Are you suffering with Low Testosterone? As men age, testosterone levels drop very gradually, about 1% to 2% each year. Read below to find out if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you!
In the past, erectile dysfunction was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems. It is now known that, for most men, erectile dysfunction is caused by physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis. Many advances have occurred in both diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TESTOSTERONE IN THE BODY?
Testosterone is the major sex hormone in males and plays a number of important roles, such as: Muscle size and strength, Bone growth and strength, Sex drive (libido), and Sperm production.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF LOW TESTOSTERONE IN MALES?
Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. For older men, it’s important to determine if a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism). Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles.
WHAT ARE THE SYPTOMS OF TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY IN ADULT MALE?
Generalized weakness
Low energy
Disabling frailty
Depression
Problems with sexual function
Problems with cognition
Loss of muscle mass
Low libido, impotence, small testicles, reduced sperm count and infertility
Increased breast size
WHAT IS TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPHY?
TRT is a treatment that doctors give to males who have testosterone deficiency and are showing symptoms of hypogonadism. Taking prescription testosterone helps restore the levels of this hormone in the blood, reversing the symptoms of low testosterone.
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES FOR TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPHY AND HOW DOES IT WORKS?
Doctors prescribe TRT to males with hypogonadism. To receive a definitive diagnosis, blood tests must show that a person has low testosterone levels, which the American Urological Association notes as being below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). The individual must also have other symptoms, such as fatigue, breast growth, and sexual dysfunction.
HOW TO GET TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?
TRT is only available with a prescription. If a person presents with symptoms consistent with low testosterone levels, a doctor will only provide a prescription after taking a thorough medical history and performing physical and lab exams.
As hormone levels fluctuate depending on activity levels, diet, and the time of day, doctors usually take two different blood samples before noon. They may sometimes also ask for imaging studies and additional tests, such as tests for luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulation hormone, to determine the cause of the low testosterone levels.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF TESTOSTERONE TREATMENTS?
Toggle ContenInjectable
Topical (transdermal)
Cheek or buccal patchest
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS?
TRT aims to restore a person’s testosterone levels to normal. The individual can expect improvements in their blood testosterone levels within a week, however, symptoms may take longer to improve. It may take from 4 weeks to several months to see positive changes. Unless caused by medical illness, TRT is typically a lifelong treatment. Once a person starts TRT, their doctor will continually monitor their response to treatment. People need to have routine checkups at least every 6–12 months to assess their blood testosterone levels. A doctor will also monitor changes in symptoms and side effects at 3 and 6 months after the initial treatment and then annually.