Testosterone replacement therapy clinics glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a testosterone replacement therapy provider in Florida.
- What are testosterone pellets?
- Testosterone pellets are tiny compressed cylinders of testosterone inserted under the skin, typically in the hip or buttock area, to deliver steady hormone levels over several months without daily dosing.
- What is a controlled substance schedule III?
- Schedule III is a federal classification for substances with moderate abuse potential and accepted medical use, including testosterone, that requires a written or verbal prescription with refill limits and specific dispensing rules.
- What is a subcutaneous injection?
- A subcutaneous injection places medication into the fatty tissue layer directly under the skin, rather than into muscle tissue, and is a common administration route for testosterone in TRT.
- What is an aromatase inhibitor?
- An aromatase inhibitor is a medication that blocks the enzyme aromatase, preventing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in the body.
- What is an intramuscular injection?
- An intramuscular injection delivers medication directly into muscle tissue, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. In testosterone replacement therapy, this is a standard administration route.
- What is clomiphene (Clomid)?
- Clomiphene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that blocks estrogen feedback at the pituitary gland, signaling the body to produce more testosterone; it is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat low testosterone in men.
- What is compounded testosterone?
- Compounded testosterone is a testosterone preparation custom-formulated by a licensed compounding pharmacy to meet individual patient specifications, rather than a mass-produced FDA-approved pharmaceutical product.
- What is enclomiphene?
- Enclomiphene is the active isomer of clomiphene that blocks estrogen receptors in the pituitary gland, signaling the body to produce more testosterone naturally rather than replacing it directly.
- What is erythrocytosis?
- Erythrocytosis is an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells in the body, a potential side effect of testosterone replacement therapy that can affect oxygen transport and blood viscosity.
- What is estradiol (E2) in men?
- Estradiol (E2) is an estrogen hormone produced when the enzyme aromatase converts testosterone; in men receiving testosterone replacement therapy, elevated E2 levels require monitoring to avoid adverse effects like gynecomastia and fluid retention.
- What is free testosterone?
- Free testosterone is the small fraction of testosterone that circulates unbound in the bloodstream and is available to bind to tissue receptors and produce biological effects.
- What is hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)?
- hCG is a hormone that mimics luteinizing hormone (LH) and signals the testes to produce testosterone and sperm; it is often added to testosterone replacement therapy to preserve testicular function and fertility.
- What is hematocrit?
- Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells, measured as part of routine blood work to monitor for erythrocytosis during testosterone replacement therapy.
- What is hypogonadism?
- Hypogonadism is a condition in which the testes fail to produce adequate levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests showing testosterone levels below normal range, often coupled with clinical symptoms.
- What is low T?
- Low T is the common name for hypogonadism, a condition in which the body produces abnormally low levels of testosterone.
- What is off-label prescribing?
- Off-label prescribing occurs when a licensed physician prescribes an FDA-approved medication for a condition, dose, age group, or route of administration not included in the drug's official labeling.
- What is PSA (prostate-specific antigen)?
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland whose blood levels are measured to screen for prostate abnormalities, particularly important before starting and during testosterone replacement therapy.
- What is SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin)?
- SHBG is a protein produced primarily by the liver that binds to testosterone and other sex hormones, affecting how much testosterone remains free and active in the body.
- What is telehealth prescribing?
- Telehealth prescribing is the process of a licensed healthcare provider evaluating a patient, diagnosing a condition, and issuing a prescription through a remote video or phone consultation rather than an in-person appointment.
- What is testosterone cypionate?
- Testosterone cypionate is a synthetic testosterone ester suspended in oil, administered by intramuscular injection, and classified as a Schedule III controlled substance commonly prescribed for testosterone replacement therapy.
- What is testosterone enanthate?
- Testosterone enanthate is a synthetic form of testosterone attached to an enanthate ester that delays absorption, allowing injections to be given once or twice weekly for hormone replacement therapy.
- What is testosterone replacement therapy?
- Testosterone replacement therapy is a physician-prescribed medical treatment that raises abnormally low testosterone levels back to normal ranges using hormonal medications.
- What is topical testosterone gel and cream?
- Topical testosterone gel and cream are hormone replacement preparations applied directly to the skin that absorb into the bloodstream, carrying a risk of transfer to others through direct contact.
- What is total testosterone?
- Total testosterone is a blood test measurement that captures all forms of testosterone circulating in the body, expressed in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), including testosterone bound to proteins and a small free portion.