I’ve always been an advocate of functional endocrinology, first and foremost, before hormone replacement therapy (HRT). If you want to optimize your hormones, make sure to eat right, sleep right and exercise right, and use some key nutritional supplements before you resort to drugs, but there’s no doubt that HRT can provide benefits. A recent study clearly demonstrates that testosterone therapy results in significant improvements in body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index. It also improves mood, energy, vigor, lean body mass, strength, and overall quality of life. And it reduces major adverse cardiovascular events and leads to a longer life!

When it comes to HRT and specifically testosterone, you don’t want your levels to be too high or too low, the “sweet spot” lies somewhere in the middle – that’s where you derive the benefits without the detriments. To assist you in the process, look for an integrative medicine practitioner in your area. A great book on the subject is The Hormone Solution by Dr. Thierry Hertoghe. It’s an easy read. Go through it first before you take the next step.