What Does Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy for Men Involve?
If you are considering testosterone pellet therapy, the first step is scheduling a consultation. Prior to your appointment, we will need to review your lab work to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. If you already have recent blood test results – including PSA, testosterone levels, estrogen levels, and a complete blood count (CBC), along with fasting blood sugar and cholesterol levels – you should bring them with you. If not, we will provide a lab order so you can complete the necessary tests before your consultation.
During your appointment, we will discuss your medical history, current symptoms, and personal health concerns to determine whether testosterone pellet therapy is the right option for you. If you are deemed a good candidate, we will proceed with treatment following a thorough review of your baseline lab results.
The pellet insertion procedure is simple, quick, and virtually painless. A small area near the waistline, just below the “love handle” region, is numbed with a local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, a tiny incision – about three millimeters (1/16 of an inch) – is made. A specialized instrument then places the testosterone pellets into the deep fatty tissue, ensuring they remain secure and gradually release testosterone over time. The small opening is covered with a steri-strip, which should naturally fall off within four to five days as the skin heals.
Most men begin to notice improvements in exercise tolerance, mood, and energy levels within the first month of treatment. Significant changes in body composition (such as decreased body fat and increased muscle mass) typically take several months and multiple treatments. By the time you begin your second set of pellets, you should experience noticeable improvements in nearly all areas. These benefits tend to continue for a year or longer as your body reaches its optimal hormonal balance.
Maintaining a healthy diet, particularly one lower in carbohydrates, along with regular exercise, can further enhance the results. While the vast majority of men see substantial benefits, there are rare cases (approximately 1%) where a patient does not feel enough improvement after the second round of treatment to continue.
What Are the Dangers of Low Testosterone in Men?
If you are a male struggling with low testosterone, you are not alone. Research indicates a significant decline in male testosterone levels over recent decades; in fact, a 2007 study observed that a 60-year-old man in 2004 had testosterone levels 17% lower than those of a 60-year-old in 1987, suggesting an approximate 1% annual decrease. 1 Unfortunately, many doctors still do not routinely test testosterone levels in their male patients. A common misconception is that if sexual performance is unaffected, there is no need to check or supplement testosterone. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Our Bethesda hormone treatment doctor, Mark Richards, MD, has helped numerous men regain their vitality and improve their overall well-being with bio-identical pellet hormone therapy. This advanced treatment delivers a steady, controlled release of testosterone to support the body’s overall function. By restoring hormonal balance with plant-derived compounds that closely resemble the body’s natural hormones, the treatment can produce a plethora of lasting benefits. Continue reading to learn more about bio-identical pellet hormone therapy for men.
Multiple studies have demonstrated that low testosterone levels pose significant risks to men’s health and quality of life. For instance, a study by the Veterans Administration reported a 75% increase in mortality among men aged 40 and older with testosterone levels below 250 ng/dL compared to those with levels above 450 ng/dL. 2 Additional research has confirmed that low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of death from various causes across different age groups.3
Low testosterone in males has also been widely associated with:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Increased visceral body fat
- Loss of muscle mass
- Metabolic syndrome
- Atherosclerosis (plaques in the arteries)
- Cancer
- Decreased cognitive thinking
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Sexual problems
- Depression
- Excessive sweating or hot flushes
- Feeling that you have “passed your peak”
- Feeling burnt out
- Irritability
- Joint/muscle pain
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Decrease in beard growth
Some internists now recommend that men with testosterone levels below 500 ng/dL consider treatment for preventive health reasons, even in the absence of significant symptoms. However, it is important to recognize that individuals respond differently to varying testosterone levels. This concept introduces the idea of Relative Androgen Deficiency (RAD), which suggests that each person may experience symptoms of low testosterone at levels unique to them. For example, one individual might develop depressive moods and low energy when their testosterone falls below 500 ng/dL, while another might not experience these issues until levels drop below 400 ng/dL.
“*The BHT pellets were the clear choice for me. Now life is as great as it was in my 20s! I can’t believe the difference! ”
How Can Men Benefit from Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy?
Based on extensive research and clinical experience, the most effective approach to testosterone supplementation is one that provides a stable, consistent level of the hormone to support a man’s optimal health and performance. An excellent example is bio-identical pellet hormone therapy.
Traditional methods like gels often result in inconsistent absorption, while injections create fluctuations with spikes and drops in testosterone levels. Oral supplementation is not a viable option, as testosterone is metabolized by the liver before reaching the bloodstream.
On the other hand, bio-identical testosterone pellets offer a superior alternative by delivering a steady, sustained release of testosterone over approximately four months per insertion. This consistent delivery system ensures more stable hormone levels, avoiding the highs and lows associated with other methods. For men seeking long-term hormonal balance, testosterone pellet therapy is one of the most reliable and effective options available.
Does Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy for Men Cause Side Effects?
Testosterone pellet therapy generally provides significant benefits with minimal side effects. Muscle strength and size may modestly increase, particularly when combined with consistent weight training; however, testosterone pellets will not cause excessive or disproportionate muscle growth.
One notable effect is a reduction in sperm count, which typically occurs about a month after starting pellet therapy. However, this should not be relied upon as a form of birth control, as sperm counts naturally return to baseline approximately six months after the last pellet insertion.
In most men, red blood cell production increases with testosterone therapy. In a small percentage, hematocrit levels (a measure of red blood cell concentration) may rise slightly above the normal range. Scientific studies have not linked this to an increased risk of blood clots, likely due to testosterone’s ability to reduce inflammatory clotting factors. However, if elevated hematocrit is a concern, donating blood every few months can help maintain optimal levels.
There is no evidence that testosterone pellets contribute to male pattern baldness. While some men experience hair loss due to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), this is a different hormone from testosterone. Research has not shown that increasing testosterone levels leads to elevated DHT levels.
A common misconception is that testosterone therapy causes “steroid rage” or increases the risk of early death from cancer or heart disease. These assumptions stem from the abuse of synthetic “testosterone mimic” designer drugs by bodybuilders. Unlike bio-identical testosterone, these artificial compounds bind abnormally to hormone receptors, disrupting normal physiology and potentially causing long-term organ damage. To protect overall health, both men and women should avoid estrogen or testosterone-like substances that are not molecularly identical to human hormones.
Extensive research has shown that even when healthy men receive significantly higher-than-normal doses of bio-identical testosterone, no harmful effects occur. Furthermore, all modern behavioral studies confirm that bio-identical testosterone supplementation does not lead to increased aggression.
To learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Richards, feel free to contact us today.
Medical References*
1 Healio
2 National Library of Medicine
3 National Library of Medicine