testosterone replacement therapy options

Understanding the Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Scott Brandt, M.D. Hormone Therapy for Men, Testosterone Replacement

Testosterone therapy, administered correctly, has both a feel good effect as well as significant long-term health benefits. Most patients come to see me to combat fatigue, lean muscle loss, difficulty sleeping, and to improve their general sense of well-being.

Share this post:

The Benefits of Boosting Testosterone

Many patients don’t realize the power of testosterone to decrease the incidence of many of the diseases of aging.  Testosterone lowers cholesterol, reverses the LDL to HDL ratio, and decreases coronary plaque deposition. In addition, testosterone and its byproducts lower the incidence of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and Alzheimer’s dementia.

Testosterone can be administered to men either topically, by injection or as implantable pellets. Women can take testosterone by these same routes and can additionally be treated by oral capsule. In order to achieve the many health benefits of testosterone, optimal blood levels need to be consistently achieved.

Why Does Dosing Frequency Matter?

The biggest mistake that is made in male testosterone replacement therapy regimens is not dosing regularly enough to maintain steady levels. If testosterone is administered by injection, it needs to be dosed at least twice weekly. If given topically by cream, it needs to be applied twice daily. Pellets can be inserted and will typically last 5-6 months.  Women can take a daily dose orally or topically and will usually get 3-4 months duration from pellet insertion. Many low T clinics dose patients by injection 2-4 times monthly. This regimen allows for huge fluctuations in blood levels throughout the month. These variations greatly diminish the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy.  By dosing only 2-4 times a month, patients also lose the long term health benefits of testosterone therapy.

How to Maximize the Results of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Optimum blood levels can be achieved by all of the methods listed above.  The steadiest levels are delivered by pellet, followed by injection. Both topical and oral delivery are next and are about equal in their steady state affect. The most important factor in choosing a route of administration is compliance. Whichever method the patient will be most consistent with, is in my opinion, the best choice. Properly dosed, all of the long-term benefits can be achieved with any of these delivery methods.

*Individual patient results may vary. Contact us today to find out if testosterone replacement therapy may be able to help you.

Next Step

If you believe you or someone you care about could be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy, please contact us today.