Testosterone: A miracle drug for many

Testosterone can be a life-changer, whether it be for older men or those looking to transition. In a thoughtful long-form piece in Fusion byAlexis C. Madrigal, he looks at how the drug can make a powerful impact in many peoples lives, so much so that it could be considered a miracle drug.

He starts with Dr. Paul Campion, an ophthalmologist turned testosterone doctor after having remarkable results working with Cenegenics, a medical start-up that trains physicians to run their own age management practices.

Campion swears by the treatment now, and at 56-years-old says hes in better shape than he was more than 20 years ago. Clinics like his arent traditional and are cash-only and they are pricey so it does eliminate a large amount of people. But for many, its more than worth it.

The initial session costs $5,000, and the monthly charges are over $1,000. Clients get their blood work done every three months, so that Campion can keep tabs on how their hormonal balancing is going. Most patients lock into a permanent testosterone regimen, as Campion has. I will take testosterone for the rest of my life, he says.

Users, who had been evaluated and have low levels of T, report increased energy, more muscle mass, decreased body fat, greater sex drive, and a general sense of well-being, according to Campion. The numbers of users are growing.

According to a study by University of Texas epidemiologist Jacques Baillargeon, nearly four percent of men in their 60s are taking testosterone. The number of men between 40 and 64 went up 77 percent from 2010 to 2013 to 1.5 million men. Abbvie, maker of a popular testosterone gel, makesmore than a billion dollars a yearfrom the sale of AndroGel. In 2013, 14,000 kilograms of testosterone were sold in the United States.

Testosterone could be considered anti-aging drug (though some in the story slightly disagree), or it can be a tool that completely changes the life of someone transitioning. As Kortney Ziegler shared with Madrigal.

I told the doctors, You know what? I socially live as a male, and I would like to medically transition, and it was that easy. And the doctor was like, Okay, these are the specs of taking testosterone. When would you like to start? I was like, Whoa, I dont need any kind of psychological evaluation or proof of anything? And they said, Well, you live as a man. Who are we to stop you from shifting your body in the way that you see fit?

Ziegler had amazingly quick results as far as voice change and hair growth, even shoe size.

But it seems to be more than just appearance and energy that changes with testosterone treatment, according to the story. When you feel a deep change in vitality or even your gender, its almost like becoming a different person. For many, this is a true blessing.

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Testosterone: A miracle drug for many

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