Everything You Need to Know About Starting Testosterone Treatment
A majority of men begin to experience low testosterone levels after the age of thirty. However, low testosterone can significantly impact the general health of both men and women. Exercise, rest, proper nutrition, and hormonal therapy can help.
Starting testosterone therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with how it works. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about testosterone, hormone levels, and treatment options.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone produced by mammals. It is found in high levels in males, and lower concentrations in females. Still, both sexes rely on this hormone for proper reproductive function.
However, sexual health isn’t the only thing that testosterone promotes. Low testosterone levels, in either sex, can result in decreased muscle mass, depression, heart disease, and reduced focus.
Testosterone is produced by the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands. It and a cocktail of other hormones typically reach their peak during puberty. At around age 30, these hormones begin to taper-off.
A decrease in testosterone levels as we age is entirely normal. Still, the symptoms of low testosterone can prove frustrating. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and treatment therapies can help restore hormonal balance.
Testosterone Levels by Age
At birth, testosterone levels already differ significantly between sexes. It’s common for male infants to have about 75-400 ng/dl, while female infants only have about 20-80 ng/dl.
The onset of puberty results in a massive spike in hormone levels for both sexes. For males, peak testosterone production occurs between ages 14 and 18. During this time, levels can be as high as 1,200 ng/dl.
For females, it’s a slightly different story. Testosterone production remains relatively consistent between ages 12 and 18, typically maxing-out at 75 ng/dl. That’s because females produce far more estrogen and progesterone than testosterone.
After age 19, males continue to produce between 240 and 950 ng/dl. Typically levels for adult females fall anywhere between 8 and 60 ng/dl. Still, starting at around age 30, both sexes begin experiencing a gradual decline in testosterone.
For individuals who already experienced low amounts of testosterone throughout life, this decline can cause significant issues.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone Levels
High testosterone in men often exhibits itself as extreme acne, high libido, and excess hair growth. Signs of low testosterone are, naturally, the exact opposite of these symptoms.
There are several common signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels. Being aware of these red flags can help you seek treatment sooner and recover more quickly. Symptoms to watch for include:
Decreased sex drive or lack of sex drive
Reduced bone mass, and resulting conditions like osteoporosis
Shrunken testicles
Extreme exhaustion or fatigue
Reduced muscle mass and muscle weakness
Sexual dysfunction, including the inability to hold an erection
Balding and loss of body hair
Reduced ability to focus
Impaired memory or bouts of memory loss
Extreme mood changes, including depression
Anemia
Low semen volume and potency
If you’ve experienced one or many of these symptoms, you may want to seek professional medical care and help. Doing so can help prevent more severe conditions from developing, in addition to relieving your pain and discomfort.
Testosterone Treatments and Therapies
Starting a testosterone treatment of therapy can feel overwhelming. The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Medical professionals and technicians are there to help you feel better, as quickly as possible.
Replacement therapy is a blanket term that covers everything from gel to intravenous injections. The precise treatment option that works best for you depends on your preferences and your biology.
Lifestyle Changes
There are several simple lifestyle changes you can make to help your body naturally increase its testosterone production. Some of the most useful include:
Getting at least eight hours of sleep every night
Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of clean water
Reducing stress by meditating or doing yoga
Keeping fit by performing aerobic exercise several times a week
Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs entirely
Supplementing your diet with easily digestible vitamins
If your testosterone levels are deficient, you may feel too fatigued to exercise regularly, or too depressed to eat well and reduce stress. Fortunately, in dire cases of low testosterone, there are plenty of replacement treatment options.
Replacement Therapy
There are several different types of replacement therapy products. Let’s explore some of the most common.
Pellets
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Pellets are a slightly invasive type of therapy treatment with several positive benefits. Firstly, these pellets are very small, typically about the size of a grain of rice. They’re implanted beneath the skin and the procedure is typically painless.
Once a BHRT is implanted, it begins to release a slow but steady amount of testosterone into the circulatory system. This type of treatment option can last about six months, ensuring that patients don’t have to make constant visits to their doctor.
Gels
Testosterone gels prove to be one of the most popular options due to their convenience and ease-of-use. They’re also an excellent alternative for those who have an extreme fear of needles of injections.
Most of these gels are applied to the armpits, inner thigh, or abdomen. The precise application area varies from brand to brand. However, it’s essential to be aware of the possible side-effects of testosterone gels.
Some gels may cause heart problems, especially in elderly patients. Always consult with your doctor or physician before committing to a gel. Your health care provider may even offer practical alternatives to gel products, such as patches or injections.
Injections
Injections are the oldest form of testosterone therapy. However, they have evolved immensely since their initial introduction. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is one of the most popular replacement treatment options.
A quality replacement service will also add vital nutrients and minerals to the hormone injection. That way, your body gets exactly what it needs without the digestive system having to get involved.
Depo-Testosterone, one of the most popular forms of injectable testosterone, should only be used in the most extreme cases. Unfortunately, many men tend to opt for this solution without genuinely needing it. The result can be severe acne, rash, baldness, and enlarged breasts.
Always research your recommended injection treatments before agreeing to them. It could save you a lot of agony and time.
Patches
Testosterone patches are convenient, but they’re not for everyone. Individuals with certain cancers, urinary conditions, kidney or liver issues, or heart problems should seek an alternative treatment method.
Patches are easy to apply, and they can be used nearly anywhere on the body as long as the skin is dry. However, out of all the various hormone replacement therapy options, it is the most dangerous.
Some testosterone patches are known to cause blood clots, increase the chance of developing certain cancers, and sleep apnea. Always consult with a physician before trying this option.
Medications and Supplements
Medications can be very hit-and-miss, and your doctor can help choose one that works for you. However, supplements are a far less dangerous alternative, and they continue to be popular among hormone replacement patients.
The three most common ingredients in testosterone supplements are:
DHEA
D-Aspartic Acid
Zinc
Of course, feel free to browse supplement options online to find something that meets your needs and preferences.
Don’t Be Afraid of Starting Testosterone
Though it can be embarrassing to admit to having low testosterone, it’s also nothing to be ashamed of. Age, genetics, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to lowered levels of testosterone. The best thing you can do is reach out and seek treatment.
Don’t allow the fear of starting testosterone treatment to hold you back. You can experience relief from depression, low muscle mass, memory loss, fatigue, and obesity. A quick blood test at your doctor’s office can determine your therapy needs.
Do you have lingering questions concerning testosterone treatment options? We can answer any questions you may have. Please contact us today!
