TOP SIX MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

The XY chromosome pairing that occurred during conception may have determined your biological status as a male, but you can thank testosterone for providing you with many of the characteristics commonly associated with manhood. Testosterone is a vital hormone responsible for developing and supporting men’s strength, muscle mass, bone density, reproductive organs, sperm production, sex drive, and daily energy levels.

While testosterone levels naturally decline in all men as they age, some men experience excessive declines that can compromise other aspects of their health. This condition is known as testosterone deficiency (TD) and is marked by testosterone levels that remain consistently below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood. Common symptoms include:

• Low sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Decrease in muscle mass and strength
• Increase in body fat
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Hair loss
• Decreased facial hair growth
• Mild anemia
• Breast development (gynecomastia)

According to the American Urological Association, aging is one of the primary causes of low testosterone, as TD affects up to 20% of men over age 60, almost 35% over 70, and at least 50% over 80. However, other health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, HIV/AIDS, obesity, infections, and specific injuries, can cause TD at any age. Overall, the association believes that 2.1% of American men have TD.

TREAT TD WITH TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Men who are affected by low testosterone levels can reduce related symptoms and restore their youthful vigor with testosterone replacement therapy. As a long-term provider of testosterone replacement therapy in Naples, Florida, internal medicine specialist Dr. Diane Brzezinski, D.O. sees first-hand how effective the simple treatment can be in alleviating symptoms and restoring vitality.

However, Dr. B also knows that some men are reluctant to undergo the treatment due to misconceptions—or myths—about the therapy’s effectiveness and potential side effects. Here then, are the top six misconceptions Dr. B’s Naples-area patients tend to raise when consulting her about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT):

1. TRT WILL MAKE ME LOOK LIKE I’M ON STEROIDS

While anabolic steroids mimic testosterone’s muscle-building and supporting role, the restored testosterone levels offered by medically supervised TRT will not be enough to induce extensive muscle growth characterized by steroid-using bodybuilders. That said, TRT can help preserve and maintain existing muscle mass while boosting daily exercise efforts.

2. TRT WILL MAKE ME AGGRESSIVE

Because TRT has been incorrectly linked with steroid use, some men worry that it may cause “roid rage” aggressiveness that afflicts some steroid-using bodybuilders. Medically supervised TRT restores testosterone levels to natural ranges, which helps alleviate depression and improve other mood disorders that may be symptomatic of TD.

3. TRT INCREASES HEART ATTACK AND STROKE RISK

Clinical studies about the potential risks of TRT on heart health have provided mixed results over the past few decades However, a 2015 study of 83,000 patients with low testosterone determined that those who underwent TRT had a significantly lower risk of heart attack and stroke than those who did not. Furthermore, some earlier studies that had identified potential TRT heart attack and stroke risk have been called out for flaws in study design.

4. TRT DOES NOT BOOST ENERGY LEVELS

Dr. B isn’t quite sure how this misconception arose, but she’s seen first-hand how TRT helps restore the energy levels of her Naples-area patients. TRT’s ability to boost energy is likely connected with its role in red blood cell synthesis. Low testosterone levels are linked to lower red blood cell counts, and a boost in testosterone can enhance red blood cell production. Testosterone also suppresses the effects of the stress hormone cortisol, which can reduce energy by causing anxiety and depression.

5. TRT IS MAINLY USED TO TREAT ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Erectile dysfunction is just one of many TD symptoms that TRT can effectively address. And, sure, men can be motivated to seek out TRT to help restore their sex lives, but plenty of men also seek out the therapy to alleviate the other symptoms associated with TD.

6. IF YOU BEGIN THE THERAPY, YOU HAVE TO BE ON IT FOR LIFE

The need to maintain sufficient testosterone levels with TRT will depend largely on the underlying cause of the decline. If another health issue is responsible for the decline, normal levels may return with the resolution of the issue. Testosterone levels naturally fluctuate, and some men may need a temporary shorter-term testosterone boost with TRT, while others may need ongoing TRT to sustain levels.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TRT AT DR. B’S NAPLES-BASED CLINIC

If you are suffering from any of the potential TD symptoms, Dr. B can test your hormone levels to determine if you can benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. If so, she can restore your testosterone levels with a simple rice-size hormone pellet inserted under the skin. The all-natural hormone pellet will deliver a steady, consistent dose of testosterone into your body for several months, bringing your levels back into the normal range and alleviating the TD-related symptoms. To learn more about the benefits of TRT in Naples, schedule your appointment with Dr. B by calling (239) 261-9990 or check out our latest video series where Dr. B discusses Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy.