Testosterone Replacement Therapy
As you age, testosterone therapy might sound promising. But there are a lot of misconceptions about what the treatment can and can’t do for you.
Testosterone therapy might seem like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren’t clear.
What is testosterone?
The influence of testosterone in men
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone helps maintain men’s:
- Bone density
- Fat distribution
- Muscle strength and mass
- Facial and body hair
- Red blood cell production
- Sex drive
- Sperm production
Why does Testosterone decrease with age?
Your body naturally produces less T as you age. According to an article in American Family Physician, the average male’s T production goes down by about 1 to 2 percent each year.
This is all part of a completely natural process that starts in your late 20s or early 30s:
1. As you age, your testicles produce less T.
2. Lowered testicular T causes your hypothalamus to produce less gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
3. Lowered GnRH causes your pituitary gland to makes less luteinizing hormone (LH).
4. Lowered LH results in lowered overall T production.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
The symptoms of low testosterone are sometimes obvious, but they also can be subtle. Testosterone levels decline naturally in men as they age over decades. But certain conditions can also lead to an abnormally low level. Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low sex drive (libido)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue and poor energy level
- Decreased muscle mass
- Body and facial hair loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Irritability
- Low sense of well-being
How do I know if I have low Testosterone?
The only way to know whether you truly have low Testosterone is by seeing a healthcare provider for a testosterone level test. This is a simple blood test, and most providers require it before prescribing Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
How is TRT administered?
There are several ways to do Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Your best option will depend on your medical needs as well as your lifestyle. Some methods require daily administration, while others only need to be done on a monthly basis.
TRT methods include:
•oral medications
•intramuscular injections
•transdermal patches
•topical creams
There’s also a form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy. that involves rubbing testosterone on your gums twice daily.
At Amrita Medical Center, our staff is happy to answer any of your questions and help you decide the right fit for you. We even offer same day appointments for your convenience. Contact us here!