Testosterone Replacement Therapy FAQ

You can effectively boost testosterone naturally by consuming a diet rich in protein, vitamin D, and zinc, exercising regularly, minimizing stress, and getting enough sleep. Men with low T, however, often feel fatigued and have trouble sleeping, which leads to less exercise. Testosterone replacement therapy can effectively treat those and other symptoms of low T.

There is no specific age at which it’s best to begin testosterone replacement therapy. Even though low T can occur at any age, it typically occurs some time after age 40. Unlike menopause, which involves rapidly declining levels of estrogen, andropause involves the gradual loss of testosterone.

You can continue testosterone replacement therapy for as long as you’re benefiting from it. At Rejuvime Medical, we monitor your symptoms periodically and make adjustments as needed.

For men experiencing symptoms of low T, testosterone replacement therapy can significantly improve the quality of their lives. It’s important that you discuss your symptoms with a primary care physician to ensure that they’re not linked to an undiagnosed medical condition.

Yes! On a Testosterone shot day prior to injecting. Not applying creams before labs. For females, day 19-21 of cycle.

Yes! We can prescribe hair loss medications, nausea medications, estrogen blockers & many more!

Yes. We accept HSA as well as FSA cards.

A side effect of Testosterone is that it builds more blood cells in your body; we medically monitor these lab levels at every lab draw! If necessary, to help combat this, we have our patients donate blood (therapeutic phlebotomy) to take some blood off so that you can reap the full effects of the testosterone. 

The VIP Program includes (at no additional cost) all routine lab work, provider consultations, medication supplies & services, and medication shipping costs. Patients and spouses will receive a fifteen percent discount on all Botox & Fillers while a Rejuvime VIP Program member!

Call our office & speak to one of our nurses to add or change anything on your treatment plan! 

NO appointment is necessary for first-time patients! Walk into one of our offices and fill out paperwork! A $225 fee pays for your comprehensive hormone panel and the first time provider consultation. 

We are a concierge clinic, so we do not accept insurance. However, we do accept HSA and FSA cards.

Men and women from throughout Louisiana and Mississippi come to Rejuvime’s Baton Rouge and Metairie clinics for hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging treatments.

Both men and women may experience mood-related symptoms associated with andropause and menopause. These can include depression, anxiety, or mood swings. Hormone replacement therapy that’s customized for specific patients, who travel from Lafayette, LA, and elsewhere to our practice locations, helps minimize these symptoms and offer an alternative to medications. This should be discussed with your doctor if you are already taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.

Brain fog is a symptom associated with both low testosterone levels in men and menopause. Declining estrogen levels in women can lead to forgetfulness and other cognitive decline symptoms that often improve with hormone replacement therapy. Optimizing the levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can potentially help patients who are experiencing brain fog.

Low-dose hormone replacement therapy can improve sleep quality. For men, low testosterone levels can also cause insomnia and sleep apnea, which leads to brain fog, fatigue, and other symptoms. Treatment with a customized testosterone replacement therapy plan, combined with lifestyle changes, can help reverse sleep issues. Estrogen replacement has been shown to help women fall asleep faster, reduce their nighttime awakenings, strengthen their sleep cycles, and boost REM sleep.

Men and women may experience age-related mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Many rely on anti-anxiety medications to reduce their symptoms, but hormone replacement therapy offers an alternative without the side effects associated with anti-anxiety medications. Progesterone, specifically, can help calm anxiety. HRT also helps alleviate other symptoms of menopause, such as sleeplessness and stress, that contribute to anxiety.

Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatment options for hormone imbalance when administered under the care and guidance of a highly trained medical practitioner. The length of time a patient can supplement hormones can vary by treatment plan and a patient’s condition, medical history, and goals. Men addressing age-related low testosterone with hormone supplements can continue HRT under the close monitoring of a medical practitioner for years. Similarly, women on HRT who are monitored at least annually can continue safely taking hormone supplements for years.

With appropriate dosing and the consistent monitoring of a patient’s lab work and response to treatments, there isn’t usually a need to stop HRT. If a patient does need to discontinue HRT, however, it is safe to stop treatment and we will assist them in the process if necessary.

