Low Testosterone Treatment
More and more, men between the ages of 40 and 64 are being tested and given Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) or other types of testosterone treatment, in recent years, to the point in which some men may even want TRT without being evaluated—but only if they have particular symptoms.
The advantages of having optimal testosterone levels are well known. In fact, Testosterone Therapy is recommended for males aged 40 and up and for men who match the clinical and laboratory definitions of testosterone shortage, which is a testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL.
An “optimal” level of testosterone, not a “normal for age” level, is connected with health advantages. Restoring testosterone levels to the top 25% of the “normal” range is what an ideal level of testosterone entails. If the normal range is 300-1100 ng/dL, then 800-1100 ng/dL would be the ideal level. In fact, males frequently need to reach a blood sugar level of 650 ng/dL before they begin to feel better.
Testosterone levels can be enhanced naturally by losing weight, dieting, and living a healthier lifestyle. However, if tests show that your testosterone levels are abnormally low, it might be more beneficial to talk to your doctor about low testosterone treatment options you can explore.
Next are some treatment options for Testosterone Therapy (TT):
Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
The advantages of having optimal testosterone levels are well known. In fact, Testosterone Replacement Therapy or Testosterone Therapy is recommended for males aged 40 and up and for men who match the clinical and laboratory definitions of testosterone shortage, which is a testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can provide numerous benefits for men who have low levels of testosterone. Some of the benefits of TRT include an increase in energy levels, improved mood, increased muscle strength and mass, improved bone density, and a decrease in body fat.
TRT can also improve sexual function, including increased libido and improved erectile function.
Additionally, TRT has been shown to improve cognitive function, particularly in areas such as memory and spatial ability. Overall, TRT can help men feel more energetic, confident, and youthful and can help to alleviate low testosterone symptoms.
At Clinic for Him, we offer a range of testosterone therapy options to help men achieve optimal health and vitality.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone on Sex Drive and Health
Low Testosterone can result from any problem with your testicles, hypothalamus, or pituitary gland. Testosterone deficiency in men can have a significant impact on various aspects of their lives.
Here are just some of the main effects of having low testosterone:
Sex Drive: Low-T levels can lead to a decreased interest in sex or a reduced sex drive. While this doesn’t affect erections directly, it can harm sexual function in a man simply by removing much of his drive for it.
Bone Density: In men, testosterone is crucial to increasing the density of bone, meaning men with insufficient levels of this hormone can see bone loss and increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Depression: With any hormonal imbalance, including this one, come effects on mood, and energy, and can lead to depression, especially in men.
Erectile Dysfunction: Low levels of testosterone can lead to difficulty in achieving and maintaining an erection, affecting erectile function because a man simply doesn’t have the energy needed for sexual arousal.
Muscle Mass: Testosterone plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining lean muscle mass, especially at an early age for growing males. Low-T levels can lead to a loss of muscle mass and strength in adults.
Hair Loss: Testosterone is also responsible for hair growth, so low levels can affect it. However, too much can also hurt facial and body hair growth. Men suffering from low testosterone levels won’t have to worry about this if they’re only trying to achieve normal levels of the hormone, but some men suffering from hair loss must be careful not to go overboard.
Low Sperm Count: Unsurprisingly, fertility and sperm production in men are tied to testosterone levels. Low levels lead to a low sperm count.
Fatigue: Low levels of testosterone can lead to feelings of fatigue and decreased energy levels because it also aids in the production of red blood cells, which in turn are the vehicles for oxygen in the body.
Weight Gain: Men with little testosterone will see weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area.
Cognitive Function: The male hormone is also important for cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
What are the Normal Testosterone Levels?
An “optimal” level of testosterone, not a “normal for age” level, is connected with health advantages. Restoring testosterone levels to the top 25% of the “normal” range is what an ideal level of testosterone entails. If the normal range is 300-1100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), then 800-1100 ng/dL would be ideal. In fact, males frequently need to reach a blood sugar level of 650 ng/dL before they begin to feel better.
Once the appropriate blood tests, medical condition reviews, and other physical exams are done, we can start deciding on treatment options.
Next are some treatment options for Testosterone Therapy (TT):
Testosterone injections have been used with excellent success and few side effects.
