflammation from toxins and stealth infections. This is where you might need someone to show you how to clean up the damage from the toxins. This is so important, and must be done in the right order, or else you can get sick.

##### **SOMETHING YOU CAN START RIGHT AWAY**

One thing you CAN do immediately is reduce your exposure to toxins…

Here we have to be practical. We can’t control everything, and it’s not healthy to be anxious about things we can’t control… But we DO have control over:

- - What we put in our mouth
    - What we put on our skin
    - What we clean our house with
    - What we spray in our garden

I wrote a whole article on decreasing toxic exposure through these avenues. It’s on the Blog section  of my website–[link here](https://vitalityrenewal.org/spring-cleaning-for-health/).

In addition to reducing exposure, it’s also important to increase the excretion of toxins.  Here’s some simple things you can do starting now to help with that:

- - Drink plenty of water (take your weight in pounds, divide by 2, and drink that many ounces of water daily)
    - Make sure you are pooping every day (otherwise toxins reabsorb through your gut)
    - Eat lots of dark green leafy vegetables (so helpful for increasing toxin excretion!)

Following these suggestions is a really great start on living the detoxification lifestyle–getting rid of more toxins than you take in. Please try to look at it this way–small steps in the right direction will eventually get you to your destination!

If you are ready to get help, reach out to my team and we can set you up with a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together. [Just follow this link ](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app)to request a session.

---

### [Low Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/low-testosterone/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## LOW TESTOSTERONE

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF LOW TESTOSTERONE**

Testosterone is a “let’s GO!” hormone. It is important for energy, maintaining strong muscles and bones, libido, self esteem and brain health. Yep you need testosterone for executive brain functions like decision making!

I see several causes of low testosterone:

1. 1. Menopause is a common cause, however not everyone in menopause has low testosterone. It’s important to test your levels. However make sure you see a provider for interpretation that understands the difference between “normal range” and “optimum”! Good grief—some of the lab companies use a normal range that goes down to ZERO for free testosterone in women!
    2. Surgical removal of the ovaries, oophorectomy, is another cause of low testosterone. Traditional gynecology acknowledges the importance of testosterone therapy for women who have had their ovaries removed prior to menopause. In my years as a gynecologist I witnessed a lot of suffering in young women who needed their ovaries removed that was relieved with testosterone therapy.
    3. A third cause of low testosterone is adrenal dysfunction—high stress will lead to the prioritization of making cortisol at the expense of testosterone (and all the other sex-steroid hormones). We call this “cortisol steal”. I’ve seen stress reduction and adrenal support make a BIG difference for women with low testosterone.

##### TESTING FOR LOW TESTOSTERONE

What should you do then? I suggest getting your level tested to verify the suspicion of low testosterone. Make sure you are seeing a provider that knows the difference between “normal range” and OPTIMUM though!

Seriously, this issue of “normal range” is a BIG DEAL! Here are some disturbing (I think…) facts about normal range:

- - Normal range is set by lab companies
    - Normal range is most often set to specifically include 90% of the population
    - Normal range differs across geographic regions in the same lab and amongst different labs in the same region
    - In some labs, the “normal range” for free testosterone in women goes all the way down to ZERO

Ugh…  Read that last one again. Some lab companies actually include ZERO/ZILCHO/NADA TESTOSTERONE as normal for women. Well, in that case, there’s no such thing as low testosterone in women, because you can’t have less than zero!  Seriously?  This was one of my “aha moments” that the traditional way of doing things was sorely lacking.

One more thing… About normal range including 90% of the population. Do you honestly think that 9 out of 10 women are thriving? I don’t!  So I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be “normal”… I want to be OPTIMUM!

##### STRATEGIES TO RAISE TESTOSTERONE

**Stress Reduction** This is so important!  High stress leads to “cortisol steal”, where your body preferentially makes cortisol with the raw materials at the expense of testosterone.

**Get Enough Sleep** This has been shown to increase testosterone levels!  How much is enough?  7-9 hours of good sleep is needed.