Hormone replacement therapy has been the subject of research for decades and is considered safe when trained and experienced specialists oversee the treatment under a physician’s supervision. The benefits of HRT, including estrogen-only replacement therapy and testosterone replacement therapy, are well-recognized.

We customize hormone replacement therapy for men and women to address specific concerns, so the hormones used for treatment varies from patient to patient. The most common hormones used in hormone replacement therapy at Rejuvime Medical in the Baton Rouge area include estrogen and testosterone, the 2 sex hormones. Other hormones that can be included in HRT are progesterone and DHEA.

Age-related loss of muscle tone is something that can be a concern for most men and women. The loss of muscle tone becomes especially noticeable after age 50, along with a decrease in bone density. Maintaining muscle tone requires exercising regularly, including both resistance training and aerobic exercises, eating a diet rich in protein, and taking vitamin supplements. Additionally, both men and women should have their hormone levels checked to determine if hormone replacement therapy can increase muscle tone.

Testosterone replacement therapy is one of the most common ways to treat low T. Not all men with low testosterone levels need hormone replacement therapy because they don’t experience any symptoms. And some men with symptoms, such as weight gain, may choose another path to address the concerns. Men considering testosterone replacement therapy travel from Lafayette, LA, and throughout the state to have hormone specialists at Rejuvime Medical monitor their treatments to reduce the symptoms of low T.

The list of symptoms associated with low testosterone (low T) is extensive and they can negatively affect a man’s quality of life. Testosterone levels for men begin to dip after age 30 at a pace of about 1% each year. This is a normal part of aging. Low testosterone levels can result in a reduced sex drive, loss of physical performance, increased body fat, fatigue, decreased strength, swollen breast tissue, and hot flashes, among other symptoms.

There is no single reason for declining testosterone levels. However, age-related “low T” is very common, affecting about 40% of men over the age of 45. Testosterone levels vary throughout the day depending on several factors, making it difficult to know what level is appropriate. The causes of declining testosterone levels are many, including certain medications (including steroids), alcohol abuse, sleep apnea, and obesity or extreme weight loss.

Thinning hair is something that both men and women experience, especially as they age. Hormone replacement therapy is one treatment for hair loss, which is often associated with declining levels of hormones such as testosterone and DHEA. Hair loss is one of the symptoms of male menopause (andropause), and HRT is a nonsurgical treatment that helps restore hair growth. For women, hair loss is often due to a hormone imbalance called hypothyroidism. Our specialists can discuss HRT and other treatments to address hair loss in both men and women.

Men and women treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) benefit in multiple ways. Not everyone has the same symptoms, but benefits of HRT often include increased energy, better sleep, improved cognitive abilities, enhanced sex drive, and a more positive outlook. HRT is customized to address each patient’s specific symptoms and is based on monitoring hormone levels with blood tests.

In addition to treating a range of physical symptoms, hormone replacement therapy can also help improve your skin’s appearance. Both estrogen and testosterone, the sex hormones, are essential for more youthful-looking skin. Boosting the levels of human growth hormone (HGH), a protein produced by the pituitary gland, can also contribute to a more youthful appearance.

Gynecomastia or “man boobs” is an increase in breast tissue in males. Low testosterone levels can sometimes lead to the development of breast tissue. Testosterone replacement is shown to increase lean muscle mass. With the proper treatment plan and medications, these symptoms will be reduced.

Acromegaly is an increase in hand and feet size that is directly related to an influx in human growth hormone (HGH) produced by the pituitary gland. Therefore, testosterone replacement therapy has no effect on acromegaly.

Injections have a shorter half-life, and, due to weekly or twice weekly administration, they offer more flexibility to adjust the dose. Pellets last an average of 3 months after insertion, so it is not possible to adjust the dosing during that 3-month period.

Yes. Due to potential aromatization, nipple sensitivity is a possibility and is more common in males. This sensitivity occurs due to an increase in estrogen. This can be combated with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) to help block the conversion of testosterone into estrogen.

