It’s no secret that men experience a decline in testosterone levels as they age, but do you know what that actually means for your body? Testosterone impacts more than just sexual health, and it can have a serious, negative, impact on your overall health.
Hormone treatment can help relieve symptoms of low testosterone and improve overall health. If you are looking for the best TRT clinic, consider telehealth. At Alpha Hormones, our online testosterone specialist is available to answer your questions and begin your treatment on your schedule!
In this article, we will explain what low testosterone can do to your health, what TRT is, and 10 ways testosterone treatments will improve your life.
What Does Low Testosterone Mean For Your Health
Testosterone is the hormone produced in both men and women that is responsible for maintaining several chemical reactions within the body. Around the age of 30, testosterone levels begin to decline by approximately 1% per year. Testosterone is responsible for maintaining bone calcium levels, muscle mass, body fat, and cognitive function. In addition, low testosterone can have an impact on your blood health. As testosterone levels drop, so does red blood cell count.
There are a number of symptoms of low testosterone, and these can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of low testosterone include the following:
- Declining muscle and bone mass
- Increased body fat
- Fatigue
- Swollen or tender breasts
- Flushing or hot flashes
- Depression
- Reduced self-confidence
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disturbed sleep
- Lower sex drive
- Fewer spontaneous erections
- Difficulty sustaining erections
What is Testosterone Treatment?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy, or TRT, is a form of hormone treatment that works to replenish testosterone in the body. The treatment starts with a blood test that will analyze your hormone levels. These levels will be reviewed by your online testosterone specialist and used to create a customized treatment plan specific to your body. Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day, so drawing blood between 7 am and 10 am results in the most accurate tests.
Low testosterone is considered anything below 300 ng/dl. At Alpha, testosterone is part of our business and we recognize evidence-based medicine. Our goal is to address testosterone levels before they drop below 300 ng/dl. Treatment is catered to both clinical results and personal impact.
Alpha testosterone therapy may produce different results for individuals. Consult with an online testosterone specialist to determine which treatment is right for you. Most commonly, treatment is administered through transdermal creams and gel, however, injections are considered the most effective method. Injections can be administered at home with the guidance of a licensed physician.
TRT is considered most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle practices such as nutrition and exercise. It is important to note that using testosterone can decrease fertility. For those who which to preserve fertility but are still interested in TRT, there are alternative methods of treatment such as Clomid, HCG, and Nandrolone Decanoate.
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)
Clomiphene Citrate, or Clomid, is a treatment option for men who want to preserve fertility but suffer from hypogonadism or low testosterone. Clomid is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. While Clomid can help treat the condition, it is not considered as effective as TRT in most cases. However, it does not lower testicular volume like TRT, which can impact fertility.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or HCG, is a polypeptide hormone produced by the human placenta. This treatment increases the production of testosterone in the body which simultaneously increases sperm production. This makes it an ideal alternative treatment for men who would like to preserve fertility. Like Clomid, HCG does not decrease testicular size. This treatment can be used to replace TRT or in addition to TRT to maintain fertility and testicular volume.
Nandrolone Decanoate
Nandrolone Decanoate is an anabolic steroid that has proven effective for hypogonadal men that experience joint pain. This treatment can increase muscle mass and benefit rehabilitation after surgery or injury. It is highly recommended that joint pain be fully diagnosed before undergoing treatment with Nandrolone Decanoate.
Increase Energy
When testosterone is produced, it sends signals to the brain to release chemicals and vitamins that provide energy to the rest of the body. When testosterone levels decline, so do energy levels. TRT can improve energy levels by increasing chemical and vitamin levels in the brain resulting in more normal alertness. In addition, weight management that occurs through TRT can improve physical endurance that can also lead to higher energy levels.
Improve Strength and Exercise Stamina
Testosterone is one of the key hormones responsible for increasing muscle mass. Low testosterone levels in men can cause a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in body fat. TRT has been proved to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat creating a more lean body system that promotes overall health and stamina.
In some cases, men may see a difference in body mass with no difference in strength. This is likely due to a lack of physical exercise. It is recommended that TRT treatment be paired with strength training and exercise to receive the full value of treatment benefits.
In addition to muscle health, testosterone impacts bone health. Specifically, testosterone levels dictate the levels of bone mineral density in the body. This is why men have a higher risk of weak bones and osteoporosis as they age. TRT has been known to improve bone strength which, in turn, supports muscle strength, internal organ function, and overall physical stamina.
