IMT Staff
Hello Dr Matt I am very excited to be able to sit down and speak with you about testosterone replacement and what you see with IMT Patients. I hear you were an emergency clinician for 15 years and your big on preventative health. Do you mind giving me and the readers a short description of your time in emergency care?
Dr Matt
I began my career as a teacher, teaching young docs how to do what we do. After about 2 years I moved into private practice and eventually into administration becoming a Medical Director and Chairman for about the last 8 years. In my time as a clinician I routinely dealt with the common emergencies like strokes and heart attacks as well as a host of problems related to diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol. As an administrator I worked with other physicians to promote patient care as well as with administrative leadership to set and achieve departmental goals. I became very accustomed to both identifying patient expectations and exceeding them.
IMT Staff
I heard you were at the A4M this week. What is one of the most valuable take aways you got from your time there?
Dr Matt
That testosterone replacement historically was considered for men and even then only for men who were aware enough and capable enough to fight through the system. What I realized after this weekend is that Testosterone is essential for anyone who is low. Male, Female, young, old. The reality is that when testosterone is low it effects a persons ability to manage blood sugar placing them at risk for diabetes as well as effecting their ability to manage cholesterol. These things together are a recipe for stroke, heart attack and vascular disease. All told, I feel like I'm treating emergencies before they are emergencies. Truly, I left the conference with a sense of urgency to help people understand that Testosterone therapy is about so much more than just achieving a normal T level, but its about quality and longevity of life for men and women.
IMT Staff
Todd tells me you know a ton about men and what it takes to keep your body running efficiently as you age. What about testosterone therapy benefits men who are deficient the most in your opinion?
Dr Matt
The biggest benefit for men... I think it depends on how the deficiency was expressed. For some men it is a return to a normal body appearance and the well being that comes from it. It could easily be that a 50 year old man is able to get off of diabetic meds, hypertension meds, cholesterol meds, etc.,etc. simply by getting his T balanced. Then again, it could be the mental and emotional wellness of feeling like your free to engage in sports, have a bright outlook on life and generally realize an improved quality of life.
IMT Staff
Todd tells me you actually had a full lab work up recently and your testosterone came back low. Are you starting TRT soon and if so, what are the biggest symptoms you have now?
Dr Matt
Its true. I had lab work done...just because and learned that my T was about 260. Sure I fatigued... a lot. I also had a little bit of weight to contend with. I had several of the common issues that I had chalked up to getting older. But the reality of learning that there was a reversible situation that could allow me to function normally.... well, that just gave me hope that I was not stuck living the next 25 years like I have lived the last 5. In truth, I felt great learning that there was a common, treatable issue.
IMT Staff
Doctor thank you very much for your time and we look forward to sharing more with you next week if your available but I have one more question for you: Will you be logging your journey to get your trt program dialed in so others can follow your experience?
Dr Matt
Todd mentioned that. I can't see how it would be interesting, but maybe it might be encouraging. So yeah. If it helps people realize that low T is connected with diabetes, cholesterol, CAD, strokes, etc. and my participation can help men get well...then absolutely. We have a responsibility to reach people, help them understand that while "heart disease" is called the "silent killer" the reality is that low testosterone is THE silent killer, no body talks about it, warns men or encourages them to take action. So, thats my goal... to help men with awareness and empower them to live well and maybe blogging will help that.
IMT Staff
Thank you so much and I cant tell you enough how happy we and the guys at ology are to have you around.
