Professional-grade supplements, as part of your plan.
You should know what you're taking and why you're taking it. We start with your labs and your whole picture, then build from there.
A cabinet full of bottles, and no idea what's working.
Most people who come to us have already tried to help themselves. They've read the articles, heard the podcasts, and bought what a friend swore by.
You were trying to take care of yourself, and that's a good instinct. The next step is finding out what your body actually needs.
- You've tried supplements, and you don't know if they do anything.
- You've taken vitamin D for years, and your levels are still low.
- You take so many pills that you're tired of looking at them.
- Some of your bottles may overlap, and you can't tell which ones.
- Someone told you to try NAD or glutathione, and you don't know if you need it.
- There's so much noise online that you don't know who to trust.
We start with what your labs show.
Lots of supplements can do good things. The real question is which ones make sense for you right now, and for the long game.
Labs are usually our starting place, along with your symptoms, your story, and your goals.
Look first
We review your labs, your symptoms, your routines, and everything you're already taking.
Start with what matters most
We begin with what your labs and clinical picture show you need, so every supplement has a clear reason to be there.
See if it's working
We follow your labs and how you're feeling. When a lab can show us the answer, we want to see that number move.
Keep it, change it, or stop it
If a supplement isn't doing its job, we look at why. It could be the quality, the dose, or how your body responds. If you no longer need one, we're willing to stop it, and we keep watching.
Some supplements don't depend on a lab. Creatine and fiber are two examples, with a good body of research behind them. We may also choose a supplement based on your symptoms.
Pill fatigue is real, and the best plan is the one you can actually live. If you come to us taking a lot, we may ask you to pause some of them during your program so we can see what's really necessary. We'll go through it together, and the decision is yours.
Foundation, framing, finishes.
A good house gets built in order. You don't pick the cabinet hardware before the foundation is poured. We think about supplements the same way.
Foundation: what your labs and clinical picture show you need
Framing: what's likely good for most people once your routine is steady
Finishes: targeted extras once everything else is in place
Prefer cars? You don't add a turbo to a car that needs an oil change.
Play golf? Don't buy a $600 driver to fix your grip.
What "professional-grade" means to us.
You'll see "medical grade," "professional grade," and "pharmaceutical grade" used a lot. Here's the simple version: none of those terms has a legal definition for supplements.
The FDA doesn't approve supplements before they're sold, so those words alone can't tell you what's in the bottle. When we say professional-grade, we mean supplements from companies we've looked into, and we use the term with care. Here's what we pay attention to.
The company
We look into its standards and how its products are made.
Outside verification
Marks such as USP and NSF should be non-negotiables.
The form and the amount
The right ingredient still has to come in the right form and amount.
The source
We want to know where a product came from before it reaches you.
We use more than one brand. We choose Ortho Molecular Products for its research standards, and the company says its products are never sold directly to consumers.
A store brand isn't automatically a bad choice, and some carry the USP Verified mark. What matters is the proof behind the bottle, wherever it's sold.
The right ingredient is only part of the story.
Lots of supplements have the right ingredient in the wrong amount, and that can happen with professional brands too. So we look past the name on the front of the bottle.
The amount
How much of the ingredient do you actually get? That's what your body has to work with.
The number of pills
Sometimes you can get the same amount in fewer pills. That matters when you plan to take something for years.
The cost per dose
The price on the bottle can fool you. A bottle that looks like a better deal may cost more once you count how many pills it takes to reach the amount you need.
We're playing the long game, so we weigh all three when we recommend a supplement. The best choice is one you can stay with.
Two ways to get your supplements at AgeWell.
In our office
You can pick them up when you're here. For your convenience, we keep a selective inventory of the supplements our patients use most.
Through Fullscript
We feel confident sending our patients to Fullscript. Set up an account through our link, order what you need, and it ships right to your door.
Here's why we trust it. Fullscript holds every brand to its quality standards and checks in every year. It also hand-picks products and sends them to an independent lab to check what's really in the bottle. Fullscript tells us no brand can pay its way into that testing, and you'll see an "Enhanced testing" badge on the products that have been through it.
Where you buy matters, because you can't always tell who handled a bottle before it reached you.
AgeWell earns revenue when you buy supplements from us or through our Fullscript link. You're welcome to buy these or similar products wherever you choose.
Ordering through Fullscript doesn't make you an AgeWell patient, and it isn't medical advice for your situation.
One part of a bigger plan.
We have a really big toolbox: conventional medicine, compounded medicine, supplements, and lifestyle. We use what fits. Supplements can support your plan, and they don't replace hormone therapy or other treatment when you need it.
Understand
Your Foundational Assessment gives you a basic summary of what we found in your labs and which supplements would likely help.
Focus
In a program, you see your provider about once a month. We look at your supplements alongside the rest of your care and adjust as your labs and symptoms change.
Optimize
With visits and labs every quarter, we keep adjusting your plan. That includes stopping what you no longer need.
Straight answers.
What are professional-grade supplements?
It's a common term for supplements usually sold through healthcare professionals, but it has no legal definition. That's why we look at the company, its certifications, and what's in the bottle.
Do I need labs before I take a supplement?
Not always. Some supplements don't depend on a lab, but labs are usually our starting place because they show what you need and whether it's working.
Should I stop what I'm taking now?
Bring your full list, and we'll go through it together. It helps to talk with a clinician before changing anything, especially if you take prescription medications.
Can supplements replace hormone therapy?
No. Supplements can support your plan, and hormones may be part of the conversation. We'll lay out your options, and the decision is yours.
Can I order through Fullscript if I'm not a patient?
Yes, you can use our link. Ordering doesn't make you an AgeWell patient, and it isn't medical advice for your situation.