Friday, August 23, 2013

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy is the use of testosterone supplements to restore testosterone levels to a normal range in men who have a deficiency of the hormone. This therapeutic approach can be used to treat erectile dysfunction that is associated with a testosterone deficiency, and to treat symptoms of andropause (male menopause). Testosterone replacement therapy should not be used unless a man has a verified deficiency of testosterone.

To get the most accurate reading of your testosterone levels, a saliva test is recommended. A blood (serum) test does not measure all the hormone that is carried by red blood cells, and thus doctors could prescribe a dose that is too high.

Bio-identical testosterone gel or cream is the best way to get the hormone into your system. The term “bio-identical” means that the hormone is biochemically the same as the hormone the body produces naturally. Synthetic hormones are drugs and are foreign to the body, so the body essentially does not treat them like hormones. Because synthetic hormones are not true hormones, they do not provide the same benefits as the real thing.

A testosterone cream or gel allows the hormone to be absorbed through the skin and into the blood without having to pass through the liver, as an oral dose would have to do. Oral testosterone goes through the liver and 90 percent becomes bound to protein, severely limiting its effectiveness. Transdermal testosterone is at least 10 times more efficient than oral dosing. A compounding pharmacy can make up a testosterone cream that will provide you with the right dose to bring you back into balance. 

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