Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and vital for men's health and wellbeing. As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline leading to signs and symptoms collectively known as low testosterone or hypogonadism. Timely diagnosis and treatment of low testosterone is crucial to help alleviate symptoms and promote improved health. Vitality Renewal Clinic specializes in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to help men suffering from testosterone deficiency restore levels and feel their best again.
Healthy testosterone levels provide men with both physical and mental health benefits including:
Declining testosterone levels cause nonspecific symptoms that can easily be overlooked or ascribed to normal aging. However, low testosterone should not be ignored as prolonged deficiency poses significant health risks.
Common signs and symptoms of low testosterone include:
Blood testing is essential to accurately diagnose low testosterone, as symptoms alone may have many causes. A simple blood test can check total and free testosterone levels.
Testing should involve:
The Endocrine Society clinical guidelines define low testosterone below:
Prompt diagnosis and treatment of low testosterone is recommended before deficiencies advance and cause irreversible health consequences.
If blood tests confirm low testosterone, your doctor will evaluate for any underlying disorders causing deficiency such as pituitary disease. Replacement therapy is warranted for most men with confirmed symptomatic testosterone deficiency to restore levels.
For men diagnosed with symptomatic hormone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) offers safe, effective treatment. TRT involves supplementing testosterone via gels, injections, patches or pellets to restore normal levels.
TRT acts by replacing deficient hormones directly with exogenous testosterone. This serves to eliminate symptoms of low testosterone and mitigate health risks of prolonged deficiency.
Forms of TRT include:
Treatment aims to restore testosterone levels while avoiding supraphysiologic levels that may cause side effects. Formulations, doses, and frequency are tailored to the individual.
TRT benefits persist only so long as treatment is continued to maintain adequate levels, similar to other hormone therapies (e.g thyroid medications). Most men need lifelong treatment once deficient, but treatment is affordable and safe for healthy men when properly monitored.
Treatment begins with informed consent and a trial of therapy (usually gels or injections) with close follow up care.
The key consideration for TRT is the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms alongside low blood testosterone levels. Each patient undergoes needed testing before carefully weighing benefits versus potential risks with their physician. TRT may not benefit men with age-related decline absent bothersome deficiency symptoms.
At Vitality Renewal Clinic, we conduct a thorough, evidence-based evaluation prior to TRT:
TRT is generally safe for healthy men when properly monitored, but does pose some risks to weigh including:
Contraindications where risks likely outweigh benefits:
Careful patient selection and monitoring mitigates potential adverse effects.
Testosterone replacement therapy has been found to boost mental sharpness in males with low testosterone. A 2014 study found men treated with testosterone had improved verbal memory and mental processing speed compared to those who received placebo. The cognitive benefits occurred in addition to increased muscle mass and reduced body fat.
Vitality Renewal Clinic provides personalized, evidence-based TRT optimized for patient goals, preferences, and safety. We partner with each patient to tailor an optimal regimen.
When starting TRT, we:
Supportive care during TRT maximizes benefits including:
To provide comprehensive support during TRT, Vitality Renewal Clinic has partnered with exceptional local Rialto businesses including:
Together with our partners we offer comprehensive treatment, labs, counseling, fitness, and nutrition support.
The primary treatment goals with TRT include:
Symptoms and labs are reassessed every 6 months with dose adjustments as needed. Some patients stabilize quickly while others may require gradual dose titration over months to reach optimal effects and avoid side effects. Patience is needed as TRT rarely works overnight but rewards those who persist.
The future of TRT involves developing newer agents and delivery methods for more convenient, cost-effective care with close patient monitoring for safety.
Men's health depends on maintaining optimal testosterone balance. Declining testosterone should be promptly diagnosed and replaced to relieve symptoms and promote wellbeing. Vitality Renewal Clinic provides evidence-based, patient-centered TRT regimens tailored to restore your vitality.
