Testosterone is an essential hormone that plays a vital role in men's health and wellbeing. As men age, their natural testosterone production often declines, leading to a condition known as low testosterone or hypotestosteronism. The symptoms of low testosterone range from bothersome to severely life-impacting. At Renew Hormone Clinic hormone clinic in Marietta, we specialize in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), an effective treatment that can help men regain healthy testosterone levels and experience improved energy, strength, sex drive and overall quality of life.
Testosterone is responsible for key male characteristics and functions:
Declining testosterone production is a natural part of male aging, with levels decreasing around 1-3% each year after age 30 on average. However, some men experience more precipitous drops that lead to symptomatic deficiency called hypogonadism or low T.
Certain medical conditions, medications, lifestyle factors and injuries may also contribute to low testosterone at any age by disrupting normal hormone signaling pathways:
Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome are less common causes.
The symptoms of low testosterone can develop gradually over years or have sudden onset if levels drop rapidly. They may include:
In addition to decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, low testosterone affects key aspects of sexual and reproductive health:
Low T also puts men at increased risk of health issues like metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and earlier mortality. Deficiency during fetal development may even impact future fertility.
Since low testosterone symptoms can result from a variety of causes, accurate diagnosis through blood testing is essential. This involves checking total testosterone levels along with free testosterone - the hormone not bound to proteins.
Testing may need to be done more than once given normal daily fluctuations. Evaluation should also rule out other causes with similar symptoms like thyroid disorders, depression or nutritional deficiencies.
Reference ranges for normal total and free testosterone continue to be refined by major medical bodies, but most physicians still use around 300-100 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) as a minimum threshold. However, some men may experience deficiency symptoms at higher levels - optimal ranges are still debated.
Diagnosis also involves evaluating related health parameters like:
In addition to checking against standardized reference ranges, testosterone levels should be evaluated in context of a man's age. For example, a level of 400 ng/dL would be normal for a 75-year old man, but likely deficient for a 35-year old.
Doctors determine degree of deficiency based on blood levels combined with severity of symptoms:
If low testosterone is diagnosed and lifestyle changes don't resolve symptoms, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can effectively increase levels. When properly administered and monitored, TRT offers a wide range of benefits:
Many men report renewed sex drive, increased genital sensitivity, better erections and orgasms within 3-6 weeks after starting therapy - often bringing significant relief for them and their partners.
Testosterone stimulates muscle building, increases bone density and helps reduce body fat - especially around the abdomen and chest. Most men see improved lean mass and strength and drops in fat percentage within 3-6 months.
By 3-6 months, most men undergoing TRT enjoy improved energy, motivation, calmer moods and sense of wellbeing due to testosterone's wide-ranging effects and role in neurotransmitter balance.
In addition to quality of life improvements, testosterone therapy provides protective health effects:
When started early, TRT aligns levels closer to what is normal for a man's age, supporting lifelong optimal wellness.
Every man has unique health circumstances, needs and goals for treatment. We take careful time understanding these to tailor a personalized plan. Some men aim to restore normal levels and reverse deficiency symptoms, while others have athletic performance, body shaping or anti-aging goals.
Testosterone therapy comes with risks if not properly administered and monitored, but managed properly under physician supervision provides significant benefits that enhance men's health and lives in multiple ways.
The physicians at Renew Hormone Clinic offer deep expertise in properly diagnosing low testosterone and skillfully managing treatment to help men achieve their therapeutic goals:
We also support any emotional and relationship challenges that arise around sexual function changes.
With satisfaction rates over 85%, the vast majority of our patients report experiencing significant improvements in energy, sex drive, body composition and mood on therapy. We welcome you to learn more and discuss your options for improving low testosterone concerns or achieving other health goals.
There are several delivery methods and forms of testosterone replacement used in therapy today. Treatment always starts with testosterone blood testing and thorough medical evaluation.
Depending on the degree of deficiency, age, prior treatments and patient preference the doctor will recommend the ideal protocol. Managing therapy is an ongoing process of monitoring, adjusting doses and optimizing to meet therapeutic goals while minimizing side effects.
Gels are a top choice for testosterone replacement therapy today for good reason - when dosage is properly managed, transdermal delivery through the skin offers steady absorption approximating natural production. Brands like Androgel and Testim use a hydroalcoholic formula that dries quickly when applied.
Popular creams like Axiron utilize a moisturizing base that adheres to the skin for sustained contact, often preferred by men needing scrotal application for genital absorption. Both gels and creams are applied daily, often starting with lower doses then titrating up. They come in calibrated pump systems for accurate dosing control.
Treatment gels and creams offer advantages like:
Potential skin reactions can often be managed by changing location, allowing it to fully dry or switching products. Maintaining contact with application sites until dry prevents transfer risk.
The most common injectable form used in TRT is testosterone cypionate - an esterified oil solution given as an intramuscular shot into larger muscles like the glutes or thighs. Injections offer reliable testosterone delivery and the least product transfers issues.
Other injectables like testosterone enanthate are also used. These offer advantages like:
Injections can cause peaks and troughs in levels which require careful tracking. Potential issues with injections include pain, bleeding, infection and scar tissue build up.
Testosterone patches worn on the body provide steady transdermal absorption of supplemental hormone. Brands like Androderm utilize a permeation enhancer to actively pull testosterone through skin into circulation.
Patches offer upsides like:
But skin irritation, detachment or transfer if not fully adhered can be downsides to patches.
Testosterone pellets implanted under the skin steadily release hormone over 3-6 months as they dissolve. This method provides the most stable long term levels, but does require a physician procedure to insert and remove them. Pellets are often preferred by men wanting the least frequent treatment activity. They offer unique advantages like:
Downsides can include infection, expulsion or overdose if multiple pellets placed incorrectly. Frequent level testing is crucial to ensure doses remain sufficient but not excessive.
In addition to directly supplementing testosterone levels, other therapies may help improve treatment results:
Estrogen and prostate activity must also be carefully monitored and controlled while on TRT. Additional medications like aromatase inhibitors or 5-AR blockers may be warranted short term.
Ongoing nutritional guidance, labs testing, lifestyle counseling and follow up care are key parts of the treatment process to ensure safety and maximal results. Talk to your doctor about what holistic therapies might further enhance your improvements on TRT.
The wide-ranging impact of low testosterone on men's health, wellbeing and quality of life make this an urgent condition to evaluate with testing and address through treatment when clinically warranted. Physiology responds better to early TRT intervention before deficiencies advance and lifestyle diseases set in.
Symptoms like diminished work performance, lost intimacy, depression or infertility can take heavy emotional tolls when left unresolved. And later life cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes risks grow substantially without testosterone's protective effects. Osteoporosis progression and mobility loss are also major concerns left untreated.
Despite having a highly treatable deficiency condition, statistics show over 90% of men with symptomatic low testosterone remain undiagnosed - and under treated. Some barriers men face include:
At Renew Hormone Clinic hormone clinic, we make the process of testing, diagnosis and exploring treatment options convenient and judgement-free. With TRT patient satisfaction rates over 85% when properly managed, we encourage any man with deficiency symptoms to take action today for a more energized, stronger and satisfying future.
