Testosterone Replacement Therapy
While Testosterone Replacement Therapy remains controversial, the symptoms of low testosterone can be significant, and even directly affects one’s health in areas that one might not think would be related. For example, men with low T are more vulnerable to osteoporosis and difficulty with concentration.
While Testosterone Replacement Therapy can help with sexual function in some cases it is not a substitute for what drugs such as Viagra and Cialis do so some patients may need both. Desire is more directly related to testosterone level in general than erection quality.
What Are Some Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
While Testosterone Replacement Therapy is not thought to cause prostate cancer or enlargement, testosterone replacement may make these conditions, if underlying, more active. T replacement can also increase your red blood cell count higher than it should be (the opposite of anemia) so both a complete blood count and PSA should be checked regularly when on Testosterone Replacement Therapy. In addition, the dosing varies from patient to patient so blood tests to check the T level should also be done regularly.
Another issue to be aware of is that Testosterone Replacement Therapy provides negative feedback to the testes so they can shrink in response. Also crucial is that sperm production is also turned down by T replacement so should never be used in men planning to have children in the future as the effect may not be reversible. Other meds such as clomiphene can be considered in such cases.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can be a great aid to one’s life and satisfaction including specifically improving patient’s health in some areas. However, there are potential side effects and complications so the decision to start T replacement is not a casual one. See your urologist (or primary care doctor) and have a frank discussion about the issues. Dr. Newman of Las Vegas Urology can help.