Testosterone
Testosterone Deficiency or Hypogonadism
In men, hypogonadism is a condition in which the testes produce a less than normal amount of testosterone, the male hormone. When too little testosterone is present, men tend to undergo a drop in sexual desire and performance. They may also experience depression, fatigue, loss of motivation and osteoporosis. The size and strength of their muscles may diminish and their body hair may become sparse. These symptoms are not specific to testosterone deficiency; however, some men with hypogonadism often don't recognize that they have a medical problem that is treatable. Hypogonadism is a term medical professionals use for this condition and you'll see why it is often overlooked. Women go through menopause when their production of female hormones drops off dramatically, usually during middle age.
Testosterone has a number of effects on muscles, bones, the central nervous system, bone marrow, the prostate and sexual function. Androgens, especially testosterone, regulate the normal growth and development of male sex organs and promote other male characteristics, such as body hair, muscle mass and a deep voice.
The most common type of treatment for testosterone deficiency is known as testosterone replacement therapy.
Men who receive testosterone replacement consequently report that they feel sexier, stronger and healthier. They state that it makes them feel as they did when they were in their prime. After all, this is what replenishment of hormones is all about. It is about restoring hormones to youthful levels so you can feel as you did when you were at the peak of your physical and mental ability. Testosterone can stop and reverse the physical decline that robs men of their energy, strength and libido. Testosterone can restore muscle tone and improve stamina. Testosterone can restore healthy sexual excitement and desire, which in turn, results in an improvement in mood and overall well-being.
Testosterone is responsible for the sex drive for both men and women. As testosterone diminishes with age, so does the sexual functioning in both men and women. Restoring testosterone to youthful levels in both men and women can reverse the situation. All too often, men and women automatically assume that as they age, their sexual capacity will diminish. There is no need to accept this loss of sexuality. Testosterone can play a critical role in helping to preserve and even restore sexual function so that we can live our extended life span with the same excitement and enthusiasm we enjoyed during our youth.
Physicians are witnessing an explosion of interest in testosterone as a result of our growing realization that testosterone levels decline with age and that many men suffer serious consequences to their physical and mental health as a result. In women, it is expressed as menopause, whereas, in men, it is expressed as andropause. Many of these symptoms and disease processes that we come to accept as normal aging are processes that are actually secondary to low testosterone levels and are easily correctable. Testosterone supplementation results in increased muscle strength, muscle size, increased energy level, decreased fat and increased desire and endurance for exercise. Now both men and women may be treated for their sex hormone deficiencies.
Testosterone replacement in the past has been associated with increased cholesterol levels. We feel this is probably secondary to the use of synthetic testosterone that resulted in liver dysfunction and the concomitant elevation of cholesterol. Studies now show that replenished with natural testosterone results in a decreased cholesterol and increased HDL, similar to what has been realized in women taking estrogen. Clearly, testosterone is shown to have a positive impact on our health and well-being, our moods and our ability to learn and retain information.
Testosterone has been administered in the form of injections and oral supplements. We prefer not to use either of these methods as the testosterone is in the synthetic form. Testosterone patches are also available. We have found these patches unacceptable and secondary to the ability to get optional blood levels and feeling of the patch. Most patients prefer not to use these patches after experimenting with them. The method of choice is natural testosterone gel that is applied to the skin.
Testosterone cannot be used if one has prostate cancer. Testosterone has not been shown to cause prostate cancer, however, if one does have prostate cancer, testosterone may cause accelerated growth of this tumor. Therefore, there is a need to monitor the PSA on a regular basis to assure that one does not develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In addition to testosterone supplementation, we may recommend the daily use of Saw Palmetto or progesterone, which will protect the prostate and prevent enlargement of the prostate due to formation of dihydrotestosterone. Most men develop prostate hypertrophy in their later years, and this can be effectively treated and prevented by daily use of Saw Palmetto or progesterone.
In men, we also like to use human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) intermittently with the testosterone gel to stimulate the natural production of testosterone by the testes. It is not necessary to use HCG
What is it?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the testes in men. Though testosterone is thought of as an exclusively male hormone and is responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics, it is not unique to males. Testosterone is also produced in the liver and adrenals in women.
When does it decline?
Testosterone begins to decline in men at about age 25. Deficiency signs and symptoms include:
-Decrease in sex drive
-Loss of muscle mass and strength
-Decrease in bone density
-Lessened sense of well being
-Increase in body fat
Replacement can accomplish:
-Enhancement in sex drive
-Increase in muscle mass and strength
-Improvement in sense of well being
-Decrease in body fat
-Help in protection against autoimmune disease
Transdermal Testosterone Gel
Transdermal testosterone gel, a topically applied ointment, can help men and women who suffer a decline or decrease in libido. According to Steve Russell of Medaus Compounding Pharmacy, there are no basic side effects other than an excess of desire, which can be remedied by adjusting the level of testosterone. However, in excessive dosages, such as those sometimes used in the absence of medical supervision or guidance, the conversions of testosterone into the compounds can cause problems. As examples, its reduction by enzyme to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can exacerbate male pattern baldness or acne, and its aromatization to estrogen can result in gynecomastia (excessive development of the male breast tissue). during testosterone replacement therapy but we think it is very helpful.
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