As a low T center in Rogers, the truth of our treatments is that lab work is the heart of everything we do. From testosterone optimization therapy to scheduling your consultations, we need an understanding of your hormonal profile to work with you and build the treatment solutions you deserve.
Now we’ll be the first to admit lots of patients don’t love needles. And who can blame them? It’s not like they’re usually associated with a good time. But if you want to see results, lab work is a must.
That’s why the team at The Edge at Pinnacle Point wanted to take a little time this month to discuss the importance of lab work in your low T care! So let’s dig in.
Lab Work for Low T Treatment
The first step in treating low T is identifying the root cause of the condition. This process begins with a physical exam and a thorough review of the patient’s medical history. Once we have an understanding of the patient’s symptoms and medical history, they will typically order lab tests to assess your hormonal profile.
There are several lab tests that we use, as a low T center in Rogers, to identify your testosterone levels and diagnose low T. These tests can include:
Total testosterone
This test measures the total amount of testosterone in the bloodstream. Pretty straightforward, we know.
Free testosterone
This test measures the amount of testosterone that is not bound to proteins in the bloodstream and is available for use by the body.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
This test measures the amount of SHBG in the bloodstream, which can affect the amount of free testosterone available to the body.
Estradiol
This test measures the amount of estradiol, a form of estrogen, in the bloodstream. Estradiol levels can affect testosterone levels and may need to be addressed as part of a low T treatment plan.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
These tests measure the levels of LH and FSH in the bloodstream, which can help determine whether the low T is caused by a problem with the testicles or the pituitary gland.
Your Results
Once the lab results are available, The Edge’s team of experts can develop a customized treatment plan for each client. The treatment plan may include testosterone replacement therapy, lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and exercise routines, among other things.
By using lab work to understand each client’s hormonal profile, The Edge can develop a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of the low T and helps clients achieve maximum results.
What Your Results Mean
The normal therapeutic range of total testosterone that we strive to achieve in our patients is between 600 to 1000 ng/dl. This range involves weekly or semiweekly injections ranging from 100 to 200 mg/week. The exact levels that will work for you will, of course, depend on your own individual needs.
Because each patient is different, we make sure to monitor each patient’s free testosterone levels. We use a sliding scale to calculate free T; on one side is your testosterone number everyone is familiar with, and on the other is your SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin).
Drawing a straight line from each metric shows personalized free testosterone ranges where most of our patients will feel their best. While it often does, this won’t always perfectly overlap with the traditional therapeutic range of testosterone.
The normal therapeutic range will vary patient by patient, depending on the levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in a patient’s bloodstream. For example: when total testosterone within the normal therapeutic range is pitted against an elevated SHBG, it will net a lower free testosterone score, which may result in a lack of symptom improvement.
At the end of the day, treating low testosterone is going to vary from patient to patient. It is why we stay ahead of potential issues by doing frequent lab work.
The Edge can only use labs to get an idea of the ideal range/prescription accuracy for a patient, but adjustments are a given. Not all men’s hormonal needs are easy to identify with preliminary labs, and there’s always the chance a patient may metabolize their TRT meds differently—despite our rigorous pre-screening.
But that’s why we customize our treatments to fit your exact needs. We will work with you to identify your ideal range, even if it falls outside the norm. That way, we can build a treatment plan that best serves your health, your wellness, and your life.
How Do You Know If You Need Low T Treatment?
Most men with low testosterone, not just those in their 40s, tend to experience various other symptoms that impact their day-to-day lives. It will feel different for everyone. Many men experience fatigue, low energy levels, brain fog, depression, and trouble sleeping.
Additionally, we also see a lot of men who are struggling to stay in shape the way they used to. Despite adequate diet and exercise, trouble maintaining mass and losing body fat are other common symptoms associated with low testosterone.
As you can see, this issue can affect several other aspects of a man’s well-being beyond just sex.
Many men will face these issues as they get older, as testosterone levels typically start decreasing between 30 and 40 years old. The good news is that these issues are completely manageable if you take the right steps—and trust the right professionals.
