Testosterone

 Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a medical treatment designed to restore testosterone levels to a normal range in men whose testosterone is low due to aging, medical conditions, or hormonal imbalances. Men experiencing symptoms like fatigue, decreased libido, mood changes, and reduced muscle mass may benefit from TRT. A healthcare professional will evaluate your symptoms and testosterone levels to determine if TRT is the right treatment. 

 TRT can significantly improve quality of life by:

• Increasing energy levels
• Enhancing libido and sexual performance
• Boosting mood and mental clarity
• Improving muscle mass and strength
• Reducing fat accumulation
• Supporting bone health

By restoring testosterone levels, many men see a major improvement in their overall well-being.

 Subcutaneous (SC) injections involve injecting testosterone into the fat tissue just under the skin, while intramuscular (IM) injections go deeper into the muscle. SC injections offer several advantages:

• Less discomfort: SC injections are generally less painful than IM injections.
• More flexible injection sites: SC injections can be done in areas like the abdomen or thigh, making it easier to rotate sites.
• More stable blood levels: SC injections tend to produce a more consistent release of testosterone compared to IM injections.

In many cases, SC injections are preferred for ease and comfort.

Twice-weekly, low-dose injections help maintain more balanced testosterone levels throughout the week, reducing the fluctuations often seen with weekly or bi-weekly high-dose injections. This approach can:

• Minimize "testosterone peaks" and "valleys," which can cause mood swings and energy fluctuations.
• Improve overall effectiveness by maintaining a steady therapeutic level of testosterone.
• Offer more consistent symptom relief, including better libido and mental clarity.

Testosterone cream is a topical form of TRT that’s applied to the skin, typically on areas like the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen. Key benefits of testosterone cream include:

• Ease of use: No needles are involved, making it a good option for those who prefer to avoid injections.
• Consistent absorption: Creams allow for steady absorption through the skin, though requires twice daily application.
• Lower risk of injection-related issues: Since there’s no need for injections, there's less risk of irritation or infection at injection sites.
• Contact Transference: Testosterone cream can be transferred onto other people and animals.  It is important to avoid transference with women, children, and animals as testosterone can cause health complications.

However, testosterone injections are often preferred by patients who need faster, more precise delivery and higher absorption rates.

 Enclomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that can stimulate the body’s own testosterone production, making it a potential alternative for some men with low testosterone. Rather than directly replacing testosterone, enclomiphene helps increase natural testosterone levels by blocking estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus. This leads to higher levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which in turn stimulate the testes to produce more testosterone.

Enclomiphene may be particularly beneficial for men with low testosterone due to hypogonadotropic causes, and those who are looking to preserve fertility while treating low T.

Testosterone levels between 500-700 ng/dL are considered to be in the optimal range for most men, and are often associated with:

• Increased energy and vitality
• Better muscle development and fat metabolism
• Enhanced mood and cognitive function
   

In contrast, levels between 300-500 ng/dL may still be within the “normal” range according to some lab standards, but men with these levels often experience:

• Lower energy
• Decreased libido
• Poor mood or increased irritability
   

Men with levels closer to 500-700 ng/dL typically report feeling better overall, with significant improvements in daily life compared to those in the 300-500 ng/dL range.

Most medical professionals often only use Total Testosterone (Total T) as the primary measure of testosterone levels. "Normal" reference ranges are typically between 300-900 ng/dL, but this range can be misleading for men with symptoms of low testosterone despite having Total T in the "normal" range.

Many men with levels in the lower half of this range (e.g., 300-500 ng/dL) experience symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and depression. This is because testosterone affects men differently depending on factors like Free Testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), Estrogen levels, and DHEA. These elements provide a fuller picture of how well testosterone is functioning in the body.

For a more accurate assessment of your health, it’s essential to test:

• Total Testosterone
• Free Testosterone (the active form)
• Estrogen levels (important for balancing testosterone)
• SHBG (which binds to testosterone and can affect its availability)
• DHEA (a hormone involved in the production of testosterone)

Most medical professionals often only use Total Testosterone (Total T) as the primary measure of testosterone levels. "Normal" reference ranges are typically between 300-900 ng/dL, but this range can be misleading for men with symptoms of low testosterone despite having Total T in the "normal" range.

Many men with levels in the lower half of this range (e.g., 300-500 ng/dL) experience symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and depression. This is because testosterone affects men differently depending on factors like Free Testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), Estrogen levels, and DHEA.

At Salish Shore Wellness we focus on a fuller picture of how well testosterone is functioning in the body.  For a more accurate assessment of your health, it’s essential to test:

• Total Testosterone
• Free Testosterone (the active form):  is the fraction that actually interacts with tissues and produces effects. If your Free T is low, you may feel symptoms even if Total T seems fine. 
• Estrogen levels:  crucial because excessive estrogen in men can block the effects of testosterone. 
• SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin):  binds to testosterone, lowering the amount of available Free T. 
• DHEA ( dehydroepiandrosterone ): a precursor hormone, influences both testosterone production and overall vitality.