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Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Is It Right for You?
Many aging men with low testosterone report improved energy levels, sex drive, and mood after testosterone treatment. If testosterone is low, why not replace it? There are several Testosterone Replacement Therapy Clinics in Las Vegas, NV and other cities that can do just that.
Not so fast. A low testosterone level by itself doesn’t need treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy in Las Vegas, NV and other areas where it is offered can have side effects, and the long-term risks and benefits aren’t known. Only men with symptoms of low testosterone should consider testosterone replacement. Talking with your doctor, or a specialized Testosterone Replacement doctor in Las Vegas, NV is the only way to know if testosterone therapy is right for you.
Low Testosterone? Get Personalized Information About Your Condition
Low Testosterone: Subtle Symptoms
Per Testosterone Replacement Therapy physicians in Las Vegas, NV, the symptoms of low testosterone are sometimes obvious, but can be subtle. Testosterone levels decline naturally in men as they age over decades, and symptoms may appear slowly. Low testosterone symptoms include:
- Low sex drive (libido)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue and poor energy level
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
- Irritability
- Low sense of well-being
If a man has symptoms of low testosterone and tests show he has a low testosterone level, a doctor may suggest treatment, such as through testosterone replacement therapy clinics in Las Vegas or other nearby city. However, for millions of men who have low testosterone levels but no symptoms, no treatment is currently recommended.
Asking about symptoms of low testosterone might seem embarrassing. Just talking about it might make you feel like you’re “light in the manhood department.” But if you’re wondering about low testosterone, you’re far from alone. Why do you think there are so many Testosterone Replacement Therapy Doctors in Las Vegas, NV and other U.S. cities?
Low testosterone becomes more common with age, affecting millions of men in the U.S. Although it may cause no symptoms, low testosterone can also result in poor libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, and loss of energy. These symptoms of low testosterone can masquerade as ordinary aging -- when, in fact, it’s a treatable condition.
“Most men don’t ask about it,” says Karen Herbst, MD, an endocrinologist with the University of California at San Diego. “It would be great if they would.” Talking with your doctor is the only way to find out if increasing testosterone levels would help reduce symptoms.
Testosterone levels naturally decline with age. Men lose about 1 percent per year of their testosterone levels after age 40. In middle age and later, levels can dip below the threshold of what’s considered normal. Hence, the popularity of Testosterone Replacement Therapy Clinics in Las Vegas, NV and other major U.S. cities.
Population studies suggest that 10% to 25% of men over 50 may have low testosterone. When asked about symptoms, though, only about one-half to two-thirds of these men report any symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
And the symptoms are what matters, Herbst tells WebMD. Unless a man has symptoms, Herbst believes that he should not have a testosterone test.
Low Testosterone: Symptoms and Treatment
Low libido and erectile dysfunction are two common symptoms of low testosterone. But other symptoms are often vague and nonspecific. For example, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, depression, and irritability are common in men, and frequently occur with normal testosterone levels.
Low testosterone symptoms can also be insidious. Unlike menopause, when women’s estrogen levels abruptly fall to very low levels, “andropause” in men is a slow, steady decline in testosterone over decades. Changes in muscle mass, libido, and mood can be subtle, even unnoticed by a man himself.
Herbst thinks physicians could do more to ask about the symptoms of low testosterone. She adds, “Most of the time, it’s the last thing I ask about. ‘How’s your libido? Are you having any symptoms of ED?’” If a man over 50 mentions problems, a testosterone test is the appropriate next step, Herbst says. Also consider consulting with specialists such as Testosterone Replacement Therapy physicians in Las Vegas, NV.
Testosterone replacement therapy in Las Vegas, NV and other areas can help reduce symptoms. But talking with your doctor about any problems you have can be a tough conversation to start. In one study, 82 percent of men with erectile dysfunction wished their primary doctor had asked them about symptoms earlier. The vast majority of these men said they felt too embarrassed to initiate the discussion about ED themselves.
Andre Araujo, PhD, an epidemiologist focused on testosterone deficiency and treatment patterns, found treatment rates to be surprisingly low in a recent study in Boston. “Only about 12 percent of men with [symptoms of low blood testosterone levels] were receiving testosterone,” Araujo says. “We can’t say they should have been treated, but the low treatment rate didn’t seem due to poor access to care or unwillingness on their part.”
Asking About Your Symptoms
There’s no magic to asking your doctor or testosterone replacement therapy doctor in Las Vegas, NV about symptoms you’re having that might be related to low testosterone, Herbst says. “I think you just say what you feel, and start the conversation that way.”
Still, it’s not always easy to have a good discussion about sensitive issues in a few minutes of face time with the doctor. You can jump-start the conversation if you organize your thoughts before your visit. Here are a few possible ways WebMD suggests to talk to your doctor about possible symptoms of low testosterone.
For men with problems with energy, concentration, and well-being: “I’ve been feeling out of sorts -- just not myself. I’m tired and sleepy all the time, and I can’t seem to keep my mind on task. I get eight hours of sleep every night but I’m still tired. I’m wondering if something else going on. Do you think I need a testosterone test?”
For men with low libido or erectile dysfunction: “I know I’m not 18 anymore. But it seems like I should have more sex drive than I do. I don’t feel interested in sex, and I’ve had no sex drive for months. I know it bothers my wife, too. When it does happen, there are some problems with having a firm erection. It’s pretty embarrassing to talk about, but I want to make sure there’s nothing medical causing this.”
