Low Testosterone Hormone Therapy

If you have fatigue, poor concentration and erectile dysfunction, Low T hormone therapy may help. Just don't call it the fountain of youth.

Want to pump up your sex drive and muscles, boost your mood and motivation, and have the concentration and energy levels of a college undergrad? It's true that for guys who have low testosterone (Low T) hormone therapy can help address symptoms such as fatigue and erectile dysfunction, but it's not the fountain of youth and it shouldn’t be treated as an elixir for men looking to reclaim the vigor of their school years. Declining testosterone levels are a normal part of aging and don't always warrant treatment.

Be Sure It's Really Low T

Are you tired, irritable, and/or disinterested in all the things that once brought you joy, including sex? If you suspect you have Low T, your doctor can order a blood test, but only after ruling out other causes, such as depression, says Robert Brannigan, a urologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and associate professor of urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Many symptoms of Low T, such as fatigue and erectile dysfunction, mimic depression or present as a side effect of heart disease, obesity, or other health condition. It's important to figure out if an underlying medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder, is causing your Low T.

Is Testosterone Hormone Therapy Right for You?

According to Brannigan, testosterone levels vary widely from one man to the next. Healthy men can have testosterone levels between 270 and 1,070 ng/dL. "There are very few absolute indications for treating low testosterone," he says.

In other words, treating is optional. In his practice, Brannigan follows the The Endocrine Society's recommendations: If a man doesn't have evidence of breast cancer or untreated prostate cancer; his testosterone levels are below 300; and he's bothered by symptoms of low testosterone, he's a candidate. While there's no doubt that treatment can improve the quality of life for men with low testosterone levels, there's no consensus on whether it's beneficial to men who aren't suffering from so-called "male menopause."

Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Hormone Therapy

Bringing testosterone levels back to normal can boost energy, muscle mass, bone density, and concentration. It can also help with erectile dysfunction. Hormone therapy may even alleviate symptoms of depression. But it's not without risks.

Testosterone hormone replacement therapy may encourage prostate growth and increase your risk of prostate cancer. Testosterone also lives up to its red-blooded reputation by driving red blood cell production. According to Brannigan, this can make the blood too thick and increase the risk for stroke. Other less-serious side effects include unwanted body hair, acne, breast enlargement, and fluid retention.

Low T Treatment Options

Several vehicles deliver the right amount of testosterone to replacement therapy patients:

    Injections, usually once every two to three weeks
    Daily patches worn on the body or scrotum
    Topical gels applied daily to the shoulders, arms, or abdomen

It takes at least eight weeks for testosterone therapy to take effect, and because there's no cure for Low T, men generally require ongoing treatment, Brannigan says. Because of the risks of testosterone therapy, you'll need to follow up with your doctor regularly.

High Testosterone

From magazine adds to TV commercials, with increasingly regularity you hear talk of those suffering from low testosterone. You’ve seen the commercials talking about “Low-T” and the treatment of the condition, but what about high testosterone, what about those suffering from high testosterone? Let’s be clear, if you’re a man with high testosterone you’re not suffering, in-fact, your quality of life is more than likely far greater than the man next to you. To understand this, we only need to understand two things, what testosterone is and what happens when our levels fall. Once we understand these two simple, very simple things, then we can have a grasp on what high testosterone can do for you.
Understanding Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male hormone, the primary androgen, and by its nature is responsible for male sexual development and the male characteristics. While testosterone is the primary male hormone it is also produced by women, although in far lesser amounts. In either case, with men and women testosterone is essential to our health and function; men simply require more, about ten times the amount. By design, testosterone affects both our physical and mental state, as well as our overall sexual function.
Low Testosterone

Millions upon millions of men worldwide suffer from low testosterone; in the U.S. alone it is estimated to be between 15-20 million. Many women suffer from testosterone related issues too; women who are on birth control often find their levels suppressed, and post-menopausal women often find they have a problem. Even so, it will be men who carry the brunt of the weight and when levels fall rest assured it is no fun for anyone. Low testosterone can cause many unwanted symptoms, including but not limited to:

Loss of Libido

Erectile Dysfunction

Loss of Muscle Mass

Loss of Strength

Depression

Increased Body-Fat

Inability to Lose Body-Fat

Loss of Focus

Loss of Energy

Insomnia

Lethargy
The Reverse

When we have high testosterone levels, we can take the list above and completely flip it around. When we have high testosterone levels, not only will the above symptoms never occur, but regarding each one that area of our life will be improved upon. No, this does not automatically mean those with high testosterone will be behemoths of muscle and strength, training and diet will still dictate this end. However, men with high testosterone will be in better shape, enjoy a higher quality of life and simply possess a better sense of well-being. Men with high levels can expect the following:

Increased Muscle Mass

Increased Strength

Decreased Body-Fat

Increased Clarity of Thought

Increased Energy

Enhanced Mood

Increased Libido

Better Rest

Increased Rate of Recovery

Obtaining High Levels

There is no set in stone normal testosterone level. As individuals, we all produce varying amounts of the hormone, and the amounts naturally produced can vary dramatically from person to person. In any case, in most therapeutic circles a total testosterone reading of 300ng/dl or below is considered low with anywhere from 500ng/dl-700ng/dl being considered adequate. As you can see, that’s quite a variation.

In any case, we can describe high testosterone as any amount above your baseline average, and to obtain it there is only one true way; anabolic steroids. If you desire high testosterone levels you will need to supplement with the primary anabolic steroid testosterone. If you need more gas in your car then guess what, you need to put gas in the car, and if you want more testosterone in the body you’re going to have to give the body testosterone. There are certain foods you can eat that will naturally stimulate production and there are a few testosterone boosting supplements, but to obtain true high levels, pure exogenous testosterone is the only way.