At his age of 45, J.R’s shoulder pain had started with a small muscle pull at the gym, which wasn’t an ordeal, but he never knew that would drag him down for 7 years in a vicious cycle of aching pain, lack of exercise and sleep, muscle loss, low energy and depression……. Initially, he came in to get acupuncture for pain without knowing other options I can offer. After reviewing his history and previous lab results, I suspected he might have been suffered from low testosterone, so called low T, medically speaking “late-onset hypogonadism”. I promptly had ordered a blood test and the result supported the diagnoses. Three weeks after testosterone replacement for him, letter came in. Although there is room to improvement, it must be a silver lining for him after 7 years of pain!
Hormone decline is frequently observed among men with aging. In many medical literature, testosterone replacement therapy has shown to reduce mortality and cardiovascular events. Did I mention that testosterone replacement therapy helps with libido, sexual functions and depression? In middle age, we encounter many setbacks, from career, relationship, finance and other disappointments. Testosterone replacement therapy can be an option to boost your energy and maintain health that enable you to continue with your full sail.
Personally, endocrinology, study of hormones, is most fascinating medical topic and I have provided, researched and lectured hormone replacement therapies for women and men extensively past 10 years. Hormones are minuscule but impactful. They act individually but integrate the whole. They are highly specialized and fully communicate!
Curbing my enthusiasm, I would recommend you doing a short questionnaire linked below if you wonder you might have Low T. If you scored under 30, please consider making an appointment to get a complete evaluation.
Ref> Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016 Jun;4(6):498-506. “Survival and cardiovascular events in men treated with testosterone replacement therapy: an intention-to-treat observational cohort study.”
qADAM Questionnaire
1. How would you rate your libido (sex drive)?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
2. How would you rate your energy level?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
3. How would you rate your strength/endurance?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
4. How would you rate your enjoyment of life?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
5. How would you rate your happiness level?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
6. How strong are your erections?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
7. How would you rate your work performance over the past 4 weeks?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
8. How often do you fall asleep after dinner?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
9. How would you rate your sports ability over the past 4 weeks?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)
10. How much height have you lost?
1 (terrible) ---------- 2 (poor) ---------- 3 (average) ---------- 4 (good) ---------- 5 (excellent)