Googling health terms in the waiting room isn’t a wellness plan. At THRIVE Hormonal Health & Wellness in Lakeway, we believe informed patients make the steadiest progress—but we also know the world of hormone optimization, peptides, and medspa care is full of intimidating vocabulary. So we’ve decoded the most common terms you may hear at THRIVE, in plain language. This glossary is educational only and isn’t a substitute for personalized medical advice.
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
A treatment that restores hormones—most often estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—that the body is no longer making in adequate amounts. It may help with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disruption. The right approach depends on your age, history, and goals, which is why it’s always individualized.
Bioidentical Hormones
Lab-created hormones that are chemically identical in structure to the ones your body produces naturally. They’re available in several FDA-regulated forms and may be used as part of a hormone therapy plan.
Cortisol
Often called the “stress hormone.” It’s essential in the right amounts—it helps regulate metabolism, blood sugar, and your sleep-wake rhythm—but chronically elevated levels are associated with fatigue, weight changes, and disrupted sleep.
Estrogen Dominance
A pattern in which estrogen is high relative to progesterone. It’s commonly discussed alongside symptoms like irritability, PMS, and mood swings. Lab testing helps clarify what’s actually happening before any plan is made.
Progesterone
A hormone that plays a calming, balancing role—supporting sleep, the menstrual cycle, and mood. In hormone therapy it’s often paired with estrogen to keep the two in balance.
Semaglutide
A GLP-1 medication that mimics a natural gut hormone. It helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high, slows stomach emptying, and may reduce appetite. It’s the science behind many modern medically supervised weight programs.
Leptin Resistance
A state in which the brain stops responding well to leptin, the hormone that signals fullness. It’s often discussed in the context of stubborn weight—a physiological pattern, not a matter of willpower.
B12 + MIC Injection
A blend of vitamin B12 and the lipotropic compounds methionine, inositol, and choline. It’s used to support energy and metabolism as part of a broader wellness plan.
NAD+
Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme found in every cell that’s central to producing cellular energy. It’s used in some wellness protocols—via IV or injection—with interest in energy and cognitive support.
Red Light Therapy (RLT)
A treatment that uses low-level red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity. It’s studied for skin health, inflammation, and recovery, and may support overall wellness.
Peptides
Short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules, prompting the body toward specific tasks like tissue repair or hormone production. Different peptides are studied for different purposes.
Understanding the words is the first step to feeling like a partner in your own care. When patients know what a term actually means, the conversation shifts from intimidating to empowering—and that’s where real progress starts.— Kristine Kjolhede, MSN, FNP-C
Botox
A purified protein that temporarily relaxes targeted muscles to soften the appearance of certain wrinkles. It’s also used in medical contexts such as TMJ tension, migraines, and excessive sweating.
SkinPen
An FDA-cleared microneedling device that creates tiny, controlled micro-channels in the skin to stimulate the body’s natural collagen response. It’s used to support skin texture, tone, and the appearance of fine lines and scars.
Hyaluronic Acid Lip Filler
A soft gel filler made from hyaluronic acid—a substance the body produces naturally—used to add natural-looking volume and definition to the lips.
Medical-Grade Skincare
Higher-potency skincare formulated around clinical ingredients and barrier repair. It’s designed to support hydration and calm the skin, and is typically recommended based on your individual skin needs.
Functional Medicine
A whole-body, root-cause approach that looks for the underlying drivers of how you feel—factors like diet, stress, and environment—rather than focusing on isolated symptoms.
Genetic Testing
Analysis of your DNA to better understand individual patterns—such as how your body processes certain nutrients or hormones. At THRIVE it’s used as one input to help personalize a wellness plan.
Regenerative / Cell Therapy
An emerging category of treatments that use the body’s own signaling factors with the goal of supporting tissue repair and reducing inflammation. It’s an evolving field, and appropriate candidates are determined individually.
Still feeling glossed over? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Whether you’re a seasoned biohacker or brand-new to hormone health, we’ll walk you through every step—without the jargon overload. Ready to begin? Take our symptom checklist or book a consultation at THRIVE in Lakeway, TX.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for Menopause.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Semaglutide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information.
- Cleveland Clinic Newsroom. Functional Medicine Model Associated With Improvements in Quality of Life.