Home » Posts tagged 'microneedling'
Tag Archives: microneedling
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Trt San Diego is an ongoing treatment that replenishes testosterone levels to relieve low-T symptoms. Testosterone can be delivered through a skin patch, gels, orally disintegrating tablets, injections or implants under the skin.
Men with low-T can experience improved energy, sex drive and mood. Talk to your doctor if you think you have low-T.
Testosterone is a hormone that’s present in higher amounts in men than women. It helps initiate the development of male internal and external reproductive organs during fetal life, enhances male libido, stimulates sperm production in adulthood, and increases muscle mass and bone density in men. It also boosts mood and energy levels in both men and women. It improves skeletal muscle growth, stimulates protein synthesis and erythropoiesis in the blood, and it has some positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors in adults.
Testosterone deficiency is often called hypogonadism and may be caused by loss of or harm to the testicles, certain genetic mutations, mumps, head trauma, severe injury, cancer chemotherapy or radiation, some medications and some chronic illnesses. It’s also more common in overweight people and those with diabetes.
Using testosterone to boost low levels can increase muscle bulk, decrease fat and body hair, boost libido, and enhance the ability to concentrate and remember things. It can also help with depression, low energy and irritability, but results vary from person to person. It can be delivered in the form of injections (short-acting), gels or liquids that are rubbed into the skin, and patches or tablets that are placed on the gums. During TRT, testosterone levels will fluctuate, peaking right after an injection and dropping to the lowest level before the next injection. Injections are the most common method of delivering testosterone.
Testosterone can be delivered through gels, injections, patches and pellets. Our physicians can recommend the best treatment option for you based on your symptoms and preferences.
Testosterone is the male sex hormone and is produced primarily in the testicles (although some is also made in the adrenal glands). Women produce testosterone as well but at much lower levels. Testosterone therapy can help treat symptoms of low testosterone, including sexual dysfunction in men and hot flashes in women.
Some forms of TRT involve injecting a small amount of Testosterone directly into large muscles, usually in the buttocks or thigh. We can teach you how to self-inject or we can do this for you. Injections are typically given on a weekly basis to maintain a steady level of testosterone in your body.
The most popular form of TRT involves the use of a transdermal patch that delivers a small dose of Testosterone. We carry the most commonly used brand of this product, Androderm. The patches are easily applied to the skin each day and can be worn with a shirt or pants. The patch allows you to swim, exercise and shower with ease while delivering a steady dose of the hormone.
Oral Testosterone is a newer option for some patients. New oral formulations such as Kyzatrex, Jatenzo and Tlando are not associated with liver toxicity. Intranasal gel (Natesto) is another newer form of Testosterone that can be administered three times a day into the nose.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can improve symptoms for men who suffer from hypogonadism (problems with the testicles or pituitary gland that controls the testicles). The treatment is available in the form of gels, injections, patches and pellet implants. AHN physicians are trained to evaluate and customize TRT treatments to address individual patients’ needs.
Most people who use TRT notice positive changes in their mood and energy levels within weeks of beginning treatment. Some also experience a boost in muscle mass and libido. The time it takes to see results will vary based on the type of testosterone preparation used. AHN doctors primarily prescribe longer-acting esters such as testosterone propionate and testosterone cypionate that take longer to build up to a therapeutic level in the bloodstream.
It’s important to note that TRT is a lifelong treatment. It’s not a cure for low testosterone and it isn’t intended to be used by men with normal hormone levels. However, in many cases restoring low testosterone levels with the right dose can significantly improve the quality of life and prevent disease.
TRT is not recommended for men who have a history of prostate cancer or any pre-existing conditions that may worsen after taking the medication. TRT can also exacerbate problems with benign prostatic hyperplasia, polycythemia or sleep apnea in some men. Those who are planning to have children should also avoid TRT, as the drug can decrease sperm count and fertility.
Testosterone levels decrease due to aging, and low testosterone can affect a person’s mood, energy level, muscle mass, bone density, facial and body hair, and libido. TRT can help to improve these symptoms and can produce positive psychological effects such as improved self-esteem and increased motivation.
Some people who take testosterone notice a boost in their sexual desire, and some experience more body hair growth or loss. Others may notice a loss of fat, increased muscle mass and bone density, and increased energy. Some individuals also note improved alertness and better memory.
A few studies have linked long-term use of testosterone therapy to an increased risk of heart problems. The FDA has a warning label for this. However, new research suggests that these risks are overstated. This latest study followed 5,198 men who applied a testosterone gel or placebo to their arms daily for nearly two years. Researchers compared the participants to similar men who didn’t use testosterone replacement therapy.
The results of the TRAVERSE study suggest that testosterone is not associated with an increased heart attack, stroke or death — despite the fact that the participants all had three or more risk factors for cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, abnormal levels of fat in the blood and smoking history. However, large clinical trials are still needed to confirm these findings. In the meantime, it’s important to discuss any concerns with your doctor before starting any hormone therapy. Also, it’s important to tell your health care provider about all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription and dietary supplements you’re taking.
Testosterone replacement therapy does not increase a man’s risk for heart problems, such as irregular heartbeat and blood clots in the legs or lungs, but it does have some risks. These risks must be weighed in the context of the overall quality of life benefits that the treatment provides to an individual who has hypogonadism, says a cardiologist and endocrinologist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
AHN physicians offer hormone therapy in the form of gels, injections, patches or pellet implants that help men restore normal levels of testosterone to improve energy, mood, muscle mass and libido. These treatments also may help with infertility issues caused by low testosterone, and the effects are often reversible. However, some changes may not be reversible, such as facial hair growth (andropause), voice changes and male-pattern baldness.
Besides these sexual changes, patients might experience bloating or pelvic pain and a return of menstrual bleeding, since excessive testosterone is converted to estrogen in the body. In addition, if an estrogen blocking medication is not used in combination with testosterone, excess levels of the hormone can cause symptoms such as mood symptoms or irritability and swollen breasts (gynecomastia). These side effects are not reversible, but can be managed by taking smaller doses of the drug or by switching to another type of hormone therapy. A person’s AHN physician can recommend the best treatment for them.
Testosterone replacement therapy has been shown to increase muscle mass and strength, reduce fat mass, improve bone mineral density, raise HDL (good) cholesterol and boost libido. It can also lead to a more positive mood and increased energy. The AHN team will work with you to determine the most effective method of reintroducing testosterone into your body. This can include gels, injections or pellet implants. We will monitor your progress regularly and make adjustments as needed to ensure the best possible outcome.
The most common side effects of TRT are acne, changes in hair growth and color and an enlarged prostate. Depending on the cause of low testosterone, other side effects may be present, such as elevated blood sugar levels and an increased risk of heart problems, including stroke and heart attacks.
Some of the benefits of TRT, such as muscle mass, sex drive and emotional well-being are reversible once the hormone is discontinued. However, some of the longer term effects, like clitoral enlargement, changes in facial hair growth and voice and male-pattern baldness, are not reversible once they have started.
There is limited evidence about the long-term effects of TRT. In the few trials that reported cardiovascular outcomes, results were mixed. The pooled risks for death, myocardial infarction or stroke were not significantly different between testosterone and placebo groups, although most trials excluded men at higher risk of these events.