Low testosterone treatment. For men in Arkansas and around the country, it’s a phrase that carries a lot of stigma. However, almost 40 percent of men aged 45 and older suffer from low testosterone.
For an issue that’s so common, there’s a lot of misinformation out there about low testosterone and low testosterone treatment. And for those who do decide to treat their low t with Hormone Replacement Therapy and other methods, sub-optimally managed care is a consistent problem. This is often due to rules and obstructions placed by insurance companies.
That’s why we started The Edge at Pinnacle Point. Our staff is dedicated to educating men about the root causes of their low testosterone. From there, and guiding them through treatments with our proven, doctor-supervised process.
Read on to find out more about the myths and misconceptions of low testosterone, our background, our consultation process and treatments, and some of the questions that we see most often from patients.
Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Myths, and Misconceptions
There tends to be two huge misconceptions that men have about low testosterone. The first is that it only affects their sexual desire, and the other is that it’s an erectile dysfunction (ED) issue. While that can be the case sometimes, most men with low testosterone are actually affected much differently.
The truth is, most men with low testosterone tend to experience a variety of other symptoms that impact their day-to-day life. Fatigue, low energy levels, brain fog, depression, and trouble sleeping are some of the most common issues that we hear about from our patients.
Additionally, we also see a lot of men who are struggling to stay in shape the way that they used to. Troubles with maintaining mass and losing body fat, despite adequate diet and exercise, are other common symptoms associated with low testosterone.
So while a lower sex drive and erectile dysfunction can be symptoms of low testosterone, they aren’t the most common issues. As you can see, this issue can affect several other aspects of a man’s well-being beyond just sex.
The bad news is that a lot of men will face these issues as they get older, as testosterone tends to decrease around age 30. The good news is that, with low testosterone treatment, these issues are completely manageable if you take the right steps—and trust the right professionals.
At The Edge, we’re dedicated to helping you regain the lifestyle you once had. We’re passionate about helping you feel younger than you have in years. Why are we so passionate about it? The answer stems from personal experience.
The Edge was founded in 2019 with the goal of educating men about the facts of testosterone and replacement therapy, while debunking widespread misinformation. We personalize all of our services based on the specific patient, and give you individualized directions to be healthy.
This individualized approach differentiates us from big chain low testosterone treatment centers. Back in 2016, our Clinic Coordinator (and first ever patient), Alex Beaumont, began experiencing many of the same symptoms that we see in our patients. His previously active lifestyle began to slip away as he experienced energy and endurance issues.
After lab results showed abnormally low testosterone levels, Alex began Hormone Replacement Therapy through his PCP. Alex noticed, however, insurance restrictions were limiting the quality of care he received. Copays and office visits piled up quickly on top of it all.
Frustration and ineffective care eventually led Alex to Dr. Kevin Haney, who had been researching men’s health and testosterone-related issues for several years while working at Ozark Regional Vein Center.
Together, they founded The Edge to help find a better way to treat low testosterone and help men regain their healthy lifestyles. Of course, it’s hard to help others if you can’t help yourself. With the help of Dr. Haney, Alex restored his hormonal balance with the proper management that he hadn’t received elsewhere.
It’s not just Alex who’s felt satisfied with his treatment, either. You’ll find that our patients love their experiences at The Edge. They’ve seen the benefits from their individualized Hormone Replacement Therapy treatment plans, which has led to Dr. Haney to become one of the most respected medical professionals in Northwest Arkansas.
The Low T Consultation Process
One of the main issues that we see with previous low testosterone treatment patients is that, like Alex, their care was sub-optimally managed.
Oftentimes, this substandard approach stems from how much testosterone is prescribed and the frequency of dosage. Some patients get too much, others get too little. Not only that, they don’t come in intervals that are helpful to the patient.
Other times, patients are prescribed long term estrogen blockers and other hormonal supplements. These can have serious health risks, and lead to other problems such as brittle bone (osteoporosis) or worsened erectile dysfunction. To put it bluntly, many “big chain” low testosterone centers tend to simply go through the motions when it comes to administering injections.
At The Edge, we go the extra mile to ensure that you receive the proper care based on your own individual needs. We aren’t here to just give you testosterone injections and hope for the best. We have a proven process that’s highly likely to make you feel younger and healthier.
That process starts with a consultation.
How it Works
The Edge offers both in-person and virtual consultations to men interested in treating their low testosterone levels. In-order to begin an individualized treatment plan, we’ll need proper lab results, in-person doctor consultation, and signed consent.
