What Your Internist Should Tell You About Testosterone Replacement Therapy
The number of men with hypogonadism –a condition that results in below normal testosterone levels– is close to 4 million in the US alone. With numbers like this, you can see why testosterone replacement therapy is getting so much hype. Around age 40, a man’s testosterone level naturally starts to decline. Some turn to herbal supplements or anabolic steroids as they notice the symptoms of testosterone decline. These symptoms include a decreased libido, muscle mass and bone density. Some feel anxious or depressed, gain weight or experience erectile dysfunction. They lose their zest for life. That’s when they reach for testosterone replacement therapy.
What is an internist?
An internist is someone who specializes in internal medicine. They specialize in non-surgical, adult medicine. They can act as your primary care provider with insignificant differences and many added benefits. Internal medicine doctors typically only see adults, 18 and older. They focus on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases during their medical studies. They are ideal for those with diabetes and high blood pressure since they have a lot of knowledge when it comes to multi-system diseases and multiple or chronic illnesses.
Internists can manage your preventative care, such as cholesterol screenings and blood pressure screenings. They can also evaluate and deal with acute illness, coordinate additional medical services and collaborate with other physicians that attend to you.
Internists and Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Low testosterone can be quickly and easily treated with Testosterone Replacement Therapy or TRT. While TRT is an effective way to deal with hormone imbalances such as testosterone decline, it is very important to do so under the watchful eye of a medical professional. As with any other medical treatment, there are potential side effects. Some of these side effects can be deadly. Hormones levels need to be monitored carefully by someone who is trained to do so.
Those who do choose to receive doctor administered TRT can experience increased self-esteem, muscle mass, sex drive and energy in as little as 3 to 6 weeks of therapy.
Why Its Not Wise to Do It Yourself
You can get pretty much anything on the internet these days. Testosterone boosting supplements are available at the click of a button. And yet, there are side effects observed with testosterone replacement that include: acne or oily skin, prostate swelling, decrease in sperm count, increased red blood cell count, breast enlargement, worsening of sleep apnea, fluid retention and decreased testicle size. Basically, you really should consult a physician before and during any testosterone replacement therapy of any kind.
Where to Find a Testosterone Replacement Therapy Internist
Testosterone therapy is only available through medical professionals. Your primary care physician might be able to help you find and recommend a TRT Internist. You may also want to create a plan with your physician to naturally help with low testosterone levels. Diet, physical activity, supplementation and lifestyle can all contribute to your testosterone levels. Creating a plan with your doctor is a natural first step. Also, certain symptoms may point to other serious problems. Your physician should be able to sort through that. Talk to your doctor and see if TRT is right for you.
Questions for Your TRT Doctor
When trying to find the right TRT doctor you may want to ask some questions to help you on your search. One of the first questions you might want to ask is: How long have you been working with TRT prescribed patients? Obviously, you don’t want to be a guinea pig. You want someone with experience. The second question is: What is your preferred form of TRT therapy and why? Not all TRT treatments are created equal. While gels may seem less invasive than bi-weekly injections, they are also considered less effective and inconsistent at best. The third question to ask is: What is your average TRT dosage per therapy? This will help you to figure out just how often you’ll be seeing your TRT doctor. The fourth question is: How often will we be drawing labs? As I stated earlier, TRT is not something you want to use without monitoring. You want to know that your doctor keeping his eye on you.The fifth question is: How long does it take to start feeling different? While it will most likely be different for everybody your doctor should know what the typical results are. And finally, how do you feel about allowing me to administer my own TRT Injections? This may or may not be allowed by your physician. You still might want to know that information ahead of time.
Recent Comments