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The Truth about
Testosterone
Although Testosterone Replacement can be an amazing option
for men that have been diagnosed with Testosterone Deficiency, it isn't for
everyone. As with any medical treatment, there are some potential risks
associated with treatment, especially with certain sensitive groups.
Here are some important things you need to think about
before you begin Testosterone HRT.
Can Bio-Identical Testosterone boost my energy levels?
Yes. Testosterone plays a huge role in male metabolism and
energy maintenance. If you are suffering from Testosterone Deficiency,
Testosterone Replacement can and likely will lead to increased energy levels.
Can Testosterone increase my sex drive?
Yes it can. In addition to restoring sexual function,
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can enhance libido as well. Testosterone is
the primary hormone of male sexuality, and it can make a man psychologically
ready for sex as well as physiologically.
Can Testosterone Replacement contribute to greater
physical health?
Yes. A large segment of men that choose BioIdentical
Testosterone experience changes in muscle-fat ratio as a result of treatment.
Testosterone helps burn fat more quickly and effectively, and it can also
noticeably increase muscle mass and tone. In combination with exercise and a
good diet, Testosterone HRT can contribute to major changes in physical shape.
What are the risks of Testosterone HRT?
Testosterone Replacement can lead to the development of
certain side-effects. Most patients do not experience symptoms which lead them
to suspend therapy.
Side Effects associated with Testosterone Replacement are:
Testicular Shrinkage - Because
Testosterone Replacement Therapy provides an exogenous source of Testosterone,
it sometimes causes the testes to produce less Testosterone, which can lead to
Testicular Shrinkage.
Decreased Sperm Count - In addition to
potentially reducing the body's natural Testosterone Production, it can also
disrupt the biological chain of events that lead to sperm development. Reduced
Sperm Count can lead to reduced levels of fertility.
Oily Skin, or the Development of Acne - Some
men experience increased production of oil by the pores of the skin. This
increase in oil production can also lead to increased acne.
Gynecomastia - Testosterone Hormone
Replacement Therapy can lead to increased breast size. This is because, if the
body receives too much Testosterone, it begins to convert some of that
Testosterone into Estrogen, which can cause tissue in the chest to grow
abnormally.
Increased Red Blood Cell Production - Testosterone
Replacement has been found to increase the propagation of Red Blood Cells. For
at-risk patients, this can increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. This
symptom occurs most often with Testosterone Injection Therapy, and at-risk
patients should consider other forms of Testosterone Replacement, such as
creams or patches.
Besides increased Red Blood Cell Count, all of the above
symptoms are generally the result of a slight overdose, and they can all be
corrected or mitigated by changing the dosage. All of the above symptoms are
also completely reversible.
Who should choose to avoid Low-T Treatment with
Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
The Endocrine Society has a well-defined set of regulations
as to who should and should not consider Testosterone Replacement Therapy. With
regard to the current body of medical knowledge, the Society recommends against
Testosterone Replacement in patients that are afflicted with Breast Cancer or
Prostate Cancer. Patients at high risk for either of these diseases should be
very cautious when considering this treatment.
There are a number of recent studies which infer that men
that have experienced Prostate Cancer, but have been treated successfully can
still use Testosterone Replacement Therapy safely. For these patients
especially, it is vitally important that they are monitored closely for changes
in health.
Before any man chooses Testosterone Replacement Therapy,
they should speak openly with a physician in order to properly assess any
potential cancer risk.
There are also some medical conditions which may interact
poorly with Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Some patients may still be
recommended for Testosterone Replacement, but it is important to proceed with
care in these instances:
Abnormally High Red Blood Cell Production -
Patients with naturally high RBC Counts are at increased risk of both stroke
and heart attack, and Testosterone Replacement can increase the risk of
complications.
Congestive Heart Failure - Although there is
evidence that patients with mild to moderate Congestive Heart Failure can
benefit from Testosterone, those experiencing severe heart failure are
recommended to avoid Testosterone HRT.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or other issues
with the urinary tract - In some cases, Testosterone Replacement Therapy can
increase the severity of problems such as difficulty urinating that are
associated with BPH and other urinary tract issues.
Sleep Apnea - Although Testosterone can be an
effective aspect of Sleep Apnea Treatment, Increased Testosterone can actually
complicate untreated Sleep Apnea. Before turning to Testosterone Replacement,
it is important to treat any underlying issues related to Sleep Apnea.
Is Testosterone HRT an Effective Erectile Dysfunction
Treatment?
Yes, for many patients. Although Testosterone Deficiency is
not the only reason that Erectile Dysfunction occurs, it can be the most
effective means to treat the issue, especially for men that have Clinically Low
Testosterone Levels.
By restoring Normal Testosterone Production, you can restore
normal sexual arousal and also increase libido significantly. When discussing
Erectile Dysfunction with your doctor, be sure to discuss the whole story, so
that he or she can consider the most effective means to treat your medical
condition.
How is Testosterone Administered to Treat Low-T?
There are a number of different means to perform
Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Each form of treatment has its own benefits
and drawbacks, and it's up to you and your doctor to decide what's best for
you. The following are common Low-T Treatments Available today:
Testosterone Gels - Gels are probably the easiest and
simplest way to perform Testosterone Replacement. These Gels or creams are
applied once every day, generally to concealed or semi-concealed areas such as
the underarms, shoulders, or abdomen.
