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Testosterone Therapy
Due to its critical physiologic functions in pain control, testosterone testing and replacement should be a principal component in the treatment of chronic pain. Testosterone is critical for central opioid receptor binding, maintenance of blood-brain barrier transport, and activation of dopamine. A deficiency impairs healing and control of inflammation at peripheral pain sites. In addition, low testosterone levels can cause depression, sleep disturbances, and lack of energy and motivation which can impact the healing process.
Our clinics have the unique experience of treating thousands of patients for hormone deficiency over the course of 8 years. At these specialty centers, we have observed patient after patient experience improved pain control and reduced dependency on medications as a result of testosterone therapy. The relationship between testosterone therapy and pain control is well documented in the medical literature, but is seen on a routine basis via tangible patient results at our treatment centers. It is this link between testosterone, pain control, and positive patient outcomes that pushed us to develop and offer treatment strategies to aid in recovery from pain and reduction in reliance upon opioids and other potentially harmful prescription medications.
Related Articles
Testosterone Replacement in Chronic Pain Patients – Adequate serum testosterone levels are required in males and females not just for libido and sexual function but also for cellular growth, healing, and maintenance of muscle mass and bone. In the central nervous system, testosterone plays critical roles in maintenance of opioid receptors, blood-brain barrier transport, and dopamine-norepinephrine activity.
Testosterone Replacement in Female Chronic Pain Patients – Since testosterone assists opioids in crossing the blood brain barrier and helps activate a number of central receptor and neurochemical systems, it is a judicious, ethical, and clinically necessary practice to replace testosterone in female chronic opioid patients—subject to informed consent.
Testosterone Therapy is Associated with Decreased Pain Perception in Men – low testosterone levels are related to the use of opioid (narcotic) pain relievers, a new study finds.
Testosterone Replacement: Essential in Pain Management – Recent articles about increased cardiovascular risk have raised concerns about the safe use of testosterone replacement. Chronic pain patients often have low serum testosterone levels caused by both the underlying disease and treatments. Therefore, testosterone replacement remains an essential element of chronic pain management in both men and women. Pain patients with known cardiovascular disease, especially, need to be informed of a possible increased risk and must weigh the risks of hormone therapy versus its benefits.
A Novel Use for Testosterone to Treat Central Sensitization of Chronic Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients: Testosterone is effective therapy for fibromyalgia pain. Low/deficient testosterone levels are linked to a high risk for chronic pain states as suggested by mechanisms in which testosterone is likely to down-modulate pain signals. Mechanisms involving testosterone are linked to increased production of natural opioid peptides in the central nervous system.