Testosterone is an essential hormone that regulates vital processes in men. When levels are low, men may experience symptoms like fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and depressed mood. If low testosterone goes untreated, it can lead to loss of muscle mass, weight gain, osteoporosis, infertility, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Low testosterone, also called hypogonadism or hypotestosteronemia, becomes more common as men age. But low T can occur at any age due to conditions affecting the testes. Testosterone deficiency has become an epidemic affecting nearly 40% of men over age 45. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, men can restore healthy testosterone levels and reverse associated symptoms.
The Importance of Testosterone Screening
Many men with low testosterone fail to recognize their own symptoms. Others dismiss symptoms as normal signs of aging. However, clinically low testosterone requires medical treatment. All men should undergo testosterone level screening at age 35, again at 40, and then every few years thereafter. This allows early detection and treatment when necessary.
When to Suspect Low Testosterone
Consider having your testosterone levels checked if experiencing any of the following:
Risk Factors for Low Testosterone
Certain health conditions put men at higher risk of low T, including:
Getting Diagnosed with Low Testosterone
If your symptoms and risk factors indicate, your doctor will check your total testosterone blood levels. They may also assess your overall health profile with exams and other hormone and blood tests.
Testosterone deficiency is diagnosed when total testosterone blood concentration is below 300 ng/dL on two separate mornings. Your doctor will help interpret your test results and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Dangers of leaving Low Testosterone untreated
Allowing testosterone deficiency to persist untreated poses serious health risks including:
The good news? These risks can be greatly reduced through proper testosterone therapy under a doctor’s care.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can safely and effectively restore healthy hormonal levels in men with low T. The treatment helps alleviate troubling symptoms so patients can get back to feeling their best.
TRT benefits include:
With treatment, men often describe feeling years younger with a better overall quality of life. And TRT offers powerful protective effects against various age-related diseases.
Starting Testosterone Replacement Therapy
The first step is getting properly tested for low testosterone levels. If blood tests confirm clinically low levels, TRT may be an appropriate treatment option.
There are several delivery methods to restore testosterone to healthy levels:
Your doctor will help determine the best TRT solution based on your lifestyle, preferences, and healthcare needs. Proper dosing keeps testosterone levels in the healthy natural range without unwanted side effects.
Monitoring Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Patients on TRT require periodic blood testing and follow-up doctor’s appointments for therapy management. Monitoring ensures proper testosterone levels are achieved and maintained long-term for optimal treatment results.
TRT precautions:
Immediately report any concerning symptoms to your doctor such as chest pain, swelling, urinating problems, breathing issues, severe headache, vision issues or leg pain. Rarely, testosterone therapy can contribute to blood clots, heart attack, stroke or other serious conditions. Thus, careful medical oversight is important.
Who Should Not Use Testosterone Replacement
Testosterone therapy is not appropriate for certain patients including:
Always consult your doctor to determine if TRT is right for your individual health status.
The physicians at Renew Medical HRT Clinic specialize in treating hormonal disorders including low testosterone and andropause. Our Walla Walla clinic provides comprehensive care for men’s health, sexual wellness and healthy aging.
Our services include:
We understand the sensitive nature of these conditions. Our staff offers compassionate care and support in a strictly confidential environment.
Renew Medical HRT Clinic utilizes cutting-edge therapies, advanced testing capabilities, and proven treatment protocols. As local leaders in men’s health and hormone replacement, our physicians stay current on the latest medical research and best practices. This enables truly personalized care tailored to your unique health profile.
Convenient Walla Walla Location
Our beautiful Walla Walla clinic provides a discreet, spa-like atmosphere conveniently located near restaurants, coffee shops, health food stores, and other useful establishments.
Surrounding amenities include:
Renew Medical HRT Clinic strives to make testosterone replacement and sexual wellness treatment as seamless and stress-free as possible for Walla Wall residents. Contact us today to learn more or schedule a consultation.
If blood tests confirm low testosterone deficiency, your Renew Medical HRT Clinic physician will determine an appropriate treatment regimen based on your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and preferences.
Standard TRT therapy protocols include:
Follow-up testing and adjustments
Follow-up blood tests are needed periodically to ensure optimum testosterone levels are achieved and maintained. Testing is typically repeated after one week, again after one month, then every 3 months for the first year. Testing may be needed more or less frequently thereafter depending on the patient’s response.
If testosterone blood levels remain suboptimal, your Renew Medical HRT Clinic doctor may adjust the drug type, dose or frequency to achieve therapeutic benefit. Follow-up visits also assess progress with alleviating troublesome low T symptoms.
Maintaining long-term treatment success
Testosterone replacement therapy aims to emulate the natural ebb and flow of hormones in younger, healthier men. When performed properly and conscientiously, TRT offers life-changing, long-lasting relief of deficiency symptoms.
However, patience and commitment to the process are vital. It often takes weeks or months before maximum benefits are perceived. But rest assured the efforts pay dividends with improved wellness and quality of life.
TRT treatment plans may also include medications to restore healthy cholesterol levels or improve erectile potency. But nutrition, fitness and lifestyle factors play pivotal roles too.
Patients can optimize TRT results by:
Testosterone-friendly nutrition
A balanced diet low in starchy and sugary foods prevents weight gain, reduces inflammation, stabilizes blood sugar, and supports production of healthy testosterone levels.
Recommended eating strategies include:
These simple diet upgrades reduce disease risk while ensuring the body has building blocks to manufacture testosterone optimally.
Fitness for optimal testosterone
Regular exercise provides a robust testosterone boost while preventing TRT-related fluid accumulation and cardiovascular issues. Ideally patients should engage in 30-60 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity at least 5 days weekly.
Suggested workouts for maximizing TRT gains:
Routine exercise allows patients to gain more lean tissue strengthening benefits from testosterone therapy. Consult your doctor before embarking on aggressive new workouts.
The mental-emotional side of TRT
Testosterone therapy aims to relieve low mood, irritability and low drive associated with hormone deficiency. But counseling provides added support for processing any emotional changes during treatment.
Talk therapy and stress reduction help in several key ways:
Renew Medical HRT Clinic offers nutritional coaching, counseling referrals or wellness classes based on each patient’s unique needs. We understand TRT improves physical measures of health, but also relationships, self-image and overall wellbeing. Our comprehensive treatment model addresses all facets for fullest possible restoration.
