Brian Bradley, Special to San Angelo Standard-Times Published 1:21 p.m. CT Sept. 9, 2020

Normal testosterone levels in men are important for a variety of important functions. The older a man gets, it is typical for this hormone to decrease.(Photo: Zerbor / Getty Images)

SAN ANGELO Normal testosterone levels in men are important for a variety of important functions. The older a man gets, it is typical for this hormone to decrease.

Symptoms of low or absent testosterone include:

To help men combat low testosterone levels, doctors can prescribe hormone replacement therapy to regulate levels appropriate to each individual. The Shannon Urology Clinic is now offering a new replacement option in the form of hormone pellet therapy.

Hormone pellet therapy is a convenient way to steadily dose testosterone for hormone replacement in adult males. The slow-release hormones are designed to last 3 to 4 months and aid in certain conditions causing low or absent testosterone in the body. The consistencies in these hormones help promote a more active lifestyle with less of the hassle of other methods.

Testopel testosterone pellets are inserted just under the skin of the hip or other fatty area during a 10 minute in-office procedure. Each pellet is 10mm in size and dosed based off the recommendation of your doctor. The pellets are FDA-approved and covered by most insurance providers. All Shannon Urology Providers are able to offer this as a service to their patients.

Brian Bradley(Photo: Shannon Medical Center / Contributed)

In the past, the Shannon Urology Clinic has offered other methods of hormone replacement, such as shots and gels. While these methods may have worked for some individuals, they do not provide as much convenience as pellet therapy. Gels often transfer onto clothing or other people, and shots typically require administration either every 2 to 4 weeks for short-acting injections or every 10 weeks for long-acting injections. Pellets release a more consistent dose over a longer period of time without the risk of transference. This provides both convenience of regular dosage of hormones and fewer trips to the doctors office.

If you feel like you might be experiencing symptoms of low or absent testosterone, visit with your doctor about potential treatment options. For more information about testosterone replacement therapy, or to schedule an appointment, call the Shannon Clinic Urology Department at 325-481-2231.

Dr. Brian Bradley is part of the Shannon Clinic Urology team. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch inGalveston and did his residency at the University of Florida.If you appreciate locally driven journalism, consider a digital subscription to GoSanAngelo.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news updates. Submit news tips to News@GoSanAngelo.com.

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Shannon Medical Center offers new option for hormone replacement therapy - Standard-Times

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