A New Look At Testosterone Therapy In [location_name]

Get Started Now

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has grown immensely popular in recent years in Preston Hollow. Numerous older men have chosen TRT to normalize their hormone levels, aiming to enhance their energy and revive their sexual desire.

TRT remains controversial because of uncertain benefits and potential health risks. Years ago, safety concerns were raised when research suggested a possible connection between TRT and increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Dr. Frances Hayes, a reproductive endocrinologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, mentions the limitations of some studies.

“For instance, in one study, TRT doses were much higher than what would usually be prescribed, and the subjects tended to be more frail, with other health problems,” she says. “Other studies showed no evidence of increased risk.”

THE LATEST FINDINGS

Current findings have supported this perspective. A study shared at the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions involved 1,472 men aged 52 to 63 with low testosterone levels and no history of heart disease.

Findings showed that healthy men on TRT did not face a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.

Further findings from the August 2015 Mayo Clinic Proceedings revealed no link between TRT and venous blood clots among 30,000 men. “Right now, the jury is still out about TRT’s influence on cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Hayes.

TRT’s association with other health concerns presents a complex picture. While TRT has been previously linked to an elevated prevalence of prostate cancer, a study released in the December 2015 Journal of Urology found no connection between exposure to TRT over a five-year duration and an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

The uncertainties surrounding the long-term risks of TRT persist due to limited follow-up in many studies. However, this shouldn’t dissuade individuals from considering TRT. It might be a suitable option for specific groups of men.

Who Is a Candidate For TRT In [location_name]?

Meeting two conditions is essential for TRT prescription in Preston Hollow: low testosterone levels (less than 600 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL)) and the manifestation of multiple symptoms (see page 7). Dr. Hayes points out, “While low levels can exist without symptoms, if key symptoms such as fatigue and sexual dysfunction are absent, commencing TRT isn’t recommended due to ongoing uncertainties about its long-term safety.”

Measuring testosterone levels often involves a standard blood test. Due to their susceptibility to daily fluctuations and influences from medication and diet, multiple tests are necessary. Dr. Hayes explains, “About 30% of cases where the initial testosterone test indicates low levels show normal levels upon retesting.”

Low testosterone levels and several symptoms don’t automatically mean testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as the first step. According to Dr. Hayes, “Understanding the underlying cause of declining levels allows us to address it and naturally enhance low levels.”

Take weight gain, for instance, which is frequently the main contributor to declining levels. “Weight has a larger impact on testosterone levels compared to aging. As weight increases, testosterone levels decrease,” she explains. A five-point increase on the body mass index (BMI) scale, such as moving from 30 to 35, is comparable to adding 10 years to your age concerning testosterone levels.

“Your doctor should also review any other factors that might affect levels, such as medication or medical conditions,” says Dr. Hayes. In these cases, your doctor may address the underlying condition or change your medication or dosage to one that wouldn’t affect testosterone levels.

Men should be aware of the limitations of TRT, as it’s frequently hailed as a magical solution. “Its outcomes are typically not as astounding as men imagine,” Dr. Hayes observes.

Take sexual health and vitality, for example, often cited advantages of TRT. A study published in the Feb. 18, 2016 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine examined the effects of TRT on 790 men aged 65 and older. Those receiving TRT for one year, compared to those on a placebo, witnessed improvements in sexual function, encompassing activity, desire, and erectile function. Nonetheless, the group experienced only a slight mood enhancement and observed no changes in walking speed, a measure of TRT’s impact on vitality.

Using TRT

TRT can be delivered through gel application or injection. When using a gel, you spread the daily dose, similar to the size of a ketchup packet, over the upper arms, shoulders, or thighs. Injections are usually administered into the buttocks every two weeks.

Both methods provide unique advantages. Gels maintain more consistent testosterone levels. “But you must avoid close skin contact for a few hours, particularly with women, as testosterone could cause acne or hair growth,” Dr. Hayes warns.

Injections can cause testosterone levels to surge for a few days and then taper off slowly, resulting in a roller-coaster effect where mood and energy levels rise and then fall.

Most men in Preston Hollow feel better within four to six weeks, though increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.

TRT may not need to be lifelong. “If the problem that caused your testosterone levels to drop is resolved, you should trial discontinuing treatment and be re-evaluated by your doctor,” says Dr. Hayes.