Low Testosterone
LOW TESTOSTERONE
Testosterone is a hormone essential for male health. Low testosterone is a condition in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone for a variety of reasons. Many factors contribute to low testosterone levels such as age, weight, steroid use, lifestyle choices, thyroid dysfunction, pituitary dysfunction, rapid metabolism of testosterone, and varicoceles (varicose veins in the scrotal area). The Y Factor’s goal is to determine the cause of the low testosterone by uncovering the source of the issue and developing a treatment plan to improve the patient’s natural production.
How The Y Factor Can Help
The Y Factor will develop a comprehensive plan to enhance the natural production of testosterone. Our providers will diagnose the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan to improve the patient’s overall health. Often low testosterone levels are caused by an underlying medical condition. The Y Factor’s goal is to help patients reach optimum health and vitality naturally and provide an alternative to the testosterone injection clinics that just mask the problem of Low-T.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Fatigue.
Weakness and decreased strength.
Depressed mood.
Low sex drive.
Difficulty sleeping.
Difficulty with concentration and memory.
Enhancing Natural Testosterone VS Synthetic Testosterone Injections
Natural Testosterone Enhancement
Maintains natural fertility.
Prevents testicular shrinkage.
Addresses the overall health cause of reduced production.
Reduces the need for expensive, frequent testosterone injections.
Restores the ability for the body to produce natural testosterone.
Synthetic Testosterone Side Effects
Decreases natural fertility.
Causes testicular shrinkage.
Causes excessive thickening of the blood.
Liver inflammation.
Prostate swelling.
Creates a dependency on the synthetic injection.
If the injection is missed, patients experience a roller coaster feeling or bottoming out.
Low Testosterone | Frequently Asked Questions
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone in men. Testosterone plays a key role in male reproduction and health. It is important in the fertility of men and the health of their testes and prostate. It also helps promote secondary characteristics, such as increased muscle and bone mass, sexual function, energy levels, focus and concentration, sense of wellbeing, heart health, and prevention of certain chronic diseases.
Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood with a blood test. It may take several measurements to determine if a patient has low testosterone, since levels tend to change throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are in the morning and will decline throughout the day.
Initial testing usually consists of a physical exam, blood work, testicular imaging, and any other diagnostic workup we deem necessary.
If it is your first testosterone level with us, then we ask that you repeat one more to establish a baseline. After this, we will ask you to return to discuss treatment options.
As men age, the amount of testosterone in the body gradually drops. There are a variety of causes of low testosterone, including but not limited to: injury or infection to the testes, history of chemotherapy, certain medications, certain illnesses, alcohol abuse, recreational drugs, liver disease, genetic disorders, and obesity.
Low testosterone affects almost 40% of men age 45 and older. However, it can affect men in their 30s. Clinically, significantly low testosterone depends not only on blood testosterone levels but also symptoms. Generally, men with testosterone levels in the 300 range would benefit from treatment.
Yes, these include your thyroid level, glucose level, and cortisol level amongst others. If we feel the need to test for these other hormones than we can with a simple blood draw.
We offer a variety of treatment options based on your goals and medical conditions. We offer certain medications that will enhance your body’s ability to make its own testosterone better and can also improve your fertility at the same time. We also offer testosterone replacement therapy for those that benefit the most from that form of treatment.
Testosterone enhancement is a more natural approach to treating your testosterone level. We use a combination of medications, along with nutrition and exercise, to help your testicles make their own testosterone at a much better rate. Testosterone replacement, as the name portrays, replaces your body’s ability to make its own testosterone through the use of medication only.
Testosterone injection is a form of testosterone replacement therapy. It is FDA approved and works effectively in certain men who are appropriate candidates. However, there are certain side effects with testosterone replacement therapy that must be considered prior to treatment and we can help you with that decision.
These are all considered synthetic testosterone replacement therapy. They differ in the forms and route of administration.
We will make that decision together during your visit. We generally recommend that if fertility is still something you are considering then we do not recommend replacement therapy as it can put your fertility at risk.
Patients undergoing testosterone replacement therapy have a much higher risk of developing thickness of the blood which can lead to stroke or heart attacks. Other potential side effects are liver damage, acne development, mild fluid retention, stimulation of the prostate which can cause urinary symptoms and increased PSA tumor marker in those who have a history or family history of prostate cancer. It can also cause testicular shrinkage and decrease sperm count in younger men. These must all be considered before starting treatment.
That is a discussion we will have during your visit. We will compare the potential risk versus benefit of being on treatment and will further evaluate your risk for prostate cancer. We will appropriately monitor if you are on treatment. We usually assess your prostate cancer risk before placing you on treatment and every three-to-six months after starting you on treatment.
There are side effects to testosterone enhancement, but they are not as severe as the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy. They do not run the same risk for the development of thickness of the blood or liver damage. They do not affect fertility but rather enhance it. For both enhancement and replacement, anytime you increase testosterone, there is a chance you will increase estrogen levels also. Symptoms of elevated estrogen include nipple sensitivity, breast development (called gynecomastia), and weight gain. We can correct this rise in estrogen with medication.
We have seen testosterone enhancement and/or replacement help a lot of our men get back on their feet in terms of motivation, sex drive, erections, energy levels, mental focus, overall health, and a better quality of life. Studies show that increased testosterone levels help increase bone density, improve mood and wellbeing, improve sexual function, build muscle strength and physical performance, and improve mental sharpness.
Testosterone treatment is not meant for everyone. It has helped a large amount of our patients but sometimes there are other medical conditions that contribute to symptoms of low testosterone. When we have these cases, we often will refer our patients to other specialists whom we trust to handle their care.
Testosterone therapy can cause the prostate to grow. If a man has early prostate cancer, there is concern that testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. Therefore, men who have prostate cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy until properly screened by us. Other men should not take testosterone therapy until cleared by a health care professional including those with history of breast cancer, enlarged prostate, liver disease, severe congestive heart failure, and obstructive sleep apnea that has not been tested.
We get many patients who have had treatment elsewhere and we take all of this into consideration when developing a treatment plan for them.
It is possible and we call it our hybrid program. It is designed for those whom we deem as appropriate candidates for such therapy. Usually fertility is not the focus with these patients and they have no other health condition that prevents us from combining both treatment plans. We discuss all of this in detail during your visit.
We usually check your testosterone, estrogen, prolactin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, PSA, and hepatic function and usually require updated blood work every three months along with office visit. All of this is to ensure your safety while on treatment.
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