Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Reduced testosterone, often inevitable with aging, can dramatically diminish your mood, health, and overall quality of life. At Lux Health, a telehealth medical practice based in Hudson, New Hampshire, family nurse practitioner Elizabeth Martell, FNP-BC, offers testosterone replacement therapy to balance low levels in men and restore their well-being. Call the office to learn more, or use the online booking feature today.

What is testosterone replacement therapy?

Due to aging, testosterone levels gradually decline after peaking in your twenties and thirties. In fact, 7-14% of middle-aged and older men have testosterone levels below what’s ideal. Studies show that low testosterone may indicate poor health. 

Testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment that uses bioidentical hormones to increase testosterone in your body. Bioidentical hormones are just like those your body produces naturally. Testosterone therapy restores testosterone to normal levels.

Who benefits from testosterone replacement therapy?

The symptoms of low testosterone in men, which may indicate a need for testosterone therapy, include:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Increased body fat
• Depressed mood
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Low sex drive
• Thinning hair
• Skin changes
• Lower bone density
• Increased risk of fractures

Your symptoms might be mild, moderate, or severe. Routine hormone level monitoring using blood tests can dramatically reduce the chance of experiencing bothersome symptoms associated with low testosterone.

Common risk factors for low testosterone include aging, a family history of low testosterone, excess body weight, stress, having a medical condition, or taking certain medications. 

What’s the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones?

There is a difference between synthetic hormones and bioidentical hormones:

Synthetic hormones

Synthetic hormones are chemically altered, created by pharmaceutical companies, not identical to human hormones, and may elicit a negative metabolic response. Some patients can’t tolerate synthetic hormones well and experience mood swings, bloating, other unpleasant side effects, or even an increased risk of cancer.

Bioidentical hormones

In contrast, bioidentical hormones, available at Lux Health, are naturally produced using plant-based materials. Their composition is identical to hormones made by your body. A compounding pharmacy develops bioidentical hormones based on your personalized needs. It’s easier for the human body to accept and metabolize such hormones.

What should I expect during testosterone replacement therapy?

To determine your current hormone levels and how to balance them, Elizabeth reviews your symptoms, medical history, and health goals. You can take a home-based blood test, and after she receives the results, Elizabeth reviews them and tailors your treatment plan. 

You might use self-administered injections, patches, supplementation, gels, oral testosterone, nasal sprays, or other methods to increase low testosterone in your body.

Elizabeth follows up with you to ensure successful results and routinely monitors your blood hormone levels. She can alter your treatment plan if necessary.

Schedule an evaluation at Lux Health by phone or request one online today to learn more about testosterone therapy and if it’s right for you.