Testosterone booster vs replacement
Testosterone, while mostly thought of as the hormone that makes a male a man, there is more to its functions in the body. Testosterone is not only primarily responsible for the sex drive, it is also important for man’s vitality, strength, agility and vigor. It is also important to women because it plays an intrinsic role in keeping them sexually active.
Summarily, it is often referred to as the “elixir of youth”, thanks to its ability to keep men feeling young and agile. Unfortunately, once you it the big 30, your testosterone levels start to decrease. This decline often results in depression, low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in achieving orgasms, low ejaculation volume, impaired memory and poor concentration.
The combination of all these conditions is called hypogonadism. When this happens for a prolonged period of time and they are diagnosed with the LOW-T condition, most men start looking for solutions in the form of testosterone boosters and replacement therapy. Which brings us to the important question: What’s the difference between testosterone replacement therapy and testosterone boosters?
This is important because there is a clear difference between the two even though many often use the terms interchangeably.
Testosterone Boosters
Simply put, testosterone boosters are supplements that are used to help bodybuilders build more mass and strength. Also known as an alternative to anabolic steroids, this is nowhere near the real deal. T-Boosters as they are popularly called, are meant to help you do more and achieve more results whilst working out and training. Think of it as a “steroid” of sorts.
Only this time, it’s uncharted waters as evidenced by the lack of approval by the FDA. There are no known proofs of it being able to help boost your testosterone levels –apart from the usual testosterone boost you get from high intensity workouts- no matter how much that’s used in the products’ sales copies. All reports about testosterone boosters being able to help increase motivation seems unfounded and lacking in authenticity.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
On the other hand, testosterone therapy is known for its effectiveness at boosting and increasing the testosterone levels of people who are suffering from hypogonadism. It’s often known to help them become more agile, more enthusiastic, increases, their sense of well-being and sex drive, whilst eliminating problems like erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue and poor concentration. There are quite a few testosterone replacement therapies.
Usually, talking to your doctor about how you feel will help them decide on what therapy method would best suit you. Many patients have recorded tremendous improvements on their testosterone levels through the impact of exogenous testosterone treatment regimens. Testosterone replacement therapies often include the use of testosterone patches, testosterone, topical gels and testosterone injections.
Men who have used testosterone gels often notice an increase in their testosterone levels to about 500-600 ng/dl (the normal testosterone levels) as against the 300 ng/dl levels observed in men diagnosed with Low-T. While there are testosterone pills, their use is largely discouraged because of their significant impact in liver toxicity.
Testosterone patches can be either scrotal or non-scrotal and are also known to be effective in increasing the body’s T-levels. The downside to using this however is that it tends to irritate the skin. Testosterone gels are known to be significantly absorbed by the skin and have a near-instant absorption rate which lasts throughout the day. And there’s also the buccal testosterone which is known to produce even better results than the patches when applied to the gums. The side effects of that however often include bitter taste in the mouth and some irritation to the gums.
As you can see, testosterone boosters are clearly not the same thing as testosterone replacement. So, if you feel that you be might suffering from Low-T, consult with your doctors and let them place you on the necessary testosterone replacement therapies instead of self-medicating with testosterone boosters.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/testosterone-replacement-therapy
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/is-testosterone-replacement-therapy-safe
http://www.webmd.com/men/guide/testosterone-replacement-therapy-is-it-right-for-you