Testosterone Replacement Services Maryland
Testosterone replacement therapy is a type of medication that elevates testosterone levels in men to improve their general health. There are several benefits for those who receive testosterone replacement, and our doctors will help you to determine if this is the right course of treatment for you.
Testosterone Replacement Services
Testosterone replacement therapy is a widely used treatment for men experiencing symptoms associated with low levels of testosterone. Millions of men in America have currently prescribed some form of testosterone replacement therapy (also referred to as TRT) to bring their levels of testosterone back to a healthy state.
Testosterone levels naturally decline in men as they age and certain disorders can lower testosterone, which can lead to multiple issues. Testosterone can help men maintain proper fat distribution, muscle strength and mass, bone density, sex drive, sperm production, facial and body hair, and more.
Our specialists will evaluate your testosterone levels and any health conditions that may be causing low levels of testosterone and create an individualized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Benefits of TRT
The goal of testosterone replacement therapy is to raise testosterone levels so people can start to feel better again and get back to living a full life. There are many benefits to receiving TRT, although everyone’s reaction to this therapy is different and your doctor will continuously monitor you to make sure you are seeing improvements.
Men who are treated for hypogonadism with testosterone replacement therapy can see improvements with erectile dysfunction, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, facial hair growth, building muscle mass, and bone mass.
Those who use TRT also report seeing a positive difference in their physical performance in workouts and when playing recreational sports because testosterone replacement does help with muscle mass. Patients may also experience higher energy levels, better moods, and increased sex drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of TRT?
TRT can help improve mood, energy, sex drive, and muscle mass, and reduce fatigue and body fat.
Who is a good candidate for TRT?
Men who have low testosterone levels and are experiencing symptoms such as low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue are good candidates for TRT.
How is TRT administered?
TRT can be administered through injections, patches, gels, pellets, or oral tablets.
Is TRT safe?
TRT is generally considered safe, but like any medical treatment, it can have side effects. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider.
What are the potential side effects of TRT?
The potential side effects of TRT include acne, sleep apnea, prostate enlargement, breast enlargement, and an increased risk of blood clots and heart disease.
Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine and alternative therapies to enhance a patient’s vitality, focusing on whole body wellness. An Integrative Medicine physician will address the root cause of your illness and not just treat the symptoms. By determining what the root is, you and your practitioner can devise a health plan to successfully treat the disease. At Shakthi, we take into account other factors in your life that may be preventing the root cause of your illness or disease from fully healing. We work closely with our patients to address their immediate health needs while developing a personalized wellness plan that encourages whole body wellness. You can learn more here.
Integrative medicine’s biggest benefit is the fact it looks at the patient as a whole individual and addresses the root causes of illnesses by doing so. I went along with this though integrative medicine promotes a symbiotic and collaborative relationship between the doctor and the patient. This means that there is better communication. Another great benefit is that it utilizes every therapy possible to ensure that the patient gets the treatment that is perfect for them.
Over the past decade or so, integrative medicine has been becoming more and more popular. Because of this popularity, there has been an increase in doctors that practice it. But even with all this popularity unfortunately insurance does not cover integrative health care. The lack of coverage from insurance companies is solely because integrative medicine often encompasses treatments that these health insurance companies degenerative treatments. Because these treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy, infrared sauna, and many others are all deemed alternative they are not covered.
We offer two options:
• Yearly Membership
• A La Carte
There are many different types of alternative medicines but many of them can fall under one of the five main alternative categories. These categories are homeopathy, eastern medicine, naturopathy, and Ayurveda. Within these five types so there are many variations and so choosing one that works for you all relies on what exactly you're looking to gain from choosing alternative medicines.
What does Shakthi Mean?
Shakthi (Shuk-thee) means Strength, Empowerment, and Agent of Change.
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At Shakthi Health and Wellness we offer a la carte and yearly plans that are more comprehensive and often cheaper than traditional insurance plans.
What To Expect
Hormone Imbalance Specialists
Meet Our Doctors
Our team is composed of board certified medical doctors who are highly knowledgeable in the practice of holistic integrative therapies. Our Specialized Health Care model provides patients with in depth consults with each appointment without the restrictions of time limits and jumping through insurance hoops.
Jyothi Rao
MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM
Dr. Jyothi Rao has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. She received her Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and completed her internship and residency at the prestigious New England Medical Center (Tufts) in Boston. Before opening Shakthi Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Rao practiced medicine in New York and Maryland.
Sudhir Rao
MD, ABAAHP
Dr. Sudhir Rao obtained his Medical Doctorate from St. George's University School of Medicine, and is the founder of Pain and Spine Specialists. Despite Dr. Rao's years of training focusing on traditional medicine, he developed a strong interest in Functional and Integrative Medicine to treat chronic illness with alternative methods after a personal experience with limitations in traditional medicine.
What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a major role in male sexual development and functions during puberty and adulthood. Testosterone replacement therapy, also known as androgen replacement therapy (ART), is a form of hormone therapy that contains testosterone to supplement what has already been lost in order to improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone.
Typically, this hormone therapy is prescribed when a person is experiencing hypogonadism, which happens when the sex glands known as gonads essentially stop producing sex hormones. Usually, when a patient begins testosterone replacement therapy they will need to continue it as a lifelong treatment.
Once you go on testosterone replacement therapy, then your doctor will continue to monitor your hormone levels to ensure that they return to a healthy level and are stable.
Women also have testosterone but at much lower levels than men, however testosterone replacement is used for some postmenopausal women or women who have an adrenal system problem.
How Testonsterone Replacement Therapy Is Administered
TRT is available in pill form, however, it is usually not recommended as it is thought to potentially have negative effects on the liver. Testosterone replacement therapy also comes in the following forms:
Injection:
Testosterone is injected deep within the gluteal muscle. The injection can be given about once every week, bi-monthly, or even longer (up to 10 weeks) depending on the individual’s needs.
Gel or Cream:
This testosterone medication is applied once a day, directly onto the skin (usually the shoulder, upper arm, or abdomen). This allows the hormone to be gradually absorbed into the body to create more consistent testosterone levels.
It should be noted that those who use testosterone cream should be careful not to rub up against others, so the medication is not transferred to another person, especially those who are pregnant.
Patches:
These are generally worn somewhere on the arm or upper body and are worn for 24 hours before being replaced with the next patch. Buccal patches are also used and are placed on the upper gums and are applied twice a day to release a consistent level of testosterone.
Implants/Pellets:
This involves implanting small pellets of testosterone under the skin, which dissolves slowly to release the hormone. Testosterone is then absorbed into the bloodstream and is a long-acting treatment, as it takes three to six months to be fully absorbed into the body.
Nasal:
A nasal spray has also been developed to deliver testosterone to the body. The nasal spray is generally used three times a day, around the same time every day. The spray needs to be used consistently for patients to get the full effects.
These forms of testosterone replacement therapy are considered to be safer, as they bypass the liver and do not cause the same long-term damage as oral testosterone may.
Testosterone replacement therapy can only be acquired through a prescription and the dosage will be decided by your doctor based on your levels of testosterone. If you are displaying signs of low testosterone then your doctor will conduct diagnostic testing to check the levels of your hormones and determine if you are a good candidate for receiving testosterone replacement treatment.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Testosterone Replacement Therapy
The goal of testosterone replacement therapy is to raise testosterone levels so people can start to feel better again and get back to living a full life. There are many benefits to receiving TRT, although everyone’s reaction to this therapy is different and your doctor will continuously monitor you to make sure you are seeing improvements.
Men who are treated for hypogonadism with testosterone replacement therapy can see improvements with erectile dysfunction, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, facial hair growth, building muscle mass, and bone mass. Those who use TRT also report seeing a positive difference in their physical performance in workouts and when playing recreational sports because testosterone replacement does help with muscle mass.
Patients may also experience higher energy levels, better moods, and increased sex drive as a result of testosterone replacement therapy. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before a patient can start to see a noticeable difference.
Hormone Imbalance therapy may not be recommended to those who have a history or currently have prostate cancer, male breast cancer, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and high red blood cell count.
Portrait of athletic mature man after run. Handsome senior man resting after jog at the park on a sunny day. Sweaty multiethnic man listening to music while jogging.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
It is important to be aware of any side effects and discuss them with your doctor so they can make changes to your treatment as necessary. There are certain known side effects of testosterone replacement therapy, and they can occur when patients first begin TRT when there is a sudden influx of the hormone that the body needs to adjust to.
More serious side effects might occur long term. Some of the common side effects of testosterone replacement therapy are:
- Acne
- Enlarged Prostate
- Swelling or Tenderness of the Breasts
- Shrinkage of the Testicles
- Decreased Sperm Production
- Swelling of the Ankles or Feet Due to Water Retention
- Hair Loss or Excessive Hair Growth
Some irritation or itching, along with a rash, may appear at the site where the testosterone is applied, if the patient is receiving an injection or using a cream/gel or patches.
