What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes.
A male’s testosterone level rises significantly at puberty, resulting in virulization (masculinity). Testosterone is responsible for sex drive, muscle mass, & vitality (it can also cause acne and baldness). Testosterone levels can also have significant effect on mood.
For men who are symptomatic from declining testosterone (decreased sex drive, muscle mass & energy or depressed mood), testosterone optimization therapy (TOT) can be a life changer.
Testosterone levels can be affected by multiple disease states, but also naturally decline with age. This has been called andropause or “manopause.” For men who are symptomatic from declining testosterone (decreased sex drive, muscle mass & energy or depressed mood), testosterone optimization therapy (TOT) (also known as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)) can be a life changer. This can be achieved through a number of options, usually injections or topical skin creams containing testosterone.
The term TOT is often used interchangeably with TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). In our opinion,
there are subtle differences. Testosterone optimization is the ability to find the testosterone level
(within a range) that a particular individual needs in order to safely optimize health & lifestyle, rather
than simply making a “low” testosterone level “normal.”
Although TOT/TRT can yield great benefits for men (and women in lower doses), there are potential side effects & risk. It is critical that testosterone replacement/optimization therapy be managed by a doctor who understands & can manage the side effects, including effects on the prostate gland.
At The Men’s Center, we make safe & responsible TOT/TRT our number one priority. Our TOT/TRT plans include free labs & follow ups with Dr. Kubinski as well as regular phone check-ins with out RN Jeff to be sure that you are seeing the improvement you need. This allows us to make dosing adjustments on the fly to safely optimize your response.
For even more about Testosterone Therapy, check out this blog post by Dr. K on all things testosterone.