Low testosterone affects over 40% of males aged 45 and above. Normal testosterone levels are challenging to define since they fluctuate throughout the day and are influenced by body mass index (BMI), diet, alcohol intake, certain medicines, age, and sickness. Low testosterone is detected with a blood test that measures testosterone in the blood. Since testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, it may take many measurements to establish if a patient has low testosterone. The largest testosterone amounts are often found in the morning, at about 8 a.m. This is why your Newport Beach endocrinologist tests testosterone levels first thing in the morning.
How to take testosterone
In general, there are five primary methods to consume testosterone. They are as follows: transdermal (through the skin), injectable, oral or buccal (via the mouth), intranasal (via the nose), and pellets beneath the skin. There is no superior way. Your specialist will test your blood for testosterone levels while on testosterone therapy. Here are some specifics concerning the five methods:
A. Transdermal (Topical)
Topical gels, creams, liquids, and patches are available. Topical medications typically have a four-day shelf life. They absorb better when wrapped with an airtight or waterproof covering.
- Apply liquids and gels, creams or patches on dry skin free of wounds and scrapes.
- Do not wash the area until the next dosage is due.
- After applying liquids, gels, or creams, wash your hands.
- Ensure that no one else, especially women and children, comes into contact with the medications.
A topical patch is similar to a band-aid that contains the medication. You take it and then forget about it until the next dose is due. The drug on the patch is less likely to transmit to others than liquids, gels, and creams.
B. Injection
There are two types of testosterone injection: short-acting and long-acting. The fast-acting medication can be injected beneath the skin or into the muscle. The long-acting one is frequently administered intramuscularly. Moreover, injections are often administered weekly, every two weeks, or once a month.
C. Buccal or oral (by mouth)
The buccal dosage is delivered in the form of a patch that you apply over your incisors (canine or “eyetooth”). The drug seems to be a tablet; however, it should not be chewed or swallowed. The medication is released over 12 hours. This approach has fewer adverse side effects on the liver than swallowing the medicine, although it may induce headaches or discomfort where it is placed.
D. Pellets
The testosterone pellets will be inserted beneath the skin of your upper hip or buttocks by your doctor. Your specialist will numb your skin with a local anesthetic before making a tiny incision and inserting the pellets into the fatty tissues beneath your skin. Depending on the number of pellets, this drug dissolves slowly and is delivered for 3-6 months.
E. Intranasal
This testosterone comes in the form of a gel. You inject the medication into each nostril as indicated. It is frequently administered three times per day.
Unlike women, who dramatically decline in hormone levels after menopause, males have a more steady drop in testosterone levels over time. The older the male, the more likely he will encounter below-normal testosterone levels. Men with lower than 300 ng/dL may develop low testosterone symptoms. Your clinician can do a blood test and, if necessary, prescribe therapy. They can also explore the possible advantages and hazards of testosterone therapy. Call Dr. Sean P. Nikravan, MD, FACE, or schedule your consultation online to learn more about low testosterone.
