What's Covered on This Page
- Are Your Testosterone Levels Low?
- Our Evaluation Process
- The Many Ways TRT is Delivered
- What To Expect After Starting TRT
- Starting Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Murrells Inlet
- How long does it take to feel results from testosterone replacement therapy in Murrells Inlet?
- What should I bring to my first TRT evaluation appointment?
- Does the heat and humidity in Murrells Inlet affect how testosterone therapy works?
- Is one blood test enough to know if I need testosterone replacement therapy?
- Can I switch delivery methods if my current one isn't working well?
- What happens if my labs come back and testosterone therapy isn't the right fit for me?
Need testosterone replacement therapy?
Book An Appointment. Call Jolie Visage Rejuvenation Centre now.
Are Your Testosterone Levels Low?
Has the past few months felt like an endless drag? You may chalk it up to stress, poor sleep, or simply aging. Regardless, it feels wrong, and you can't seem to get out of that funk.
We hear this story from guys who come through our Murrells Inlet office every single week. They rarely come in and say, "I think my testosterone is low." Instead, they tell us, "I don't feel like myself."
Unlike other ailments that make themselves known with a single symptom, low T creeps in, and the signs are very easily confused with a variety of other disorders. This is why most men ignore it for far too long. Here is what to look out for:
- Unrelenting fatigue, even after getting eight hours of sleep
- Muscle wasting, even though you are staying active
- Midsection fat gain that won't go away
- Fuzzy thinking, difficulty focusing, or forgetting things halfway through a sentence
- Apathy, lack of motivation, mood changes
In fact, other signs exist as well. Low libido comes to mind, but that men don't like to bring this up first. There is also joint pain or stiffness, short-temperedness, and slow workouts recovery. Our patients even tell us about how they stopped going fishing on the weekends because they no longer had the energy to get ready and load their truck. A guy can't be 47 and not enjoy fishing.
More often than not, a man will ignore it for 1-2 years, or until finally getting bloodwork done.
The American Urological Association lists anything under 300ng/dl as low. However, you could be in the 320's and not feel well. The level is what is, but also how you are feeling on a day-to-day basis. Our doctors don't only look at this number on your lab sheet, we evaluate your complete health situation.
So, is this list reminding you of yourself? If you checked off 3 or more boxes on that list, then that is the sign for you to get a test. No, it doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It simply means you have to listen to what your body is telling you, and a single blood test can provide the answer quickly.
Our Evaluation Process
You come in, we discuss. It's that simple.
To begin with, we have a conversation and we ask what's been happening to you. The checklist of symptoms is not enough; we want to hear about how life is for you. Are you dragging by 2 PM? Are you still building muscle from hitting the gym? Are you feeling a bit off emotionally for the last few months? We take all of that into account because we won't even consider testosterone replacement therapy if it seems like the right choice for you. Once we've done that, we go through blood work. This is probably the most important part and something a lot of patients aren't really aware of. You can't just test your testosterone levels once and diagnose it. There is a lot more when diagnosing low testosterone. This is what we test for:
- Total and free testosterone
- Estradiol, SHBG, and more
- CBC, metabolic panel, and lipid panel
- Thyroid and PSA
We actually do the blood work right in the office in Murrells Inlet. There's no running around and going from place to place, and most of the results come back fairly quickly, so there's no waiting to know if your symptoms are actually related to your low testosterone.
Why One Blood Draw Is Not Enough
While there are men that come to our Murrells Inlet office with low testosterone, that isn't always the case. Sometimes the first draw catches you on a bad day. Stress, poor sleep the night before, even the time of morning can shift your numbers. Levels should be confirmed with at least two morning samples before starting treatment. We also have to make sure you don't have a history of sleep apnea, blood clots, or prostate issues. All these issues can affect how we treat your condition, if testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is even the right treatment option for you. At that point, we would have a thorough conversation with you and go over all your lab results to see where you stand and what the available treatment options are for you. If testosterone replacement therapy isn't the best treatment for you, we would turn it away. That is what we do. We are very honest about our treatment options and what's right for you. The whole diagnostic process normally takes two doctor visits and there is no guessing involved.
The Many Ways TRT is Delivered
The thing I really love about working here is that no patient is treated the same. Many people come into the office thinking that testosterone replacement therapy only comes in an injection. That might be the right choice for some people, but in addition to injecting TRT, there are also many other ways to treat low testosterone. We go over all the options first before we start you on any type of treatment plan, so that you don't have to wonder or question why we are prescribing the form of testosterone that we are. Common ways in which testosterone is administered include the following:
- Injectable testosterone: A scheduled injection once every week or two weeks
- Cream or gel: Applied once a day to the skin
- Testosterone pellets: A pellet that can last for many months and is injected under the skin
All of these have their benefits and drawbacks. With injectable testosterone, you have full control over the amount being used, whereas with creams, it is a daily regimen that is applied every day and requires no needles. Pellets are a solid choice for men who spend a lot of time traveling and simply don't want to administer their TRT every week. We've had patients who made the switch from injectables to pellets for convenience purposes, only to find their levels remained in an ideal range. Ultimately, your blood work will be what determines which form of TRT is going to be most effective for you, while other factors like your lifestyle and personal preference will come into play as well. We consider your total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, hematocrit, and a few other blood work markers when determining the best course of action for a patient. While we consider all factors, a man on a fishing charter boat working long hours and a retired man who enjoys fishing and playing golf four days a week have different lifestyles, which we have to take into account. We typically start with one method of TRT and adjust within the first 90 days. This is perfectly normal as we want to see how each patient responds to TRT. Sometimes, absorption is not at an rate, or you just don't see a noticeable difference at first. It is important to remember that no one is attached to a specific method of administration as long as they are monitoring it appropriately. A properly applied cream would be better than an untracked injection; however, we are monitoring all our TRT patients carefully because follow through is where results actually happen.
