Is HRT Too Good To Be True?
If hormone replacement therapy is really that great, why don’t more people know about it, and why don’t doctors routinely prescribe it?
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If hormone replacement therapy is really that great, why don’t more people know about it, and why don’t doctors routinely prescribe it?
Testosterone replacement therapy gets a lot of unwarranted lousy press. People associate testosterone with muscle-bound gym bods and dodgy athletes trying to trick the system. Large pharmaceutical companies are also a huge hurdle to getting our message out there, historically bad-mouthing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) simply because they won’t make money if older people are healthy. The reality is that it has turned the lives around for countless men (and women) over the years and has the potential not only to extend people’s lives but to make their senior years more enjoyable, with improved health and energy.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is not widely regarded for a few reasons:
Firstly, the problem with many primary care doctors is the lack of proper understanding of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Most will only prescribe for men with clinical ‘low T,’ which is generally understood to be below 300 ng/dL. Unfortunately for most patients, what is considered ‘normal’ is such an enormous range, typically 300 to 1,000 ng/dL.
For example, for a man who has a 450 ng/dL testosterone level, there is little hope his primary physician will prescribe testosterone treatment. Even if he showed symptoms like depression, erectile dysfunction, and low energy. They would describe his testosterone levels as ‘normal.’ Commonly, doctors just tell people to eat right, exercise to lose weight, and prescribe medications to patch over symptoms without addressing the root issue.
Secondly, insurance companies only cover clinical ‘low T,’ therefore doctors rarely check levels unless patients are really suffering from symptoms. BHRT should theoretically be given to all men over 45 as preventative medicine to avoid the symptoms of Low T. Multiple studies [1] show the benefits of BHRT and how it can truly turn your life around:
Here comes a powerful thought, if the many age-related diseases associated with Low T were wiped out using BHRT, big pharma companies would lose millions, so they don’t want you to have it!
BHRT is worthless to large pharmaceutical companies for one straightforward reason. As a natural hormone, they cannot patent it; how can anyone own natural testosterone? This brings us to another important point; they can alter the hormone to create a new version and then patent it. These synthetic hormones are the ones that cause harmful side effects, which rather conveniently creates a need for other medications (which they develop) to be sold to remedy the side effects.
Here in the USA, we pay the highest medicine prices in the world. In one study [2] of the top 11 wealthiest countries globally, we had the lowest life expectancy at 78.8 years. They also concluded that the United States spends approximately twice as much as other high-income countries on medical care. If you consider the top 10 causes of death in the USA (2019 National Center for Health Statistics), just think how many of these deaths could be avoided by promoting BHRT and a healthy lifestyle. Then consider how much money could be saved on healthcare nationally. It’s no wonder large pharma companies don’t promote the benefits of BHRT.
‘It’s not natural to use testosterone’ is something we hear quite a lot. The funny thing about those who believe this is they are the same people who will happily take statins to lower cholesterol, Viagra® to induce an erection, or Tylenol ® to stop a headache, all synthetic drugs.
Testosterone is ‘natural,’ and with BHRT, we replace what is missing from your body. Yes, it is natural for your hormones to decline with age, especially after age 40. The reason for this? Before the 1900s, the average man’s life expectancy was only 35 years of age! Human physiology hasn’t adapted to the long life afforded by modern medicine. In other words: your life is barely started, but your body is preparing itself for death!
It is not natural to live to 80. We don’t age and then lose our hormones. We age because we lose our hormones, so why not reduce the symptoms of aging with BHRT?
"It is better to die at 80 in a skydiving accident than in an old people's home where your body doesn't even function properly anymore!"
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is not a quick fix and should not be seen as a fast-track to a perfect body. BHRT, along with a healthy diet and exercise, can kick start your journey to a brighter, healthier future. Our patients are our biggest advertisement. Once many of them see and feel their lives improve, they want to shout from the rooftops and advise their friends to see what BHRT can do for them.
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. Hormone levels are tested and medications are administered to help hormones such as testosterone and thyroid reach their optimum levels.
TRT stands for testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is given to combat decreasing levels in men. This is to fight the usual signs and symptoms of aging such as fatigue, weight gain, loss of libido, and muscle loss.
We offer a daily injectable Testosterone Cypionate or a twice-daily Lipoderm cream. Both are bioidentical. We also prescribe Triclozene (Clomiphene Citrate) for men, which can help improve several aspects of male health, including low testosterone levels, hormone ratios and sperm production.
The benefits of HRT are extensive but include the following: healthy heart and blood, less fat, more muscle, stronger bones, improved libido, better sleep, improved memory, spatial ability and mental reasoning, improved mood, and better sex.
