It isn’t uncommon for men and women to experience weight gain and lower energy as they age. Sometimes these issues can be solved through changes made to diet and exercise, but sometimes people need additional support to get their health back on track.
Many times, these symptoms and a lack of success treating or reversing them, can leave people feeling defeated and wondering if they will ever feel more like they used to ever again. At Ethos Integrative Medicine, Dr. Michael Hernandez, who specializes in men’s hormones and treating joint pain, sees these concerns quite commonly from men who are experiencing low libido, weight gain, brain fog and decreased energy and stamina.
These symptoms mean that some patients have difficulty focusing on interactions with family and kids, and they lack the energy and motivation needed to be active with family and friends.
During a webinar, Dr. Hernandez discussed these symptoms, concerns and the condition perpetuating the symptoms — which is known as hypogonadism, a decrease in testosterone. Lab work reveals the true cause, which allows for proper diagnosis.
It isn’t uncommon, for example, for testosterone treatments to be offered to patients by hormone clinics without first understanding the hormone levels a patient has, which means the treatment may not even be necessary in the first place. At Ethos, we base our treatment plans on an analysis of lab work to determine the best path forward.
Once we understand the labs and the condition, we make sure we fully understand a patient’s goals as it relates to relieving their symptoms and helping them live their best lives.
To curate an individualized treatment plan, we then do even more analysis, looking at insulin and cholesterol levels, evaluating a patient’s exercise experience, understanding a patient’s nutrition and sleep habits, and then evaluating hormones — from thyroid hormones to sex hormones to cortisol.
Specifically, these three hormones are interdependent and can impact each other when deficiencies exist. And when tests are done to measure them, specifically to benchmark them, different treatment approaches may be useful. In addition, other conditions may be uncovered that, without labs, may otherwise go unnoticed.
Our approach to men’s longevity at Ethos is thorough, individualized and largely effective. We aim to foster lasting change through consistent progress so our patients feel better long-term. That can mean that a quick fix may not be the answer.
But, by tracking progress through regular lab evaluations, we are able to assess a patient’s status and make changes along the way, as needed. That’s one of the reasons it’s valuable for patients to form a trusted relationship with their doctor — to not only discuss how they’re feeling in an open way, but also to understand that they’re a partner in their overall wellness.
At Ethos Integrative Medicine in Scottsdale, our team of specialists takes a novel approach to healthcare to achieve the results patients deserve. Learn more about our team at https://ethosscottsdale.com/.
Interested in how we can help you? Get your questions answered by scheduling an introductory call.
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