Male Testosterone Therapy Options - Injections and Pellets, Bino Rucker, M.D.

Bino Rucker, M.D. recently sat down to do a video primer on testosterone therapy options for our males patients we offer in our medical practice.  This is something that Dr. Rucker has a great deal of experience treating and diagnosing with our males patients who have low testosterone.

How do you diagnose and treat low testosterone?

The simple start to diagnosing low testosterone is a physical  exam and history with the patient.  A patient who suffers from low testosterone often will find their quality of life has diminished due to a change in their hormone level.  A blood test is done to corroborate the Doctor's suspicion.

Typical signs of low testosterone:

Low Testosterone?  Dr. Rucker has a solution!

• decreased energy
• decreased concentration
• decreased libido
• decreased sexual function
• decreased muscle mass
• decreased motivation for exercise
• difficulty with sleep patterns
• memory loss

A patient that meets the criteria for testosterone therapy has several options.  Dr. Rucker has two modalities that are his favored options which we will discuss.

1. Injection Therapy - Patient has an intramuscular testosterone injection.  Dr. Rucker believes this provides more of a predictable response to the testosterone rather than  using creams, gels, or under arm type rub on formulas.  This is a style of testosterone therapy that Dr. Rucker advocates and see tremendous results.
2. Testosterone Pellet Therapy - Pellet therapy is very convenient for those not wanting to inject themselves.  Dr. Rucker makes a small nick in the area around the flank.  Small pellets (size of grains of rice) are placed in a linear manner just under the skin.  Dr. Rucker typically uses one stitch to close up the incision.  The pellet releases testosterone in a controlled manner which typically lasts four to six months for our male patients.  We follow our patients clinically and with bloodwork to find out when our patients will require the next round of testosterone pellet therapy.  

These are two very successful options for treating our male patients dealing with low testosterone.

Currently we offer testosterone pellet therapy for males at $895, FREE Office Consultation and Lab Review included.  Any males considering testosterone injections will have to call our office for current pricing.  

If you suffer with low testosterone and live in the Tampa, Sarasota, or Bradenton area and need help call our office at (941) 448-1199 or email info@ruckerozonedoc.com

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Of course I like pizza, but unfortunately you eat a pizza and the first thing you want to do is take a nap.  After the nap, I feel pretty lethargic for the remainder of the day.  I had heard about using cauliflower to make a pizza crust, but the feedback I had received was mixed.  The main complaint I heard was the crust is soggy.  Others told me it was really good.  So the quest was on to make a cauliflower pizza crust without it being soggy.  I think I found a viable option!

Cauliflower Pizza with Toppings

Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe

Serves 2 to 4 people

Ingredients:

1 Head of Cauliflower Florets

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup of parmesean cheese (shredded)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

pinch of sale

Directions:

Preheat your over to 400 Fahrenheit

1. Pulse batches of raw cauliflower in a food processor, until it is a rice-like texture

2. Fill a large pot with about and inch or two of water, bring to a boil.  Add the cauliflower rice and cover.  Let it cook for about 4-5 minutes.  Drain in a fine mesh strainer.  Let it cool down for the next step.

3. Wrap up the cauliflower rice in a clean dish towel and SQUEEZE out all the excess water.  This is definitely the key step so you get a nice dry pizza crust.  You will be amazed which the amount of water that comes out.  

Cauliflower Pizza Crust, Ready for the Oven

4.  In a large bowl, mix up strained rice, beaten egg, parmesean cheese, dried oregano and spices.  Mix thouroughly.

5.  Press the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  It is important you used parchment paper and not waxed paper.  I tried to make my crust about 1/3" inch thick as that is what I read on several recipes on-line.

6.  Bake for 35-40 minutes at 400 Fahrenheit.  I had to cook mine longer as you want to make sure the crust looks firm and golden brown.

7.  Add toppings of your choice, and bake an additional 10 minutes at 400 Fahrenheit.  For my pizza I added red sauce, artichokes, mushrooms, and onions.

I was pleasantly surprised with this pizza.  It fed two of us easily and the best part is I did not feel like I had a gut bomb lodged in my stomach the next morning.  Some people make a bunch of cauliflower rice and store it in the freezer, grab it as needed.

I definitely look forward to making this more often and changing up the toppings and crust thickness in the future.  Excellent option for those wanting to avoid carbs and gluten!

Thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions!