- Home
- Services
- About Us
- Specials
- Pricing
- Locations
- Blog
Testosterone replacement therapy is medically supervised hormone treatment for men whose testosterone levels have dropped below the healthy range. It is not the same as an over-the-counter supplement. It is medicine. Done correctly, it restores energy, sex drive, muscle tone, and bone density.
The TRT program at our Gilbert office is led by Chad Dance, FNP-C, MSN, MS. Your provider evaluates your symptoms, orders baseline lab work, and prescribes the delivery form that fits your situation. The TRT menu at Keystone is unusually complete: injections, long-acting hormone pellets, transdermal gels, and patches. Most clinics carry one or two options. Carrying all four means we can match the therapy to the patient rather than asking the patient to fit whatever the clinic prefers.
This page covers what TRT is, which delivery forms we prescribe, how to know if you are a candidate, and what to expect from your first visit. To get started, call (480) 499-4441 or request a consultation.
Testosterone is produced mainly in the testicles. It is responsible for body and facial hair, muscle tone, bone density, and deeper voice. It also influences sperm production, sex drive, and where fat deposits accumulate on the body.
As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decrease. Estrogen levels tend to rise. This decrease in testosterone is called andropause, sometimes referred to as male menopause. Some men experience low testosterone earlier, due to hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes cannot produce the required amount of testosterone.
Signs of low testosterone include:
These symptoms overlap with a lot of other conditions. That is why lab work matters. The testosterone therapy guidelines from the Endocrine Society recommend measured baseline testosterone before any prescription. Prescribing TRT without measured levels is not medicine, it is guessing. At our Gilbert office, we test before we treat.
Most men who succeed with our TRT program share three things. They have noticed a real change in energy, sex drive, or physical performance over the past few years. They have had blood work done that confirmed low or borderline-low testosterone. They want a provider who will explain what TRT can and cannot do rather than sell them a package.
Clinically, TRT is appropriate for adult men with confirmed low testosterone on lab testing who are experiencing symptoms consistent with androgen deficiency. Men with normal testosterone levels are usually not appropriate candidates, and that gets said directly during the consultation rather than papered over with a treatment plan.
Men with a history of prostate cancer, breast cancer, severe untreated sleep apnea, uncontrolled heart failure, or elevated hematocrit require additional evaluation before we would consider starting TRT. The Mayo Clinic overview of testosterone therapy covers the broader clinical framework we follow. Chad's ICU background is genuinely useful here. Managing patients with complex cardiovascular histories on hormone therapy is not a med-spa skill set.
Testosterone can be delivered in several ways. Each has trade-offs in cost, convenience, blood-level stability, and side-effect profile. At Keystone Gilbert, we offer all four.
Weekly or biweekly intramuscular injections are the most common form of TRT worldwide. Testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate are the two most common formulations. Injections deliver a predictable dose, produce measurable results quickly, and cost less than pellets or gels.
The trade-off is that testosterone levels can peak and trough between injections. Some men feel the drop as they approach their next dose. For most patients, weekly (rather than biweekly) injections smooth this out. Self-injection is straightforward. We teach the technique during your first visit.
Bioidentical hormone pellets are the size of a grain of rice. They are inserted under the skin in the hip area during a short in-office procedure. Each pellet releases small amounts of testosterone directly into the bloodstream, mimicking the human body's natural release process. One insertion typically lasts three to six months.
Pellets appeal to patients who do not want to think about weekly injections. The trade-off is higher upfront cost and a less flexible dose. Once the pellets are in, we cannot easily adjust them. That is why we usually recommend patients start on injections, dial in their optimal dose, then convert to pellets if they prefer the convenience.
Daily topical gel is applied to the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen each morning. Absorption is steady, blood levels are consistent, and there are no needles involved. Branded versions include Androgel and Testim.
The trade-off is transfer risk. Skin-to-skin contact with a partner or child shortly after application can transfer testosterone. Patients with young children or intimate partners often need to work around this by covering the application site or timing carefully. Cost is generally higher than injections. Absorption varies patient to patient, so we monitor labs closely early on.
Adhesive skin patches deliver a consistent dose over a 24-hour period. Applied and replaced daily on the arm, back, or thigh. Patches produce very stable blood levels, similar to gels but without the transfer risk.
The main downside is skin irritation. Some men develop rashes at the patch site. Patches are also more visible and less discreet than the other options. For patients who tolerate them, they work well. For patients who cannot, we move to another delivery form.
You do not have to choose alone. That is the point of seeing a provider.
Your provider will review your medical history, prior TRT experience if any, your comfort with self-injection, whether you have young children or an intimate partner (relevant for gels), your insurance situation, and your goal timeline. From there, the recommendation is the delivery form most likely to work for you.
For most men starting TRT, we begin with weekly injections. They are affordable, adjustable, and produce measurable results within four to six weeks. Once we identify the right dose and confirm you tolerate the medication well, we can discuss switching to pellets or gels for convenience if you prefer.
This is the conversation that does not happen at a clinic that only offers one form. We can recommend the right delivery method because we carry the toolkit.
For a broader overview of our hormone replacement program across all hormone services, see our main HRT page.
Pricing for every TRT delivery form is on the services pricing page. Injection programs are the most affordable starting point. Pellets and gels cost more upfront. We accept HSA and FSA payment, offer financing through Cherry, and post current new patient offers that may reduce your first month's cost.
