What is testosterone replacement therapy?

The best way to maintain and optimize the body’s capacity for producing testosterone is to undergo testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a non-invasive medical treatment in which hormones are prescribed to compensate for below-average levels. Essentially, TRT works by supplying the body with a regulated series of testosterone supplements that supply the body with testosterone their body is no longer producing.

While your body may be producing less testosterone than normal, the body’s androgen receptors are still more than capable of using the testosterone it receives. When supplemented through TRT, your testosterone levels can approach the levels you had when you were younger.

When you commit to a TRT regimen supervised by certified wellness professionals, it’s entirely possible to alleviate many, if not all, of the side effects of low testosterone.

What is "Low T?"

Low testosterone, or low T, is the condition in which men have lower-than-normal levels of testosterone in their body. Most adult men over the age of 19 have an average normal rate of 240-950 ng/dL of testosterone in their body; if your levels fall below that range, you are thought to have low T.

Does my insurance cover treatment?

As a direct care practice, we do not accept insurance for any of our services, so we won’t have to waste time and resources trying to find a way around health insurance restrictions and requirements. Instead, We can get straight to the point, and create a treatment plan that is optimized just for you. Lab work is usually covered by most insurance companies. We do have options where you may use your FSA and HSA benefits.

How is hormone replacement therapy most commonly administered?

There are several methods for administering TRT:

Injections – Testosterone medication injected either into the muscle or into the subcutaneous fat layer. Pellets – Surgically implanted pellet, usually in the glute, which is a time released medication. Topical Cream – Typically administered daily on skin.

If I have normal testosterone levels, can I still optimize them with HRT?

You can! Even if your T levels are within normal parameters, there are benefits to optimizing your testosterone levels.

The American Urology Association (AUA) cites a range of 300 to 800 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) as normal for the average male. Men whose testosterone levels fall below 300 ng/d are classified as having Low T and would definitely benefit from TRT programs like those provided by Atlas Men's Health.

Older men are more likely to have Low T; as men get older, their testosterone levels drop at a rate of approximately 1% per year after age 30 or 40. Nearly half of all men over the age of 80 suffer from Low T, but it is also present in a small percentage of younger men as well.

However, while some men may not technically have a testosterone level that ranks below 300 ng/dLs, they may still experience symptoms of Low T – slightly diminished sexual function, minor fluctuations in mood and cognition.

For these people (whose T levels typically range between 300-500 ng/dL), it is entirely possible to optimize their testosterone levels with a dedicated TRT regimen. It is perfectly normal and safe to engage in TRT if you have slightly lower testosterone levels, and simply wish to get them back to levels higher in the normal range.

Atlas Men's Health welcomes patients who want to improve their physical health through testosterone replacement therapy. Our team of wellness professionals is more than happy to work with clients to figure out a treatment program that works for the individual, in addition to wellness programs that emphasize diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes.

What is testosterone exactly?

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for our primary sex characteristics. It is associated with a man’s sex drive, but also plays into myriad physical and mental factors, including mental health, storage of fat, red blood cell production, and muscle mass.

What are symptoms of low testosterone?

We would recommend you contact Atlas Men's Health to schedule a lab test and physical exam to determine whether you have low T.

Lower sexual performance: Men with Low T typically experience lower libidos and diminished levels of sexual function, as having less testosterone reduces their sex drive. On average, these men tend to seek out sex less often.

Erectile dysfunction: Along with lower libido, Low T is often correlated with lower rates of achieving and maintaining erections. (Keep in mind, though, that this symptom in particular is affected by many other factors, including mood, obesity, and various psychological factors.)

Changes in mood: Low T can often be associated with irritability and fatigue in men – making them feel more tired, worn out and more easily exhausted. Also, they have shorter tempers and poorer mood, as a result of the lower quality of life afforded to men with Low T. There is also a greater likelihood of depression among men with Low T.

Changes in body composition: Testosterone is a hormone that plays heavily into male body composition, contributing to the balance between muscle mass and fat mass. As such, men with Low T often show increases in fat mass compared to muscle mass, leading to a loss of overall body composition compared to younger years where they had more testosterone.

Lower overall quality of life: As a result of all of these factors and others, men with Low T typically experience a lower quality of life, with diminished mood, sexual performance, and the deterioration of their perceived looks and health.

