Feeling tired, gaining weight, having sexual health problems, and reduced strength are all symptoms of low testosterone. Board-certified urologist Micaela Aleman, MD, at Lone Star Urology in Austin, Texas, offers testosterone replacement to help men with these problems. Dr. Aleman might recommend treatment if you have signs of low testosterone and if your blood tests show low testosterone levels. Call Lone Star Urology to learn more about testosterone replacement’s benefits, or schedule a consultation online today.
Testosterone is a sex hormone primarily produced in men’s testicles. Having the correct testosterone levels is vital for normal sexual development and function.
It helps boys develop body and facial hair, muscle strength, and a deeper voice during puberty. Testosterone also enables men to produce sperm for reproduction.
Low testosterone (low-T) means you have less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of the hormone in your blood. If your body isn’t making enough testosterone, replacement therapy restores your levels to normal.
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
Mental energy and motivation can also decline.
Testosterone levels typically decline with age, so low testosterone is more common in older men. Other low testosterone causes include:
Some men have testosterone deficiency syndrome (TD), a condition where their bodies don’t produce enough testosterone.
The five testosterone replacement methods are:
Transdermal testosterone replacement options include topical gels, liquids, creams, and patches. These products usually last about four days following application. Covering them with an air- or water-tight dressing works best.
You receive short-acting testosterone injections under your skin or into the muscle. Long-acting injections usually go into the muscle. Injections are either weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
Buccal testosterone replacement is a patch you stick to your upper gum. The patch (which looks like a small pill) releases testosterone over the next 12 hours.
Intranasal testosterone is a gel you pump into each nostril, typically three times daily.
Dr. Aleman implants testosterone pellets under your upper hip or buttock skin. She numbs your skin with a local anesthetic shot, then makes a small cut just big enough to fit the pellets inside your fatty tissues.
Hormone pellets dissolve slowly, releasing testosterone into your body. Dr. Aleman uses TESTOPEL® pellets to restore testosterone levels over 3-4 months. The effects sometimes persist for up to six months.
Call Lone Star Urology to arrange a testosterone check or book an appointment online today.