Testosterone
(sometimes mispronounced as testerone or male testerone)
Testosterone is truly a life source to the male body. Produced primarily in the testes by specialized Leydig cells, testosterone travels through the body via the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target tissues. There are testosterone receptors all over the body. As might be expected there are many in the genital area. However, the second largest concentration is in the brain. It is those receptor sites that create sexual desire which in turn triggers the release of nitric oxide to facilitate an erection.
Leydig cells in the testicles produce testosterone in response to a hormone called Lutinizing Hormone (LH), which is produced by the pituitary gland. The pituitary is like a thermostat on a wall, as it senses the body's need for testosterone, it releases LH to stimulate the testicles to produce testosterone. Testosterone starts to decline because of aging of the Leydig cells in the testicles and may be made worse by a decline in the pituitary gland's ability to produce LH. The result is andropause-aging. Decline starts about age 27 or 28 and its effects can usually be felt by age 35.
Symptoms of Andropause (low male testosterone symptoms)
- Decreased mental quickness and sharpness
- Decreased energy, strength and endurance
- Less desire for activity and exercise
- Decreased muscle and increased body fat
- Mild to moderate depression and irritability
- Depression and/or loss of eagerness and enthusiasm for daily life
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased sexual function and/or sensitivity
The good news is that symptoms can be easily and safely corrected by replacing testosterone. Testosterone replacement will continue for the rest of your life. Some men have difficulty accepting that fact. The way to view this "rest of your life" thing is to consider that your father and grandfather had the same problem -- you have a choice he did not have -- you can fix it.
Note: we have doctors located across the country that are trained and ready to serve you. See Treatment Programs
Testosterone Replacement
We use two methods of replacing testosterone: twice weekly self administered injections or twice daily application of a topical cream. Testosterone does the following:
- Builds lean muscle
- Improves sexual performance and enhances sex drive
- Increases energy
- Improves mood
- Improves mental clarity and quickness
- Protects against cancer and heart disease
- Restores lost zest for life
If replacement is done correctly, it is safe and there are no negative side effects. Here is a general progression of how things will change after you start therapy:
Week 1 to 2
*Lifting of a depression you may not know you have - a general increase in enthusiasm and zest for life. Plus, an increased mental sharpness and quickness.
Week 2 to 3
*Increase in energy and metabolism levels-- activity levels are important. Increase in morning erections and night dreams.
Week 3 to 4
*Start of increase in muscle and decrease in fat -- particularly if you are active and watch your diet principally refined carbs.
Week 4 to 5
*Increase in sex drive - improved interest, performance and satisfaction
Safety and Estrogen
Testosterone treatment is safe if done correctly. It should be noted that replacing testosterone does not increase but rather decreases the chances of developing prostate cancer. One of the primary causes of prostate cancer is excess estrogen. Excess estrogen in men occurs as testosterone declines allowing the male body to accumulate fat -- primarily belly fat. Fat contains an enzyme called aromatase which converts testosterone to estrogen. Estrogen may convert to a metabolite, 16 alpha hydroxyl estrone, a carcinogen. We control the level of estrogen as part of our treatment.
As testosterone declines, it allows fat to accumulate particularly around the belly. Fat contains and enzyme called aromatase which converts testosterone to estrogen. Increased estrogen adds to the symptoms of andropause and is unhealthy for the prostate and heart. We use a medication to suppress the estrogen as we raise the testosterone. If good lifestyle habits are practiced, fat will disappear over 3 to 4 months and conversion to estrogen will stop.
Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer. It is the conversion to estrogen as testosterone declines and fat accumulates around the belly that causes an enlarged prostate and/or increases the risk of cancer. It follows that increasing testosterone levels and controlling estrogen lowers the risk of prostate cancer.
Normal testosterone levels in men:
We replace testosterone to the upper end of the "normal" range. The normal range for free testosterone is 140pg to 350pg. Laboratory ranges are determined by testing both sick and healthy men. Sick (andropause) is the lower end of the range. Healthy is the upper end of the range 200 to 350pg. Note: we use free testosterone as our key number for determining treatment. Total testosterone is the number more commonly used and quoted. The problem: the majority of testosterone in any human body id bound to protein molecules and is totally inactive. Only that that has become free is active in the system. Therefore we use the free testosterone as our key to treatment.
Note: Don’t let your doctor tell you “you have normal testosterone for your age”. If you test at the middle of lower end of the range, and more importantly if you are having symptoms, you need to investigate treatment.
Stimulating Testicles
When testosterone is introduced from the outside of the body, the glands that produce testosterone read that the body has an adequate supply and they therefore do not need to work and hard. The result, natural production can decline and testicles can shrink. We avoid this by having you take a medication to stimulate the testicles as you use testosterone.
We use two stimulating medications--HCG injections or clomiphine tablets which do not require an injection. Your option to stimulate and what medication you will use will be discussed with you.
Summary
There is simply no better way that a man age 35 or older can take an action, spend a reasonable amount of money and have a more significant effect on improved quality of life than to treat testosterone deficiency. If you are having symptoms, the question is not be "If I should use testosterone replacement?" The question should be "Who do I work with in replacing testosterone?"
Remember, testosterone replacement is safe and effective if you work with a quality program, and that quality is what reNEW MAN is all about. |