Hormone Replacement Therapy—What You Should Know
Low testosterone levels can have a profoundly negative impact on men. When testosterone levels drop, men can experience a decrease in energy, strength and motivation, as well as an increase in weight gain and mood disorders. However, this negative cycle can be avoided by restoring serum testosterone levels to a normal range. This process is most easily accomplished with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
What to Consider When Deciding to Undergo HRT
Men who are contemplating hormone therapy or testosterone supplementation may have questions about the therapy’s safety profile. Testosterone replacement therapy is safe as long as the following parameters are in place:
- The testosterone is administered at the proper dosage.
- The testosterone therapy lasts for the correct duration of time.
- The right form of testosterone is used.
What Is HRT?
HRT is a method of hormone supplementation. With respect to testosterone, the hormone is administered directly via injections, as opposed to oral administration, so that it is not broken down during the digestive process.
Replacing testosterone and re-establishing normal levels can have a positive effect on libido, sexual performance, energy levels, and strength. Most men may also find that testosterone injections make it easier to reduce their body fat and gain muscle mass, particularly when they combine HRT with resistance training or a weight-lifting program.
How Does HRT Work?
The efficacy of testosterone supplementation depends on a few factors, including the method of administration. When the testosterone formulation mimics endogenous testosterone—the kind that is produced by a man’s own body—and is administered in an injectable form, it is highly effective.
In contrast, the efficacy of a pill form of testosterone can be impaired by excipients and binders, as well as by partial or complete metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a far less effective form of treatment. Injectable testosterone bypasses these concerns so it is fully functional and can be dosed reliably.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of HRT?
Like any medication, testosterone supplementation can have side effects. Minor side effects may include sleeping disturbances or oily skin. However, a more serious side effect occurs when testosterone stimulates the production of excess red blood cells. This side effect can cause cardiovascular strain. Men who are considering HRT should have their medical provider periodically monitor their blood to ensure this side effect does not occur. If it does, the dosage should be adjusted accordingly and donating blood can quickly and effectively combat this risk.
What Are the Types of HRT Treatments?
Testosterone can be effectively administered via injection, cream or through natural boosting. Injectable testosterone is usually the preferred route, but applying creams and naturally inducing the body to produce more testosterone may also be effective.
HRT treatment also varies according to therapy setting type. Men typically receive injections in a traditional family or internal medicine clinic or at a specialized testosterone clinic. However, a third option exists. At Vitality RX®, medical providers meet with patients in their own homes, where the provider can conduct an exam and blood work on-site. Depending on the results of these evaluations, men may be eligible to receive a home treatment kit that has everything needed for self-administration of testosterone or a natural boost. Our patients prefer Vitality RX® not only for the results, but also for its safety, ease, convenience, privacy and discretion.
More About the Vitality RX® Method
When a prospective male patient contacts Vitality RX® seeking an evaluation for HRT, a nurse practitioner travels to his home to perform a physical exam and a blood draw to assess overall health and hormone levels. This typically takes 30 minutes. Following the in-home exam and blood draw, the medical director of Vitality RX®, Dr. Garrett Wdowin, reviews the results and pairs it with the symptoms and exam to determine the patient’s optimal hormone levels. He then formulates a treatment plan designed to restore levels to that target range within a reasonable amount of time.
HRT treatment plans don’t have to last forever; they can and sometimes should have a determined endpoint. Other clinics that advertise HRT may claim that patients need lifelong treatment or, conversely, that they need no treatment at all. Vitality RX® is different. At Vitality RX®, the medical team’s goal is to optimize and reboot a patient’s system without ever creating a dependency on the medication. Patients of Vitality RX® can anticipate having the ability to maintain their desired results even after the typical 6-month treatment program has ended.
Don’t suffer in silence any longer. To get started on testosterone replacement therapy in Los Angeles or Orange County, book an online appointment today. The first step is to get your blood work completed and to speak to our specialist. There’s no obligation beyond that. Our staff will guide you through our process and protocols, and our nurse practitioner will come to you to get the process started—whenever it fits into your schedule.