Research regarding bone density impact from TRT treatment shows that bone density is only impacted for individuals who are on a treatment with high enough testosterone dosage. The most common areas of improvement are the hips and spine, however, there is no evidence proving or disproving the relationship between TRT and the reduced risk of fractures.
Increase Sex Drive and Libido
Of course, when you are dealing with testosterone, one of the most common and well-known systems that may be impacted is the reproductive system. In men, testosterone is the hormone that is responsible for sexual arousal and activity. Low testosterone can cause symptoms of low libido and erectile dysfunction, however, erectile dysfunction is also caused by additional conditions or medications that may need to be addressed prior to using testosterone for treatment.
Sexual health has been proven to improve through TRT treatment in a variety of ways. It is important to note that results vary greatly in each individual. In general, testosterone can help men with hypogonadism maintain regular erections, increase sexual desire, and promote overall health and wellness that may increase stamina. Men who do not have hypogonadism may not see any sexual health benefits or changes in libido during TRT.
Improve Hair growth
Testosterone levels can have an impact on hair growth and health. It has been recognized that TRT treatment may improve facial hair growth and beard fullness. This is due to improvements in blood and cell health that stimulate hair growth.
Improve Cognitive Function and Reduce Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease
Studies have found that higher testosterone ratios in men reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to the strong relationship between testosterone and cognitive processing speed. Research indicates that testosterone treatments improve spatial memory in men between the ages of 34 to 70.
May Improve Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms
There are common misconceptions about the relationship TRT has with the prostate. Some people believe that testosterone hormone therapy can cause cancer in the prostate or make certain cancers more aggressive. According to Morgentaler et al. Mayo Clinic Proceedings Consensus Recommendation, TRT does not aggravate prostate cancer and may actually help improve Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms.
Help With Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome
Because testosterone impacts several body systems, there is evidence that improving testosterone levels can help with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Testosterone production is the beginning of several chemical reactions that impact cell systems. These chemical reactions may improve symptoms of metabolic-related conditions.
Improve Heart and Blood Health
Testosterone can have an impact on red blood cell production in bone marrow. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to organs and muscles throughout the body. As testosterone declines with age, so does red blood cell production which presents a myriad of cardiovascular risks such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.
There are myths that TRT can have a negative impact on the cardiovascular system, however, studies have shown that this is not true. There is no evidence that TRT treatments increase the risk of heart disease or any other cardiovascular conditions.
Results vary greatly among patients, however, research shows that TRT can actually improve heart and blood health. Studies have found that men who have gone through TRT can increase cardio endurance by up to 33% and reduce the risk of having a heart attack by up to 36%.
Improve Mood
When all of these body systems are combined, it is no surprise that low testosterone levels can impact mood. People’s emotions often reflect how they feel physically meaning that people who are experiencing health problems often experience depression as well. This happens on a chemical level. Testosterone increases serotonin production in the brain which is responsible for feelings of happiness. It is common for men with low testosterone to experience symptoms including depression, fatigue, and irritability.
Research suggests that this may not be true for every man who experiences a decline in testosterone, after all, it is a natural part of aging. Instead, these symptoms seem to be present in men with hypogonadism.
The impact of TRT on mood is not the same with every patient. However, in most cases, patients report improvements in overall well-being and reduction in irritability and fatigue symptoms. In some cases, TRT can be just as effective in treating depression as anti-depression medication,
Reduce Inflammation
Finally, TRT can reduce inflammation in the body. For a number of reasons, lower testosterone levels can increase inflammation in the joints and other body systems. As mentioned above, testosterone has a close relationship with the skeletal system, circulatory system, and muscular system. When the overall function of these systems begins to decline inflammation begins to worsen.
In many cases, inflammation can cause severe pain and discomfort in the muscles and bones. Cell production and oxygen levels in the blood play a huge role in the level of inflammation in the joints and other areas. TRT has been known to reduce inflammation in the body which, in turn, increases mobility and reduces pain.
Alpha testosterone treatment is designed to work with your body to balance your individual testosterone levels. The best part is, it can all be done through telemedicine. Book an appointment today with our online testosterone specialist to discuss your options and determine if you are a candidate for TRT treatment.