Avoid applying Testosterone directly to the testicles,
because this can increase the chance that your treatment inhibits your body's
natural ability to produce the hormone.
Also, because Testosterone Gels are delivered directly upon
the skin, it is important to protect others from making contact with the
treated area, especially women and children.
Testosterone Patches - Patches work in a manner
similar to gels: They provide Testosterone slowly through the course of the
day. Like Testosterone Gels, treatment is generally intended to be applied on a
daily basis, generally at the same time each day.
Patches are great for patients that don't want to deal with
the risks involved with Gel Application of Testosterone, but still want to
apply treatment simply and easily. The biggest problem with Testosterone
Patches is that they are more likely to cause skin irritation than Testosterone
Gels.
Testosterone Buccal Patches - Buccal Testosterone is
delivered in the form of a small patch that is placed on the upper gums, above
either the left or right incisor. This form of Testosterone Treatment is
incredibly easy to conceal, and there is no risk of contaminating others with
Testosterone.
Anyone that smokes or has issues with gum disease or
gingivitis should not use this method, because some patients experience
irritation and in some cases it may lead to or contribute to gum disease. This
risk is only considered mild, and not severe.
Testosterone Injections - This was the original form
of Bio-Identical Testosterone adapted for medical use. Testosterone Shots are
still very popular today, even though they are the most labor-intensive form of
Testosterone Administration.
The biggest benefit of Testosterone Injections is that many
formulations stay active in the body for a long time. Testosterone Cypionate,
for example, only requires injections once per week. Injectable Testosterone is
formulated in specific ways that slow down the rate at which they are
metabolized by the body. Most are formulated as ester compounds, which means
that the Testosterone Molecules are combined with Esters, which break down at
specific rates dependent upon their structure, making Testosterone Injections
incredibly versatile.
There a few drawbacks to Testosterone Deficiency, however.
As mentioned earlier, Testosterone Injections can lead to increased Red Blood
Cell Counts, which can contribute to certain health conditions, especially in
at-risk groups. Another drawback is obvious: many men simply aren't comfortable
with a pattern of routine injections if it can be avoided. A third drawback is
that administration can sometimes lead to irritation and discomfort at the
injection site.
Testosterone Sprays - The most notable form of Spray
Testosterone is Axiron. This form of Testosterone is similar to a Testosterone
Gel, but is delivered in the form of a spray. Generally, Testosterone Sprays
are delivered to the armpit, and can be a simple and effective way to deliver
the medication.
Testosterone Sprays have the same issues as the Gel form of
Testosterone. They can lead to skin irritation in some patients, and patients
have to make a conscious effort to avoid exposing others to the treated area
before either a sufficient time has passed, or before the treatment has been
washed off.
Testosterone Dermal Pellets - For patients that
simply want to live their lives without thinking about medicating themselves
for Testosterone, Subcutaneous Testosterone Pellets may be the best option. In
this form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, a physician will surgically
implant Testosterone Pellets just below top layers of the skin. Many men love
it, because a single administration lasts for a period of three to six months,
dwarfing even the weekly or bi-monthly injections associated with Testosterone
Injection Treatment.
Although this form of treatment is incredibly effective, it
is the most invasive form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy. In order to
start therapy, you must undergo surgery to administer the pellets. This surgery
is minor, but it may still convince you to turn to a less invasive form of
treatment.
How should I be Monitored while taking Testosterone?
Out-patient treatment is relatively simple in regard to
Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy. After you begin your initial
treatments, you will be required to visit your physician after three and six
months of therapy in order to monitor how your body responds to treatment. If
your Testosterone Levels appear healthy and there are no significant
side-effects, then you can sustain treatment safely. After these three initial
visits to the doctor in the first six months, you will visit your doctor
annually around the anniversary of your first treatment in order to continually
assess your health.
If, after any of these visits to the doctor, it appears that
your T-Levels still remain abnormally low, your doctor may recommend increasing
your Testosterone Dosage. In addition to this, Red Blood Cell counts will be
monitored with every checkup.
If you showed signs of Osteoporosis when you began
Testosterone Treatment, your physician will begin monitoring your Bone Mineral
Density at some point between one and two years of therapy.
In addition to all of this, your physician will counsel you
in regard to prostate cancer risk, so that you may maximize the benefits of
therapy while minimizing the risk of prostate cancer. Current studies indicate
that Testosterone Replacement Therapy probably does not increase the risk of
Prostate and Breast cancer, but it may exacerbate the cancers after they
appear, which is why this regular monitoring and risk-management is incredibly
important.
How long is it necessary to use Testosterone HRT?
Unfortunately, Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy is
not a cure for physiologically low Testosterone Levels. However, Testosterone
HRT is a highly effective treatment for restoring your normal Free and
Bio-Available Testosterone Levels so that you have the Testosterone your body
needs to function as if your Testosterone Production were absolutely normal.
This does mean that the benefits of Testosterone Replacement begin to fade in
the months and years after successful treatment.
Do You Think Testosterone
is Right for You?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is an amazing treatment
option that offers numerous benefits for aging men. Some women may even benefit
from Testosterone Hormone Replacement.
If you feel that Low-T is having a negative impact upon the
way that you live your life, we encourage you to contact a medical professional
like those at the Conscious Evolution Institute in order to take an important
first step to restoring greater health and vitality to your life!
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