 Hormone Treatment for Men – The Facts
The endocrine (hormones) system is like a symphony. Hormones interact to create and manage body chemistry that is as unique to each individual as a finger print. Another good analogy would be to compare your hormone system to the operating system on your computer – it facilitates the function of all your software programs.
Hormones most responsible for hormonal aging (andropause) in men are testosterone, thyroid, DHEA and growth hormone.
In diagnosing and treating hormone issues, “one size” does not fit all. Here in lies a major problem in hormone treatment programs developing across the country and the consequence is not just poor results, it is causing harm to those being treated. Two examples follow.
Florida Programs: Less than acceptable quality program tend to operate out of Florida where medical laws and rules tend to be lax. Several have been closed by the State and simply reopen under a different name a few weeks later.
- Often do not require a face to face visit with the doctor writing hormone prescriptions
- Everyone is treated with the same protocol (medications/hormones)
- Seldom do they test and treat thyroid and DHEA
- Retesting is nonexistent or at best inconsistent
- Little or no attention to lifestyle
Family doctors and urologists: Though well intentioned, they often lack the training or commitment of time to do to assure effective and safe results.
- Initial diagnosis is often incorrect – e.g. – depression is treated with an antidepressant rather that a consequence of low testosterone.
- Tendency to treat everyone with the same protocol e.g. 50mg of topical testosterone applied to the skin each morning
- They do not test and retest estrogen
- They do not test for DHEA and HGH
- Retesting tends to be inconsistent.
- Little or no attention to lifestyle
How it should be done: Test and interact with patient to identify and get a picture of their “hormone symphony”
- Work with a doctor who knows male age related hormone decline.
- Test all pertinent hormone – testosterone, thyroid, estrogen, DHEA, Growth Hormone (treating testosterone without monitoring estrogen is dangerous)
- Replace hormones to healthy therapeutic levels – approximately what you had at age 25 to 30.
- Monitor results by retesting and patient feedback
- Insure good lifestyle – diet and exercise. Replacing hormone without attention to lifestyle would be like a high definition (HD) TV without HD service. The importance on lifestyle can not be overstated.
If hormone treatment is done correctly, you will begin feeling results in 1 to 2 weeks. It is not only safe, it is healthy. There are now numerous studies supporting the health benefits of healthy hormones to virtually all body systems; heart, brain, circulatory, skeletal, etc.,.
Optimal Hormone Levels
Optimal hormone levels are the levels that work best for you. For most men that is levels are at or close to the upper end of the laboratory tested range. For example, the laboratory tested range for total testosterone is 240ng to 1100ng. Most men will start feeling the effects of low testosterone at about 600ng and symptoms increase as testosterone continues to decline. The doctor that tests testosterone for a patient having symptoms, and gets result in the lower half of the range and uses the words “you are fine, you are in the normal range”–or – “you are normal for your age” – is doing their patient a serious disservice.
Side Effects:
There should be no side effects if done correctly.
Why is testing/retesting so important?
It is the only way of knowing what is happening with your hormones within your body. For example: As men age and hormones decline, men will often lose muscle and gain fat. Fat contains an enzyme call aromatase . Aromatase works to convert testosterone to estrogen. Elevated estrogen depresses sex drive and is dangerous, particularly to the prostate. We counter this by increasing testosterone and suppressing estrogen as necessary. Over the course of three to six months of healthy hormones and good lifestyle, men will lose fat, regain muscle and as a result cease to have a conversion problem. This could not be assessed or managed without testing and retesting.
Another example: Men will sometimes say they feel great but their sex drive is still not at an acceptable level. By retesting we can make adjustments and often solve the problem.
If you have question on hormone replacement – give us a call at 800-859-7511
Contact us - we have over ten years treating men and a national network of doctors.
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