What is Testosterone replacement therapy?
A. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is necessary only if Testosterone levels are below normal. There are two forms of Testosterone in the human body: The Total (or bound) Testosterone level (TT) and the Free Testosterone (FT). Free Testosterone levels can be detected by simple, painless saliva testing. Over 75% of the Testosterone in saliva is in the FT form. FT drives the normal sex drive in both men and women.
Testosterone is often called the “male” sex hormone, and equivalent to estrogen for women. Just as estrogen gradually decreases as women age, men also experience a decrease in testosterone as they age. Sometimes, certain conditions may cause greater loss of testosterone, and the lack of adequate testosterone results in loss of muscle mass, decreased production of red blood cells, and poor bone growth. Other conditions like reduced body hair, complete disinterest in sex, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, anemia, osteoporosis or heightened cholesterol levels can result from low levels of this important hormone. When hormone levels are abnormally low, physicians may recommend testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy usually comes in several different forms. Men may receive injections of the hormone every couple of weeks, they may wear an adhesive skin patch that transfers testosterone to the body, or they may receive testosterone via gel placed on the body or on
