Understanding Low Testosterone
Previously the use of testosterone supplementation was quite the Taboo topic of conversation. Over the past few years, Men’s Health & Wellness as well as testosterone supplementation has become more mainstream than it ever has, but it still has a long way to go!
What Are Some of the Causes of Low Testosterone Levels?
Low testosterone levels is also known as “hypogonadism” in medical terminology. There are three classifications of hypogonadism; primary, secondary and adult onset.
❖ Primary - generally caused by testicular injury in the past.
❖ Secondary - can be caused by metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, testosterone use in the past, opiate use disorder, sleep apnea and liver cirrhosis are some of the causes of secondary hypogonadism.
❖ Adult onset - typically occurs with men as they age. It is a similar trajectory to that of women going through menopause and it happens slowly and insidiously.
Is There a Way to Increase Testosterone Levels Without Going on Testosterone Replacement Therapy (Trt)?
A comprehensive lab panel and a full medical history will be done prior to initiating TRT. This will allow the provider to determine what might be causing low testosterone levels. If it appears that your pituitary gland is still secreting appropriate levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), then a trial of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can be trialed to further stimulate the testicles to produce more testosterone. Additional ways to stimulate endogenous testosterone production include lifestyle modifications that target the underlying conditions which could be decreasing the body’s ability to produce testosterone:
❖ Weight loss
❖ Treatment of high cholesterol
❖ Adequate blood pressure control
❖ Consistent exercise
❖ Treatment of sleep apnea, if present
Who Is a Candidate for Low Testosterone Screening?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone levels such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, loss of body hair, increased body fat, decreased lean muscle mass, low libido, infrequent spontaneous or morning erections you would be a great candidate for evaluation. Initial evaluation involves a simple, 15 minute appointment, to obtain a blood sample for testing. After a baseline is established an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
How Would I Begin an Evaluation of My Hormone Levels?
You can book directly through this website for the “Mens Preliminary Lab Panel.” After your labs are drawn, you will be booked for your in office consultation to discuss the findings and make an individualized plan to fit your needs.
What Are the Benefits of Testosterone Replacement?
❖ Increased activity tolerance
❖ Decreased anxiety
❖ Improved sleep
❖ Increased lean muscle mass
❖ Decreased body fat
❖ Improved libido
❖ Increased motivation and ambition
Is Testosterone Replacement Safe?
Yes, when taken in the prescribed manner with lab monitoring at regular intervals, testosterone replacement is safe and effective at managing the symptoms of low testosterone.
