The term ‘Men’s Health’ has not always received the necessary attention that it deserves. It was not until Viagra came on the scene in 1999 that any topic related to any male health condition was spoke about in a public setting. Since then, a lot of things have changed!
Over the past two decades it has become increasingly clear that men’s health needs are different than women, as evidenced by the fact that men are at higher risk for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDs, suicide, and other morbidities than women (1). Additionally, men are faced with other health issues which are often stigmatized and are difficult for most men to discuss with other men and even their own primary health provider, i.e. erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, depression, anxiety, etc. Lastly, men are far less likely to go to a primary health provider to address health issues or health prevention for that matter (2).
It is likely for these last two reasons the landscape of Men’s Health has changed over the last decade. In any larger town and city, you can go to any shopping center and are likely to find a Men’s Health clinic. These Men’s Health clinics often have a main focus of treating men with low testosterone levels or erectile dysfunction. Often times doing so without comprehensive testing.
Unfortunately, because of the lack of comprehensive testing, many sub-clinical or undiagnosed health issues are missed. For example, erectile dysfunction can be a result of an underlying medical condition; atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease (3). Without checking the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) before placing a patient on testosterone therapy or monitoring it while on testosterone therapy, a prostate cancer diagnosis could be missed and left untreated.
Compounding these risks, online Men’s Health platforms are springing up which are not held to the same standard as walk in clinics. Online tele-health platforms are not required to perform physical assessments. Of course, due to the very nature of tele-health, it is impossible to perform a thorough hands on physical assessment. Combined with little attention to lab work, it can be risky.
This is where Next Level TRT shines. From the very beginning, Next Level TRT has maintained the stance that each and every interaction with each and every patient needs to be personalized, thorough, and comprehensive in order to treat each patient (both men and women) to the highest standard. Before treatment is initiated there are several actions that occur.
First, an initial fee 15-20 minute consultation is conducted over the phone to talk about chief concerns, to establish goals, and to answer any questions the patient has. Next, should the patient and provider decide it is okay to proceed, a comprehensive lab panel is ordered and blood is drawn at a LabCorp nearest the patient at a time that is convenient for them.
Once lab results have returned to the provider, the patient is contacted by video conference and the labs are discussed in detail with the patient. Should any abnormal lab values arise which require a specialist, the patient is then referred to a specialist prior to treatment being initiated.
Also at this time, a thorough health assessment is performed, treatment options are discussed and a treatment regimen and treatment plan is created.
After the treatment plan has been followed for three months, labs are re-drawn and re-evaluated in order to determine if any changes need to be made or enhancements to therapy are required.
At Next Level TRT, it is our goal to stand out in the sea of options available to you online. It is our mission to be your safest and most thorough option in the health and fitness arena. While helping you achieve every health goal you have, we want to make sure you get there safely.
That’s Next Level!
Below are several lab panels we use, based on the goals of the patient:




References:
1.Acciai F, Firebaugh G. Why did life expectancy decline in the US in 2015? A gender specific analysis. Soc Sci Med 2017; 190:174-80
2.Baker P. Men's Health: an overlooked inequality. Br J Nurs 2016;25:1054-57
3.Inman BA, Sauver JL, Jacobson DJ, et al. A populations-based, longitudinal study of erectile dysfunction and future cardiovascular disease