Testicular atrophy occurs when the testicles are no longer sending a signal to the pituitary to produce testosterone. However, Rejuvime offers elective treatment with Gonadorelin to help alleviate this potential side effect. Similar to hCG, Gonadorelin mimics the pituitary signal to help maintain testicular size and prevent atrophy or shrinkage.

It is not encouraged to start and stop HRT therapy. There are obvious exclusions, including unforeseen contraindications and life circumstances, which may cause a patient to stop HRT. If that happens, your body will return to its baseline hormone levels and functioning.

Testosterone is not shown to increase PSA levels or cause prostate cancer. At Rejuvime, we continuously monitor PSA levels and the trend of your levels while on testosterone.

At Rejuvime, we run comprehensive hormone panels on our patients to determine whether low T treatment would be beneficial.

An estrogen blocker is a term used for a medication that reduces the amount of circulating estrogen. AIs, or aromatase inhibitors, help reduce the amount of testosterone that’s converted to estrogen. Anastrozole is one of the more commonly prescribed AIs that helps maintain normal estrogen levels while on testosterone.

At Rejuvime, we offer multiple forms of delivery for the convenience of our patients. Oral regimens, injections, creams, and pellets are our most common forms of delivery.

The risks of HRT vary depending on the individual. However, these risks should always be minimized or negated when following the treatment plan as prescribed by our highly trained providers at Rejuvime.

Rejuvime uses nurse practitioners to prescribe to our patients. Our nurse practitioners have a collaborating physician that they report to as required by state laws. They are certified, licensed, and have had specialty training in the field of HRT.

At Rejuvime, we use specific lab panels for each patient to ensure safe, accurate, and effective therapy. We also monitor patients at periodic appointments, when we can adjust your specific therapy. Your initial follow-up appointments will be scheduled every 3 months and then every 6 months after that.

If the 20-year-old is diagnosed with true hormone deficiency and has no contraindications, then they are a candidate, and HRT can help.

HRT is safe at any age, assuming the candidate has no contraindications for treatment. At Rejuvime, our patients’ safety is our No. 1 focus.

All HRT is safe as long as it’s medically monitored, which includes routine lab value draws and consults with the provider responsible for your individual treatment.

BHRT stands for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. BHRT is plant-derived and more closely mimics the hormones our bodies produce naturally. Synthetic hormone treatments are most commonly made by pharmaceutical companies that have proprietary claims on drugs. Our medical professionals have extensive training in providing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for our Baton Rouge and New Orleans patients.

You may have some suspicion of low T based on your symptoms. You can take our quiz to see if you know the various low T symptoms. However, the quickest and easiest way to know is to get a full lab panel drawn to determine your current hormone levels.

HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy. It has become increasingly popular in Baton Rouge and around the globe over the last 40 years for treating a host of symptoms that coincide with aging, including:

• Lack of energy
• Lack of libido
• Increases in body fat
• Decreases in muscle mass

Hormone replacement can include testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones.

Consider your current symptoms, your lab values, and the recommendations from your provider. Before starting HRT, consideration and preparation for a long-term commitment are necessary.

Dosing depends on the delivery method and provider instructions. Common male doses of injectable testosterone range from 140mg to 200mg per week. Common female doses of injectable testosterone range from 5mg to 15mg per week.

Examples of hormone therapies include:

• Testosterone
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Pregnanolone
• DHEA
• Gonadorelin, an hCG alternative

Everyone ages and, at some point, experiences a decline in energy and well-being. There is nothing to be ashamed about if you are experiencing symptoms associated with hormone deficiency. Be honest and open with your spouse about your symptoms and goals.

Increases in energy, productivity, and libido may occur as soon as within the first 2 days of starting testosterone injections. However, creams and pellets take longer for hormone levels to increase, so it may be a couple of weeks before the effects are noticeable. Physical or aesthetic results usually occur between 6 to 8 weeks.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of hormone deficiency or imbalance should consider HRT. The symptoms usually include:

• Fatigue
• Low energy
• Low libido
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Midsection weight/fat gain

People who should avoid HRT include:

• Anyone whose endocrine system is not fully developed.
• Anyone who does not feel the symptoms of hormone deficiency.
• Anyone who has a history of cancer. (Note: An experienced urologist or gynecologist can determine if a cancer patient is a candidate.)

