Man, resting from a run with his hands on his kneesAs you’ve gotten older, you’ve likely noticed that you don’t feel like you did a few years back. While the natural aging process affects your body and mind, there are also various other factors that play roles in your overall physical and mental health. At Vitality Medical & Wellness Center, we offer a wide range of specialized treatments that can effectively help men of all ages look and feel better by achieving a better balance for their bodies inside and out.

Testing Offered

To properly diagnose most deficiencies and disorders, you will need to undergo various tests. The testing types used here at Vitality Medical & Wellness Center include:

  • Blood: Samples of blood are drawn in-office by a trained professional and sent to an off-site lab for evaluation.
  • Saliva: Performed at home, you will take swabs of saliva at key points throughout the day. This is typically done over a period of one to three days. Your samples are sent to an off-site lab for testing.
  • Urine: Performed at home, you will take a urine sample at key points throughout the day. This is typically done over a period of three days. Your samples are sent to an off-site lab for testing.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) | Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

Hormonal deficiencies and imbalances are a common problem for men of all ages. Through hormone replacement therapy, problems like depression, fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and decreased muscle mass can be corrected or improved. Hormone replacement through the administration of testosterone can be completed through treatments that are individualized using safe medical dosing. We monitor you closely to make sure your individual treatment plan is safe. Hormone replacement therapy delivery options include:

  • Testosterone Pellets
  • Gels / Creams
  • Patches
  • Troche / Lozenges
  • Injections

HRT and TRT are effective treatments for low testosterone levels. At Vitality Medical & Wellness Center, we test SHBG testosterone and free testosterone separately. Many clinics choose to test only total levels of testosterone, which can provide an inaccurate makeup of your hormone levels and lead to misdiagnosis or poor treatment.

Fatigue, Stress, and Insomnia

It’s normal to feel tired and stressed as a result of a busy life and active work schedule. Concerns arise when the effects linger, even after rest. Adrenal fatigue is a common medical issue that affects men, and it is caused by a hormonal imbalance from an improperly functioning adrenal gland. Men suffering from adrenal fatigue show symptoms in three major categories:

  • Fatigue: This can express itself in many ways, including moodiness, depression, and low energy levels.
  • Stress: This usually accompanied by feelings of being overwhelmed, rapid heartbeat, racing thoughts, and changes in appetite.
  • Insomnia: This occurs when people have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.

Testing

Blood, saliva and urine tests can determine if a hormone imbalance is causing your chronic fatigue, stress, and insomnia. The main hormones tested are testosterone, estrogens, DHEA, pregnenolone, and cortisol.

Treatment

Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat unbalanced levels of hormones. Each HRT treatment is customized depending on the patient’s labs and lifestyle.

Sexual Health

Diagnosing sexual health and sexual dysfunction are complex processes. Typically, a combination of psychological and physical problems cause sexual dysfunction in men. While it isn’t a normal part of the aging process, sexual dysfunction is common in men over the age of 65 and can be seen in men as young as 40 years of age. Symptoms of male sexual dysfunction include:

  • Premature or delayed ejaculation
  • Erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve or maintain an erection)
  • Lack or loss of sexual desire

Sexual dysfunction can be temporary or long-lasting. The cause of sexual dysfunction varies, and it may be a result of a combination of factors. Some causes include:

  • Age
  • Prescription medications, especially antidepressants
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Drug abuse
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • Certain medical conditions

Treatments

It may take a combination of treatments to correct your sexual dysfunction. The treatment process includes correcting both psychological and physical causes of sexual dysfunction. Treatment options include:

  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Starting or lowering the dosage of antidepressants
  • Medication
  • Sildenafil (Viagra®)
  • Tadalafil (Cialis®)
  • Vardenafil (Levitra®)
  • Vasodilators
  • Vacuum devices
  • Injections – when you have tried everything this is an alternative that works for most people and can be customized

Mineral and Heavy Metal Testing

From the water we drink to the food we eat and the air we breathe, minerals and heavy metals exist everywhere. The presence of some minerals and heavy metals can be toxic to the body and negatively affect the well-being of some individuals, and they can even cause long-term health issues. People suffering from acute heavy metal poisoning may experience:

  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Constipation

Testing

Using an innovative method of spectrophotometry called the Oligo Scan, we can measure the amount of minerals and heavy metals present in the tissues of the body. This painless test takes just five minutes. Minerals and heavy metals can also be measured in the blood through a special laboratory test.

