Testosterone
Bioidentical testosterone in injection form is the most common type of testosterone therapy used. More than 90% of TRT patients use injectable testosterone.
Low Testosterone
Low testosterone holds men back.
Low testosterone is common, and gets more common with age as our hormone levels naturally decrease.
Symptoms of low testosterone include low energy, fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, weight gain, impaired mood, and low motivation.
Testosterone replacement can increase vitality and improve quality of life in men with symptoms of low testosterone.
Options for treatment include testosterone, usually in injection form, or oral medication like clomiphene or enclomiphene that causes the body to make more testosterone itself.
Symptoms Of Low Testosterone
For men with symptoms of low testosterone, testosterone replacement can be life changing.
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Low EnergyLow energy, fatigue, falling asleep after dinner, and low endurance are all common symptoms of low testosterone.
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Low Motivation
Low testosterone can sap your motivation, focus, drive, and concentration.
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Low Sex Drive & ED
Low sex drive, weak erections, less frequent erections, and erectile dysfunction are all common symptoms of low testosterone. Low testosterone decreases sex drive, and decreases the strength and frequency of erections.
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Muscle Loss
Low testosterone can cause loss of muscle mass and strength, lack of muscle gain with exercise, longer recovery after exercise, and reduced endurance and stamina.
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Weight Gain
Low testosterone affects metabolism and predisposes to weight gain.
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Mood & Well-Being
Low testosterone can cause mood changes, such as irritability, depression, and anxiety. Low testosterone can diminish your confidence, your sense of well-being, and your enjoyment of life.
Indications for Testosterone Replacement
Treat symptoms of low testosterone.
The determination of whether you are a candidate for TRT requires an assessment by a qualified healthcare provider to evaluate your symptoms, and a blood test to measure your testosterone.
The normal testosterone range in men is considered to be 300-1000ng/dL. Low testosterone is defined as a testosterone level <300ng/dL. That doesn’t mean symptoms only occur when testosterone drops to below 300ng/dL. Symptoms can occur, and treatment can be beneficial, at testosterone levels higher than 300ng/dL.
Testosterone Replacement Options
Clomiphene
Clomiphene stimulates the body to produce more testosterone on its own, and is an option for younger men, and men who want to maintain their fertility.
Enclomiphene
Enclomiphene is another drug that stimulates the body to make more testosterone, and may have less estrogen-related side effects than clomiphene.
Comparison of Treatment Modalities
Testosterone compared to enclomiphene and clomiphene.
Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers
In men, testosterone is typically administered as a weekly injection in the muscle of the butt, thigh, or arm. Injections result in excellent testosterone blood levels and symptom resolution, and this is the way more than 90% of men get their testosterone. We will teach you how to do injections at home, or you can come to the office for your injections. Testosterone can also be administered in topical form, but absorption and symptom resolution is more variable.
Yes. To be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy, you need to have symptoms consistent with low testosterone, and a blood test that shows low testosterone. We also have to make sure your PSA and hematocrit aren’t elevated. We perform these tests for free in the office (testosterone, PSA, hematocrit). If you are a candidate for treatment, we can start testosterone in the office that day.
You may feel a change within the first week, but it can take 3-6 months to feel the full effects of testosterone replacement. Often the first changes men feel are an increase in libido and energy.
No. There is no evidence that testosterone replacement therapy increases the risk for either prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Yes! Bioidentical hormones are molecularly the same as the hormones your body normally makes, and therefore function exactly the same as your normal hormones. Pharmaceutical companies make altered version of hormones (so they can patent them), but they don’t work in the same way as your body’s normal hormones. Mother Nature has provided us with the ideal hormones, and pharmaceutical companies, unsurprisingly, have not been able to improve upon them.
Side effects can occur if testosterone levels become too high. Possible side effects include elevated hematocrit, acne, oily skin, male pattern hair loss, nipple pain, and aggression. Testosterone also reduces sperm count and fertility, and can cause testicular shrinkage. If men want fertility within 6-12 months, testosterone shouldn’t be started, and enclomiphene or clomiphene should be considered instead.
Our goal is to resolve your symptoms of low testosterone to get you feeling like your younger self again, without causing side effects. Generally this means getting your testosterone level into the top third of the normal range.
Are You Ready To Live Better?
Meet with David Oliak, MD, or Allison Mollet, PA, for a free consult and in-office testosterone test to see if testosterone therapy is right for you.
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