Low testosterone (T) treatment can help restore your testosterone to normal levels, alleviating the symptoms of low testosterone. Also known as male hypogonadism, low T is a condition that develops when a man’s testicles do not produce enough testosterone. It can be caused by various issues like injuries that affect the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, or testicles. The testicles are the primary producers of testosterone in the body, while the hypothalamus and pituitary gland control how much testosterone the testicles produce and release.
Testosterone stimulates the development of male characteristics and plays an essential role in sperm production. Men naturally have higher testosterone than women, and that leads to increased bone density and muscle mass. Testosterone is also responsible for the development of male genitalia.
Some of the symptoms of low testosterone in men include:
Some of the factors that increase a person’s risk of developing low testosterone include age, obesity, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic medical conditions, and AIDS/HIV.
Low testosterone treatment typically starts with a healthcare provider going over the patient’s medical history and habits, performing a physical exam, and ordering blood tests.
Some of the more commonly ordered tests include:
Once a healthcare provider determines a patient has low testosterone and is an ideal candidate for low testosterone therapy, some of the treatments that might be recommended include:
These products are typically applied on the skin daily as directed. They are one of the most popular low testosterone treatments in the U.S. It is important to avoid transferring the gel to other people through skin-to-skin contact, as it can cause negative effects in people who do not need testosterone supplementation.
Patients can also opt to be injected with testosterone periodically, typically every one to two weeks. There are also long-acting testosterone injections that can provide enough testosterone for up to ten weeks.
These patches are applied to the skin daily as directed by a healthcare provider, and the locations the patches are placed need to be rotated regularly to avoid skin irritation. Testosterone pellets are injected under the patient’s skin every three to six months. They provide patients with a long-term source of testosterone.
These are pills prescribed to patients with low T that are taken orally. They are typically recommended for patients with low testosterone due to specific health issues like tumors or Klinefelter syndrome. Oral testosterone is the least used form of testosterone supplementation since taking testosterone orally can have negative effects on the liver.
Some of the benefits men who undergo testosterone treatment often get to enjoy include increased energy levels, improved erections, increased sex drive, increased bone density, increased insulin sensitivity, and increased muscle mass.
Some patients also report improved mood after bringing their testosterone levels back to normal. Most men who get testosterone treatment report mostly positive changes.
Getting low testosterone therapy should not be confused with taking steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. While it is true that anabolic steroids used by some athletes and bodybuilders contain testosterone or similar chemicals, these drugs significantly increase a person’s testosterone levels, while low testosterone therapy only looks to restore a patient’s testosterone to normal levels. Testosterone replacement therapy will not give you super athletic abilities since it doesn’t boost your testosterone levels above normal. Many athletic governing bodies allow competitors who are undergoing testosterone treatment to compete since it does not give them any significant advantages.
The goal of low testosterone treatment is not to make you superhuman. It simply gives you enough testosterone to maintain healthy levels, alleviating symptoms of low testosterone like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and low sex drive.
Low testosterone can leave you feeling like a shell of your former self, but it does not have to be that way. Call or visit our Fresno clinic to explore treatment options.
Request an appointment here: https://omgwellnessmd.com or call Optimal Medical Group at (559) 840-0066 for an appointment in our Fresno office.
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