Testosterone
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays multiple important roles. In men, it’s the dominant sex hormone and is produced by the testes. It helps regulate libido, bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Women also have testosterone, although generally in smaller amounts than men. They produce it in their ovaries and adrenal glands, and it contributes to sex drive, mood, focus, memory, bone density, muscle strength, and weight management.
In the United States, testosterone medication is considered a Schedule III controlled substance and is not available without a prescription from a doctor. This is true of both “bioidentical” and “synthetic” testosterone.
Testosterone Medication
Belmar compounds bioidentical testosterone. It is produced from plant-based sources and has the same molecular structure and function as the testosterone produced by the human body.
If the testosterone molecule is chemically modified in any way, such as adding a functional group or side chain, the result is a synthetic hormone. For example, testosterone cypionate is the testosterone hormone with an ester group added. This kind of chemical alteration can make a medication easier for the body to absorb and/or use in certain dosage forms, like with injectable testosterone cypionate.
Who May Benefit From Testosterone Replacement?
Testosterone supplementation may be a beneficial treatment for:
Men with low testosterone levels
Although levels can vary widely from patient to patient, low testosterone typically means levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Optimal testosterone levels range between 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. Low testosterone levels can result from natural aging, chronic health conditions such as liver or kidney disease, type II DM, autoimmune or inflammatory illness, and other infections or injuries involving the testes.
Boys who are late starting puberty
Testosterone can stimulate puberty in boys who have hormone deficiencies contributing to delayed development.
Women with low testosterone levels
A woman with low testosterone may not produce enough to help replenish red blood cells, sustain a healthy sex drive, or maintain bone density. She may also have trouble losing fat and building muscle. The measurement of testosterone levels that is considered low in women ranges from under 20ng/dL to under 8ng/dL. But in women as with men, finding hormonal balance, is as important than levels. The goal in hormone replacement is to make sure she has the right balance of estrogens to androgens to manage symptoms and support overall health and wellbeing.
Breast cancer survivors
Studies have shown that testosterone, in combination with a low dose of anastrozole, helps relieve menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors for whom estrogen therapy is contraindicated.
How Belmar Can Help
If you’re a clinician interested in prescribing compound medications to your patients, contact us for information on how to get started and to access all of our clinical resources. If you are new to compounding, you may find our page on How to Write a Compounding Prescription helpful. You can also visit our Treatment Options page to find a formulary and learn more about all the medication solutions available from Belmar.
