Addressing Underactive Thyroid and Low T with Customized Treatment
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms of low energy, weight gain, brain fog, and low libido for some time, you may be dealing with more than just everyday stress or aging. Two common hormone imbalances that can cause these problematic issues are hypothyroidism and low testosterone.
Left untreated, these hormonal deficiencies can significantly impair your quality of life. However, by addressing the root causes through personalized bioidentical hormone therapy, it is possible to rebalance your body and regain your vitality.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and Its Purpose
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) utilizes bioidentical testosterone to augment natural testosterone production when it is suboptimal or insufficient. Bioidentical testosterone aims to mimic the innate molecular structure, action, and impact of the endogenously synthesized androgen sex hormone testosterone. The purpose of TRT is to restore androgen levels and balance to enhance overall wellness.
Various medical methodologies exist for testosterone replacement depending on the index case. Some utilize topical gels, patches, solutions, or creams applied to the axilla or groins daily. Others involve transdermal systems, injections, buccal tablets, or implantable pellets beneath the skin.
Regardless of administration modality, the goal remains harmonizing serum testosterone concentrations within natural reference scopes. This initiates bioidentical testosterone’s myriad benefits when appropriately monitored by knowledgeable medical professionals.
Understanding Testosterone and its Production
Under normal circumstances, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis orchestrates natural testosterone synthesis in males. Within the hypothalamus, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
LH principally impacts the Leydig cells of the testes, triggering their manufacturing and secretion of testosterone. Conversely, FSH mostly influences Sertoli cells and their guidance of spermatogenesis. As a person progresses through life’s different stages, the HPG axis, endocrine glands, and testes collaborate harmoniously to sustain apposite androgen levels.
Natural Decline
During puberty, rising levels of LH and FSH hormones cause a surge in testosterone production. This testosterone increase is important for boys to develop into men. Testosterone levels peak during a person’s late teens and early twenties.
After that, testosterone levels slowly and naturally decline as men get older. By midlife (around age 50), normal testosterone levels may decrease by around 1% each year. This is due to various environmental and biological factors that occur as men age.
Indications for Bioidentical TRT
The two principal etiologies resulting in clinically low testosterone amendable to bioidentical supplementation include primary and secondary hypogonadism.
- Primary hypogonadism stems from testicular maladies like Klinefelter syndrome, mumps orchitis, or torsion, hampering endogenous generation.
- Secondary hypogonadism arises from hypothalamic or pituitary derangements inhibiting GnRH and LH secretion.
Symptoms of Hypogonadism
Early signs and symptoms of hypogonadism include:
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased energy
- Depression
Over time, men with hypogonadism can develop:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Decrease in hair growth on the face and body
- Decrease muscle mass
- Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
- Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)
Severe hypogonadism can also cause mental and emotional changes. As testosterone decreases, some men have symptoms similar to those of menopause in women. These can include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hot flashes
Benefits of Bioidentical TRT
When administered appropriately under medical guidance, bioidentical testosterone treatment can help symptoms of low testosterone and make life better in several ways.
Mimics Natural Hormones
Bioidentical hormones possess an identical molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced by the body. As a result, they closely mimic the actions of natural hormones, leading to more effective outcomes.
Improved Sexual Experience
Bioidentical TRT can contribute to improved sexual function and libido among individuals with low testosterone levels. It can enhance erectile function, heighten sexual desire, and promote overall sexual satisfaction.
Stronger Nails and Hair
Reports suggest that bioidentical TRT can enhance the health and strength of nails and hair. This may result in stronger, healthier nails and thicker, fuller hair.
Better Sleep
Bioidentical TRT has been linked to enhanced sleep quality. Many individuals with low testosterone levels experience sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns. Bioidentical TRT can help regulate sleep and promote a more restful night’s sleep.
Decreased Risk of Disease
Bioidentical TRT may help decrease the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Bioidentical TRT can help restore testosterone levels and potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
Monitoring Testosterone Levels
Blood tests and serum testosterone levels play a crucial role in monitoring and managing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and assessing overall health.
Here are the normal range and optimal ranges of testosterone levels:
- Blood tests and serum testosterone levels play a crucial role in monitoring and managing testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and assessing overall health.