On average it takes approximately 7 business days from ordering your test kit to receiving your results. This is obviously dependent on how quickly you complete and return the test via free return postage. Once we have received your results, a dedicated medical provider will review this along with your online assessment to create your personalized treatment plan.
This is a very difficult question because there is no definitive answer. Everybody is biologically different and responds to the treatment differently. For detailed information, click here.
The test indicates whether you will benefit from this treatment and what your current hormone levels are. We can then know the proper medication to get your testosterone and thyroid to their optimum levels.
Our blood spot test measures 5 key hormone levels. It offers distinct advantages over traditional testing methods because it eliminates the need for a blood draw – saving patients time and money. Our blood spot test is a simple to use test that is done in the comfort of your own home. It involves a finger prick and 12 drops of blood dropped onto a card. We include free return postage with your test for your convenience.
Yes. HRT is safe when monitored by a licensed medical provider. This is why we require yearly testing and symptoms questionnaires every 2 months.
The treatment is effective for as long as you take it. Once you stop taking HRT your levels will return to the levels they were previously.
What people say
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: SECONDARY EXPOSURE TO TESTOSTERONE
· See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning
· Virilization has been reported in children with secondary exposure to topical testosterone products
· Children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in men using topical testosterone products
· Healthcare providers should advise patients to strictly adhere to recommended instructions for use
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Warnings and Precautions:
· Possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
· Male Excel’s testosterone products are not meant for use by women.
· It is not known if Male Excel’s testosterone products are safe or effective in children younger than 18 years old. Improper use of testosterone in children may affect bone growth.
· Testosterone can be abused when taken at higher than prescribed doses and when used with other anabolic androgenic steroids. Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is a controlled substance (CIII) because it contains testosterone that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines. Anabolic androgenic steroid abuse can lead to serious cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse reactions. Your doctor will check you for signs of abuse before and during treatment.
· Keep your Male Excel products in a safe place to protect them.
· Never give your Male Excel products to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
· Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and is against the law.
These are not all the possible side effects. See the Full Prescribing Information for more.
What Should You Know Before Taking Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream?
It is not known if Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is safe or effective in treating men who have low testosterone due to aging.
It is not known if Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is safe or effective in children younger than 18 years old.
Male Excel l’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is a controlled substance (CIII) because it contains testosterone that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines. Keep it in a safe place to protect it, and never give it to anyone else. Selling or giving away this medicine may harm others and is against the law.
Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is not meant for use in women.
Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream can transfer from your body to others, including children and women. Transference can happen if other people come into contact with the area where Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream is applied. Children and women should avoid contact with the unwashed or uncovered (unclothed) areas where Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream has been applied to your skin.
Early signs and symptoms of puberty have occurred in young children who have come in direct contact with testosterone by touching areas where men have used Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream.
Signs and symptoms of early puberty in a child who has come in direct contact with Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream may include:
· Abnormal sexual changes.
· Enlarged penis or clitoris.
· Early hair growth near the vagina or around the penis (pubic hair).
· Erections or acting out sexual urges (sex drive).
· Behavior problems, including acting aggressively or behaving angrily or violently.
Signs and symptoms in a woman who has come in direct contact with Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream may include:
· Changes in body hair.
· An abnormal increase in pimples (acne).
To lower the risk of transfer of Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream from your body to others, you should follow these important instructions:
· Apply Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream only to areas of your shoulders, upper arms, or stomach area (abdomen) that a short-sleeve t-shirt will cover.
· Wash your hands right away with soap and water after applying testosterone cream
· After the gel has dried, cover the application area with clothing. Keep the area covered until you have washed or showered the application area well.
· If you expect skin-to-skin contact with another person, wash the application area well with soap and water.
· If a child or woman touches the area where you have applied testosterone cream, that area on the child or woman should be washed thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
Stop using Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream and call your healthcare provider immediately if you see any signs and symptoms of puberty in a child or changes in body hair. The same applies if you notice increased acne in a woman that may have happened through accidental touching of the area where you have applied Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream.
Do not use Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream if you:
· Have breast cancer or have or might have prostate cancer.
· Are pregnant. Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream may harm your unborn baby. Pregnant women should avoid contact with the area of skin where Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream has been applied.
Before using Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream, inform your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you have breast cancer, prostate cancer, urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate, heart, kidney, or liver problems, or problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea).
Inform your healthcare provider of all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take insulin, medicines that decrease blood clotting (blood thinners), or corticosteroids.
Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream can cause serious side effects, including:
· If you already have an enlarged prostate gland, your signs and symptoms can worsen while using Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream (including changes in urination).
· Possible increased risk of prostate cancer.]
· Blood clots in the legs or lungs. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your leg can include leg pain, swelling, or redness. Signs and symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs can include difficulty breathing or chest pain.
· Possible increased risk of heart attack or stroke.[sw4]
· In large doses, Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream may lower your sperm count.
· Swelling in your ankles, feet, or body, with or without heart failure. This may cause serious problems for people with heart, kidney, or liver disease.
· Enlarged or painful breasts.
· Having problems breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea).
The most common side effects of Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream include increased prostate-specific antigen (a test used to screen for prostate cancer), mood swings, high blood pressure, increased red blood cell count, acne, and skin irritation where the gel is applied.
This is the most important information to know about Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream. For further information, talk with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Please click here to see full prescribing information, Medication Guide, and complete boxed warnings for the product.
You are encouraged to report any adverse side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND BLACK BOX WARNING
WARNING: Drugs with thyroid hormone activity, alone or together with other therapeutic agents, have been used for the treatment of obesity. In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.
What Should You Know Before Taking Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid [tetraiodothyronine sodium (T4 levothyroxine) and triiodothyronine sodium (T3 liothyronine)]?
PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
This is not an Orange Book product and has not been subjected to FDA therapeutic equivalency or other equivalency testing. No representation is made as to generic status or bioequivalency. Each person recommending a prescription substitution using this product shall make such recommendations based on each such person’s professional opinion and knowledge upon evaluating the active ingredients, excipients, inactive ingredients and chemical information provided herein. All prescription substitutions and/or recommendations using this product shall be made subject to state and federal statutes as applicable.
What is Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid?
· Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid is a prescription medicine used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism from any cause, except for cases of temporary hypothyroidism, which is usually associated with an inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis). It is meant to replace or supplement a hormone that is usually made by your thyroid gland.
When should I not take Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid?
· Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid should not be used for weight loss. Do not use Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid if you have hyperthyroidism, overactive thyroid, uncorrected adrenal problems, or are allergic to any of its ingredients.
What warnings should I know about Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid?
· Large doses of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid may cause serious or life-threatening side effects, including chest pain, increased pulse rate, rapid, strong, irregular heartbeat, and excessive sweating.
· Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid should be used with caution in people with heart disease, on diabetes medication, or on blood thinning medication.
· Children may experience partial hair loss in the first few months of thyroid therapy, but this will usually go away on its own.
What should I tell my healthcare provider?
· Tell your doctor immediately if you experience chest pain, increased pulse rate, rapid, strong, irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, or any other unusual event.
· Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have, especially heart disease, diabetes, blood clotting problems, and adrenal or pituitary gland problems. The dose of other drugs you may be taking to control these conditions may have to be changed while you are taking Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid.
· If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels and/or the glucose in your urine, as ordered by your doctor and immediately tell your doctor if there are any changes.
· Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any foods or drugs, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or are taking any other drugs, as well as prescription and over-the-counter products.
What are the side effects of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid?
· Side effects may include chest pain, increased pulse rate, rapid, strong, irregular heartbeat, or excessive sweating. If you experience these side effects, immediately contact your doctor.
What other medications might interact with Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid?
· Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid can interact with some medications, such as oral anticoagulants, which are medicines used to thin the blood, insulin or oral medications used to treat diabetes, certain medications used to treat high cholesterol levels, and estrogen-containing birth control pills.
IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION
Thyroid hormones, including Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid, should not be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat obesity or weight loss. In patients with normal thyroid levels, doses of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid used daily for hormone replacement are not helpful for weight loss. Larger doses may result in serious or even life-threatening events, especially when combined with certain other drugs used to reduce appetite.
· Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency, untreated thyrotoxicosis, and hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
· In the elderly and patients with cardiovascular disease, Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid should be used with greater caution than younger patients or those without cardiovascular disease.
· Use of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid in patients with diabetes mellitus or adrenal cortical insufficiency may worsen the intensity of their symptoms.
· The therapy of myxedema coma requires simultaneous administration of glucocorticoids.
· Concomitant use of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid with oral anticoagulants alters the sensitivity of oral anticoagulants. Prothrombin time should be closely monitored in thyroid-treated patients on oral anticoagulants.
· In infants, excessive doses of Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid may produce craniosynostosis.
· Partial loss of hair may be experienced by children in the first few months of therapy but is usually transient.
· Adverse reactions associated with Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid therapy are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage.
· Many drugs and some laboratory tests may alter the therapeutic response to Male Excel’s desiccated thyroid. In addition, thyroid hormones and thyroid status have varied effects on the pharmacokinetics and actions of other drugs. Administer at least 4 hours before or after drugs that are known to interfere with absorption. Evaluate the need for dose adjustments when regularly administering within one hour of certain foods that may affect absorption.
Please click here to see full prescribing information, including BOXED WARNING and important safety information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088