When Should Men Start Considering Testosterone Therapy?

The high levels of testosterone that occur in the teens and twenties for men began dwindling as they get older. It is normal for men to lose about 1% or more of their testosterone a year, usually beginning around age 30. This slow reduction of the male hormone does not usually have a radical impact on the body – but many men suffer from hypogonadism or low-T, which are abnormally low hormone levels. If you have symptoms of low-T, when should you consider starting testosterone therapy?

Normal Versus Abnormal T-Levels

If you are a male above 30, you likely have lower testosterone than you did when you were a teenager or twenty-something. However, a small drop in the male sex hormone will not likely impact your energy or sex drive. Normal reduction in T-levels should not have an adverse effect on your body as it is a part of the aging process. It is when your production drops significantly that you may notice a change in your health and overall wellbeing. Some of the signs of abnormally low T-levels include:

  •         Low libido or sex drive
  •         Gaining fat around the abdomen
  •         Diminishing muscle mass
  •         Thinning or balding hair
  •         Fatigue or low energy levels
  •         Erectile dysfunction
  •         Depression, anxiety or mood changes

When you notice you have one or more of these symptoms, it may be a sign of low-T or other health issues. Hyperthyroidism can have some of the same symptoms, so it is important to be tested to find out if your testosterone is low. At Arcadia Wellness Center, we always start hormone therapy by performing lab tests to determine whether a patient has a hormone imbalance. Every treatment plan is customized to the patient to give them the best results.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

Aging is not the only factor when it comes to low-T. There are many different conditions that can result in lower hormone levels in men, even for younger men in their twenties or teens. Hypogonadism is a condition where the testes no longer produce enough sex hormones or none at all. This can be caused by genetics, medical conditions, injuries or many other factors – males can have temporary or chronic hypogonadism. Some other lifestyle and health issues that can cause low-T include:

  •         Heavy alcohol or recreational drug use
  •         Obesity or rapid weight loss
  •         Lack of sleep
  •         Steroid abuse
  •         Kidney or other chronic diseases
  •         Stress

Maintaining a healthy weight and refraining from certain lifestyle choices can have a positive impact on your hormone levels. While eating right and exercising are good ways to keep your hormone levels balanced, for some men staying healthy is not enough. When your T-levels are dwindling despite a healthy lifestyle, it may be time to consider getting your hormone levels tested and possibly beginning hormone therapy.

Are You in Andropause?

While most people know about menopause, there is not as much talk around the male equivalent – andropause. This is still a controversial subject and not all medical professionals agree that some men experience a similar hormone change later in life as women. However, it is estimated that up to 40% of men over 45 do have significantly lower testosterone than normal and it may be due to reaching the andropause stage of their life.

Not all men experience symptoms of andropause, just like not all women have severe symptoms of menopause. But if you are in your late 40s or older and do not feel like your younger self, it may be more than just aging. Some of the symptoms associated with andropause include:

  •         Insomnia
  •         Mental fogginess
  •         Hot flashes
  •         Enlarged or tender breasts
  •         Memory and concentration issues
  •         Low-T symptoms – low sex drive, ED, weight gain, fatigue, etc.

Just like women can undergo hormone therapy to combat the aggravating symptoms of menopause, men can obtain relief from andropause by doing the same. Hormone replacement therapy or HRT can restore hormonal balance for both men and women and help them feel more youthful and energetic. If you have been living with andropause or low-T symptoms for years, it may be time to seek medical treatment for your condition. Hormone testing and subsequent treatment could help you overcome the symptoms of “male menopause.”

Achieving Male Hormone Balance

Determining the right testosterone level is not as simple as looking at a number on a lab test. It is possible to have “normal” T-levels on a lab test, yet still have symptoms of low-T. If you had higher T-levels when you were younger, your lower hormone levels may be affecting you more than another man with the same levels. Every man may have a different level of testosterone that helps them maintain their energy, metabolism and sex drive.

Testosterone replacement therapy or T-injections can help you achieve normal levels that diminish your low-T symptoms. Each patient is unique and may need a different regimen to keep their hormone levels in balance. For some men, T-injections are only needed for a short time to restore a normal level. Other men may need long-term T-therapy to maintain hormone balance.

Phoenix Testosterone Injections

If you have been experiencing symptoms of low-T and are ready to explore hormone therapy in Phoenix, come see us at Arcadia Wellness Center. We offer hormone therapy for men and women, and we specialize in treating men with low testosterone. Sarah Quinn, FNP, our medical director at Arcadia Wellness Center, is an expert at hormone therapy. She has spent many years working with men and women experiencing hormone imbalance and finding the right treatment to get them back to feeling their best.

Once you begin hormone therapy, we will perform the needed lab testing to determine the best treatment plan for your specific concerns. Sarah will recommend medications and injection therapy based on your health issues. For many men, it has been years since they felt like themselves. Beginning hormone therapy can be life-altering – many of our patients report they have improved symptoms almost immediately after receiving their first injection.

While some hormone therapy clinics require weekly or monthly appointments, that is usually not the case for our patients. Our male patients with low T-levels can achieve the desired results with maintenance appointments every few months. Patients can perform the needed hormone injections every week at home to stay hormonally balance to achieve the desired results. Each patient’s treatment plan may vary, but most men will not need to see us every month to monitor their progress.

Get Back to Feeling Your Best

Whether you are in your late twenties or heading over the hill at fifty, you deserve to feel your best. If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone like low energy, ED, weight gain or lower libido, it is time to find out whether hormone therapy may be right for you. Do not waste another day, week, month or year feeling less than your best – seeking medical treatment for hormone imbalance could have life-changing benefits for your health and well-being.

 To learn more about testosterone therapy, contact us at Arcadia Wellness Center in Phoenix, AZ. When you call our clinic, our friendly team will assist you in setting up your hormone therapy consultation to learn more about treatment options. This could be the beginning of a new chapter of your life, with higher energy and improved confidence once you achieve hormonal balance.