Testosterone Replacement Therapy Specialist in Pflugerville, TX

Adolescence and early adulthood are when testosterone levels generally peak, and after the age of 30 or 40 they decline by about 1% a year. Low testosterone levels in older men are usually due to the normal aging process, but it’s important to determine if this is actually the cause, and not due to hypogonadism, a disease that hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or the pituitary gland that regulates them. Lower testosterone levels, and the resultant effects, can be disconcerting but they are a natural part of aging; if you are particularly concerned, however, speak with your doctor. They will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), studies have shown that many significant medical conditions can be linked to low testosterone levels including osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, frailty, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest (heart attack) and coronary artery disease. However, it goes on to say that more research is needed to determine the extent to which low testosterone levels are responsible, or if testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) could be useful in their treatment.

Low testosterone can result from a variety of things such as testicular injury or infection; radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer; some medications, such as opiate painkillers and steroid injections; disorders of the pituitary gland (tumors or diseases); chronic diseases such as kidney and liver disease, obesity, sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, and HIV/AIDS; genetic conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome; and the use of anabolic steroids.

Low testosterone levels can result in:

• reduced sexual desire, or low libido**
• fewer spontaneous erections
• impotence
• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• infertility
• changes in sleep patterns**
• difficulty concentrating**
• forgetfulness**
• loss of memory**
• lack of motivation
• reduced muscle bulk and strength*
• decreased bone density*
• increased body fat*
• anemia**
• large breasts in men
• depression**
• fatigue

The most easily recognized signs in older men are a decrease in muscle mass and strength, a decrease in bone mass, and an increase in central body fat (*). However, symptoms such as a decrease sexual desire or low libido, forgetfulness, loss of memory, anemia, difficulty in concentration, insomnia, and a decreased sense of well-being (**) are more difficult to differentiate from normal aging.

Testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) is available in the form of pellets, patches, injections or gels and can be used to improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against TRT for low levels of testosterone caused by aging alone.  If there isn’t a medical condition that’s contributing to the decline, a doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and doing resistance exercise to build muscle mass.

Although using TRT as a treatment for normal aging is generally not advised, the National Institutes of Health reports that it may be beneficial to men with hypogonadism in the areas of:

• improvement in libido and sexual function
• increase in bone density and muscle mass resulting in improved body composition
• mood
• improved oxygen circulation in the bloodstream
• Improved cognitive abilities
• Improved quality of life
• lower risk of cardiovascular disease

In order for a person to be considered for testosterone-replacement therapy treatment it must first be determined if they have low testosterone levels together with signs and symptoms of hypogonadism, a disease that disrupts the ability for the testicles to produce normal amounts of testosterone. When this occurs in an older man, the condition is often called andropause (sometimes referred to as the ‘male menopause’). If you would like to know more about testosterone-replacement therapy, its benefits and risks, and whether it’s right for you, contact us today! Call us for more information or to request an appointment today! We are conveniently located at 701 FM 685, Ste 125 Pflugerville, TX 78660. We Serve Patients from Pflugerville TX, Austin TX, Round Rock TX, Hutto TX, Georgetown TX, Cedar Park TX, Taylor TX and Manor TX.