Is this an ongoing therapy?

Typically, TRT is administered as life-long therapy if it is prescribed for a true deficiency. Research has shown that excess belly fat is a major culprit for low T levels, since it triggers estrogen production which can hurt the body’s levels of T.

Several studies have shown that TRT promotes fat loss and encourages muscle building, thanks to its powerful impact on muscle protein synthesis. Often when men with low T lose body fat and gain muscle mass, the gonads will begin to produce T once again.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for men with low T, but our health care professionals work with each patient on an individual basis to establish what regimen of hormone replacement therapy is right for them.

How quicky will I see results?

Most patient’s begin to see results in 2-3 weeks after starting treatment. The time it takes for men to see noticeable results varies according to their pre-existing T levels and how quickly their body metabolizes the medication.

It generally takes 2 weeks before the body builds up enough supplemental testosterone to show results, but for some men it may take months to achieve the full benefit of TRT. Some of the first benefits reported by TRT patients are increased energy, focus, and better memory.

Can nutrition affect testerone levels?

While diet and nutrition are important factors for our body composition at all stages of life, studies have not made a conclusive connection between nutrition and testosterone levels. Our Patient Coordinators can help design nutritional programs to assist in giving patient’s the best possible results.

Can low T cause hair loss?

According to the American Hair Loss Association, male pattern baldness (MPB) affects almost 95% of American men dealing with premature thinning. Low T is one of the primary underlying issues for men diagnosed with MPB.

MPB associated hair loss has a distinct pattern. Experts say the thinning pattern looks similar to an “M.” Typically, it attacks the front of the hairline first. The edges and sides gradually recede as well. MPB also causes hair to thin in the center, also known as the crown or vortex. The earlier you can slow the rate of thinning, the better.

Ignoring hair loss can cause MPB to worsen. In later stages, the “M” shape can transform into a “U.” Without proper treatment, the bald patches can connect.

For some men, low T doesn’t only affect hair on the head. Hypogonadism has been proven to cause thinning and bald patches to develop on the chest, arms, back, and groin too.

How does testosterone change as we age?

For men, testosterone levels kick into high gear during puberty, and remain at relatively high levels through our teens and twenties. Once we hit thirty, however, on average our T levels decrease by 1% a year.

Most men still maintain at least 75% of their testosterone levels into old age, and many men can even father children as late as their eighties.

How many people suffer from low T?

According to the American Urological Association, around 2% of adult men are diagnosed with low T every year.

Researchers believe that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There could be several men still battling symptoms, but who refuse to get it checked out due to the negative stigma attached to low T.

What can TRT do for me?

With the help of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, many men have experienced tremendous results in alleviating the aforementioned symptoms. There’s a significant body of research on TRT, much of which supports its use on men with Low T; this study conducted by Saint Louis University, for instance, notes the following effects for patients who have undergone TRT:

Greater libido and overall sexual function. Men who go through TRT have seen improvements in their sexual function and overall desire, as well as reduced rates of erectile dysfunction. Improved body composition, including higher muscle mass. TRT is also linked to greater muscle mass and body composition in people suffering from Low T, especially for older men who have already experience body composition deficits through normal aging. Improved cognition and mood. TRT is also associated with marked improvements in attitude and mood, as well as heightened sense of self-regard and well-being. Greater bone mineral density. Low T often has deleterious effects on bone mineral density (BMD); TRT is subsequently associated with increased BMD. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since TRT is often linked to lower fat mass and greater muscle mass, corresponding health benefits include lower risk factors for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Do you offer creams or gels?

Our professionals feel that hormone injections are the most effective method of administration for this type of therapy because it allows us to control your dose more easily.

Atlas Men's Health understands that some patients are uncomfortable with the idea of injections. Men who only require a low dose hormone regimen may be good candidates for the creams or gels, though these are prescribed only after careful consideration of the patient’s individual needs.

What is the most effective method of testosterone therapy?

Our team believes that Testosterone injections are the most effective administration as the dose can be highly regulated and controlled.

Atlas Men's Health understands that some patients are uncomfortable with the idea of injections. Men who only require a low dose hormone regimen may be good candidates for the creams or gels, though these are prescribed only after careful consideration of the patient’s individual needs.