About two years ago, when I was 38 years old, I started feeling tired. Not just normal tired, but all the time. I’ve always been athletic and active, and I’ve kept up a routine of working out at the gym since I was 15. I like to think that I’m pretty aware of my body, which is why I noticed it when there was a sudden change.

I was exhausted all the time. I would get home from the gym after work, and would need to take a nap before dinner. My sex drive came and went, but more often than not, sleep seemed like the most important thing I wanted to do in the bedroom. It was frustrating, especially since I’ve always thought of myself as a very strong, in-shape guy.

Now, of course I had heard about “low testosterone” and “low-T” from the billions of ads on radio and television. I didn’t know much about it, but from what you hear in the ads, I thought it might be something I could look into.

I chose Advanced Skin Fitness, here in Dallas, because I like the people there. I had been there before, for other things: they do everything from teeth whitening and photofacials to hair removal. I really like the atmosphere there, because they are always friendly, and always answer questions that I have. I have never had a bad experiences at their medical spa.

I also knew that they partner with a licensed physician, Dr. Abraham Armani, who does all of their hormone replacement prescriptions and services. So I called up and made an appointment to talk to him.

We sat down, in a private room in the back of the clinic. (Is it stupid that I felt awkward making an appointment to have my testosterone checked? I don’t know. I guess it’s a guy thing. But they respect that, and everything was very private and confidential.) And we talked for a good long time.

He gave me a check up, asked me about how I was feeling and why I thought I might have low testosterone, and we made an appointment to draw some blood. I also asked a million questions. What are the risks? What can I expect in the short term, and in the long term, if I do this treatment? How can I make sure I don’t mess up other things in my body by taking this treatment?

Dr. Armani was calm and friendly, and answered all of my questions. I met with him again after my blood test results came back: sure enough, my “free testosterone” levels were far below the normal range.

I have to say, what I like the most about the service I got at Advanced Skin Fitness was what happened next. I felt like I was being held by the hand (metaphorically), as they took the time to explain exactly what prescriptions I would get, exactly what they do, and why I was taking them. Twice a week I needed to perform a self-injection, and at first I was scared of that. But Bill Moore helped me through the first time I did an injection, and showed me how to do it while I was there in the clinic. It ended up being easy, once I got used to it.

Since then, I have gone back to see them every six months. Once a year, I meet with the doctor and get my blood taken. Dr. Armani explained to me that there is no “once size fits all” solution to  male hormone replacement therapy, so it’s good to have my levels checked frequently to make sure that the treatment is still working, and that there are no side-effects. That way, each year he can tweak and update the prescription if necessary.

How about my results? I couldn’t be happier. For the first month or so things only changed gradually, and my body had to get used to the treatment. It wasn’t anything major, but my energy would come and  go. Soon enough, though, everything leveled out and I was back to the energy level and sex drive that I was used to, that I’d always had all my life.

Now, I’m 40 years old, and I feel amazing. I still work out 4-5 times a week, and I’m not exhausted any more like I was before starting the treatments. But best of all, I know I can call up Advanced Skin Fitness any time, and talk to Dr. Armani if I ever have any questions or feel like I need to see him for any reason.

Are you thinking you might want male hormone replacement therapy / testosterone therapy in Dallas, but you have questions and want to talk to someone who’s been doing it for a couple of years?  Call up Advanced Skin Fitness and tell them you want to speak to me – Greg Stevens – and they will tell you how to contact me. I’ll be happy to tell you about my experience, and answer any questions I can.

 

—Greg Stevens, March 25, 2014