Micronutrient Testing

Over 50 percent of the American population suffers from some form of micronutrient deficiency. It is especially common in people with high protein and carb diets because the foods they eat often do not provide them with the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals. Patients suffering from micronutrient deficiencies can experience fatigue, acne breakouts, rashes, brittle hair, chronic illness, anemia, blindness, and goiter. Blood tests are used to determine your micronutrient levels. Micronutrient testing is great for people who have a cabinet full of supplements and don’t know what’s working.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia occurs when your blood glucose levels are too high and your body’s insulin production doesn’t adequately regulate your blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia can be chronic and is caused by not having enough insulin or having ineffective insulin. Situational hyperglycemia can be caused by the cold, flu, or stress. Men suffering from hyperglycemia may experience:

  • High blood glucose
  • High levels of sugar in the urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Increased thirst

Untreated hyperglycemia can result in a diabetic coma. If your body doesn’t have enough insulin, your body cannot use glucose for fuel and begins breaking down fats for energy. This results in ketone formation. Ketone buildup causes ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.

Testing

Urine or blood tests can be used to diagnose hyperglycemia. Patients with positive results are referred to a specialist for treatment.

Food and Allergy Testing

The negative reactions our bodies have to certain foods and allergens create sensitive conditions that are often difficult to solve. By conducting specialized food and allergy testing, we can determine the root of each patient’s problem and create a plan that is beneficial for them.

Neuro Testing

The brain functions on a delicate balance of neurotransmitters, and when they are out of balance, it can lead to serious complications. Neurotransmitters work in combination with hormones to regulate all aspects of your body. When they get thrown out of balance, you may experience headaches, migraines, weight gain, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Realigning your brain with the rest of your body can improve your overall health and happiness.

Testing

Urine, blood, and/or saliva tests are used to determine the balance of hormones and neurotransmitters in your body.

DNA Testing

At Vitality Medical & Wellness Center, we perform DNA testing to devise weight-loss plans for our patients. DNA testing evaluates the patient’s genetic makeup to determine their weight-loss type (fitness, Mediterranean, high-fat, or low-fat). Based on this, we create a specific diet and exercise regimen that produces ideal conditions for that particular patient to burn fat efficiently and lose weight.

DNA testing can also be used as a preventative measure. It can help evaluate your genetic risk for developing certain diseases, including:

  • Cardiac-related health conditions
  • Colorectal cancer

DNA testing can also identify if you are a carrier for over 70 different genetic diseases you may pass onto your children.

DNA testing is used to identify and evaluate the efficacy of psychiatric medication including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic medications.

Cosmetic Injectables and Fillers

Restoring lasting youth to your face has never been quicker or easier for men. FDA-approved injectables (BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®) and dermal fillers (Restylane® and Sculptra® Aesthetic) can effectively diminish facial wrinkles and add fullness to the face.

STD Testing

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) can be passed between partners through the exchange of bodily fluids (blood, vaginal fluid, or semen) during sexual contact (orally, genitally, or anally). Men can become exposed to STDs during any unprotected sexual contact, and in many cases, men do not show visible symptoms of their disease. It is important to get tested soon after any unprotected sexual contact. While some STDs are easily treatable, others can be extremely deadly. Early detection protects both you and your partner’s health and is vital for effective treatment.

Symptoms

  • Pain when urinating
  • Penile discharge
  • Swollen testicles
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Warts on the genitals, mouth, or throat
  • Formation of an ulcer (chancre)

Testing

You should undergo STD testing if you have had any unprotected sexual contact. A blood sample is taken and sent to a lab for testing. Results should be available in 3 to 14 days depending on test type. Patients with positive results will be referred to a general practitioner for evaluation and treatment.

If you would like to discover which of our treatments would be beneficial for you, we encourage you to call (702) 731-12000 or fill out our online contact form today. Dr. Cristy Thomas, DNP, FNP-BC, APRN and her caring staff look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve results to restore your confidence and help you feel your best.