Hormone Health
Testosterone Therapy: What Patients Should Know
Testosterone therapy is a prescription treatment for men with documented low testosterone and symptoms of deficiency. Here is what testing, candidacy, and monitoring involve.
Reviewed by the clinical team at Zest 4 Wellness · September 10, 2026 · 7 min read
Testosterone therapy is a prescription treatment for men with documented low testosterone and symptoms of deficiency, started only after blood testing confirms low levels on repeated morning samples. At Zest 4 Wellness in Columbia, Maryland, the decision to consider testosterone therapy is made with Dr. Francisco Ward after a medical evaluation and lab work.
Who may be a candidate?
Professional guidelines from the Endocrine Society recommend testosterone therapy only for men with well-documented hypogonadism, which means symptoms and signs of testosterone deficiency combined with consistently low total or free testosterone measured on fasting morning samples and confirmed with a repeat test.
- Symptoms of low testosterone such as fatigue, low libido, or loss of strength
- Morning blood work showing low total or free testosterone on repeat testing
- No recent or current cancer that would rule out therapy
- A willingness to follow up for regular monitoring
What the evaluation includes
Before any prescription, the evaluation covers your medical history, a physical examination, and blood work that looks beyond a single testosterone number.
| Test | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Total and free testosterone (morning) | Confirms whether levels are truly low |
| CBC with hematocrit | High red blood cell counts can be a reason to avoid therapy |
| Estradiol | Estrogen balance can change with testosterone therapy |
| PSA review | Prostate considerations are part of the risk discussion |
| Lipids, HbA1c, metabolic panel | Metabolic health affects and is affected by hormones |
How treatment is monitored
Testosterone therapy is not start-and-forget. Guidelines recommend measuring testosterone and hematocrit a few months after starting, again at 12 months, and then regularly, with ongoing review of symptoms and risk factors. If a safety marker such as hematocrit rises too high, therapy is adjusted or paused until it returns to a safe level.
Important considerations
- Testosterone therapy may not be appropriate for men planning fertility in the near term
- Certain conditions, including some prostate or breast cancers and uncontrolled heart failure, rule out therapy
- Results vary; therapy addresses deficiency, it is not a performance or anti-aging product
- Supervision and follow-up labs are a required part of treatment, not optional extras
Where to start in Columbia, Maryland
Zest 4 Wellness is located at 8860 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suite 216, Columbia, MD 21045, in Howard County. Dr. Francisco Ward, a Johns Hopkins-trained Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physician, evaluates men for hormone and wellness concerns at the Columbia clinic. Call (443) 917-6500 to ask questions or book a consultation.
Explore men's hormone therapy at Zest
Learn about the signs of low testosterone
Sources & further reading
Next step
If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, start with testing, not assumptions. Book a free 15-minute consultation with our care team at the Columbia clinic to discuss your symptoms, your labs, and whether evaluation makes sense for you.
Talk with our care team about this topic
A member of our clinical team can answer your questions at the Columbia, Maryland clinic. If Men's Hormone Therapy may be appropriate for you, the first step is a consultation.
Care at Zest 4 Wellness is physician-guided. Meet Dr. Francisco Ward, who evaluates patients at the Columbia, Maryland clinic.