Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has increasingly become a solution for middle aged men and women since gaining FDA approval in the mid-1990s. According to an article in US Pharmacist, TRT has grown from 20.2 to 75.7 per 10,000 adults in just 11 years.
TRT was initially approved to treat men diagnosed with low testosterone (low T). The basic premise of TRT and other hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatments is to boost hormone levels in clients dealing with the undesirable physical, mental, and emotional side effects of hormonal imbalance.
At Renew Vitality, we believe that the more informed a client is, the more empowered they feel. That’s why we like to educate our patients during every step of the HRT process, from diagnosis to treatment.
What is Low T?
Testosterone is found in men, women, and animals and is the primary male sex hormone. In men, testosterone is produced in the testes. There are two types of testosterone, bound and free. Bound testosterone is already attached to proteins within the bloodstream and is no longer available for use, whereas free testosterone is the bio-available version physicians use to test for hormonal deficiencies.
Typically, adult men should have T levels between 300 ng/dL- 1000 ng/dL. Low T is an incredibly common deficiency in the body’s ability to produce enough testosterone for proper development and functioning.
Low T is also referred to as Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (or hypogonadism) and affects about 2% of adult American males. Since testosterone is linked to the development and maintenance of stereotypically male features like lean muscles, facial and body hair, low T is associated with diminishing masculine traits.
T levels will fluctuate throughout a day and over the lifespan of all males. Age plays a significant factor in deciding how low is too low. Teenage boys experience a spike to support rapid growth and proper sexual development. Adolescents and middle-aged men with levels below 300 ng/dL could be diagnosed with low T, whereas a 65-year-old with the same levels is well within the normal range.
The older men become, the higher the risk is for developing low T. Total T levels fall at an average of 1.6% each year, and bioavailable testosterone levels drop by as much as 3% each year. Around 20% of men in their 60s have hypogonadism, and 50% of men in their 80s. Researchers believe that the leading cause for the depletion of bioavailable testosterone is aging.
The symptoms of low T include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, reduced muscle mass, mood swings, and depression.
Diagnosis for low T can be tricky for several reasons. The symptoms of hypogonadism are often associated with other underlying medical complications making it easier for men to be misdiagnosed.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
TRT works by optimizing natural testosterone levels with a controlled series of bioidentical T levels. Hormones are similar to keys, and they function by binding to androgen receptors or locks. Researchers realized that while the pituitary gland or testes may be malfunctioning, causing a depletion in T (key) levels, the receptors (locks) testosterone binds to can still be active.
You can think of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy as a process of supplying the body with synthetic hormones that mirror the shape and function of the testosterone adult men naturally produce to restore hormonal deficiencies.
While there are several forms of TRT for clients to choose from like topical gels and patches, at Renew Vitality, we recommend injections. Clients can administer the medication themselves at home every week while our concierge team closely monitors the progress of the treatment and answers questions.
Topical gels and patches put family members and friends at risk. The accidental transfer of the medication can cause a series of health complications, like the development of adult masculine characteristics and features in women and children. TRT can also disrupt the healthy development of a fetus if pregnant women come in contact with the medication through accidental skin-to-skin contact.
HRT for Men in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation and contains over 450,000 residents. According to Forbes magazine, the population increased by a whopping 47% between 2000 to 2012, making it the state’s 2nd largest city.
The median age for men in Raleigh is 32, which is close to the age when researchers believe T levels begin declining in men. After 30, levels can decrease by 1% each year, yet there are only ~20 HRT clinics in and around Raleigh, NC. Renew Vitality Raleigh is a highly rated and recommended choice for HRT right in the heart of the City of Oaks.
Try Renew Vitality
Renew Vitality Raleigh has decades of experience in optimizing male virility through comprehensive HRT treatment plans. Our office has a multi-faceted approach to HRT that uses the latest advances in medicine, exercise science, and nutrition to design personalized health plans for each client. If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of low T or other hormonal imbalances, book a consultation with a physician at one of our 10 locations today.