Hormone & Regenerative Medicine Specialist

We sat down to talk with Kylee Castro, NP-C about her work as a nurse practitioner serving Sarasota and Boca Grande, her personal journey with regenerative treatments, and what it really takes to help patients feel strong, clear, and capable in their bodies again. From hormone optimization to PRF therapy, Kylee’s approach blends clinical precision with lived experience, and it shows in the way she talks about care, progress, and what “feeling better” actually means.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you enjoy outside of work?
I’m originally from Maine, born and raised. I went to the University of Maine and played basketball, field hockey, and ran track. After school, I moved to Sarasota, Florida. These days, I’m really into Pilates, walking, working out, reading, and gardening. I have an avocado tree, plantains, limes, lemons, and a whole little collection going. It’s become one of my favorite hobbies. At this stage of my life, I’m very focused on eating well, staying active, and just being healthy all around.

What was your path into medicine, and how did you end up in aesthetics and regenerative care?
At the beginning of my career, I worked primarily in the ER, and then I transitioned into the OR. While I was in the ER, I started working closely with plastic surgeons and co-managing patients with them. That’s how I was first introduced to aesthetics and plastic surgery, and eventually I learned how to inject.

Over time, working in emergency medicine really showed me how many people are being seen only when they’re already very sick. It made me realize how much we need stronger, more proactive primary care and more innovative approaches to health. That’s what led me into regenerative medicine. I love where this field is going and what it’s already doing for people.

Would you be open to sharing your own wellness journey?
Absolutely. I’ve had a lot of sports injuries. I tore my ACL when I was 18 and ended up having multiple surgeries on the same knee. I dealt with chronic pain for a long time. I saw several orthopedic surgeons, had more repairs, and eventually had hardware removed, which helped. But what really made a difference for me was PRF injections. They’ve been life-changing.

My husband was in a bad car accident and has been using PRF in his shoulder, hip, and knee, and he swears by it too. This was after we both tried steroid shots and other options. For us, PRF has been a huge turning point.

I’ve also used GLP-1 therapy after being laid up for months following surgery. I gained a lot of weight during that time and felt pretty defeated. The GLP-1 helped me get back to a healthier weight, but it also helped with inflammation and joint pain. I’m also perimenopausal, so that was part of the picture too.

On top of that, I’ve done NAD therapy, which has really helped my energy levels. I’m running again and working out the way I used to. I went from feeling pretty hopeless about my body to feeling like myself again, and that’s something I love being able to share with patients.

What inspired your focus on hormone health and regenerative medicine?
A lot of it came from my own life and my friends. I’m one of the youngest in my friend group, and I watched so many of them start going through perimenopause and menopause without good answers or support. We talk about it a lot, and so many of our mothers were never told what was happening or were just told it was part of aging and that nothing could be done.

We’re part of a generation that doesn’t accept that as a final answer. We want a better quality of life. Learning more through organizations like the American Menopause Society and seeing how much hormones can improve sleep, energy, libido, joint pain, and overall well-being has been eye-opening.

Personally, once I started bioidentical hormones, I noticed huge improvements, including hip pain that completely resolved. I’ve seen the same thing happen with friends and patients. It’s incredibly rewarding to help women get through these years feeling like themselves again instead of just pushing through symptoms.

What are the most common concerns you hear from patients at RegenCen?
The big ones are low energy, low motivation, low libido in both men and women, brain fog, trouble with word recall, and joint pain. Those come up all the time.

What improvements do men most often notice after starting testosterone therapy?
Body composition is a big one, along with improved libido and overall energy. Men often notice changes in how their body redistributes fat and builds muscle. I see it in my own husband too. He’s very active, teaches martial arts, and needs the energy to keep up with his students. Testosterone has made a real difference for him, and I see similar results in a lot of active men who come in because the things that used to work for their bodies just aren’t working the same way anymore.

Is there a patient outcome that stands out to you?
What really stands out to me is when patients commit to the process and stay consistent. We’re very conservative and very thorough with how we treat and monitor people. We do detailed consultations, full labs, and close follow-up, and we aim for the lowest effective dose to help patients feel optimized and safe.

Hormone optimization is not a quick fix. It’s more like a marathon than a sprint. For many patients, it’s after the second or third pellet that they really start to notice meaningful changes. Then we can fine-tune things and, if needed, add in therapies like NAD or GLP-1s.

Every patient is different. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s why this is such a personalized process. We look at sleep, nutrition, stress, lifestyle, and long-term health. We’re really partnering with people in how they age and how they take care of themselves over time.

Other than hormones, what treatment has surprised you most with its results?
PRF, without a doubt. I’ve seen it help with joint pain, skin, and even hair restoration. I have patients with autoimmune issues and severe joint problems who have seen real improvements. The fact that it uses your own blood and your body’s own regenerative ability makes people feel really comfortable with it. We’re still just scratching the surface of what it can do, and that’s exciting.

How do you see hormone replacement and regenerative medicine evolving over the next 10 years for women?
I really think we’re just at the beginning. Women spend a huge portion of their lives post-menopause, and bioidentical hormone replacement has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life during those years. As research continues, I think we’ll see more focus on prevention, including cardiovascular health, brain health, bone health, and overall function.

Regenerative medicine also has huge potential, even in areas like fertility as women choose to have children later in life. The goal is not just to live longer, but to live better, and I think these therapies are going to play a big role in that.

What’s a common health myth you love to bust?
That “normal” labs mean everything is fine. In traditional medicine, normal is based on averages across a population that is not always very healthy. Normal does not always mean optimal. A lot of people could feel and function much better if certain levels were optimized, even if they technically fall in the normal range.

Just for fun, what’s your go-to coffee order, or in your case, tea order?
I don’t drink coffee. I’m a tea person. Give me a matcha with oat milk or almond milk any day.

If you weren’t in medicine, what do you think you’d be doing?
Probably something in fitness. I could see myself owning a Pilates studio or doing something still centered around health and movement.