For men with symptoms of depression: “My family says I’m depressed. I admit that I’m irritable most of the time and can be hard to be around. I don’t like that. I’m not lying in bed all day, but my energy is down and I don’t feel interested in the things I used to. It’s hard to concentrate. All this makes me feel like a bad husband and dad. Can low testosterone cause these symptoms?”
Long-term studies on the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement are years away from providing meaningful answers, Araujo says. Until then, the best approach to possible symptoms of low testosterone is to bring them up with your doctor or replacement therapy physicians in Las Vegas, NV.
Keep this in mind, too: if you do not have any symptoms of low testosterone, it does not make any sense to order a testosterone test. Because of potential testosterone side effects, testosterone replacement therapy in Las Vegas, NV or any other city isn’t recommended just for a low level without symptoms since low levels may just be a normal part of aging.
Low Testosterone: Questions for Your Doctor
- Are my symptoms definitely from low testosterone, or could they be caused by some other problem?
- What are the possible benefits of testosterone supplements?
- What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy? What are the risks?
- How long would my treatment with testosterone replacement therapy be?
- What kind of lifestyle changes -- like exercise, or diet -- could I try before testosterone treatment?
Forms of Testosterone Supplements
Testosterone replacement therapy is available in several forms. All can improve testosterone levels:
- Skin patch (transdermal): Androderm is a skin patch worn on the arm or upper body. It is applied once a day.
- Gels: AndroGel and Testim come in packets of clear testosterone gel. Testosterone is absorbed directly through the skin when you apply the gel once a day. AndroGel also comes in a pump that delivers the amount of testosterone prescribed by your doctor.
- Mouth patch: Striant is a tablet that sticks to the upper gums above the incisor, the tooth just to the right or left of the two front teeth. Applied twice a day, it continuously releases testosterone into the blood through the oral tissues.
- Injections and implants: Testosterone can also be injected directly into the muscles, or implanted as pellets in the soft tissues. Your body slowly absorbs the testosterone into the bloodstream.
Why not a simple testosterone pill? Oral testosterone is available. However, some experts such as testosterone replacement therapy physicians in Las Vegas, NV believe oral testosterone can have negative effects on the liver. Using other methods, such as skin patches, gels, orally disintegrating tablets, or injections, bypasses the liver and gets testosterone into the blood directly.
Benefits of Testosterone Therapy
What can you expect from testosterone treatment? It’s impossible to predict, because every man is different. Many men report improvement in energy level, sex drive, and quality of erections. Testosterone also increases bone density, muscle mass, and helps improve obesity and insulin sensitivity in some men.
Men also often report an improvement in mood from testosterone replacement. Whether these effects are barely noticeable, or a major boost, is highly individualized.
Karen Herbst, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist at University of California-San Diego, specializes in testosterone deficiency. She estimates about one in 10 men are “ecstatic” about their response to testosterone therapy, while about the same number “don’t notice much.” The majority have generally positive, but varying responses to testosterone replacement.
Risks of Testosterone Therapy
The common preparations of testosterone replacement have frequent, mild side effects. Testosterone side effects most often include rash, itching, or irritation at the site where the testosterone is applied.
Testosterone replacement so far seems to be generally safe. Experts emphasize that the benefits and risks of testosterone therapy are unknown, because large clinical trials haven’t yet been done.
There are a few health conditions that experts believe testosterone therapy can worsen:
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH): The prostate grows naturally under the stimulation of testosterone. For many men, their prostates grow larger as they age, squeezing the tube carrying urine (urethra). The result is difficulty urinating. This condition, benign prostatic hypertrophy, can be made worse by testosterone therapy.
- Prostate cancer: Testosterone can stimulate prostate cancer to grow. Most experts recommend screening for prostate cancer before starting testosterone replacement. Men with prostate cancer or elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) should probably avoid testosterone treatment.
- Sleep apnea: This condition can be worsened by testosterone replacement. It may be difficult for a man to detect this himself, but his sleeping partner can often tell. A sleep study (polysomnography) may be needed to make the diagnosis.
- Erythrocytosis (high blood counts): Testosterone supplements increase the red blood cell count—possibly making blood “thicker” and perhaps more prone to clotting. Men with the highest blood cell counts may be at greater risk for health problems with testosterone therapy. Simple blood tests can track your red blood cell count.
- Congestive heart failure: Men with severe congestive heart failure should usually not take testosterone replacement, as it can worsen the condition.
It will be years before large clinical trials bring any answers on the long-term benefits and risks of testosterone therapy. As with any medicine, the decision on whether the possible benefits outweigh any risks is up to you and your doctor or specialists at testosterone replacement therapy clinics in Las Vegas, NV or other cities.
Testosterone Replacement vs. Performance-Enhancing Steroids
Isn’t taking testosterone replacement basically the same as taking steroids, like so many disgraced pro athletes? It’s true that anabolic steroids used by some bodybuilders and athletes contain testosterone or chemicals that act like testosterone.
The difference is that doses used in testosterone replacement only achieve physiologic (natural) levels of hormone in the blood. The testosterone forms some athletes use illegally are in much higher doses, and often combined (“stacked”) with other substances that boost the overall muscle-building (anabolic) effect.
Fees for Testosterone Replacement Therapy with Patient First Wellness Center
Initial Visit: $75 + $85 for lab work (Testosterone and PSA)
Follow-up Visit: $60
If you have questions or concerns, please call (702) 474-6300 for more information.
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