Where do I find a Low T center? Low T centers are located nationwide and are typically a part of a hormone therapy replacement practice. Low T services are sometimes called TRT for testosterone replacement therapy.
What is Low T?
Low T simply stands for low testosterone. It is not a disease, and it doesn’t necessarily need any treatment. For all men, declining testosterone levels are a normal part of the aging process. It doesn’t always mean you have to do anything about it if you choose not to, and it certainly doesn’t define who you are.
However, Low T can result in a myriad of troubling symptoms. These may include:
- Reduced lean muscle mass
- Increase in body fat
- Decreased ;ibido
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Sexual dysfunction
- Decrease in bone density
- Less body hair
For men who choose not to tolerate symptoms of Low T, there is help available.
What is Testosterone?
This is the primary sex hormone in men. It begins the process of sexual development in the young boy, and it maintains sexual functioning and sperm production in the adult male. However, did you know that testosterone also has important non-sexual functions? For example, it’s necessary for the production of the red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. It’s the main reason why men tend to have higher red blood cell counts than women. Women have testosterone, too, but only in amounts about one-tenth that of men.
Testosterone is also the reason why most men are naturally far stronger than most women. This is because testosterone is an anabolic hormone. Anabolic means to build up. Testosterone builds muscle. It’s also why women cannot bulk up their muscles like men can, no matter how much they work out. They simply lack enough testosterone to do so.
Low T
As men approach the age of forty or so, they may notice some symptoms of Low T. This simply means that the natural process of testosterone decline has begun. Some men may be fine with this for a while and may not seek treatment. For others, these changes are quite disturbing, and they want relief right away. Either approach is fine.
Remember, the choice to seek treatment for Low T is a highly personal one.
If you’re bothered by symptoms of Low T, the first step is to book a consultation with a medical professional experienced in Low T. The condition can typically be alleviated with testosterone supplements and related hormonal treatments, such as HCG. These treatments help to replace the missing testosterone in your system and may result in a dramatic reduction of Low T symptoms.
Your Low T Visit
Your physician will question you about your symptoms, take a family history and conduct a physical exam. He or she will also order certain tests, such as a blood test to find out what your current testosterone levels are.
Testosterone levels are expressed in two ways: total and free. Total testosterone is the amount of the hormone present in your bloodstream. These levels vary by age and to some degree, by individual. However, your testosterone level is a rather misleading term because most of your total testosterone is bound to other proteins in your blood. Because it is bound, it cannot be used by the body.
Your doctor will be looking at your free testosterone levels most of all. This is testosterone in its unbound form and available to the body. Your doctor will use your free testosterone levels to partially determine the best hormone replacement dose for you. Prescribing the correct testosterone dose and monitoring it over the long-term requires experience and skill.
Forms of Testosterone Replacement
Testosterone is available in a variety of dosage forms: injectable, skin cream or gel, buccal tablet, skin patch and implantable pellets. A buccal tablet is one you hold against the pocket formed by your gum and cheek until it dissolves. Testosterone passes quickly and readily through the oral tissues and into the bloodstream. Implantable pellets are inserted under the skin in a painless office procedure and release the hormone slowly over a period of time.
Finding a Low T Center
You don’t have to live with Low T. It’s easily treatable with hormone supplements considered safe when used under medical supervision. Our physicians are highly experienced in the treatment of Low T, and we always warmly welcome new patients. Call us at 205-352-9141.