What Makes You A Man
As men age, their testosterone levels decrease. Starting at age 30, levels can decrease as much as 1% a year. However, low testosterone levels associated with other symptoms can be a sign of hypogonadism, andropause (male menopause), or androgen deficiency in the aging male (A.D.A.M.). In cases such as these, TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) may be recommended.
Feel Younger and Invigorated
Testosterone is produced in the testicles, but the production of testosterone is controlled by the brain, specifically the pituitary gland. There are two types of low testosterone; low testosterone due to natural aging and low testosterone due to diminished function in the testicles or pituitary gland. The latter cause leads to the disease state of low testosterone (hypogonadism, andropause, and androgen deficiency in the aging male or A.D.A.M.). Associated symptoms of low testosterone include loss of muscle mass, loss of body and facial hair, decreased sex drive, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, depression, irritability, memory and concentration difficulties, bone density loss, and a low sense of well-being. The differences between the two types of low testosterone can be very subtle, which is why blood tests are necessary to determine which type you have. Certain medical conditions can lead to low testosterone, as well.
Alerting your physician to any of the symptoms associated with low testosterone is important. A health inventory questionnaire called the A.D.A.M Questionnaire was designed to identify patients who might have low testosterone levels. Two blood tests done on different days will determine if your low testosterone levels are normal signs of aging or due to hypogonadism, andropause (male menopause), or A.D.A.M. TRT has not been approved by the FDA to treat low testosterone levels due to normal aging.
A New You
Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy include increased energy and sex drive, more frequent and longer erections, improved mood, increased bone density and lean muscle mass, and decreased body fat. Some risks associated with TRT include blood clots, acne or oily skin, increased estrogen (which can lead to tender breasts or enlarged breasts), sleep apnea, and elevated cholesterol and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no evidence that TRT increases a patient’s risk for prostate cancer.
Expert Advice
During your consultation with Dr. Edward Karpman at El Camino Urology in Mountain View, California, you will complete the A.D.A.M. questionnaire, review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and, after determining if you are a candidate for Testosterone Replacement Therapy, discuss your treatment options. At our office in Mountain View TRT patients with low testosterone levels can find a variety of treatment options: patches, injections, pellets that are implanted under the skin, or gels.
Each form of therapy has specific advantages and disadvantages associated with it. During your consultation, Dr. Karpman will discuss which therapy is right for you. One long-term treatment option is the insertion of subcutaneous pellets called Testopel® every four months. Current guidelines allow us only to place enough Testopel pellets to last three months in Medicare patients.
Four Minutes or Less
If Dr. Karpman recommends Testopel as your Testosterone Replacement Therapy treatment, the procedure will be performed in the office using a local anesthetic and completed in less than four minutes. He begins by sterilizing the area where the pellets will be inserted with an anti-bacterial solution. A local anesthetic is given in the area, and two rows of pellets are implanted under the skin.
Improved Quality of Life
When receiving TRT Mountain View patients will notice that results are gradual, highly individualized, and may be affected by a patient’s underlying medical conditions. Typically, patients report seeing positive quality-of-life results within three to six weeks. However, improved results for sexual dysfunction may take three to six months.
No Downtime
Some patients report a rash, itching, or irritation at the site where TRT is applied when using gel or a patch. If you have pellets inserted, the site may be sore and tender for a day or so. However, there is no downtime after the in-office procedure, and the patients can return to normal activity immediately.
No. Over-the-counter supplements are not approved by the FDA and have no proven effect on increasing testosterone.
Yes. Most insurances cover all forms of TRT.
Start your journey to reclaim your sexual reproductive health. From infertility to erectile dysfunction and more, Dr. Edward Karpman has your best interests in mind. Schedule your consultation today!
2490 Hospital Drive, Suite 210, Mountain View, CA 94040