Testosterone Replacement Therapy: What You Should Know

 Several misconceptions exist about testosterone replacement therapy as you age. It can help you in some ways and can harm you in others.

It might seem that testosterone therapy is the king of anti-aging remedies. However, the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone are not clear.

Here's what you need to know about testosterone replacement therapy for normal aging - and what you don't.

How does testosterone level change with age?

Testosterone levels typically peak during adolescence and early adulthood. They gradually decline with age - typically about 1% per year after age 30 or 40. Older men need to determine whether a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or a medical condition (hypogonadism).

In men with hypogonadism, the testicles or pituitary gland that controls the testicles cannot produce enough testosterone to function normally. Testosterone replacement therapy can treat these men's symptoms of low testosterone through injections, pellets, patches, and gels.

Is testosterone therapy capable of promoting youth and vitality?

The effects of hypogonadism can be reversed by testosterone therapy, but it remains to be seen whether testosterone therapy will help older, otherwise healthy men.

There is not much evidence to support the use of testosterone in otherwise healthy men, even though some men claim that taking testosterone makes them feel younger and more vigorous. The American College of Physicians reports that testosterone therapy might improve some men's sexual function, but there is no evidence that it improves other functions, such as vitality and energy.

Is testosterone therapy something you should discuss with your doctor?

Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy before you decide whether it is right for you. Your doctor will probably measure your testosterone levels twice before making a recommendation.

Testosterone replacement therapy should not be used to treat normal aging. If you don't have a condition that's contributing to your declining testosterone levels, your doctor may suggest natural ways to increase testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance training.