**DHEA Supplementation** In women, DHEA can convert to testosterone and give relief of symptoms.  DHEA is an over-the-counter supplement so it’s not a bad first choice.

**Testosterone Replacement Therapy**  Sometimes you need testosterone therapy. While it’s not usually my first choice, I DO acknowledge that it’s the fastest way to get you feeling better. If  you are considering this option here are some things to consider:

1. 1. NEVER take oral testosterone! This is not safe and increases inflammation due to the fact that it goes from the gut to the liver and gets mutilated. You need a route that bypasses the gut–either transdermal cream or pellet therapy…
    2. Apply creams only to inner thighs, behind knees, inner labia. Don’t apply testosterone cream to your arms! Testosterone can increase the thickness of hair at the application site.  Inner thighs and behind the knees is a good location because you can shave your legs and no-one will notice. Inner labia (non-hair-bearing) is great because there’s no hair follicles here to interact.
    3. Start low and go slow. You DON’T want too much.Too much can cause voice deepening, whiskers and even inappropriate enlargement of your lady parts.
    4. Consider pellet therapy. This is a great way to get 4-7 months of replacement with a single 15-minute procedure.

If you need help, my team and I are here for you! [Just follow this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to learn about becoming a patient. We are passionate about balancing hormones to help you live your best life!

---

### [High Testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-testosterone/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High Testosterone

### **SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGH TESTOSTERONE**

The 3 most common reasons for high testosterone are:

- - Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)–this is if you are PRE-menopause
    - Over-zealous testosterone therapy (either pre or post menopause)
    - Poor testosterone metabolism (either pre or post menopause)

PCOS is a condition with irregular periods, infertility, insulin resistance and high androgens (like testosterone). The more I learn about PCOS the more I think it’s mostly affected by insulin resistance. The high androgens are a byproduct.

Regarding too much testosterone in hormone therapy, I see this sometimes in new patients that were working with another provider prior to seeing me. I’ve seen them come on with VERY high doses of testosterone. When asked why, the women often say that they weren’t feeling better with the dose they were on so their provider kept raising the dose, without checking levels and looking at the whole picture. Unfortunately this way of thinking didn’t do the women any favors.

The metabolite of testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), is responsible for the unwanted androgenic effects like acne and whiskers. The enzyme that triggers this pathway is more active in insulin resistance and obesity.

Are you getting the sense that the body is intimately connected? YES!!! All the hormones interact like a symphony! High insulin leads to high testosterone, and the negative side of testosterone (like acne and whiskers) not the fun stuff (like libido and decision making). And then high testosterone leads to higher insulin… Yikes, what a vicious cycle it can be!

In order to further evaluate what’s going on, here are the tests I suggest:

- - Serum total and free testosterone
    - Sex hormone binding globulin
    - Fasting insulin and blood sugar
    - Insulin and blood sugar levels both 1 and 2 hours after a sugar-load
    - Hemoglobin A1C
    - Urine hormones for testosterone metabolism
    - Cortisol curve testing (several points throughout the day, because timing matters; urine or saliva is best)
    - DHEA

Of course, it’s important to know what to do with the results… Here is where I believe it’s important to work with someone that understands the difference between “normal range” and optimum. They are NOT the same! Normal range is 9 out of 10 people–seriously! Here are some disturbing facts about normal range:

- - Normal range is determined by lab companies, not doctors
    - Normal range is a statistical equation
    - Normal range is set to include 90% of the population
    - Normal range differs between labs and among the same labs across geographic locations

Consider this closely–do you honestly think that 90% of the population is thriving? I don’t! Maybe  10%. So do you want to be like 90% of the population? I don’t, and I don’t want that for you! I want you to THRIVE! When your doctor tells you that your labs are normal does that mean you are truly healthy? Truth is… not necessarily! Maybe, but maybe not!  You have to compare your labs with OPTIMUM in order to know if you are healthy. And I hope we can agree that OPTIMUM is a much narrower range than “normal”…

So if you plan to get tested, make sure you are working with a provider that can guide you towards OPTIMUM and not just say “Your labs are normal.”

