- Evaluation of Sex Hormones
- Treatment of Low Testosterone / Andropause
- Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
- Prevention of Age-Related Diseases
- Maintain Athletic Performance During Aging
- General Anti-Aging Treatment
Benefits of Testosterone
- Increased energy
- Increased libido/sex drive
- Weight loss (many men lose 2-3 pant sizes)
- Reduced body fat
- Improved blood flow to the penis
- Improved erectile dysfunction: if Viagra didn’t work, 2/3 will respond with Testosterone AND Viagra
- Reduced anxiety, depression
- Improved motivation and drive
- Enhanced cognitive function, mental focus
- Increased lean muscle mass & strength, including the heart
- Increased bone density (bye-bye osteoporosis)
- Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes
- Reduced estrogen effects
- Improved LDL cholesterol: up to 100 point drop if you have issues
- Improved insulin sensitivity: drop in HgA1c (diabetes indicator)
- Stimulates bone marrow to produce more red blood cells
- Replace the 3-10% T loss every year after 30 years old
- Improves recovery time from exercise
How Long Until I See an Effect from Treatment?
- 2-4 weeks: Improved motivation and mood
- 2- 3 months: Physical and Sexual improvements
- 6-12 months: Effects feel consistent
Who CANNOT Take Testosterone?
- Active prostate cancer: theoretical risk, no causal link. T blockers are known to shrink prostate cancer.
- Active breast cancer
- Personal history of heart attack, stroke, multiple cardiac stents, uncontrolled blood pressure or cholesterol (may receive treatment with Cardiologist’s clearance)
- PSA over 4ng/ml (must see Urologist first)
- High Red Blood Cells: Hct>54% (you may donate blood to manage)
- Untreated Sleep Apnea: Could worsen, no definitive evidence
- Severe BPH if your T is less than 300. You may take T with BPH if T is greater than 300; at this point the prostate is saturated with Testosterone and additional supplementation of T will not impact the prostate.
Side effects of T
- Elevated Red Blood Cells/ Polycythemia Hct>54. You can donate blood every few months to remedy OR we can switch from Injection to Cream.
- Acne: You WILL very likely get zits on your back and other areas you may have had them when younger.
- Oily skin
- Testes WILL shrink: We can prescribe HCG to prevent this.
- Reduced sperm production: We can prescribe Clomid to maintain fertility/sperm production.
Testosterone naturally converts to Estrogen in the body, so taking T can elevate E to an uncomfortable level. We will monitor labs to keep the Testosterone:Estrogen ratio appropriate and minimize these potential side effects. The estradiol level should not go above 40 pg/mL. Symptoms of elevated Estrogen include the following:
- Nipple sensitivity
- Breast enlargement
- Fluid retention (ring tight)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculatory dysfunction (dribble out, no orgasm)
- Low libido
- Moodiness
- Insomnia
- Reversable in 4-6 weeks with stopping or reducing T