A New Look At Testosterone Therapy In [location_name]

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In recent years, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has become increasingly popular in Mission Valley. A significant number of older men have pursued TRT to replenish hormone levels, aiming to increase their energy and rekindle their sex drive.

Despite its rising use, TRT remains a contentious issue due to uncertain benefits and potential health risks. Years ago, studies raised safety concerns by suggesting a possible connection between TRT and higher cardiovascular disease risk.

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

“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

Recent research has confirmed this point of view. At the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, a study involving 1,472 men aged 52 to 63 with low testosterone and no history of heart disease was reported.

Investigators determined that TRT did not lead to a higher incidence of heart attack, stroke, or death in healthy men.

Moreover, an August 2015 Mayo Clinic Proceedings study indicated no connection 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 correlation with other health issues shows a mixed pattern. Despite TRT being previously associated with an increased occurrence of prostate cancer, a study outlined in the December 2015 Journal of Urology demonstrated that exposure to TRT over a five-year period did not lead to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

The uncertainties regarding the long-term risks of TRT persist due to limited follow-ups in various studies. Nonetheless, this shouldn’t dissuade individuals from exploring TRT as an option. It could be suitable for specific groups of men.

Who Is a Candidate For TRT In [location_name]?

Meeting two conditions is essential for TRT prescription in Mission Valley: 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.”

Testosterone levels are typically assessed using a standard blood test. Due to their susceptibility to daily fluctuations and influences from medication and diet, multiple tests are necessary. Dr. Hayes highlights, “In roughly 30% of cases where the initial testosterone test shows low levels, subsequent tests demonstrate normal levels.”

Even if you have low testosterone levels and experience several symptoms, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) isn’t always the primary option. Dr. Hayes explains, “Identifying the underlying cause of declining levels helps us address it and naturally raise low levels.”

Take weight gain, for instance, which frequently leads to declining levels. “Weight has a larger influence on testosterone levels compared to aging. As weight rises, testosterone levels tend to fall,” she elaborates. A five-point surge on the body mass index (BMI) scale, like going from 30 to 35, is similar to adding 10 years to your age regarding testosterone levels.

“Your doctor should also review any other factors that could influence 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.

It’s important for men to realize the constraints of TRT, as many regard it as a miracle treatment. “Its effects are usually 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 given either via gel application or injection. When using a gel, you spread the daily dose, about the size of a ketchup packet, over both upper arms, shoulders, or thighs. Injections are usually administered into the buttocks biweekly.

Both methods have their own merits. Gels provide more stable levels of testosterone. “However, you need to avoid close skin contact for a few hours, particularly with women, as the testosterone may cause acne or hair growth,” says Dr. Hayes.

Injections cause testosterone levels to rise to high levels for a few days and then gradually decrease, leading to a roller-coaster effect with fluctuating mood and energy levels.

Within four to six weeks, most men in Mission Valley feel better, although muscle mass changes might take from three to six months.

TRT might not need to be taken indefinitely. “If the underlying issue causing your low testosterone resolves, you should have a trial period off the treatment and be re-evaluated by your doctor,” says Dr. Hayes.