If you need personalized help, [**please reach out and apply for a call**](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app). We will explore your issues and see if we’re a good fit to work together!

---

### [Both High and Low Estrogen - Postmenopause](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/high-and-low-estrogen-postmenopause/)

**Published:** February 14, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

## High and Low Estrogen
Postmenopause

### **SIG****NIF****ICANCE OF BOTH HIGH AND LOW ESTROGEN**

Need personalized help? Follow [this link](https://application.yvonnekarneymd.com/new-patient-app) to request an application call!

---

### [Appearances](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/appearances/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Appearances

  [ ![Heading](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Heading.png "Heading") ](https://vimeo.com/1054035157/3fe0276089?share=copy) 

## **[CBS News Chicago Interview: Breast Cancer and Screening](https://vimeo.com/1054035157/3fe0276089?share=copy)**

  [ ![Heading (1)](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Heading-1.png "Heading (1)") ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCzMsDEo3nE/) 

## **[Bloom TV Interview: Why Do I Feel Like Crap When My Doctor Says My Labs Are Normal?](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCzMsDEo3nE/)**

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances01.jpg "Appearances") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuirrnS1hxY) 

## **[Why You’re so Tired (and how to change it!)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuirrnS1hxY)**

We met with Dr. Yvonne Karney to find out why the heck we are so tired (and what to do about it) . ⁠

We discuss⁠:

▪️The #1 myth about lack of energy.⁠

▪️When being tired isn’t normal⁠

▪️The real dangers of depleting ourselves⁠

▪️How to Increase our energy⁠

▪️How energy health is related to our weight⁠

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances02.jpg "Appearances") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGPApMkzu4I&t=63s) 

## **[Finding the Root Cause of Your Hormonal Imbalances](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGPApMkzu4I&t=63s)**

Dr. Yvonne Karney breaks down how to get your hormones back on track. Since doctors do not control what are considered “normal levels”, Dr. Yvonne explains what else to consider if you are not feeling well. It is nearly impossible to escape toxic exposure in our modern world but Dr. Yvonne guides you through practical things that you can control to begin detoxing

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances03.jpg "Appearances") ](https://www.flippingfifty.com/fix-your-hormones./) 

## **[It Takes MORE than Hormones to Fix your Hormones!](https://www.flippingfifty.com/fix-your-hormones./)**

If you’ve been a long-time listener, and you’ve heard episodes discussing hormones, and hormone therapy options to fix your hormones stay put because you haven’t heard this.

No one has talked about this on Flipping 50 before. In all the episodes I’ve discussed and similar discussions about micronutrients I’ve had with clients, it’s never come up regarding how to fix your hormones. So, stay tuned.

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances04.jpg "Appearances") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6veSf7NXqrk&t=275s) 

## **[Can Toxins Lead to Diabetes Due to Cell Membrane Damage?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6veSf7NXqrk&t=275s)**

Interview on The Diabetes Transformation Summit. Here I discuss how toxins can lead to insulin resistance and potentially diabetes by damaging the cell membrane, and what to do about it!

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances05.jpg "Appearances") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12KTfSmxc1E) 

## **[What’s the Hormone & Mitochondria Connection? With Dr. Yvonne Karney](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12KTfSmxc1E)**

In this episode of C60 Health Connections, hosted by Jessica MacNaughton (CEO at shopc60.com and C60 Purple Power), we learn that toxins damage the fats in our mitochondria as well as cell membranes, just like a flame-thrower melting plastic! This affects our ability to make energy and it also messes up the way our hormones work because hormones only work when they attach to the receptors, which sit on our cell membranes–if the cell membranes are damaged then so are the hormone receptors and our hormones don’t work.

Yvonne shares with us her favorite “fire extinguisher” to address this common health issue!

