Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of replacement?
What are the risks of having low testosterone?
What are the treatment options?
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone in our body responsible for normal growth of male sex organs during puberty and maintenance of sex characteristics through adulthood. Testosterone has numerous effects on our bodies including:
- Development of male sex organs, facial and body hair
- Development of muscle mass, body strength, and body fat distribution
- Sex drive and sexual function
- Maintaining positive mood and energy level
- Bone strength
- Sleep patterns
What causes low testosterone?
Our bodies testosterone production drops by 1.5% per year after the age of 30. Lifestyle as well as other medical comorbidities will accelerate the reduction.
These include:
- Medications
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Asthma/COPD
- Poor sleep
- Shift work
What are the symptoms?
- Decreased sexual desire and function
- Reduced strength and energy
- Depressed mood
- Poor concentration
- Sleep disturbances
What are the benefits of testosterone replacement treatment?
- Restore sexual function and sex drive
- Restore muscle mass and strength
- Restore sense of well being
- Improved mood
- Decreased abdominal fat
- Improved concentration and sleep
What are the risks of low testosterone?
- Obesity
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Osteoporosis/Increased incidence of fractures
- Fractures
- Depression
- Sexual dysfunction
How do I know that my testosterone levels are low?
- Assess your symptoms and a physical examination
- Blood test; blood must be drawn between 8am and 12p
- Depending upon these results, other investigations may also be necessary.
Take our Quiz to find out if you have symptoms. If so, you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
What are the options for treatment if I am a candidate?
- Testosterone is currently the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for TD.
- Testosterone is available as transdermal gels and patches, injections, implants, and buccal and oral tablets
- Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and treatment requires regular monitoring by our physician, and will require regular blood tests and physical examinations.
- Men of 40 years and over will have their prostate gland examined before treatment commences and regularly thereafter while they remain on treatment.
