Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Weighing the benefits and risks for aging males
Anyone considering testosterone replacement therapy to help improve physique, libido, feel younger with more vitality? Learn the pros and cons before you decide on beginning TRT.
As men age, testosterone replacement therapy may sound promising as it solves so many of the problems we experience as we age. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about what TRT can and can't do for men.
Anyone considering testosterone replacement therapy to help improve physique, libido, feel younger with more vitality? Learn the pros and cons before you decide on beginning TRT.
As men age, testosterone replacement therapy may sound promising as it solves so many of the problems we experience as we age. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about what TRT can and can't do for men.
Anyone considering testosterone replacement therapy to help improve physique, libido, feel younger with more vitality? Learn the pros and cons before you decide on beginning TRT.
As men age, testosterone replacement therapy may sound promising as it solves so many of the problems we experience as we age. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about what TRT can and can't do for men.
Low Testosterone therapy can sound like a no brainer. It’s the single best anti-aging protocol for men suffering from sub optimal testosterone levels. The health related benefits of TRT for age-related hormone decline in men is fairly well established and most men who begin doctor prescribe testosterone therapy will begin to see results fairly rapidly.
Anyone considering testosterone replacement therapy to help improve physique, libido, feel younger with more vitality? Learn the pros and cons before you decide on beginning TRT.
As men age, testosterone replacement therapy may sound promising as it solves so many of the problems we experience as we age. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about what TRT can and can't do for men.
Low Testosterone therapy can sound like a no
brainer. It’s the single best anti-aging protocol for men suffering from sub
optimal testosterone levels. The health related benefits of TRT for age-related
hormone decline in men is fairly well established and most men who begin doctor
prescribe testosterone therapy will begin to see results fairly rapidly.
What is testosterone, and why is it so
important for Men’s Health?
Testosterone is a hormone produced primarily
in the males’ testicles. Testosterone is vital in that it helps maintain
several important functions in men, including but not limited to:
·
Bone mineral density
·
Fat distribution in
and around the midsection mostly
·
Muscle mass, strength
and recovery
·
Facial and body hair
development
·
Production of Red
blood cells
·
Libido/Sex drive andperformance
·
The Production of Sperm
·
The ability to achieve
and maintain erections
·
What happens to a male’s
testosterone levels when they age?
During adolescence and early adulthood, a male’s
testosterone levels will generally peak. Soon after they reach their mid to
late 20’s, their hormone levels begin to decline The rate is typically about 1%
to 2% a year after age 30 or 40. For men that are olde, it's important to
determine if low T levels are due to normal aging process or perhaps due to a separate
medical condition or disease (hypogonadism).
Hypogonadism will affect the male’s ability to
produce typical levels of testosterone potentially because of problems related
to the testicles or perhaps with the pituitary gland itself, which controls the
testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy for men with the signs and symptoms
of Low T can help improve the patients overall health and wellness while hopefully
reversing these symptoms. Most patients start TRT opting for injections,
pellets, patches or creams/gels.
When testosterone levels decile naturally with age, can this cause the signs and symptoms of aging in men?
Not always. Some men might have multiple signs and symptoms as they get older. Some of these symptoms may be related to Low T, while other could be due to another health concern, which is why it’s important to speak to a licensed and experienced doctor who is knowledgeable in hormone replacement therapy before starting treatment. Some signs/symptoms that could occur as a result of lower testosterone levels can include:
· Changes in sexual functioning. This could include a reduction in libido or sex drive. A man may notice fewer spontaneous erections, weaker erections upon waking up tin the morning. Another possible concern with Low T is infertility, as sperm production may be negatively affected.
Physical changes to your body. Several physical changes are normally seen in men as they age, including increased distribution of unwanted body fat, often around the waist. Decreases in muscle mass and physical strength, and decreased bone density all occur. Tender or swollen breasts (gynecomastia) and body hair loss are rare yet still possible. One may notice less energy than you used to, or fatigue with less motivation to do the things you once did.
· Emotional changes. Low T may contribute to decreased motivation or self-confidence in men which often can compound a situation making it progressively worse over time. You may feel sad, lonely, depressed, or inadequate, or just have trouble with focus, drive, concentration and/or remembering things. Some call it a mental fog, but one thing is for certain, optimized T levels help men focus, regain drive and confidence and help them feel better both physically and mentally.
Other factors may contribute to these signs and symptoms though, including the effects brought on by taking certain medications which have side effects in some patients. Obstructive sleep apnea or sleep problems in general can contribute to lower T levels Patients with thyroid problems (T3/T4), diabetics and patients with depression may also show several of the overlapping symptoms associated with low testosterone. It's also possible that these conditions cause low testosterone levels on their own. Treating these symptoms in some cases may help to alleviate the symptoms and help raise hormone levels to within normal ranges again.
·
Physical
changes to your body. Several physical
changes are normally seen in men as they age, including increased distribution
of unwanted body fat, often around the waist. Decreases in muscle mass and physical
strength, and decreased bone density all occur. Tender or swollen breasts
(gynecomastia) and body hair loss are rare yet still possible. One may notice less
energy than you used to, or fatigue with less motivation to do the things you
once did.
·
Emotional
changes. Low T may contribute
to decreased motivation or self-confidence in men which often can compound a
situation making it progressively worse over time. You may feel sad, lonely, depressed,
or inadequate, or just have trouble with focus, drive, concentration and/or
remembering things. Some call it a mental fog, but one thing is for certain,
optimized T levels help men focus, regain drive and confidence and help them
feel better both physically and mentally.
Other factors may contribute to these signs
and symptoms though, including the effects brought on by taking certain medications
which have side effects in some patients. Obstructive sleep apnea or sleep problems
in general can contribute to lower T levels Patients with thyroid problems
(T3/T4), diabetics and patients with depression may also show several of the
overlapping symptoms associated with low testosterone. It's also possible that
these conditions cause low testosterone levels on their own. Treating these
symptoms in some cases may help to alleviate the symptoms and help raise
hormone levels to within normal ranges again.
A blood test is used by a physician to
diagnose a low testosterone levels.
What are the risks of
testosterone therapy for normal aging?
Testosterone therapy has several possible
risks, including:
·
Increased sleep apnea
— a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts can be exacerbated
on TRT.
·
Elevated testosterone
can cause acne.
·
The stimulation of
noncancerous growth of the prostate gland (BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia)
and growth of existing prostate cancer.
·
Enlarging of the male breasts.
·
Reduced sperm
production and testicular atrophy.
·
Stimulation of red
blood cell production, which may contribute to an increased risk of forming
blood clots.
Should you talk to your
doctor about testosterone therapy?
If you’re interested in learning whether or
not testosterone therapy might be something beneficial for you, talk with your
doctor about possible risks and benefits . Your doctor may get blood work done
to measure your free and total testosterone levels and look at possible
underlying conditions.
If
you’d like to speak with our physician Dr. Mackey, a licensed and experienced doctor
experienced in hormone replacement therapy for men and women, we’d love to
help. Call or text us at 561-277-8260 or email us at info@NovaGenix.org and we can help answer
any questions that you may have or schedule a free initial consultation. If you
need help getting labs/bloodwork, we can assist you there as well. Just click
this link to fill out our new patient intake form and once submitted, we’ll
reach out and schedule a time to speak directly with our doctor and medical
team.
Click here to fill out our new patient intake form
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