Low Testosterone Therapy for Men

Many men believe that bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is designed only for women who undergo menopause, perimenopause or related hormonal imbalance. The truth is that men also undergo hormonal decline as they age called Andropause. At Phoenix Family Medical Clinic, we treat men with low testosterone using natural hormone replacement therapy.

Andropause is a progressive decline of free and total testosterone as they age, beginning around 30 years of age which results in physiological and psychological changes with varying degrees of severity. Symptoms are typically related to low testosterone, but in some cases by high estrogen levels, or a combination of both. The normal range of testosterone is 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood. After age 30, men typically lose 1 percent of their testosterone per year.

Testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest peak in the morning. They can drop due to illness, depression, interactions with other medications and even having a newborn in the house. Our providers will start with a consultation and a blood test to determine the current levels of your testosterone. The treatment prescribed may be a combination of topical gels and/or testosterone injections.

Low T or Testosterone levels are associated with

• Heart disease such as hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Rapid aging
• Arthritis
• Pain
• Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease

Signs and Symptoms of Low T or Testosterone levels include

• Loss of mean body mass and inability to retain
• Weight gain and increased fat mass
• Loss of hair
• Increased skin condition and wrinkling
• Mental and physical fatigue
• Mood disorders and irritability
• Depression
• Memory loss
• Insomnia
• Lack of concentration, motivation, ambition
• Sexual dysfunction, loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction
• High cholesterol levels
• Diabetes and increased blood sugar levels
• Loss of endurance and exercise tolerance
• Loss of youthful vitality

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help restore the hormone deficiency, imbalance, or fluctuations that may cause the undesired symptoms. Each individual is different in terms of the exact therapy needed so a consultation with a provider at Phoenix Family Medical Clinic is highly advised.