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances06.jpg "Appearances") ](https://youtu.be/oY2QgfEhObI?si=xndGcR0FB8pTCHBY) 

## [**Ageless Docuseries
Turn Back the Clock and Become AGELESS**](https://youtu.be/oY2QgfEhObI?si=xndGcR0FB8pTCHBY)

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances07.jpg "Appearances") ](https://youtu.be/spxNmBgpsks?si=GLnat_qOJLx8or4l) 

## [**Beyond the Cancer Summit 2022**](https://youtu.be/spxNmBgpsks?si=GLnat_qOJLx8or4l)

  [ ![Appearances](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/appearances08.jpg "Appearances") ](https://youtu.be/u20Vs57pZCY) 

## [**Healthy Living Blueprint Summit 2023
How to Prevent, Treat, and Potentially Reverse Chronic and Autoimmune Diseases Naturally, so You can Get Your Life Back!**](https://youtu.be/u20Vs57pZCY)

  [ ![HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women.webp "HHH-Episode-234-QT-Scan-Revolutionizes-BREAST-IMAGING-for-Women") ](https://youtu.be/nNT2LM6BVjk?si=jae8PY07hpYbreax) 

## [**How Humans Heal Podcast: How the QT Scan Is Revolutionizing Breast Imaging for Women**](https://youtu.be/nNT2LM6BVjk?si=jae8PY07hpYbreax)

  [ ![Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51.webp "Podcast-Thumbs-for-Website-51") ](https://debirobinson.com/podcast/episode-83-yvonne-karney-md-new-breast-cancer-screening-technology/) 

## [**Stronger Bones Lifestyle Podcast: New Breast Cancer Screening Technology**](https://debirobinson.com/podcast/episode-83-yvonne-karney-md-new-breast-cancer-screening-technology/)

  [ ![Ep-259-Thumbnail](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/Ep-259-Thumbnail.png "Ep-259-Thumbnail") ](https://www.drchristineschaffner.com/an-honest-conversation-about-breast-imaging-options-and-new-technologies-with-dr-yvonne-karney-episode-259/) 

## [**Spectrum of Health Podcast: An Honest Conversation About Breast Imaging Options & New Technologies**](https://www.drchristineschaffner.com/an-honest-conversation-about-breast-imaging-options-and-new-technologies-with-dr-yvonne-karney-episode-259/)

  [ ![300x300bb](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/300x300bb.webp "300x300bb") ](https://youtu.be/HyTYuhSeJ5Q?si=anKAmsceu8AvjTH7) 

## [**The Wellness Sherpa Podcast: Screening for Breast Cancer**](https://youtu.be/HyTYuhSeJ5Q?si=anKAmsceu8AvjTH7)

  [ ![1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640.png "1208648150326116.Pr8fjJXU5Jy8w7s3hM4s_height640") ](https://youtu.be/clvU4xlaOtA?si=3S6blzlWvp-Kma1O) 

## **[My Libido Doc Podcast: How Cancer Impacts Your Libido: The Surprising Truth](https://youtu.be/clvU4xlaOtA?si=3S6blzlWvp-Kma1O)**

---

### [Testimonials](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/testimonials/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Testimonials

  ![Testimonials](https://new.vitalityrenewal.org/wp-content/uploads/testimonial-lauren.jpg "Testimonials") 

I finally have the old ME back! I used to have to take naps, and now I don’t need to. I couldn’t keep up with my family or friends, and it was very noticeable. Now I have energy to do the things I want to do!

Another big improvement for me is that my gut is so much improved. I used to be afraid to go out to dinner with friends because my gut would bother me, but now that’s gone and I can socialize again!

The shift for me became noticeable at the 60-day mark, and it continued to get better from that point.

### **LAUREN T.**
**Group Participant**

I’ve got my life back. I was able to attend a family reunion and sit and talk with people for hours, and have energy to do that.

Life is very different. My husband can’t get enough hugs because he’s making up for years of not getting them. I feel better. Just little details about life that I just feel like I can think again. Lot of good changes.

### **KELLEY H.**
**Group Participant**

I just felt like I regained my whole life, like I was back. My brain started working. I was engaging with my family again.

I feel like I have my life back, like somehow I regained something that I just never thought I would be able to have.

I just felt this amazing freedom that I had gained back my 20-year old self. What a great gift!

