Testosterone therapy

Could low testosterone be affecting how you feel?

Changes in energy, sex drive, sexual function, strength, body composition, mood, or recovery can raise questions about testosterone. But these symptoms can have many causes. At MPLC, we do not assume that symptoms mean low testosterone—or that a single result means you need treatment. We begin by understanding what has changed, evaluating your overall health, and determining whether testosterone deficiency may be contributing.

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What testosterone does

What is testosterone—and why does it matter?

Testosterone is produced primarily by the testes and regulated through signals from the brain and pituitary gland. It plays a role in sexual desire and function, muscle mass and strength, bone health, red blood cell production, sperm production and fertility, energy, and sense of well-being.

When production is consistently low, some men may develop symptoms that affect how they feel and function.

Symptoms deserve an evaluation

Could low testosterone be affecting me?

Possible symptoms include lower sex drive, changes in erectile or sexual function, reduced energy, decreased muscle mass or strength, changes in mood or concentration, and reduced sense of well-being.

None of these symptoms is specific to low testosterone. Sleep disorders, obesity, diet, exercise, medications, chronic illness, and other health or hormonal conditions can produce overlapping symptoms.

Having symptoms does not automatically mean your testosterone is low. Having a low result does not automatically mean testosterone therapy is the answer.

Evaluation before treatment

One testosterone level does not tell the whole story.

Testosterone levels vary throughout the day and can be affected by illness, nutrition, physical activity, medications, and other factors. Diagnosis generally requires compatible symptoms and consistently low testosterone confirmed with at least two early-morning measurements.

We are not just asking, “Is testosterone low?” We are asking, “Is it consistently low, could it explain your symptoms, and why is it low?”

Total testosterone

Measures the total amount circulating in your blood.

Free testosterone and SHBG

Provide context about testosterone available to tissues and how binding proteins affect interpretation.

LH and FSH

Can help clarify whether a low result may originate in the testes or in brain and pituitary signaling.

Additional evaluation

Prolactin and other testing may be appropriate depending on your symptoms, history, and pattern of results.

Before testosterone therapy

Sometimes the first step is not testosterone.

Low testosterone can occur alongside obesity, sleep disorders, certain medications, acute or chronic illness, and other potentially reversible contributors. In some men—particularly when excess weight is contributing—addressing underlying factors may improve testosterone levels without replacement therapy.

At MPLC, we consider the bigger picture before deciding whether testosterone therapy is appropriate for you.

Treatment when appropriate

Treatment begins with the right diagnosis.

For men with compatible symptoms and consistently confirmed low levels, therapy may be considered after discussing potential benefits, alternatives, risks, fertility plans, and monitoring. Depending on your needs and the treatment selected, testosterone is available in several formulations, including injections and topical preparations.

The goal is improvement in symptoms—not simply a higher testosterone level.

Potential benefits can include improvement in sexual desire and some aspects of sexual function, energy or well-being in some patients, muscle mass and body composition, bone health, and anemia related to testosterone deficiency. Response varies, not every symptom improves, and improvement is not necessarily immediate.

Follow-up matters

What does monitoring look like?

Starting treatment is not the end of the evaluation. We follow both how you feel and how your health is responding objectively.

Testosterone levels

Evaluate response and guide dosing.

Complete blood count and hematocrit

An excessive rise in red blood cell production requires attention.

Blood pressure

Periodic monitoring is important because testosterone can increase blood pressure.

Prostate considerations

Baseline risk and follow-up are considered based on age, individual risk, and shared decision-making.

Symptoms and side effects

Are the symptoms we intended to treat improving, and has treatment created new concerns?

Fertility matters

Planning to have children? Tell us before starting testosterone.

External testosterone can suppress the body’s signaling to the testes and reduce sperm production, sometimes substantially. Testosterone replacement is generally not recommended for men planning fertility in the near term, and other approaches may need to be considered.

Your future fertility goals should be part of the conversation before treatment begins.

Understanding the risks

Testosterone therapy is not appropriate for everyone.

Potential risks and adverse effects include elevated hematocrit, reduced sperm production and fertility, acne or oily skin, changes in prostate or urinary symptoms, increased blood pressure, fluid retention, blood clots in some patients, and possible worsening of untreated severe sleep apnea.

Your cardiovascular health, blood pressure, prostate health, fertility goals, sleep, hematocrit, and other medical factors all belong in the decision.

Treatment should continue to have a reason

What if testosterone does not help?

If testosterone levels improve but the symptoms we intended to treat do not, that matters. We will reassess whether testosterone deficiency was contributing, whether another issue deserves attention, and whether continuing treatment remains appropriate.

Starting testosterone does not mean treatment should continue automatically.

Your next step

Wondering whether testosterone could be affecting how you feel?

Begin with a comprehensive Executive Health Consultation designed to understand where you are today and determine what deserves attention.

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