THE TESTOSTERONE PROJECT
Integrative Replacement Therapy
Cost
Initial Provider Visit: $285
Initial Labs: $97
Follow up Provider Visits: $175
Follow up Labs: $30
Weekly injections: $60
(*any lab draw requires an additional $30 lab draw fee)
What is Testosterone:
Testosterone is a hormone that your sex organs produce. It is produced by the testicles in men and the ovaries in women. Testosterone is the main hormone in the development of male characteristics and levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in males than females.
Testosterone is responsible for primary sexual development during development.
- Testosterone regulates secondary male characteristics
- Male hair pattern
- Deep voice
- Skeletal muscle growth
- Erythrocytosis
- Motivation and drive
Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone hormone
Primary hypogonadism: Occurs when there is a disease of the testes which results in the inability of the testes to produce testosterone such as congenital abnormalities, radiation, trauma, medications.
Secondary hypogonadism: Occurs when there is disease of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus such as congenital abnormalities, chronic disease, sleep apnea, opiate use, cancer, traumatic brain injury.
Adult onset hypogonadism: Associated with aging, most common type.
Diagnosis
Must have symptoms in order to treat
Evaluation of Lab work
Signs and symptoms of low testosterone
- Low motivation
- Lack of spontaneous and morning erections
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression Decreased amount of body hair
- High pitched voice
- Weight gain/muscle loss
- Fatigue
Replacing endogenous testosterone (what your body makes naturally) with exogenous testosterone (the hormone is given to you).
Exogenous Testosterone
Testosterone Cypionate is gold standard
Topical testosterone products
Side effects of Testosterone Replacement
• Testosterone can elevate the the proportion of red blood cells, this can place you at risk for a blood clot
• Potential acceleration of prostate cancer
• Potential increase in cardiovascular events such stroke or heart attack
Common side effects
• Acne
• Oily skin
• Testicular shrinkage
• Estrogenic side effects such as nipple sensitivity, fluid retention.
Benefits of Testosterone Replacement
• Improve mood and motivation
• Better sleep
• Increase in lean muscle mass
• Weight loss
• Improved libido and erectile dysfunction
• Increased insulin sensitivity
• Increased metabolism
Benefits occur in a stepwise fashion over 3-12 months
2-4 weeks psychological improvements
4-16 weeks physical and sexual improvement
6-12 months results in consistency of well-being
Treatment goals
• Improve hypogonadal symptoms of low testosterone symptoms
• Continue to monitor lab work to make sure testosterone levels, free testosterone, estradiol and red blood cells are at optimal levels.
Follow Up
First follow up will occur in 3 months. We will repeat labs to make sure they are at optimal levels, review side effects, possibly adjust dose. We will see you every 3 months until optimal dosage is obtained. Once the optimal dose is achieved we will see you every 6 months thereafter and will monitor symptoms, lab work and side effects you may possibly have. This is required due to testosterone being a scheduled medication.