### **KIM D.**
**Program Participant**

I feel much more energetic. I’m doing everything I want to do. I am not avoiding anything and that was a big thing before.

They (my family) are very happy. They just want mom back.

### **ALLISON R.**
**Program Participant**

I was really in a bad shape. I’d seen probably close to 20 different specialists. Nobody connected the dots for me–not until I came and saw you.

I feel like I am getting my life back. If you are in the same boat that I was in, this is absolutely something that you should try.

### **TRACY W.**
**Program Participant**

When I started seeing you, I started making the changes. I started having the energy. I sleep through the night great now. I don’t have any breathing problems.

I just feel so much better–like a different person! I returned to work and I was able to write a book and take a different path with my career as a nurse.

### **CINDY C.**
**Patient**

This is like a huge success and I feel so much better! I have more energy. I don’t have the brain fog that I had. Everything is so much clearer now.

I actually crave healthier foods now. Now I think about and focus more on ingredients now and that’s huge.

### **SHERRI S.**
**Group Participant**

I was in the hospital for three days, but my doctors were all amazed at how fast I’ve healed. They just kept saying, “Your baseline health is really good that you are coming back from this so fast.” And it’s just a testament to all that we’ve been doing– it’s been amazing

It hasn’t just been the physical healing. It’s been the emotional healing and how you have been so supportive and encouraging to me.

### **KRISTINE P.**
**Patient**

It’s been an amazing journey, for sure. It was hard the first 90 days.

I am toning up. I just literally got rid of six bags of clothes. I have given away all my 4x, 3x, 2x.

My body has been healing over this year and a half. It’s just been amazing!

### **CAROL G.**
**Group Participant**

I never thought I could feel this good! Dr. Yvonne literally saved my life!

### **CARRIE Z.**
**Group Participant**

Are You Ready to Take RADICAL Responsibility for Your Health?

We are ready to be your guide if YOU are ready to do the work! You don’t have to live in the shadow of yourself. We promise to give you the individualized care you need. We won’t just prescribe a quick-fix medication. We will work with you to create a customized treatment-plan that supports your goals.

You deserve better care. You deserve to live a healthier life. Step out of the shadow. You OWE this to yourself and the world! Why? Because the world needs you to step into your reason for being. Fatigue is holding you back from being who you were meant to be.

Embrace healing. Embrace life. Embrace you!

---

### [Video Library](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/video-library/)

**Published:** January 4, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### Videos

---


## Layout Parts

### [Footer v2](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tbuilder-layout-part/footer-v2/)

**Published:** April 6, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

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[(815) 271-7300](tel:8152717300)

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### [topbar](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tbuilder-layout-part/topbar/)

**Published:** January 17, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

[  Patient Portal Login ](https://vitalityrenewal.md-hq.com/) 

 [  Web Store ](https://renewwellnessemporium.com/)

---

### [Footer](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tbuilder-layout-part/footer/)

**Published:** January 3, 2025
**Author:** darren

**Content:**

### OFFICE LOCATION

31 North Virginia Street
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Phone Number:
[(815) 271-7300](tel:(815)%20271-7300)

### OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 8:00 am to 12:30pm and 2:00 to 5:00 pm (closed Tuesdays 12:30-2:00 for Training)

Friday: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

1st and 3rd Saturday: 8:45 am to 12:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

 

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### [Contact Box](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tbuilder-layout-part/contact-box/)

**Published:** September 26, 2022
**Author:** darren

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## Global Styles

### [global-css](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tglobal-style/tb_gs116767d/)

**Published:** March 18, 2025
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**



---

### [why-functional-medicine](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tglobal-style/tb_gs34606a3/)

**Published:** June 22, 2026
**Author:** Sarah Mamaril

**Content:**

Neither approach is wrong — conventional medicine saves lives every day and we work alongside it, not against it. But for the woman whose symptoms don’t fit a diagnostic code — or whose goals extend beyond the absence of disease — functional medicine is where the real work happens.

---


## Tags

### [menstruation](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tag/menstruation/)

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### [testosterone](https://www.vitalityrenewal.org/tag/testosterone/)

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