TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY (TRT) FOR MEN

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Low Testosterone Symptoms
Testosterone Health Benefits
Normal is NOT Optimal
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) FAQ’s
Watch Dr. Breen Explains - Video
Further Learning

Testosterone has many positive effects that are well documented. This includes increases in muscle mass, endurance, bone density, energy levels and libido. It also offers protection from cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other common diseases of aging. It increases the quality of life, reduces deterioration of our bodily structures, and offers many other health benefits and feelings of well-being and confidence that you may not have experienced as much lately.

Testosterone levels in men begin to decline starting in their early to mid 20’s. However, the majority of men we see in our clinic are over 40. Andropause actually tends to sneak up on men. It’s not atypical for men who come to our clinic to wake up one day and realized they’ve gone a week without thinking about sex, are having some erectile difficulties, have zero energy to work out, have poor endurance and gained a good amount of weight. Their primary care physician may have informed them they have high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure. He wants to medicate them and has told them to drop the weight.

They notice their overall mood is lower, they’re not able to focus as well and they don’t have the “drive” and “get up and go” as much as they used to. Sound familiar?

The good thing is…we can help. We specialize in looking at hormone levels and understanding the difference between normal and optimal. We’re experts in bioidentical (natural) hormone replacement therapy, including Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

First, you’ll want to have a complete physical and have blood work done by someone who is an expert at TRT. For men, testosterone is the primary hormone we optimize, but the forms we choose to use may be different depending on your age, goals, etc. For example, if you’re younger than 40 and still want children, we may choose to boost your levels with hCG and Clomid instead of bioidentical testosterone.

LOW TESTOSTERONE SYMPTOMS

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  • Loss of muscle

  • Increased fat mass

  • Constant fatigue

  • Breast tissue development

  • Loss of bone density

  • Joint pain

  • Decreased erectile function

  • Reduced libido

  • Difficulty obtaining orgasm (climax)

  • Poor cardiovascular health

  • Mood disruption

  • Irritability

  • Loss of enjoyment

Testosterone Health Benefits

  • Improved muscle mass, strength & endurance

  • Decreased fat mass, both subcutaneous & visceral

  • Increase in bone density

  • Improved erection quality

  • Increased libido & sexual performance

  • Higher confidence and quality of life

  • Enhanced sense of well-being & psychological outlook

  • Improvement in depression

  • Improved skin tone & collagen

  • Faster healing

  • Improved cognition

  • Reduced cholesterol levels

  • Lower blood sugar levels

  • Decreased inflammation

Normal is NOT Optimal

Read Dr. Breen’s post as to why your “normal” lab values are not optimal here.

Your primary provider may say, “Your levels are normal.” However, you still have many of the Symptoms of Low Testosterone. This is a situation we see quite often. You may wonder, “Is it possible for me to have ‘normal’ testosterone levels, yet have symptoms of low testosterone?” The medical literature, and our experience say, unequivocally – yes.

To understand our rationale, it’s important to first understand how reference ranges are determined. The reference range for adult males, ages 18 and over range from 193-836 ng/dL (using Quest Diagnostics values). These ranges are generated by evaluating lab values from a large sample of individuals who have their testosterone level checked, both sick and healthy. First, they look at the average (roughly 500 ng/dL). Then, a range is created that would capture about 95% of the sample population.

The problem we encounter in the clinical setting is that someone with a level of 193 ng/dL does not feel nearly as good as someone with a level of 836 ng/dL. Yet, most clinicians practice with the “Light Switch Principle” philosophy, meaning the hormone is either ‘on’ or ‘off’. Hence, they conclude, “It’s in the normal range, you’re good!” However, we’ve consistently recognized is that hormones are more akin to a dimmer switch. The higher you dial it up, the better it works.

WE ARE DIFFERENT…

In our practice, we’ll assess your levels in a new light and increase the likelihood that you’ll experience profound and significant life altering results.

At the Breen Center for Optimal Health, we work with you to determine the optimal level for you. There’s no one level for everyone, and even the ranges considered “normal” among the various labs out there differ significantly.

Don’t compare yourself with others, and remember, it’s different for everyone. One person may feel energetic, optimistic, lifting and be running marathons at 370 ng/dL; others will feel depressed, lethargic, and unable to release a single pound of fat weight.

The key is working with a practice who recognizes and treats you as an individual – not as a specific lab result number, and we won’t ignore your symptoms. We know there is no single, ideal, “magic” level.

Contact us today, so we can focus on you, exclusively. We will take your symptoms seriously, check your labs, and more. We’ll put you back into the driver’s seat of your health and your life.


Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) FAQ’s

Who is a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy?

Men over the age of 30 who are suffering from low testosterone (andropause) can benefit from TRT. Typically, hormones start to decrease by the mid to late 20’s. So, it’s not uncommon for us to see men as early as age 30 onward. Read Dr. Breen’s post about this here.

What are the risks and side effects of testosterone?

As with any medical treatment, there’s always a chance of side effects.

The potential for side effects is significantly reduced in our practice because our providers only prescribe medically-appropriate dosages. All of our programs include follow-up lab testing to ensure dosages are optimal. This approach, and ongoing monitoring and adjusting minimizes side effects among our patients.

The most common side effects we see include:

  • Acne

  • Nipple soreness

Potential risks:

  • Testicular atrophy

  • Transference to others

  • Infertility

  • Erythrocytosis

  • Blood clots, myocardial infarction

However, the risks often far outweigh the benefits. We can assist you in deliberating so you can make the best decision for you.

My doctor told me testosterone is “bad for my heart.” Is this true?

Bioidentical (non-synthetic) testosterone decreases harmful cardiovascular markers yet raises the good markers.

The bioidentical type of testosterone we prescribe has been found to lower cholesterol and raise HDL (the “good” cholesterol). Read Dr. Breen’s post about this here.

Can testosterone increase my risk for prostate cancer?

The meta-analysis findings have indicated that testosterone is not associated with an increase risk in cancer. Actually, prostate cancer is most commonly found when testosterone levels are low.

However, active prostate cancer is a contraindication to testosterone replacement therapy. We would not treat any patient who we suspect has active prostate cancer. If elevated PSA Levels are seen, we’d refer to a specialist to rule out an active case before we consider TRT.

How do I inject testosterone?

Our patients who choose to inject testosterone do so intramuscularly (IM).

We train our patients exactly how to inject testosterone safely, easily and comfortably. Most patients inject a certain number of times per week (typically 1-2x). It’s an intramuscular injection, but can be done subcutaneously, if preferred. If you’re prescribed testosterone (or any injectable), it’s something we’re sure you feel comfortable with before you leave our office.

See how easy it is to inject testosterone here:

What is TRT?

A system of medical treatment involving the administration of hormones to boost levels or act as a replacement for testosterone.

Is TRT safe?

YES! There are numerous studies showing the safety of natural hormone replacement therapy.

How soon can I expect results?

Week 1-2:

Increase in mental quickness, sharpness and energy. An elimination of a mild to moderate depression. A generally improved enthusiasm for your daily life.

Week 2-3:

Better results from exercise and weight-control efforts. More energy. An increase in sex drive.

Week 3-4:

Increased sexual desire and spontaneous morning erections.

Testimonials

Watch Dr. Breen discuss Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Blogs:

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