Testosterone Therapy

For Men

When it comes to hormones, testosterone is really the essence of what makes men who they are. When the natural levels of the hormone are threatened, it dramatically affects both their body and mind. On a physical level, low levels of testosterone can lead to the loss of lean muscle mass, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and even hair loss. The mental effects of low testosterone can often be more profound than the physical effects.  Testosterone supplementation helps bring your testosterone levels back to optimal.

Testosterone supplementation has been clinically proven to treat the following symptoms in men:

• Diminished libido
• Mood changes, depression
• Reduced motivation
• Hair loss or change in hair quality
• Decreased aerobic capacity
• Increased fatigue
• Looking older than your biological age
• Memory loss and decreased concentration
• Loss of muscle mass or more difficult to maintain muscle mass
• Reduced strength

For Women

Most often thought of as a male-specific hormone, testosterone is a vital hormone for women as well. Contrary to popular belief, both men and women have both testosterone and estrogen. Despite the fact that women have much lower levels of testosterone than men (usually about 90% lower), lower than normal levels of testosterone in women can have a dramatic effect on their lives as well.

Low testosterone levels occur in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, sometimes occurring before the age of 40.

In women (both pre and postmenopausal), low testosterone levels can cause symptoms of:

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Insomnia
• Low energy
• Diminished libido

Doses of testosterone can be administered:

• Using implanted pellets
• Topically by cream
• Intramuscularly by injection
• Using sublingual lozenge (women only)
• Orally by sustained release capsule (women only)

Dr. Brandt will discuss the benefits of each option during your consultation and determine which format suits you best.

The different steps of your testosterone treatment take place at our Vail or Denver testosterone therapy centers. Patients typically start feeling the benefits within 2-12 weeks.

• 1. Consultation to discuss medical history and the benefits of BHRT
• 2. Serum level testing of initial hormone levels
• 3. Follow up consultation to discuss results and recommended treatment program
• 4. Hormone prescriptions written and the importance of patient compliance is emphasized
• 5. Patient begins hormone therapy
• 6. Repeat serum level testing to ensure optimal levels have been obtained
• 7. Follow-up visit to discuss results and recommend any necessary changes

To schedule your hormone evaluation, please contact us today.

Patients typically start feeling the benefits within 2-12 weeks.

Alleged Heart and Prostate Health Risks

Several newspapers in early 2014 cited a flawed study that was retrospective, poorly designed, and implied negative cardiovascular effects from testosterone treatment. This could not be further from the truth. Read our testosterone safety blog post for a detailed review. There are numerous studies documenting the beneficial cardiovascular effects from testosterone optimization. Most recently, a large retrospective case-control urology study by Mayo Clinic showed that testosterone replacement therapy did not increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, irrespective of the route of administration or exposure window.

There are numerous studies documenting the beneficial cardiovascular effects from testosterone optimization.

In terms of the relationship between prostate cancer and testosterone supplementation, there have been numerous BHRT studies documenting no increased risk. A well-known Harvard urologist, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, has devoted a large piece of his career to studying this issue. Prostate cancer is almost always contracted later in life when testosterone levels have significantly declined.