What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
If you or a loved one are struggling with low testosterone, it can ease your mind to understand a little more about what’s involved in testosterone replacement therapy. No doubt you have a number of valid questions and concerns. Gathering all the necessary information before pushing forward with this will help you feel better about your decision to treat the low T.
What is Testosterone?
Many men incorrectly believe that testosterone is only about erections and intercourse. However, testosterone is better explained as the chemical that makes a man, a man. It is what gives men a deeper voice, larger muscles, and facial and body hair.
Yes, it also has some implications with regards to your sex life. Testosterone is responsible for initiating the growth of your genitals during puberty. It is the catalyst for the production of sperm cells, and will fuel your libido. And, it certainly contributes to the presence of normal erections.
But, it can also affect your moods and the way your brain works, as well as foster the production of your red blood cells. So, testosterone is a multifaceted chemical in the body that’s presence is particularly important for men.
Why does Testosterone Decrease?
If you have been wondering why testosterone decreases, the truth is, it’s a natural progression over time. As men age, the testicular function that provides testosterone becomes less effective. Basically, once men reach their 40s they should expect a 1% drop in testosterone on a yearly basis.
So, by the time the 50s and 60s hit, it is completely natural to see some of the symptoms associated with low T appearing. Men will begin to experience erectile dysfunction, decreased energy and muscle mass, lowered sex drives, and possibly even anemia. When all of these things are appearing simultaneously, doctors will generally diagnose a man with hypogonadism.
What is Hypogonadism?
Hypo means low functioning and gonadism refers to the testicles. That just means that the testicles are functioning at a lower rate. And, science seems to show that 2-6 million men in the US are affected by this problem; though it is significantly underdiagnosed.
Treating hypogonadism is where testosterone replacement therapy comes in. And, that’s also where many of the questions emerge. Most men won’t even seek out assistance for the issue until it starts to affect their sex lives.
How Do You Know When Testosterone Replacement Therapy is Needed?
Determining whether or not testosterone replacement therapy is needed involves two considerations. The first revolves around the results of a blood test, while the other takes into account the characteristic signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, the correlation between the two is not a perfect science.
From a general position, men with low T have more signs and symptoms than those with normal levels. However, there are men that have no symptoms while still showing low testosterone in their blood. This is what makes the decision a bit tricky.
If we consider only the science, low testosterone is equivalent to levels less than 300 ng/dl. However, that’s a number that the Endocrine Society constructed and there are some doctors that disagree. It’s a little more involved than screening for diabetes, which has definitive numbers. That’s why it is very important to converse with one of our doctors.
What is Involved with Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
There are various ways a man can increase his testosterone levels and several characteristics that will influence the treatment method. These might include additional medical conditions, age, and behavioral influences.
Regardless of the hormone replacement process, other treatment methods will be included. These include lifestyle changes like an improved diet, exercise, a consistent sleeping routine, and more.
Each patient should have a customized treatment plan. Contact the Low T Medical Clinic today and we can help you determine exactly what your testosterone replacement therapy will consist of.
The Benefits of Testosterone Therapy
The benefits of testosterone therapy are vast.
Having your testosterone levels functioning in their normal ranges will create an overall feeling of well-being. There will be increased energy, cognition, and improved mood as well. A man might even find that he regains some of the lost muscle mass.
In essence, testosterone therapy can allow a man to feel like a man again.
It is important to get tested if you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with low T. Our doctors are available to answer all your questions. Please get in touch with us today.