Then, after going through your labs and charts with a fine-toothed comb, Dr. Haney will recommend an individualized treatment plan that’s right for you. These treatments will include one or a combination of the following.
- Testosterone injections
- Our staff has found this to be the most effective low testosterone treatment method by. We make these intramuscular injections to the either gluteal area, shoulder, or thigh.
- HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injections
- A common side effect of testosterone therapy is a decrease in testicle size. Obviously, this alarms lot of guys.
Fortunately, this separate injection acts as a LH (luteinizing hormone), which helps to create a leveled-out experience. This will minimize the specific issue of testicle shrinkage, while still maintaining fertility and other hormone production.
- Peptides
- Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides are designed to compound the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy by releasing your body’s own, natural growth hormones.
Consider this if you’re looking to make gains at the gym, while still being safe and smart about your testosterone replacement therapy. These injections are made five nights per week, cycling off two nights per week.
These injections are made on a weekly basis. Depending on your preference, we can administer them in our Rogers’ office, or you can do it by yourself in the comfort of your own home. Remote patients will need to come into the office for one initial visit, but are free to administer the injections themselves in their home going forward.
For patients remote from Northwest Arkansas, we can also coordinate with a lab in your area to have your results sent over to us. Just ask Dr. Haney for more information.
After six weeks, we will order a follow-up lab in order to monitor and maintain your testosterone levels. On rare occasions, however, we may require additional follow-up visits for further monitoring if a patient is unable to coordinate needed services near their home.
We don’t just limit our care to office visits, though. We understand that consistent communication is key in ensuring that our patients have a top-notch experience. And we’ll be here to help if questions pop-up during your treatment process.
You can reach us via FaceTime, texting line, and through our patient portal app MyTouchID with any questions. Whichever method you prefer, we’ll follow-up with you as quickly as we can.
Frequently Asked Questions about Low T & Low T Treatments
We’re always ready and willing to answer any questions that come up during your visit. However, we think it’s also important that patients have an opportunity to be educated before they even schedule a consultation. By now, you’ve read through the signs and symptoms of low testosterone and think that you might benefit from treatment.
However, maybe you’ve seen or heard some things about hormone replacement therapy that give you pause. So, we’d like to take this opportunity to answer some of the most common questions we see from patients.
Question 1: Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Yes, when done by professionals with the recommendation of your primary care provider, hormone replacement therapy is completely safe. Our process involves resorting men’s testosterone levels to a normal, therapeutic range. We aren’t trying to turn you into the Incredible Hulk.
However, we also don’t recommend Hormone Replacement Therapy for everyone. Patient safety is our top priority, so we’ll be sure to help you understand whether or not HRT is right for you before starting any treatment. If desired, feel free to discuss our program first with your PCP.
Question 2: What are therapeutic levels of testosterone?
The normal, therapeutic range of testosterone that we strive to achieve in our patients is between 600 to 1000 ng/dl. This range involves weekly injections ranging between 100 to 200 mg/week. The exact levels that will work for you will, of course, depend on your own individual needs. We will not provide the means to dose what is beyond your normal therapeutic range.
Question 3: Am I going to get cancer in 20 years from this treatment?
There is currently no evidence to support that Hormone Replace Therapy causes any type of cancer. Other side effects, such as acne and accelerated male pattern baldness, can be minimized with proper care overseen by an experienced physician.
The most proactive way to avoid any complications from hormone replacement therapy is to regularly obtain blood panels from routine lab work.
Question 4: Does The Edge give estrogen blockers?
We do not give estrogen blockers unless it is absolutely necessary. Contrary to popular belief, men need a certain level of natural estrogen. It plays a vital role in male sexual function and is critical for your bone density. If given when it’s not necessary, estrogen blockers can lead to serious long-term health issues.
These questions are just a sample of what we see on a day-to-day basis. However, we understand that these aren’t the only questions that come up, either, so please feel free to visit our website to see more frequently asked questions.
Schedule your Consultation for Low Testosterone Treatment
Now that you’ve read about the myths and misconceptions of low testosterone treatment, as well who we are and what we do, it’s time to decide if you’re ready to take action!
Schedule an in-person or a virtual consultation today and get back on the path to feeling like your old self again. Be sure to also 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, or look, like your old self.
Getting old isn’t a choice, but feeling old is. Get back your Edge today.