Gonadorelin Acetate
Gonadorelin is a synthetic form of the body’s natural gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) that may stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone.
Low testosterone requiring testosterone replacement therapy can occur at any age for many reasons, but it tends to be more problematic for men later in life. Andropause, the age-related decline in male hormones that naturally occurs during midlife, can develop into low testosterone. Low testosterone reflects low hormone levels resulting in symptoms that may interfere with day to day functioning. Hypogonadism is a medical condition and a form of chronic low testosterone where the testicles (or the brain signaling them) cannot produce enough testosterone.
Andropause, low testosterone, and hypogonadism have many similarities and it can be difficult to distinguish between the three without the help of a medical professional. All are linked to decreasing testosterone levels with parallel symptoms like mood changes, low sex drive, and sleep disturbances. They differ in degree: andropause is typically related to milder more gradual symptoms, low testosterone more moderate to severe symptoms, with hypogonadism leading to the most pervasive and severe problems. Patients can experience these conditions at the same time and pursue options that include bioidentical hormone replacement (BHRT) like testosterone therapy.
Our Medication for Low Testosterone Levels
Enclomiphene Citrate
Enclomiphene citrate is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that blocks estrogen feedback in the pituitary, which may raise LH and FSH levels.
Clomiphene Citrate
Clomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that increases the release of LH and FSH by blocking estrogen feedback in the brain.
Testosterone Cypionate / Anastrozole Grapeseed Oil
A testosterone cypionate/anastrozole in grapeseed oil may support hormone balance and limit excess conversion of testosterone into estradiol.
Testosterone Cypionate / DHEA Grapeseed Oil
A testosterone cypionate/DHEA grapeseed oil injection combines long‑acting testosterone with DHEA, a hormone that the body can naturally convert into other hormones.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a number of important roles in reproductive health and general wellness in both women and men.
Anastrozole
Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme aromatase, limiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in peripheral tissues.
About Low Testosterone in Men
Causes
Low testosterone has many causes and often testosterone replacement therapy is prescribed regardless of the reason behind the problem.
Andropause is the most common cause for low testosterone because it is associated with an age-related decline in hormone levels. For many men, andropause symptoms are warning signs that flag patients to make lifestyle changes, address underlying issues, and monitor testosterone levels more closely. Even if andropause therapy is beneficial, andropause can develop into low testosterone.
Hypogonadism is an issue where the testicles cannot make enough testosterone. In some cases, even if the brain is sending all the right signals, there are medical reasons or injuries to the testicles themselves that can prevent proper testicular function. When the testicles are healthy, the brain’s hormone signals can still be unsuccessful due to chronic conditions like obesity and insulin resistance. Other causes connected to the body suppressing testosterone production can be lifestyle habits like sleep problems and heavy alcohol use. Medications like opioids are also known to decrease testosterone levels. When hypogonadism is diagnosed, patients are experiencing more widespread and lasting effects of low testosterone.
Symptoms
Low testosterone and hypogonadism have similar symptoms:
- Low sex drive
- Fatigue and low energy
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced confidence and motivation
- Depressed mood
- Less muscle mass and strength
- Body fat changes
In addition to the above, hypogonadism symptoms are a reflection of chronic low testosterone and can be more severe. When testosterone levels are low over time, it can affect multiple systems throughout the body, and testosterone replacement therapy is often warranted.
Hypogonadism symptoms like infertility, loss of body hair, and breast tissue development (gynecomastia) are a more emergent sign of testosterone depletion and may worsen without TRT benefits.
Commonly Asked Questions About Low Testosterone
Dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone intermediate for androgen and estrogen synthesis. Testosterone is an androgen. DHEA can play an important role in patients with low testosterone because as a precursor hormone, it can help the body make more testosterone.
TRT or testosterone replacement therapy in the form of bioidentical testosterone comes from plant sources (yams) and is chemically engineered to have the same makeup as the testosterone the body produces naturally. Belmar Pharmacy offers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) that can be personalized for each patient’s needs. Hormones and medications are available in a variety of dosage forms and strengths, such as sublingual tablets, injectable blends, topical creams, and hormone pellet implants.
Compounded sterile injectables provide a way for patients to benefit from medications that may not be optimally absorbed orally or topically. Injectable preparations bypass bodily roadblocks, like liver digestive enzymes, that can negatively impact drug bioavailability. Sterile injectables can be administered subcutaneously (SQ), intramuscularly (IM), or via intracavernosal injection (ICI).
Injectable medications from Belmar Pharmacy are dispensed in a sterile vial with injection supplies. Injection supplies allow providers and patients to draw up the appropriate dose and introduce the medication into the body by breaking the skin barrier. Prescribed needles and syringes may vary in size and length to match the administration technique.
Testosterone cypionate blends with DHEA or anastrozole can be injected intramuscularly (IM) or subcutaneously (SQ). An intramuscular (IM) injection delivers medicine into the muscle tissue. Typical injection sites include the muscular tissues of the deltoid, thigh, hip, or buttocks. A subcutaneous (SQ or SC) injection delivers medicine into the fatty layer between skin and muscle. Typical injection sites include the fatty areas on the upper arm, abdomen, and thigh.
For all injectable preparations, it is very important to rotate injection sites to optimize proper medication absorption and minimize injection site complications. Properly disinfecting the dosing site using alcohol swabs prior to injection, and using new, clean injection supplies for each administration will limit the risk of infection.
