Testosterone Therapy


What Is Bioidentical Testosterone Replacement

Testosterone is necessary in both men and women’s everyday well-being. Unfortunately, everyone’s testosterone levels decline steadily after age 30. To maintain optimal levels of the hormone, testosterone replacement therapy is necessary.

There are numerous benefits in maintaining optimal testosterone levels – including healthy libido, energy and mood.

Testosterone replacement, also known as testosterone supplementation, is administered to maintain optimum levels of the hormone and counter the steady decrease of testosterone levels in both men and women after age of 30.

Benefits and Effects of Testosterone Replacement

For Men

When it comes to hormones, testosterone is really the essence of what makes men who they are. When the natural levels of the hormone are threatened, it dramatically affects both their body and mind. On a physical level, low levels of testosterone can lead to the loss of lean muscle mass, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and even hair loss. The mental effects of low testosterone can often be more profound than the physical effects.  Testosterone supplementation helps bring your testosterone levels back to optimal.

Testosterone supplementation has been clinically proven to treat the following symptoms in men:

  • Diminished libido
  • Mood changes, depression
  • Reduced motivation
  • Hair loss or change in hair quality
  • Decreased aerobic capacity
  • Increased fatigue
  • Looking older than your biological age
  • Memory loss and decreased concentration
  • Loss of muscle mass or more difficult to maintain muscle mass
  • Reduced strength

For Women

Most often thought of as a male-specific hormone, testosterone is a vital hormone for women as well. Contrary to popular belief, both men and women have both testosterone and estrogen. Despite the fact that women have much lower levels of testosterone than men (usually about 90% lower), lower than normal levels of testosterone in women can have a dramatic effect on their lives as well.

Low testosterone levels occur in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, sometimes occurring before the age of 40.

In women (both pre and postmenopausal), low testosterone levels can cause symptoms of:

  • Hot flashes
  • Mood swings
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Insomnia
  • Low energy
  • Diminished libido

Forms of Testosterone Used for Replacement Therapy

Doses of testosterone can be administered:

  • Using implanted pellets
  • Topically by cream
  • Intramuscularly by injection
  • Using sublingual lozenge (women only)
  • Orally by sustained release capsule (women only)
Dr. Brandt will discuss the benefits of each option during your consultation and determine which format suits you best.
Because women naturally have lower levels of testosterone than men, they require a much smaller dose, and have more choices for route of testosterone administration than men – oral, topical cream, lozenges, and implantable pellets. Men have different choices as well – topical cream, injectable, and implantable pellets. Testosterone pellets are an ideal method of delivery. Dr. Brandt, ThriveMD’s hormone doctor, will discuss the benefits of each option during your consultation and determine which format suits you best.

Advantages of Testosterone Pellets

Subcutaneous pellets are an excellent method of testosterone administration available at ThriveMD. Pellets are an ideal method of delivery for both men and women leading busy, active lifestyles who want to assure they are maximizing the benefits of testosterone therapy.

The pellets are made of bioidentical testosterone pressed into small cylinders (as pictured), and implanted into the soft tissue underneath the patient’s skin. The in-office procedure is minor and takes about 15 minutes. Pellets provide a continuous, steady, slow release of testosterone over a 4-6 month period. This format allows for consistent 24 hours-a-day delivery that avoids fluctuations in hormone levels experienced with topical or injectable treatments. It also removes patient compliance issues that can arise from busy schedules, travel and just plain forgetfulness. Last but not least, the worry of transference of topical cream to children or partners is eliminated.

ThriveMD is one of Colorado’s few practices experienced in implanting testosterone pellets.

This format allows for consistent 24 hours-a-day delivery that avoids fluctuations in hormone levels experienced with topical or injectable treatments. It also removes patient compliance issues that can arise from busy schedules, travel and just plain forgetfulness.

Getting Started on Testosterone Replacement Therapy

The different steps of your testosterone treatment take place at one of our Colorado facilities in Vail or Denver. Patients typically start feeling the benefits within 2-12 weeks.

  • 1. Consultation to discuss medical history and the benefits of BHRT
  • 2. Serum level testing of initial hormone levels
  • 3. Follow up consultation to discuss results and recommended treatment program
  • 4. Hormone prescriptions written and the importance of patient compliance is emphasized
  • 5. Patient begins hormone therapy
  • 6. Repeat serum level testing to ensure optimal levels have been obtained
  • 7. Follow-up visit to discuss results and recommend any necessary changes

To schedule your hormone evaluation, please contact us today.

Testosterone replacement patient
Patients typically start feeling the benefits within 2-12 weeks.

Safety of Testosterone Replacement – A Proven Treatment

Alleged Heart and Prostate Health Risks

Several newspapers in early 2014 cited a flawed study that was retrospective, poorly designed, and implied negative cardiovascular effects from testosterone treatment. This could not be further from the truth. Read our testosterone safety blog post for a detailed review. There are numerous studies documenting the beneficial cardiovascular effects from testosterone optimization. Most recently, a large retrospective case-control urology study by Mayo Clinic showed that testosterone replacement therapy did not increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, irrespective of the route of administration or exposure window.

There are numerous studies documenting the beneficial cardiovascular effects from testosterone optimization.

In terms of the relationship between prostate cancer and testosterone supplementation, there have been numerous BHRT studies documenting no increased risk. A well-known Harvard urologist, Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, has devoted a large piece of his career to studying this issue. Prostate cancer is almost always contracted later in life when testosterone levels have significantly declined.

Testosterone Replacement Patients

The typical profile of a testosterone patient is often a Coloradan who want to improve mood, increase energy, increase libido and reduce the risks associated with the diseases of aging.

What Testosterone Patients Say

ThriveMD is delighted to receive online patient reviews, as well as testimonials during patient follow-ups. Please view our page dedicated to hormone therapy reviews. If you have been a patient, feel free to leave us your own review on Facebook, Google, or Vitals.

testosterone replacement patients

I came to Dr Brandt after fighting an escalating cholesterol problem compounded by a lack of testosterone in my system. After some analysis and looking into my current conditions Dr Brandt created a plan for my specific situation and it was put into motion. Today after my 6 week checkup I was talking with Dr Brandt about not realizing how lousy I originally felt with my very low testosterone situation and worrying about my cholesterol which seemed to keep rising even though I was adjusting my diet and exercise. Today I can say that my cholesterol went from 238 to 183 in 6 weeks and my testosterone levels continue to recover which has me feeling good again. The effect of his treatments has left me feeling solid and encouraged about my future and ability to keep enjoying the things I love to do outside! If you feel like you got run over by a bus every day, take some action. There is help available.”
John from Vail Valley, Colorado, email, January 2014

*Individual results may vary. Contact us today to find out if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be able to help you.

Meet Our Doctor, Dr. Scott Brandt

Scott Brandt, MD

Dr. Scott Brandt completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and attended medical school at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He then completed his anesthesiology residency training and internship at the University of Illinois and Michael Reese Hospitals in Chicago. Dr. Brandt has trained extensively across the country and become one of the nation’s top stem cell therapy doctors. He provides the highest quality patient care available. He continues to incorporate advancements in the field as rapidly as scientific evidence supports their addition. This combined with Dr. Brandt’s unparalleled expertise in minimally invasive injection techniques, utilizing live image guidance, allows him to ensure the best biologic solutions are placed exactly in the areas of tissue damage.

Next Step

If you believe you or someone you care about could be a candidate for stem cell therapy administered by a trusted clinic, please contact us today.

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