Understanding Testosterone Therapy
Time after time male patients visit our clinic seeking answers to why their body is gradually aging. They want to know how to stop this process or even learn how to set back their biological clock. For most male patients, the first step into combating the aging process is to first understand their hormone levels.
Predominately the hormone levels of testosterone should always be checked by a male patient’s physician. Arguably testosterone is the most powerful chemical controlling the male body, and when it declines the aging process quickly parallels. Without the proper levels of testosterone, the male body spirals into the aging process at an accelerated rate.
Testosterone plays a very vital role in the biology of a male. This molecule signals cells in the body to perform their daily functions. Sending out testosterone as a messenger hormone is one of the brain’s ways of controlling the cells around the body. Without this messenger molecule, the body soon starts to lose the ability to function properly and the aging process begins. This is the reason for many of the symptoms like decreased energy and increased fat mass. The cells in a male’s body are not getting the testosterone signal to function, resulting in decreased performance by the body.
Naturally, by the age of thirty, a male’s testosterone levels decline. This can be from a multitude of reasons; age, injury, and numerous other stresses through life decline testosterone rather rapidly. By the age of thirty, the symptoms of testosterone deficiency are very noticeable. As the hormone declines men suffer a number of effects like decreased energy, skin elasticity, well-being, and a long list of other symptoms.
A male patient suffering from symptoms of testosterone deficiency should check to see if their hormone level should be balanced. Under the care of a physician, a patient can have their hormone maintained. First, the patient has to have their blood tested to see exactly where their testosterone levels are standing to conclude testosterone deficiency is the cause of their symptoms. The reference range for testosterone is 348-1197 mg/dl. Typically we see patients over the age of thirty, with symptoms of testosterone deficiency, have testosterone levels averaging 450 mg/dl. This level clearly is well below the higher range of testosterone. Based on the patient’s health assessment and blood test a hormone replacement therapy can be used to help maximize the patient’s biological abilities.
Once the evidence is conclusive that a patient has a testosterone deficiency hormone replacement should be considered by the patient and physician alike. By elevating their testosterone levels to the higher range the patient can help combat the aging process. This can typically be done by administering testosterone to the patient bi-weekly through an intramuscular injection. Testosterone replacement therapy can be very beneficial to the aging male, without this molecule, the male body cannot properly function.
If you would like to have a better understanding of testosterone therapy, contact us at MetroMD today.
