The Questions
The most frequent questions we get from men about TRT are about whether they are candidates and how that is determined. Unfortunately, the truth is that many men today have far lower testosterone levels (hypogonadism) than the generations before them. Although there are a lot of factors that lead to this, our available foods, environment, and lifestyles have led to decreasing testosterone in the modern man.
The Symptoms
Symptoms can range from vague to obvious but are generally huge dampers on the overall health and happiness of those affected. Most commonly, men with suboptimal levels have at least one (and generally many) of the following: persistent tiredness, lack of motivation, increased belly fat, difficulty gaining strength, activity tolerance, reduced sexual interest/performance, erectile issues, prolonged activity recovery, poor mood, and feelings of depression. Often it’s spouses and girlfriends that make mention of the symptoms which can further lead to feelings of decreasing self-worth.
The Range
The problem in most people’s understanding of testosterone levels is that the “normal” range is not linked to a man’s age. It seems on the nose, but an 18-year-old is supposed to have far more testosterone than an 80 year old. Naturally, the older we get the less circulating testosterone men are supposed to have. But what we are seeing is that guys in their 30s and 40s have testosterone levels that their grandfathers had when they were in their 60s and 70s… or older. It’s not uncommon for them to be told by their primary care providers that their testosterone levels are “a little low.” However, if his testosterone level is at the bottom of the range, or even worse, below — it’s likely that he is having symptoms of low levels. The normal range is 300 to 1200. That spread of low to high is enormous!
The Dilemma
If you’re 45 and have a testosterone level of 350, your motor is nearly guaranteed to be in a lower gear. When it is, you can feel it. The only real way to determine if low T levels are to blame is to have a comprehensive blood panel drawn that looks at more than just the one hormone. A truly optimal determination is coupled with an evaluation from a provider who understands the specific needs of men requiring replacement to alleviate their symptoms. Commonly, men’s primary care providers are reluctant to treat symptomatic levels or are not specialized in how best to treat them. This is not an insult to them; it’s just not what most providers do. Furthermore, many places that do offer the service have cookie-cutter plans or are trying to sell treatment packages that are less individualized and more for profit. At Opteluxe Wellness, we believe that every patient encounter should be treated as a unique opportunity to do the right thing.
Finding the Answers
If you think you may have symptoms associated with your testosterone level – even if you have been told you’re in the normal range – we’d be glad to discuss it with you further with a free phone consultation. It only costs you about 15 or 20 minutes of your time. If you would like to read more or book an appointment, go to: www.opteluxewellness.com/mens-health