Need help with testosterone replacement therapy?
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What To Expect After Starting TRT
When men decide to start their TRT journey, this is what we tell them.
To be completely honest, the first week after starting TRT will not be mind-blowing.
Testosterone replacement therapy isn't a light switch, so allow your body a bit of time to start making changes as the days turn into weeks and months. When changes do start to make themselves known, they will be noticeable.
The First Few Weeks
Men often start to notice an increase in energy around week two and three. Their sleep begins to improve. In addition to that, they tend to feel a bit more awake when they wake up in the morning. Many patients report an increase in energy while out walking or jogging on the MarshWalk.
Typically, patients will notice the following effects:
- Weeks 1-3: Energy begins to increase, sleep quality improves and you will tend to feel happier and more motivated.
- Weeks 4-6: You will start to experience noticeable energy increases, improved mental clarity and motivation.
- Weeks 6-12: Physical body changes begin to happen, and your recovery time will become shorter.
- Months 3-6: Libido begins to improve as well as physical body composition and energy will continue to improve.
- Month 6 and beyond: You will start to see full effects of TRT, so be sure to visit your Murrells Inlet physician and have lab work drawn to see where your hormone levels actually sit.
It is important to note that this doesn't always occur in this specific order; however, it is often the pattern.
Follow-Up Labs and Check-Ins
We never initiate testosterone replacement therapy and then send you off to do everything on your own. We schedule follow-up labs to see how your body is responding to therapy, how your hormone levels are adjusting, your red blood cell count, and a few other important markers.
Regular checks are important in safe hormone management and we make sure they happen.
If an adjustment needs to be made, then that is what we will do. Testosterone dosing is not something that can be the same for everyone. It might take a few checks to get the balance right for your body.
Some men are so happy after two months they can hardly believe they felt the way they did before. That is the intent.
You may find yourself experiencing workouts that are easier or you are noticing less soreness and being able to go harder without conscious effort. However, it is important to note that the change men feel most commonly is their mentality. Feeling like oneself and wanting to get through the day.
Starting Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Murrells Inlet
Most guys that walk through the door of our office have been experiencing the same symptoms for a year or sometimes two, they've tried to get more rest, eat healthier, and go to the gym with no change in the symptoms. At this point, many of our patients are looking into TRT.
This is when the right move is made.
First we will see you, talk, and run bloods. This will not be a basic blood profile. We want to check for: total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol, complete blood count, metabolic panel and the thyroid. Energy loss can come from many causes and we want to be able to run it out for sure as opposed to just starting treatment and hoping it's the right thing.
Next, when the blood results come back:
- We will look over your blood results together and describe exactly what everything means your body.
- We will review all of your symptoms, your medical history, and your general health and daily routine.
- We will determine if you are a good candidate for TRT and build a protocol that fits your blood profile.
- We will set your first appointment and explain the initial treatment.
- We will monitor your blood results again, so we can be sure that everything is staying the way we want it.
Gentlemen are commenting on how glad they wish they had sought TRT earlier. The whole TRT process is easy, it just isn't understood.
We've had guys from all over Murrells Inlet visit our offices and most say the same things: They can't focus at work, don't want to do anything on the weekend, and feel like a different person than they were a few years ago. This doesn't need to be.
Our office is a licensed facility run by trained professionals. You don't need to order medication off a website and guess on the dosage. With us you can feel certain that the protocol created is being monitored via lab results as often as needed.
You do not need a referral, and you don't need to prove that you have a problem. Just give our offices a call to make your first appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about testosterone replacement therapy services in Murrells Inlet
How long does it take to feel results from testosterone replacement therapy in Murrells Inlet?
Most guys start noticing small changes within two to four weeks, but the bigger shifts come around the 60 to 90 day mark. Energy tends to come back first. Then mood, focus, and motivation follow. Full results can take four to six months. We track your labs and how you feel throughout the process so nothing gets missed. Patience matters here, but you won't be left guessing.
What should I bring to my first TRT evaluation appointment?
Bring any recent bloodwork you already have, a list of current medications, and your health history. If you've had sleep apnea, prostate issues, or blood clotting concerns, mention those upfront. We run labs right here in Murrells Inlet, so you don't need to come in with anything perfect. Just come ready to talk honestly about how you've been feeling day to day.
Does the heat and humidity in Murrells Inlet affect how testosterone therapy works?
It can, especially if you use a topical cream or gel. Heat and sweating can affect how well your skin absorbs the medication. We account for that when choosing your delivery method. Guys who spend long days outside near the water or on fishing charters sometimes do better with injections or pellets. We factor your daily routine and local lifestyle into every treatment plan.
Is one blood test enough to know if I need testosterone replacement therapy?
No, one draw is not enough. Stress, poor sleep, and even the time of day can shift your numbers. We confirm low testosterone with at least two morning blood samples before recommending any treatment. This protects you from starting therapy you don't actually need. Getting it right from the start saves time and keeps your health on the right track.
Can I switch delivery methods if my current one isn't working well?
Yes, and we do it regularly. If a cream isn't absorbing well or injections don't fit your schedule, we adjust. Most changes happen within the first 90 days as your body responds to treatment. No method is locked in forever. We watch your labs and listen to how you feel, then make the call together. Getting the right fit matters more than sticking with the first option.
What happens if my labs come back and testosterone therapy isn't the right fit for me?
We'll tell you straight. If the data doesn't support TRT, we won't prescribe it. Sometimes low energy or mood issues come from thyroid problems, sleep apnea, or other causes we catch during the evaluation. We'd rather point you in the right direction than put you on a treatment you don't need. Honest answers are more useful than a prescription that doesn't solve the real problem.