Many men that come to The Edge at Pinnacle Point are often unsure about aspects of low T Treatments. Our staff is passionate about educating men on the root causes of their low testosterone. We always prioritize lasting wellness results with our Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Our Lab Routine
Our lab routine for patients varies depending on the stage of their treatment. Patients earlier along in the process meet with us more frequently and have more frequent lab work done to ensure we’re seeing maximum results.
In the beginning, you’ll receive your initial lab work 6 weeks after your first dose.
Once we settle into a routine with your care, though, you can expect ongoing maintenance lab work every 3 months or more, depending on your T levels and the consistency of your results.
Since many of our patients live further away from our low T center in Rogers, most of them being from out of state. That’s why we work with patients to identify local testing locations & lab facilities that we can work with. In fact, if you’re not a Rogers local, your Edge provider will sit down with you and identify the nearest Quest Lab Location to your place of residence.
That way, you only need to visit The Edge at Pinnacle Point once to establish your ongoing care!
The Importance of Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for treating low T. That’s why, to achieve maximum results, it’s essential to develop a personalized treatment plan that takes into account each patient’s specific needs and circumstances.
The foundation of these plans is our ongoing lab work. By using labs to understand each client’s hormonal profile, they can develop a customized treatment plan that is tailored to the individual’s specific needs.
But what do these plans include exactly?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
First & foremost, all our treatment plans include testosterone replacement therapy!
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the gold standard for low T care. It involves replacing the testosterone that the body is not producing on its own.
As a cutting-edge low T center in Rogers, The Edge prioritizes injections as the core of our hormone replacement therapy process.
With regular injections & bloodwork, we monitor our patients’ testosterone levels regularly to ensure that the treatment is effective and adjust the dosage as needed.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also be an important part of low T treatment.
Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to low T, such as:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Poor diet
- Age
By making changes in these areas, it is possible to improve testosterone levels naturally and support the effectiveness of our core treatment: hormone replacement therapy.
But you don’t have to start this process alone: Our team of experts works with clients to develop personalized lifestyle recommendations to support their low T treatment.
Dietary Adjustments
A critical lifestyle change is your diet.
Certain foods, such as those high in sugar and processed ingredients, can have a negative impact on testosterone levels.
At the same time, other foods, such as those high in protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients, can help support testosterone production.
We work with each client to develop personalized dietary recommendations that support their low T treatment plan. This may involve adjusting macronutrient ratios, increasing the intake of specific micronutrients, or eliminating certain foods from your diet altogether.
That being said, we’re not here to dictate how you live your life. Our team makes recommendations to maximize your results, but we’re never going to tell you that you can’t eat a cheeseburger again. It’s all about finding the right balance between comfort and your long-term physical health.
Exercise Routines
In addition to dietary support, The Edge offers support for planning body-healthy exercises that can help boost testosterone production.
Resistance training, in particular, has been shown to increase testosterone levels naturally. At the same time, aerobic exercise can help improve overall health and support the effectiveness of other low T treatments.
Though this kind of physical training can be great for short-term results, we don’t want to give patients the impression it’s going to resolve their concerns long-term. The best solution for your low testosterone is to turn to a low T center in Rogers for comprehensive care.
So, How Do I Start Treatment?
The first step to improving your health is to get in touch with the professionals at The Edge at Pinnacle Point!
You can start your process by scheduling an appointment or through our virtual consultation tool. From there, we perform a one-on-one consultation to identify & discuss your needs and concerns before recommending a treatment plan.
Schedule Your Consultation with The Edge in Rogers, Arkansas.
Our mission at The Edge at Pinnacle Point is to help men across Northwest Arkansas and beyond improve their overall health and wellness. Every guy has unique needs, so we take an individualized approach with each treatment. As a premier low T center in Rogers, we consider every one of your needs, goals, and challenges to find the right plan for you.
Schedule an in-person or virtual consultation today and get back to feeling like your old self again. Check out our special events for deals on your initial lab work and more!
For those looking for care beyond low testosterone treatment, The Edge also offers other services and supplements designed to help you feel & look like your old self.