by Family Physicians
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by Family Physicians
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Many patients have asked why I dismissed testosterone replacement for my patients during the last quarter century of my career but now offer it in our clinic at Family Physicians of Cedar Rapids.
My answer is that I had a Galileo moment. Galileo studied astronomy among other sciences around 1600 and had been taught that the earth was the center of the solar system. His observations of the planets did not support traditional theory, and he was one of the astronomers of the era that gave us our current understanding of planetary movement with the sun at the center of the solar system. Over the past couple years, about a dozen of my patients admitted to going to testosterone replacement clinics that are offered elsewhere in town, claiming that they felt like they were back in their 20s. The current FDA position which was taught when I was in medical school at the University of Iowa disputes the claims of my patients and recommends that providers reassure aging adults of both genders that testosterone replacement does not work and to accept low testosterone symptoms as the consequence of aging. Therefore, my classical teaching and current FDA guidance for providers conflicted with 100% of my patients’ testimonies, so I needed to choose who was misleading me. Of course, I believe my own eyes and the testimony of my long-term patients. Around that same time, Jennifer Forkner, ARNP, who is the other provider in our clinic, expressed interest in offering testosterone replacement for our patients. Therefore, I put effort into researching the risks and benefits of testosterone replacement and found that with the exception of men with prostate cancer, the risks that I had been taught were unproven in poor quality studies. The only complaint I received from the patients receiving treatment elsewhere was that the weekly injections caused a seesaw effect with feeling benefit immediately after a weekly injection followed by low testosterone symptoms returning as they came closer to the next injection. Rather than weekly injections that are inconvenient and give the seesaw effect, we chose to use pellets provided by Biote which are natural and can be given every 3 to 6 months. Think of pellets as after dinner mints that slowly dissolve, but rather than take them orally, we insert the pellets under the skin where they dissolve over months. I encourage patients to check a hormone level so that they can take charge of testosterone replacement decisions rather than assume it is something that needs to be accepted as a part of aging. Each patient should choose what they do to alleviate symptoms of aging rather than simply have the medical establishment and government tell them to live with it. An example is that we prescribe little blue pills for men with ED frequently, and using the faulty testosterone logic, we should simply tell them that they need to live with that problem of aging. My Galileo moment is why we now offer testosterone replacement for both men and women managed by Jennifer Forkner, ARNP, with about half of our testosterone replacement patients being women.
As the temperatures drop and we start to bundle up, it’s also the time of year when viruses love to make their rounds. Coughs, colds, and the flu tend to spread quickly once we head indoors and spend more time in close contact with others. Getting your flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you. The vaccine helps your immune system recognize and fight off the flu virus before it can make you seriously ill. It can also help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get the flu and that means fewer missed days at work, less risk for complications, and more time enjoying the cozy parts of the season. At our office, we encourage everyone, especially those with chronic health conditions, older adults, and families with young children to make the flu shot part of their fall routine. It’s […]
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Night of Learning, where our doctor will give a brief talk about weight loss injections, how they work, what results we’ve seen in our patients, and how they might help you reach your goals. After the talk, we’ll open it up for questions and open conversation in a relaxed, supportive setting. It’s a great opportunity to learn, connect, and see if this option is right for you. Vinton, Iowa – Learning More on the Weight Loss Injections Wednesday, October 29th @ 6PM Total Balance: 217 W 4th Street, Vinton If you’re interested but can’t make this date, please let us know! We’d be happy to plan another evening so everyone has a chance to attend. We can’t wait to share this time together and help you take the next step toward feeling your best.
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As a boss, Dr. Goedken leads with both strength and heart. He listens, he supports, and he challenges us to grow, not just as a team, but as individuals. He’s the kind of leader who jumps in to help wherever he’s needed, celebrates our wins, and reminds us to take care of ourselves, too. We see the long hours, the sacrifices, and the genuine care that goes into everything he does, for his patients and for us. Working for someone who leads with integrity and compassion makes all the difference. So today, we just want to say thank you, Dr. Goedken, for everything you do. You make our workplace feel like family, and we’re so lucky to have you as our boss, our doctor, and our inspiration.
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The success stories we’ve seen in our office are remarkable. Many of our patients have experienced dramatic improvements in their overall health, even the ability to come off certain medicationsthey previously relied on. These are not just short-term changes, they’re lasting improvements in wellness, supported by consistent medical monitoring and care. Weight loss injections help control appetite, regulate blood sugar, and support the body’s natural metabolism. When used properly and under medical supervision, they not only promote steady weight loss but also help reduce insulin resistance, a key factor in preventing and managing diabetes. For many of our patients, the injections have been a turning point, helping them gain control of their health and build healthier habits that last. We’re also proud to offer compounded weight loss medications that are more affordable than brand-name options. These have proven to be effective, offering the same transformative results without the high cost. If you’ve […]