A deficiency in hormones is often coupled with a lack of energy, motivation, and drive. By optimizing your hormone levels, you should have an improvement in each of these areas.

Acne can be a side effect of HRT. However, when you follow the recommendations of a well-trained provider, this and other side effects should be limited or not present at all. We can provide additional medications to help manage acne if it occurs.

Hair thinning can be a side effect of HRT. However, when you follow the recommendations of a well-trained provider, this and other side effects should be limited or not present at all. We can provide additional medications to help manage hair loss if it does occur.

If a patient stops HRT, his or her hormone levels will go back to what they initially were before starting treatment.

Estrogen increases are possible due to the body’s mechanism of converting unused testosterone into estrogen. Any time a patient is on testosterone therapy, this is a possibility. As part of your HRT plan with Rejuvime, we can include medications to help manage estrogen levels if necessary.

HRT can cause an increase in muscle mass and bone density, both of which are positive side effects that may cause an increase in weight. However, we find this is more prevalent in men than women because higher doses are given to male patients.

Optimizing testosterone levels can improve muscle mass and strength. Muscle loss is a common condition that affects both men and women as they age, and testosterone is one of the primary drivers of muscle mass. As men work out more after starting HRT, they build muscle mass. Lean muscle tissue burns calories more efficiently than fat while you’re resting. This can also explain why testosterone replacement therapy helps men lose weight.

HRT has been shown to strongly increase sex drive and libido in both men and women.

Our candidate questionnaire can give you some helpful insight into whether HRT may be right for you. The first step at Rejuvime is to have a comprehensive lab panel drawn to determine your current levels. From there, you will meet with a provider to review the lab work and, equally importantly, your symptoms. The combination of current labs and current symptoms gives your provider the “map” necessary to determine whether you are a candidate. If you are, your provider will use this information to customize a treatment plan just for you. You can also take our quiz to learn which type of HRT may be right for you.

Rejuvime offers affordable subscription plans which help avoid large upfront costs. The average HRT plan at Rejuvime costs $150 per month. This includes:

• Medications
• Supplies
• Provider consults
• All lab work
• Any other expenses associated with your HRT plan

These costs apply to both bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and testosterone replacement therapy. You also will receive a 15% discount on all other services we offer for both you and your spouse, including BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, supplements, and more.

The delivery method determines how quickly the effects of HRT are felt. For example, if you are taking an injection for testosterone, the effects may be felt as quickly as 24 to 48 hours later. Other delivery methods, such as creams or pellets, may take longer to reach optimal levels.

Individuals who abuse testosterone are likely to experience an increase in an agitated mood, or “roid rage.” However, when HRT is managed by Rejuvime, we optimize your hormone levels within therapeutic ranges. Patients will typically experience a decline in agitation and anxiety, an improved mood, and an overall increase in a sense of well-being.

HRT is not proven to cause cancer. However, if cancer is ever detected in a patient, it is recommended they stop HRT treatment and seek advice from an experienced specialist, such as a urologist, gynecologist, or oncologist.

Side effects of HRT vary from patient to patient and are very individualized. Some patients never experience any negative side effects. Some possible side effects include acne, hair thinning, increased blood viscosity, and weight gain. However, when you follow the instructions of Rejuvime Medical’s well-trained providers, these side effects should be minimal, if present at all. We can provide additional medications to help manage side effects, if necessary.

Yes. Along with men, women can be deficient in testosterone. Testosterone is actually very important for women as well as men, and testosterone replacement therapy in Baton Rouge can help improve energy, mood, and sex drive.

The only reason a patient would be on HRT is due to a lack of natural hormone production. Therefore, the best way to maximize the benefits is to continue HRT treatment through the long term.

Weight loss can be a positive byproduct of HRT offered by Rejuvime. The treatment’s primary focus is to restore your hormones to an optimal level. People often find this results in increased energy and productivity, along with improved insulin sensitivity.