Testosterone Therapy for Men

Testosterone Therapy for Men

Better aging for men almost always includes testosterone therapy. It’s the foundation for getting you back to feeling like yourself. We restore testosterone to healthy levels…and we do it the right way.

 Facts About Testosterone

1. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid. While “steroid” is a misunderstood word that engenders negative connotations, the male body produces it naturally.
2. Testosterone is the feel-good hormone for men.
3. If done correctly, there should be no side effects from testosterone therapy. Symptoms are relieved and long-term health is improved.
4. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. Heredity, poor lifestyle habits, and elevated estrogen are the root causes of prostate cancer.
5. Testosterone therapy for men should be done in conjunction with balancing estrogen.
6. Testosterone levels in men are declining at faster rates than they used to. This acceleration is likely due to toxins in the environment. While unusual 20 years ago, today we routinely treat men in their 20s and 30s.

Benefits of Testosterone

Men need a lot of testosterone to feel good. If your levels are low, it will feel like not having enough gas in your tank. You simply won’t be at your best and your healthiest. Following are the many benefits that testosterone provides:

• Strong sex drive
• Improved sexual function
• Strong muscles
• Boosted energy
• Better sleep
• Mental acuity
• Faster metabolism
• Stable moods
• Strong bones

Lab Levels and What They Mean

The word “normal” means different things to different medical professionals relative to testosterone levels. Some physicians take an age-dependent approach to assessing testosterone. Others will say levels are fine so long as they fall within the lab’s reference range—even though most men are symptomatic at the lower end of that scale.

At Renew Youth, we object to this flexible use of the word “normal” when it comes to male hormones. We also don’t think it should be considered normal for men to suffer from symptoms of low testosterone. At Renew Youth, we never think in terms of normal—we think in terms of optimal. Optimal is where a man feels his best and is at his healthiest. For most men, this will be toward the upper end of the lab reference range.

Testosterone Replacement Basics

1. Prescribing testosterone therapy correctly is a nuanced process. Expertise matters.
2. When done properly, testosterone therapy for men will include controlling the rate at which testosterone converts to estrogen.
3. Safe and effective treatment requires regular monitoring. Our clients lab test at least two times per year and have an appointment with one of our physicians annually.

Testosterone Replacement Specifics

Men need a lot of testosterone to feel good. There are two ways to get enough into your body on a consistent basis:

Injections

We recommend injections for men who don’t have an issue with needles. Here’s why:

• Injections are very precise.
• When injections are done at least two times per week, your body will receive a steady supply of testosterone. No peaks and valleys.
• Injections can be done intramuscularly or subcutaneously, depending upon preference.
• With injections, there is less conversion of testosterone to DHT. This means less stress on the prostate and a lower incidence of hair loss.
• Self-administered injections are simple and painless. We make sure you know how to do them correctly.

Transdermal Cream

Topical cream has its benefits, particularly for men who prefer not to use needles. It also has some drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons:

• Topical cream provides consistent dosing. However, absorption can vary, making it somewhat less precise than injections.
• Caution must be exercised to ensure transference does not occur through skin-to-skin contact with other people (especially women and children).
• The conversion rate of testosterone to DHT is higher when using topical cream. Elevated DHT can stress the prostate and cause hair loss in some men.

Delivery Methods We Do Not Use

Pellets

Testosterone pellets are surgically inserted under the skin and need to be replaced every few months. Apart from requiring a surgical procedure every time they’re inserted, pellets have significant limitations:

• Pellets usually release too much testosterone immediately following insertion, and then eventually not enough. The result is a rollercoaster ride relative to how you feel.
• Because equilibrium is never achieved for testosterone, managing estrogen conversion becomes impossible. Both hormones are constantly moving targets.
• Lab testing for testosterone and estrogen are rendered meaningless. It isn’t possible to accurately measure something that is always on the move.
• Having a surgical procedure every three months opens the door to pain, infections, and scarring.

Patches

Testosterone patches are commercially produced, and they’re usually applied to the scrotum. Like pellets, they have limitations:

• While patches provide good time release, they tend to be uncomfortable.
• Patches commonly cause skin irritation.
• Dosing is usually suboptimal and can’t be fine-tuned.

We do not use delivery methods that are unsafe, ineffective, or unproven. If it isn’t best practice, it won’t be a part of any treatment program we provide. Period.

Method of Treatment

• Our physicians’ will tailor your treatment regimen to your unique needs, based upon your lab levels and your symptoms.
• Treatment will include routine monitoring via lab testing to ensure lab levels remain optimal.
• You’ll play an active role in determining what’s best for you.
• Dosing is adjusted over time as needed.

At Renew Youth, we have been helping men to optimize their testosterone levels since 1999. Testosterone therapy for men is safe, effective, and convenient. And our knowledgeable staff is with you every step of the way. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.