- Here are the normal range and optimal ranges of testosterone levels:
The goal of testosterone therapy is to achieve optimal, rather than just normal, testosterone levels. The optimal level may vary depending on age, health, and other individual factors.
| Age Group | Testosterone Level (ng/dL) |
| Male babies (a few months old) | 75 to 400 |
| Age 10 | 7 to 130 |
| Boys 12 or 13 years old | 7 to 800 |
| Boys 15 to 16 years old | 100 to 1,200 |
| Adult men 19 years and older | 300 to 1,000 |
| Male in his early 20s | Approximately 956 |
| Decline rate after age 30 | Approximately 1% per year decrease |
Unexplained Weight Gain and Testosterone Levels
The impact of testosterone deficiency on weight gain can be significant. On average, obese men have testosterone levels 30% lower than those of normal-weight individuals, which can pose challenges in weight management and maintaining healthy body weight.
Low testosterone levels are associated with increased fat mass, particularly in the central region of the body, and a reduction in lean mass in males. These changes in body composition are linked to metabolic dysfunction. Testosterone deficiency contributes to an energy imbalance, impaired glucose control, reduced insulin sensitivity, and dyslipidemia.
Moreover, in men experiencing higher weight gain and obesity, estrogen signals the brain that there is already sufficient testosterone production, when in reality, that may not be the case. This dynamic creates a cycle where obesity and weight gain contribute to lower testosterone levels, leading to further weight gain.
Hormonal Balance and Interactions
The thyroid gland plays a central role in regulating hormonal balance throughout the body. Located at the base of the neck, the thyroid produces thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which are responsible for controlling metabolism. When the thyroid is underactive or overactive, it can no longer maintain typical hormone levels, resulting in disruption to other hormonal systems.
Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder where not enough thyroid hormones are produced. This leads to a cascade of hormonal imbalances, with symptoms including excessive fatigue, impaired mental function, heavy menstrual periods, weight gain, dry skin, and hair loss. The decreased T3 and T4 also impact the hormones regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain.
Testosterone Levels and Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism has been associated with low total testosterone levels. This is believed to be due to low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone in the bloodstream. Low free testosterone levels have also been observed in individuals with hypothyroidism, and these levels tend to normalize with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
TRT and Hypothyroidism
Low thyroid function and low natural testosterone levels can cause similar problems like feeling tired, not wanting sex, issues getting or keeping an erection, high cholesterol, and weight gain. Dealing with both conditions at the same time may help the symptoms and make you feel better overall.
While testosterone treatments are not the main way to fix a low thyroid, they can still help with some of the problems caused by low testosterone in people who also have underactive thyroid issues. Getting testosterone levels back to normal makes you feel better even if your thyroid isn’t perfect yet. Addressing both hormonal problems together provides the best chance of feeling like yourself again.
Primary Treatment Approach
The primary treatment for hypothyroidism involves thyroid hormone therapy. By restoring thyroid hormone levels to the appropriate range, this treatment indirectly enhances testosterone production and alleviates symptoms associated with low testosterone. Studies have demonstrated that thyroid hormone replacement therapy can normalize free testosterone concentrations in men with primary hypothyroidism.
However, in cases where low testosterone levels persist despite thyroid hormone replacement therapy, additional treatment options like TRT may be considered. TRT can effectively increase testosterone levels and improve overall well-being in individuals with hypothyroidism.
Restore Your Energy and Quality of Life Through Comprehensive Hormone Optimization
If you have been experiencing symptoms of low energy, low libido, weight gain, or brain fog due to hypothyroidism and low testosterone, you do not need to accept feeling this way long-term. At Physicians Rejuvenation Centers, we understand how hormone imbalances affect your quality of life and offer comprehensive treatment solutions. Our hormone experts can check your testosterone and thyroid levels and customize a plan to safely restore balance to these important systems.
Our goal is not just treating numbers on a lab report, but improving how you feel each day. Many patients notice increased motivation, better mood, easier weight management, and improved relationships once their hormones are optimized.
If you are ready to start feeling like yourself again, book your confidential consultation today. You may also call us at 561-783-5153 for a faster transaction!