You're not lazy. You're not losing your edge. And you're not "just getting older."
If you’ve noticed your energy dropping, motivation fading, workouts becoming harder, or your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, low testosterone may be part of the reason.
When your testosterone is low, it’s not just one symptom you can feel like your entire body is out of sync. The drive, energy, strength, focus, and confidence you once had may slowly begin to fade.
Physician-supervised, bio-identical, built around you.
The good news is that you don’t have to guess what’s causing it. With the right evaluation, it’s possible to determine whether low testosterone or another underlying condition is contributing to the way you feel. At Encore Health, we take the time to look at the whole picture, using comprehensive laboratory testing and personalized treatment plans to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a physician-supervised treatment that restores testosterone to a healthy, optimal range using bio-identical hormones. Depending on your lifestyle and goals, it can be delivered through injections, gels, patches, or pellets all working toward the same outcome: rebalanced hormones and better overall health.
"Normal" is a 4x spread.
The standard “normal” range for testosterone is 250–900 ng/dL nearly a 4x spread. Picture a doctor telling you a normal body temperature is anywhere between 90°F and 106°F. Technically true on paper. Practically useless for telling you whether something’s actually wrong.
At Encore, we look at where you fall in that range and how you feel — not just whether you cleared the bar.
Common symptoms of low testosterone
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Muscle loss
- Poor sleep
- Low bone density
- Hair loss
- Brain fog
- Irritability
- Low motivation
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety
- Memory issues
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced performance
Who Is a Good Candidate for TRT?
You may be a good candidate for TRT if you:
- Experience persistent fatigue or low energy
- Have a decreased sex drive or reduced sexual performance
- Notice a loss of muscle mass, strength, or endurance
- Struggle with increased body fat, especially around your midsection
- Experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, or lack of motivation
- Notice changes in mood, including irritability or feeling down
- Have consistently low testosterone levels confirmed through bloodwork
TRT isn’t right for everyone. Our providers evaluate your symptoms, hormone levels, and medical history to determine whether testosterone therapy is a safe and appropriate option for you.
Benefits of TRT
- Increased energy levels
- Enhanced libido and sexual performance
- Enhanced cognitive function
- Better exercise tolerance
- Potential anti-aging effects
- Improved mood and mental well-being
- Improved bone density
- Cardiovascular health benefits
- Reduction in body fat
- Better sleep quality
- Increased muscle mass and strength
Seven Steps. One Real Person Guiding Each of Them
Always guided by a real person — no bots.
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
It doesn't have to be one or the other.
Low testosterone and family planning can feel like conflicting priorities, especially for men in their 20s and 30s. Standard TRT can suppress natural sperm production by shutting down the body’s own signal to make testosterone — which is why fertility often gets left out of the hormone conversation entirely.
At Encore, we routinely care for men who are actively trying to conceive—or plan to in the future—using combination approaches designed to raise testosterone while maintaining, and in some cases stimulating, natural fertility. Depending on your goals and labs, this can mean pairing testosterone therapy with treatments that support the body’s own hormone production, rather than replacing it outright.
If fertility is part of your picture, tell us early. It changes how we build your plan from day one.
What every Encore patient can expect.
I will receive individualized care no cookie-cutter protocols.
Our clinicians specialize in hormone optimization and stay current with evolving evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Regular follow-up appointments and laboratory testing help maximize results while minimizing potential risks.
When compounded medications are appropriate, we partner only with licensed U.S. 503A compounding pharmacies that meet strict quality standards.
Complete your consultations from home while receiving ongoing support from our experienced care team.
Questions don’t always happen during appointments. Our team is available to provide guidance throughout your treatment journey.
Testosterone isn’t always the answer. Poor sleep, thyroid disorders, elevated estrogen, stress, medications, and nutritional deficiencies can all mimic low testosterone. If TRT isn’t the right solution, we’ll tell you, and help identify what is.
Testosterone therapy should always be medically supervised.
Before starting treatment, we evaluate whether TRT is appropriate for you and discuss both the potential benefits and possible risks. During treatment, we routinely monitor:
- Testosterone levels
- Complete Blood Count (hematocrit and hemoglobin)
- Liver and kidney function
- Blood pressure and symptoms
- Estradiol
- PSA when appropriate
- Cholesterol and metabolic health
Because testosterone can increase red blood cell production in some men, we routinely monitor hematocrit and hemoglobin and adjust treatment when appropriate.
Regular follow-up allows us to adjust your treatment as needed while helping ensure long-term safety and effectiveness.
Frequently asked questions
Is testosterone therapy safe?
For appropriately selected patients under medical supervision, TRT is generally considered safe. Routine monitoring allows us to identify and address potential side effects early.
How soon will I feel better?
Many patients notice improvements in energy, mood, or libido within several weeks, while changes in body composition and strength often take several months.
Will TRT affect fertility?
Yes. Testosterone therapy can reduce sperm production and may not be appropriate for men actively trying to conceive. If preserving fertility is important, we’ll discuss alternative treatment options.
Will I need treatment forever?
Not necessarily. Some men remain on long-term therapy because their symptoms return when treatment stops, while others may choose to discontinue under medical supervision.
Will I lose weight on TRT?
TRT is not a weight-loss medication. However, improved energy, muscle mass, and metabolism may make it easier to lose fat when combined with healthy nutrition and exercise.
What are the most common side effects?
Possible side effects include acne, oily skin, increased red blood cell count, fluid retention, breast tenderness, or changes in estrogen levels. Regular monitoring helps minimize these risks.
What if my testosterone levels are "normal" but I still have symptoms?
Symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, poor sleep, thyroid disorders, stress, depression, medication side effects, and nutritional deficiencies can all mimic low testosterone. Our evaluation looks at the complete picture not just a single lab value.
Can I stop TRT if I change my mind?
Yes. Stopping isn’t something you should do abruptly on your own, since it can affect your body’s natural hormone production temporarily, but your provider can guide you through discontinuing treatment safely at any point.
What lifestyle habits support testosterone optimization?
Quality sleep, resistance training, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and limiting alcohol all support healthy testosterone levels, and can work alongside treatment rather than replace it.
Can women take testosterone?
In small, carefully monitored doses, yes. Testosterone is sometimes part of women’s hormone therapy. Learn more on our Women’s Hormone Therapy page.
Does insurance cover TRT?
Coverage varies by plan and by whether your diagnosis meets your insurer’s criteria for medical necessity. Our team can walk you through your options, including cash-pay and HSA/FSA use.
Ready to feel like yourself again?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, the first step is understanding what’s causing them. Schedule a consultation to receive a comprehensive evaluation, personalized recommendations, and expert guidance from providers who specialize in hormone optimization.
Whether testosterone therapy is right for you or your symptoms point to another underlying issue we’re here to help you find the answers and develop a treatment plan that supports your long-term health.