Many people suffer from illnesses or conditions that are related, directly or indirectly, to the production of hormones in their bodies. One very common condition that can occur in both men and women is low testosterone. It may be surprising to hear that this can be a condition in women as well as men, but the fact is that both hormones testosterone and estrogen are produced and utilized in men as well as women. They are just produced in different amounts – women tend to have much higher estrogen production than testosterone, and of course the reverse is true for men.  Both estrogen and testosterone are hormones which are a chemical substance that is secreted inside our bodies by a tissue or gland and then travels through the body to cause a reaction or action in another section of the body. It helps to think of hormones as tiny little chemical messages in a bottle. Once the bottle gets to the correct destination, then it is opened and the message is received. Hormones can circulate all over the body, but they are only effective when they reach the right receptors. Testosterone and all other hormones are what make up the endocrine system. Testosterone levels are different in men and women, and so are the side effects that are experiences with the levels of testosterone in the body are incorrect.  In women, testosterone levels that are too high or too low can result in thinning hair, irregular menstrual periods, obesity, weight gain that occurs in an apple shaped body (gaining more weight around the middle of the belly as opposed to the hips and thighs which is standard for most women), acne, and resistance to insulin, and high blood pressure. When men experience low testosterone the symptoms usually manifest themselves as a lowered sex drive, erectile dysfunction, depression and irritability, thinning hair, declining muscle mass, and difficulty holding one’s concentration.  The good news is that whether you are a man or woman, testosterone levels can be corrected in the body through hormone replacement therapy. With testosterone hormone replacement, supplements are given to the patient that can help to replace the missing testosterone in the body. Supplements can come in a variety of forms and potencies, and the dosage that is recommended is going to vary from one person to another. Among the many different forms the supplements can be taken in are a transdermal skin patch that is worn on the arm or the upper body, a mouth patch, which sticks to the upper gums above the teeth and is absorbed through the gum tissue, gels that are applied topically to the skin or through the nose, and injections or pellets. Injection can be applied directly into the muscles and pellets are also injected into the skin, but they are put just under the skin and then are slowly absorbed into the body over a period of several months.  If your testosterone levels are off, you do not have to be stuck with the consequences of it, instead see your healthcare professional today to find out if hormone replacement is the right treatment for you.