Times sure have changed. Twenty years ago, the majority of individuals taking testosterone (T) were body builders, weightlifters and elite athletes. Now a days it has become much more mainstream.  Andropause, the male equivalent of menopause is a recognized condition for which T may be prescribed.  Chances are pretty good that someone you know is taking it for one reason or another. For men, testosterone reaches its peak at about 18 years of age and gradually declines after that. Normal Testosterone ranges are between 250-1100 ng/dl. If your 40 years or older and have had your T levels checked it’s probably in the low normal range, most likely hovering around 300ng/dl. That’s enough for your doctor to say you are low normal,  and you insurance isn't going to pay for any T replacement.  But you would probably feel a lot better in the upper normal range. At Invigorate Med spa, when we start patients on T, we monitor the individuals response, and if necessary, gradually titrate until the patient notices the desired effects. Those may include morning erections, improved libido and increasing energy and strength in the gym. T levels are then checked and if you feel good at 500ug/dl great! If another patient feels that way and its 1000ug/dl that’s also ok.  Everyone is different, we don’t treat numbers alone, we treat the whole person. Testosterone  offers one of the biggest, "bang for your buck,"therapies out there. Relative low cost with tremendous effect,

Benefits of Testosterone Replacement:

• Increase muscle mass and strength

• Decrease body fat

• Increase energy

• Increased sex drive/libido

• Improved erectile function (in men)

• Improved concentration

• Improved mood and sense of well-being

• Quicker recovery time after workouts

• Increased bone strength

So that’s some of the good. What about the bad?  Interestingly, that number is shrinking almost daily. 

Here’s a list of some facts and myths about T:

• Increases risk for Prostate cancer - Absolutely false. As a matter of fact, there on ongoing trials using high doses of T to treat prostate cancer

• Increase your bloodwork PSA level  and cause prostate enlargement Known as BPH - Perhaps minimally, not been shown to be significant

• Increase risk of heart disease - Conflicting reports, several new studies state it's cardioprotective

• Erythrocytosis - Yes. Erythrocytosis is the opposite of anemia. If you remain on it, donate blood every three months, you’ll be doing something nice for humanity, and you’ll feel good about yourself

• Acne - Possibly

• Fluid retention - Possibly

• Decreased testicular size and sperm count - If on treatment for a long period of time, yes. If you want to have children, there are ways to regenerate your sperm count

• Increase risk of a blood clot - Retrospective studies say there is an increase risk. So yes, for now.

• Increased aggression - Mixed reviews

A word about over the counter supplements.  If you feel good taking testosterone boosters wonderful.  It’s probably a placebo effect andnd that’s perfectly fine. Don’t be confused though, over the counter (OTC), medications are not FDA approved and/or regulated.  You could be consuming grass clippings for all you know. Many of them are a rip-off, and for about the same price as a "Testosterone Booster," you can have the real thing. A lot of our patients used to buy T over the internet or got it from a gym buddy. Again, you have no idea what you are getting. At the very best, it doesn’t work and you just lose your money. At its worst, it is some contaminated garbage that can cause infection make you sick or even worse.