TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

What Is Testosterone?

During male adolescence, testosterone stimulates the development of muscles, deepens the voice and encourages the growth of the penis and testes. Testosterone is also what regulates muscle mass, bone mass and sex drive during adulthood. Testosterone is produced mainly in the testes but also in the adrenal glands. Most men experience a decline in their testosterone levels after the age of 30 as part of the natural aging process.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

Hypogonadism in males happens when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. Hypogonadism may also be known as gonad deficiency. It may be called low serum testosterone or andropause when it happens in males.

Primary hypogonadism

Primary hypogonadism is caused by underactive testes because they don’t manufacture sufficient levels of testosterone for optimal growth and health. This underactivity can be caused by an inherited trait or it can be acquired by an accident or illness.

Inherited conditions include:

Undescended testicles: This occurs when the testicles fail to descend from the abdomen before birth

Klinefelter’s syndrome: A condition in which a man is born with three sex chromosomes: X, X, and Y.

Hemochromatosis: An excess of iron in the blood causes testicular failure or pituitary damage

Types of testicle damage:

Physical injury to the testicles: Injury must occur to both testicles to affect testosterone levels

Mumps orchitis: A mumps infection can injure testicles

Cancer treatment: Chemotherapy or radiation can damage testicles

Secondary hypogonadism

Secondary hypogonadism is caused by damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. These parts of the brain control hormone production by the testes.

Inherited conditions include:

Pituitary disorders: These can be caused by drugs, kidney failure, or small tumors

Kallmann syndrome: A condition connected to abnormal hypothalamus function

Inflammatory diseases: This includes tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and histiocytosis. These diseases can impact the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

HIV/AIDS: This can affect the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testes

Acquired circumstances include:

Medications: Opioid pain medications and steroids can affect function of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus

Normal aging: Aging affects production and response to hormones

Obesity: High body fat can affect hormone production and response

Concurrent illness: Severe emotional stress or physical stress from an illness or surgery can cause the reproductive system to temporarily shut down

Mixed hypogonadism

Mixed hypogonadism is more common with increased age. People undergoing glucocorticoid therapy can develop the condition. It also can affect people with sickle-cell disease, thalassemia, or alcoholism.

Are You Suffering From Low Testosterone?

Lack of Energy – Have you noticed that you no longer enjoy some of your favorite activities due to lack of energy? Do you feel fatigued regularly?

Poor Sleep – Do you toss and turn at constantly during the night? Do you get less than 6 hours of sleep a night on a regular basis?

Declining Libido – Have you noticed a change in your sex drive? Is your sex life affecting your relationship with your partner?

Decreased Muscle and Strength – Do you feel weaker than you used to? Are you working out but finding it hard to maintain muscle mass?

Weak Erections – Do you find yourself unable to perform during intimate moments? Have you been embarrassed by your inability to perform like you once did?

Depression – Are you feeling down although your life circumstances are the same as they were when you were happy? Do you feel negative about life in general?

Declining Ability to Concentrate – Is it hard for you to remember simple things? Do you find it difficult to focus and perform everyday tasks?

Low Testosterone Symptoms

Low T Physical Symptoms:

Decreased sexual desire

Weight gain or obesity

Lack of energy or fatigue

Muscle weakness or softness

Sleep problems and insomnia

Skin wrinkling; thinning hair

Muscle and bone density loss

Low T Psychological Symptoms:

Lack of sexual function or arousal

Depression or deep sadness

Nervousness or anxiety

Withdrawal from others

Feelings of hopelessness

Shyness and loss of drive

Irritability and mood swings

Memory loss and lack of focus

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Injectable Testosterone

Injectable testosterone is a popular form of testosterone replacement therapy today. It’s effective, fast acting, and there’s no risk of transference to those around you. Reduce risks associated with other delivery systems such as messy gels and surgical implants. Testosterone replacement therapy is used for patients with low levels of the testosterone. We use it to treat conditions caused by lack of the hormone, such as delayed puberty, impotence, and other hormonal imbalances. Benefits include increased sexual desire, increased muscle mass, increased erectile function, and sperm production.

Testosterone Boosters-hCG/Chlomiphene

The male body can become deprived of testosterone with age. Whether it is from eating poorly or exercising less, the body’s hormones and biological processes can become so reduced in number that they are practically ineffective. Luteinizing hormones stimulate testosterone levels and androgen receptors to be more responsive allowing for sexual dysfunctions to be corrected. Luteinizing hormones are often used in combination with anti-estrogens.

Anti-Estrogens

Anti-Estrogens act to either decrease the amount of estrogen in the body or block the estrogen receptors. In men, this causes the natural testosterone levels to increase. Symptoms associated with high estrogen include: water retention, acne, gynecomastia, low sex drive, and irritability. Anti-Estrogens are often used in combination with luteinizing hormones.