Using a food calorie chart to choose foods when shopping or eating out is a pretty wise thing to do. It will not only help you lose and maintain weight. It will also help you get healthy and stay that way. And keeping a food calories chart handy will help keep you on the right track.food nutrition chart

Testosterone Replacement Therapy St Petersburg FL

By Karen Sullivan


When a man has low levels of the hormone testosterone, it does not mean that treatment will definitely be needed. The replacement treatment has some side effects, plus there are not clear known benefits in the long term. A doctor should be consulted for one to know whether the treatment is suitable for them. In considering testosterone replacement therapy St Petersburg FL residents ought to be versed with what it involves.

There are some instances in which symptoms of low levels of testosterone are easily seen, while in certain cases they are not. Over a period of time, levels of low testosterone in men decline as they age. In addition to that, some conditions will lead to decreased levels of the hormone, including depression, low muscle mass, irritability and erectile dysfunction. In case someone has low testosterone levels and tests indicate the levels are very low, replacement therapy might be needed. The treatment is however not required if there are no symptoms.

There are a number of forms of the replacement. One option is the skin patch which is worn on the arms or upper body sections. It should be applied once every day. Gels can also be used. They come in packets of clear gel containing the hormone. When the gel is applied, there will be hormone absorption through the skin. Those affected can also use a mouth patch which can be taken as a tablet or though other oral means. Injections and implants are the other available option.

It is important to know what you can expect from the therapy. The outcomes are not very easy to predict because people are different. For many people, there will be improvement of energy levels, sex drive and quality of erection. It is also possible that there will be improvement of mass of muscles and bone density in some men.

There are side effects of replacement therapy that one should be versed with. Some of them include rashes, irritation and itching. For people that have such conditions as heart disease or stroke, they will be worsened by the treatment. There are such conditions like blood clots, sleep apnea and congestive heart failure that will be worsened.

There are men that grow breasts after the procedure. That is not a common occurrence but is a possibility when there is conversion of testosterone into estrogen. The effects of testosterone are diminished by estrogen. The use if aromatase inhibitors controls this effect but should also be closely monitored. The monitoring is important because if there is over-suppression of estrogen, there will be a feeling of fatigue.

It is possible that the treatment could lead to infertility. The testicles will be made to atrophy and be unable to make adequate sperms and testosterone. This will have an impact on fertility. Those that are on the hormone for a long term could have their natural hormone production affected.

When one is not sure whether the replacement therapy will work for them, they should consult a doctor. That is so that they understand the risks and side effects that can be expected. Doctors test the level of hormone in the body before advising whether the treatment is required or not.




About the Author: