Andropause Treatment for Low Testosterone Levels
and Low Testosterone Symptoms in Men
(sometimes mispronounced as testerone or male testerone)
Testosterone is truly a life source to the male body. Produced primarily in the testes by specialized Leydig cells, testosterone travels through the body via the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target tissues. There are testosterone receptors all over the body. As might be expected there are many in the genital area. However, the largest concentration is in the brain. It is those receptor sites that create sexual desire which in turn trigger the release of nitric oxide to facilitate an erection.
Leydig cells in the testicles produce testosterone in response to a hormone called Lutinizing Hormone (LH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary is like a thermostat on a wall, as it senses the body's need for testosterone, it releases LH to stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone. Testosterone starts to decline because of aging of the Leydig cells in the testicles and may be made worse by a decline in the pituitary gland's ability to produce LH. The result is andropause-aging. Decline starts about age 27 or 28 and its effects can usually be felt by age 35.
Think you might have Low T?
Symptoms of Andropause (low testosterone symptoms in males)
Decreased mental quickness and sharpness
Decreased energy, strength and endurance
Less desire for activity and exercise
Decreased muscle and increased body fat
Mild to moderate depression and irritability
Depression and/or loss of eagerness and enthusiasm for daily life
Decreased sex drive
Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity
The good news is that andropause symptoms and Low T can be easily and safely corrected with testosterone treatment. Testosterone replacement will continue for the rest of your life. Some men have difficulty accepting that fact. The way to view this "rest of your life" thing is to consider that your father and grandfather had the same problem -- you have a choice they did not have -- you can fix it.
Note: we have doctors located across the country that are trained and ready to serve you.
Low Testosterone Treatment
Our low testosterone treatment consists of two methods of testosterone replacement: twice weekly self administered testosterone injections or twice daily application of a topical testosterone cream. Testosterone does the following:
- Builds lean muscle
- Improves sexual performance and enhances sex drive
- Increases energy
- Improves mood
- Improves mental clarity and quickness
- Protects against cancer and heart disease
- Restores lost zest for life -- removes a depression all men aquire as testosterone declines.
If low testosterone treatment is done correctly, it is safe and there are no negative side effects. Here is a general progression of how things will change after you start therapy:
Week 1 to 2
*Lifting of a depression you may not know you have--a general increase in enthusiasm and zest for life. Plus, an increased mental sharpness and quickness.
Week 2 to 3
*Increase in energy and metabolism levels--activity levels are important. Increase in morning erections and night dreams.
Week 3 to 4
*Start of increase in muscle and decrease in fat -- particularly if you are active and watch your diet principally refined carbs.
Week 4 to 5
*Increase in male sex drive - improved interest, performance and satisfaction
Safety and Estrogen
Low testosterone treatment is safe if done correctly. It should be noted that testosterone replacement does not increase but rather decreases the chances of developing prostate cancer. One of the primary causes of prostate cancer is excess estrogen. Excess estrogen in men occurs as testosterone declines allowing the male body to accumulate fat--primarily belly fat. Fat contains an enzyme called aromatase which converts testosterone to estrogen. Estrogen may convert to a metabolite, 16 alpha hydroxyl estrone and on to 4 alpha hydroxyl, a carcinogen. We control the level of estrogen as part of our treatment.
Increased estrogen adds to the symptoms of andropause and is unhealthy for the prostate and heart. We use a medication to suppress the estrogen as we raise the testosterone. If good lifestyle habits are practiced, fat will disappear over 3 to 6 months and conversion to estrogen will stop.
Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. It is the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, lifestyle and heredity that causes an enlarged prostate and/or increases the risk of cancer. It follows that increasing testosterone levels and controlling estrogen lowers the risk of prostate cancer.
Normal testosterone levels in men: Identifying low testosterone levels and low testosterone symptoms
Lab testing produces two key numbers -- total testosterone and free testosterone. Total testosterone is the number most commonly used and quoted -- this also reflects a lack of knowledge of the person doing so. The problem: the majority of testosterone in any human body is bound to protein molecules and is totally inactive. Only that, that has become freed is active in the system. Therefore we use the free testosterone as our key to treatment. Testosterone levels start to decline about age 26 or 27. As levels decline to about 130pg, most men start to feel the effects of low T. We replace testosterone to levels men had when they were youger and felt their best -- 250 to 350pg. The "normal" range for free testosterone is 140pg to 350pg (note: range may vary depending on the lab doing the testing). Laboratory ranges are determined by testing both sick and healthy men. Sick (andropause) is the lower end of the range. Healthy is the upper end of the range 250 to 350pg.
Note: Don’t let your doctor tell you “you have normal testosterone for your age”. If you test at the middle or lower end of the range, and more importantly if you are having symptoms, you need to investigate treatment.
Stimulating Testicles
When testosterone is introduced from the outside of the body, the glands that produce testosterone read that the body has an adequate supply and they therefore do not need to work as hard. The result, natural production can decline and testicles can shrink. We avoid this by having you take a medication to stimulate your testicles as you use testosterone.
We use two stimulating medications--HCG injections or clomiphine tablets which do not require an injection. Your option to stimulate and what medication you will use will be discussed with you.
Summary
There is simply no better way a man age 35 or older can take an action, spend a reasonable amount of money and have a more significant effect on improved quality of life than to treat hormone deficiency. If you are having symptoms, the question is not "Should I replace hormones?" The question should be "Who do I work with in replacing hormones to healthy levels?"
Remember, testosterone replacement and low testosterone treatment is safe and effective if you work with a quality program, and quality is what reNEW MAN is all about.
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