There are also some long-term risks associated with TRT and research suggests certain conditions and diseases can potentially become worse from using TRT, which are:
- Hip Fractures from Osteoporosis
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Worsening Sleep Apnea
- Increased Red Blood Cell Count
- Changes in Cholesterol Levels
TRT Treatment Maryland
If you find yourself dealing with any signs associated with low testosterone levels and think you might need testosterone replacement therapy, call Shakthi Health and Wellness Center today!
Speak with our dedicated staff to schedule your consultation with Dr. Jyothi Rao and begin optimizing your body’s vitality. If you would like more information about testosterone replacement therapy in Maryland, please call us at (301) 703-5067.
About Us
We believe in practicing medicine that focuses on whole-body health. As integrative medicine doctors, we focus on the root cause of your condition with comprehensive treatments that actually heal the body rather than just masking the symptoms of your illness.
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Patient Testimonials
Patient Testimonials
I started by seeing Dr. Sudhir Rao for my Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome. I had an accident in July 2010 that caused nerve damage in my ankle. After treatments and surgery, it spread up the entire left side of my body. The only way to describe how you feel is by saying you’re a human pinball machine ? you just never know where the pain is going to be that minute. I had asked about acupuncture because someone had told me that it worked for them. I was at the point of trying anything to lessen the pain because it was getting worse every day.
- Susan Doyle
I am actually a relatively healthy 50-year-old woman. I try to eat well and exercise, but I (like many) felt the creep of age in the form a subtle pounds and decreasing energy. Dr. Rao helped point me in the direction of the correct detox program for me (Core Restore!) as well as the supplements I needed to boost my metabolism and increase my energy! I still need to eat what works for me and avoid the things that don't, and I still have to exercise every day, but my clothes fit better and I have more energy!!
- Shakthi Patients
I came to see Dr. Rao with symptoms of chronic fatigue, abdominal pains, depression, and weight gain. I had seen a couple other doctors and they had found that I had very high inflammation levels and over 15 food allergies/sensitivities. They wanted me to just take prescription drugs, but I wanted more than a quick fix. I wanted my health and my life back! When I scheduled the appointment, I was surprised how by helpful Kelly was on the phone. I didn’t know the details of my insurance coverage and Kelly offered to call my insurance for me. I’ve never had anyone at a doctor’s office do that before.
- Anna Smoot
After visiting the Shakthi website and reading other patient testimonials, I was curious about the wide variety of treatments that were available. I have a very slow metabolism, was fatigued, had insomnia, back pain, and just didn’t feel as well as I wanted to in general. I had more allergic reactions and respiratory issues in the preceding months before coming to see Dr. Jyothi Rao. I had completed three courses of prednisone while under the treatment of my traditional doctor and was fed up with that cycle and was looking for another path.
- Debbie Helman
I was given the gift of Dr. Rao's primary care for Christmas in 2016. I didn?t take advantage of it until March of 2017. My mindset at the time was negative. I had heard about changing eating habits and I felt that I liked the foods I was eating and I was nearly 70, so why change now? After meeting with Dr. Rao and hearing her suggestions, I said I would take it one small step at a time and see what happens.
- Linda J.
I was in the worst shape of my life with depression and anxiety. I had given up. Shakthi provided me with a manageable plan that included supplements, diet, and an exercise program that has transformed my body and given me a new outlook on life. Perhaps the most surprising outcome was learning how to be healthy and have a good relationship with my body. I am now more productive, energetic, and focused. The fog that had been clouding my thoughts has lifted.
- Shakthi Patient
What To Expect
How Treatment Works
Our doctors and staff take time to get invested in your health and well-being. We've taken a step back from mainstream medicine and are challenging the norm. Everyone's healthcare needs are different. You are different. We believe patients shouldn't settle. Our practice is not a revolving door. We listen, and most importantly, we hear you.
Appointments
Appointments are conducted on an as-needed basis. Patients can expect appointments to be more thorough and focused on their needs. As Integrative speciality care doctors, we see a limited number of patients which means each of our patients receives dedicated care without the concern of being “rushed” our of an appointment.
Diagnostic Testing
We offer patients scientifically backed health assessments to better understand the root causes of their health conditions. We evaluate any disruptions to your health and body to develop effective wellness plans to optimize your vitality. To learn more about the specific tests we offer visit this page here.
Costs Involved
Patients receive personalized and tailored care in exchange for a flat fee. Overall cost will be discussed during your initial consultation. Each subsequent appointment will not need to be individually paid for. All patients receive unlimited access to their physicians which leads to better overall health and wellness.