Insurance coverage for TRT varies. Some plans cover Androgel or Testim when prescribed for clinically diagnosed low testosterone. Most do not cover compounded injections or bioidentical pellets. Keystone is an out-of-network practice and does not bill insurance directly. Patients use HSA, FSA, or financing through Cherry.
Your first visit takes about 45 minutes. Your provider reviews your medical history, performs a basic physical exam, and orders baseline lab work including total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, hematocrit, and PSA. Labs come back within a few days.
Once labs are in, you return for a second visit to review results and discuss options. If your labs confirm low testosterone and there are no contraindications, we can start you on TRT at that visit. We do not prescribe testosterone without seeing the labs.
Follow-up labs are drawn at six weeks and again at three months after starting. This tells us whether your blood levels are in the optimal range, whether we need to adjust the dose, and whether any side effects are emerging. Once your levels stabilize, follow-up is every three to six months.
Chad Dance, FNP-C, MSN, MS, is the lead Family Nurse Practitioner overseeing the men's hormone replacement program at our Gilbert office. Two master's degrees, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, with over thirteen years of combined nursing and NP experience.
Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Chad spent more than five years as an ICU nurse at a Level II trauma center in Idaho, caring for critically ill medical, surgical, neurological, and open-heart surgery patients. That background is unusual for a hormone provider, and it matters. Testosterone affects cardiovascular function, hematocrit, and prostate physiology. A provider with critical care experience brings a clinical safety floor that aestheticians and registered nurses cannot match.
Chad is fluent in Spanish, both conversational and medical. Spanish-speaking patients can request a Spanish-language appointment when booking. Habla español.
Our Gilbert office is at 3076 East Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115, in south Gilbert. We are about five minutes from Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and ten minutes from San Tan Village. Many of our TRT patients come from Power Ranch, Seville, Adora Trails, Trilogy at Power Ranch, Coronado Ranch, Country Shadows, and the surrounding master-planned communities.
We also serve men from Queen Creek, Chandler, and San Tan Valley. The drive from most parts of Queen Creek is under fifteen minutes. From east Chandler, even less. If you would prefer our Mesa Eastmark office, that location offers the same TRT program with the same provider model.
3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115, Gilbert, AZ 85298
Located on the south side of Chandler Heights Road, just east of Greenfield Road. Get Directions
Phone: (480) 499-4441
Injection programs are the most affordable starting point at our Gilbert office. Pellet insertions cost more per visit but last three to six months. Gels and patches fall in the middle. The services pricing page lists every delivery form and program length. HSA, FSA, and financing through Cherry are accepted.
Symptoms of low testosterone include fatigue, low sex drive, loss of muscle tone, mood changes, and trouble concentrating. These overlap with many other conditions, so symptoms alone are not enough for diagnosis. Blood work is required. We order total testosterone, free testosterone, and related labs during your first visit to confirm whether TRT is appropriate.
Most patients notice improvements in energy and mental clarity within two to three weeks. Sex drive and libido typically improve by weeks three to six. Muscle tone and body composition changes are measurable at three to six months. Bone density and cardiovascular improvements develop over the first year.
Yes. We do not prescribe testosterone without baseline lab work. Your first visit includes labs for total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, hematocrit, PSA, and related markers. Follow-up labs are drawn at six weeks and three months after starting to confirm your levels are in the optimal range.
Common side effects include mild acne, oily skin, water retention, and elevated hematocrit (red blood cell count). Most are manageable with dose adjustment. Rare but serious risks include worsening of undiagnosed prostate cancer and cardiovascular events, which is why baseline labs and screening matter. Men with active prostate cancer, severe untreated sleep apnea, or uncontrolled heart failure are not candidates for TRT.
Yes. Exogenous testosterone suppresses natural sperm production. Men who want to preserve fertility should discuss this with their provider before starting TRT. Alternative protocols using HCG, clomiphene, or enclomiphene can raise testosterone while preserving fertility. We offer these protocols when appropriate.
Insurance coverage varies. Some plans cover Androgel or Testim when prescribed for clinically diagnosed hypogonadism. Most plans do not cover compounded injections or bioidentical pellets. We are an out-of-network practice and do not bill insurance directly. Patients use HSA, FSA, or financing through Cherry.
No. Family Nurse Practitioners are licensed independent providers in Arizona. New patients schedule directly. Bring any relevant recent lab work from previous providers, and we will review it during intake.
Good candidates are adult men with confirmed low testosterone on lab work who are experiencing symptoms of androgen deficiency. They want a provider relationship with ongoing monitoring rather than a mail-order prescription. They understand TRT is a long-term therapy, not a one-time treatment. They want honest evaluation and appropriate follow-up.
Good candidates are adult men with confirmed low testosterone on lab work who are experiencing symptoms of androgen deficiency. They want a provider relationship with ongoing monitoring rather than a mail-order prescription. They understand TRT is a long-term therapy, not a one-time treatment. They want honest evaluation and appropriate follow-up.
Call (480) 499-4441 or request a consultation online. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Keystone Medical Wellness, Gilbert
3076 E. Chandler Heights Road, Suite 115
Gilbert, AZ 85298
(480) 499-4441
