Within Urology Associates of Cape Cod, we have a large testosterone replacement program.

Low testosterone is also known as hypogonadism.  This can affect up to 40% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years of age.  Up to 500,000 new cases of testosterone deficiency are diagnosed each year in the United States.  This is a condition that is not commonly treated by many Primary Care physicians or even Urologists-  many seem uncomfortable with the topic, or feel it does not require treatment.  Treating men with testosterone became synonymous with being “put on steroids”, something illegal in professional sports, and garnering a lot of backlash due to the negative connotations from that era in sports.    The difference is that we are treating men who are indeed low on the testosterone scale based on bloodwork, who wish to be simply repleted and normalized, and undergo strict maintenance and follow-up.  Having a low level of testosterone replaced and brought up to normal ranges has many positive impacts and would only be viewed as “illegal” if that patient played a professional sport.  We seek to raise the level, yet still remain within the normal range. 

Low testosterone can have a major impact on a man’s quality of life.  For example, testosterone deficiency has been associated with decreased sex drive (libido), depression, decreased muscle mass, fatigue, increased fat deposition, decreased concentrating ability, and erectile dysfunction.  Replacing a man’s testosterone can help improve some of these symptoms.

If a man has symptoms of low testosterone and has a testosterone value less than 300-350ng/dl, he could consider starting testosterone replacement therapy. (TRT).  We offer all types of replacement therapy, but the dominant options are pills, gels, or shots.   During the consultation, we will review diagnosis, treatment options, and need for constant follow up with required labwork.