The testosterone injection is given to men and boys to address diseases, including delayed puberty, impotence, and other hormonal imbalances caused by a deficiency of this hormone.
Most doctors administer testosterone through intramuscular injections (in the buttock or thigh) weekly or biweekly. In recent years, testosterone injections have grown in demand. Patients usually see the treatment’s results within a few days. Furthermore, such outcomes are almost definitely owing to the greater blood concentration obtained through injections.
Every week, the standard starting dose is 100mg. Depending on the patient’s reaction to treatment, the dosage might be increased to 150–200 mg per week
Testosterone is present in this medicated patch. Androderm is a patch that’s used to replace testosterone in men who are unable to produce enough of the hormone (for example, due to hypogonadism, secondary hypogonadism, or Low T). This medication is absorbed through the skin, enters the bloodstream, and aids in the restoration of normal testosterone levels in the body.
Patches allow men to avoid frequent trips to the doctor’s office. Skin patches provided more consistent Testosterone levels, avoiding the roller-coaster effect seen with injections. Patches have the next characteristics:
- Therapeutic effects are minimal.
- Displaying a visible patch, which might be uncomfortable at times.
- Causes skin irritation in the form of bright red round spots at the patch’s site.
Testosterone topical gel is used to treat primary or secondary hypogonadism. In the United States, testosterone gel is the most commonly used therapy. It can be rubbed over the non-bearded area of the face, upper arms, shoulders, and on the side of the abdomen on a daily basis. It’s best to avoid washing or showering for the first two hours after applying it, as well as skin contact with partners or children.
The absorption of testosterone gel is excellent. Nonetheless, roughly 15-20% of men have trouble absorbing the gel. Therefore, it is critical to monitor the levels to ensure that the amount of testosterone is increasing. Patented gel produced by large pharmaceutical firms and bio-identical gel prepared by specialized compounding pharmacies are the two forms of gel available.
Bio-identical Testosterone provides two additional benefits in addition to being natural. Doctors can change the dosage based on the patient’s response, and they can add other drugs to the mix to provide additional benefits not available from the established proprietary formula.
Testosterone replacement therapy can include testosterone pellets. They’re roughly the size of a grain of rice, and they’ll be implanted under the skin by a doctor. These pellets contain crystalline testosterone and provide a consistent, modest dose of the hormone to the user for up to 4 months.
Another advantage is the lack of risk in the hormone metabolizing into Estradiol or DHT, unlike with gels and injections.
Most people notice a difference within 24-48 hours, but it can take up to 14 days for others.
Extrusion (thus the need to avoid early physical activity after the implantation), small bleeding of 0-2 minutes, and minor (1-5 percent) infection are all possible risks.
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a luteinizing hormone (LH) that tells the testicles to make more testosterone.
HCG can be injected subcutaneously to stimulate the testicles’ Leydig cells to make Testosterone. This alternative is especially intriguing to younger men who are concerned about testicular atrophy and decreased fertility.
HCG can be taken alone or in combination with other kinds of testosterone therapy to reduce these negative effects. If the LH level is low or normal, this strategy might work.
Testosterone is also responsible for hair growth, so low levels can affect it. However, too much can also hurt hair growth. Men suffering from low testosterone levels won’t have to worry about this if they’re only trying to achieve normal levels of the hormone, but some men suffering from hair loss must be careful not to go overboard.
Unsurprisingly, fertility and sperm production in men is tied to testosterone levels. Low levels lead to a low sperm count.
Low levels of testosterone can lead to feelings of fatigue and decreased energy levels because it also aids in the production of red blood cells, which in turn are the vehicles for oxygen in the body.
Men with little testosterone will see weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area.
The male hormone is also important for cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
Rare Side Effects of Testosterone Therapy
While very rare, men undergoing testosterone therapy will be monitored and take regular blood tests (free testosterone test, prostate-specific antigen test, estradiol blood test, and many other tests) to check for any potential complications. These side effects also vary depending on the type of treatment.
- Acne
- Increased red blood cell count and risk of blood clots
- Breast enlargement in men
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Fluid retention
- Mood swings
- Decreased sperm count
Although mentioned frequently, there isn’t enough evidence to show that higher levels of testosterone lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer in men or breast cancer in women (and men too.) Nonetheless, most doctors advise men with prostate cancer to avoid TRT.
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