Available in-person at our Chicago TRT clinic and via telehealth across Illinois — personalized testosterone replacement therapy for men and women with board-certified Nurse Practitioner Elise Sterritt, FNP-BC.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a medically supervised treatment that restores testosterone levels that have declined below optimal range. Most people associate testosterone with men — but it’s an essential hormone for both sexes. Women produce testosterone too, and low levels affect energy, libido, mood, muscle tone, and cognitive function just as significantly.
At Copper Wellness, our approach to hormone therapy services begins with a complete picture — not an assumption. Before recommending TRT in Chicago, Elise Sterritt reviews your full hormone panel, health history, and symptoms to determine whether testosterone therapy is the right intervention, and if so, what form and dose fits your body specifically.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men and Women
One of the most common misconceptions about TRT is that it’s exclusively a men’s treatment. It isn’t. Testosterone is a critical hormone for women too — and low levels are frequently overlooked or misattributed to stress, aging, or other causes.
- Testosterone naturally declines from the mid-30s onward — roughly 1–2% per year
- Low testosterone in men (hypogonadism) affects energy, libido, muscle mass, mood, and cognitive function
- TRT restores levels to an optimal range, not to supraphysiologic levels associated with performance enhancement
- Monitored carefully to protect cardiovascular health, fertility considerations, and red blood cell levels
- Available for men in Chicago and via telehealth across Illinois
- Women produce testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands — levels decline with age and drop sharply during menopause
- Low testosterone in women causes fatigue, low libido, brain fog, reduced muscle tone, and mood changes
- Dosed at much lower levels than men — but the clinical impact is significant
- Often overlooked by conventional providers who don’t evaluate female testosterone as standard
- Particularly relevant for women going through menopause or perimenopause
Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men and Women
Low testosterone rarely announces itself with one clear symptom. Instead, it shows up as a pattern — a collection of changes that are easy to dismiss or attribute to stress, aging, or lifestyle. If several of the following sound familiar, it may be worth having your levels checked.
In Men:
- Persistent fatigue or low energy
- Low sex drive or erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass despite regular exercise
- Increased body fat, particularly around the abdomen
- Mood changes, irritability, or depression
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Poor sleep quality
- Decreased bone density
- Reduced motivation or drive
In Women:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Low libido or changes in sexual function
- Brain fog or poor concentration
- Loss of muscle tone
- Mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
- Weight gain, particularly around the midsection
- Hair thinning
- Reduced sense of wellbeing
None of these symptoms alone confirms low testosterone — but together with lab work, they tell a clear story. Elise evaluates both your numbers and your experience before making any recommendations.
How Testosterone Replacement Therapy Works at Copper Wellness in Chicago
TRT starts with data. Elise orders a full hormone panel — testosterone (total and free), estrogen, SHBG, thyroid, and other relevant markers — to get a precise baseline before any treatment begins. Comprehensive lab work can be arranged locally for your convenience.
Based on your labs, symptoms, health history, and goals, Elise builds a testosterone replacement therapy plan tailored to you. Delivery method — whether injection, gel, cream, or patch — is chosen based on what fits your body, lifestyle, and clinical profile. For women, dosing is calibrated at the lower therapeutic range appropriate for female physiology.
Testosterone therapy requires ongoing lab monitoring — not just at the start, but throughout treatment. Elise tracks your testosterone levels, red blood cell counts, estrogen balance, and overall response to ensure you’re getting the benefit without unwanted side effects.
Hormonal needs shift over time. Your TRT plan in Illinois will be adjusted as your levels and health evolve — whether that means titrating your dose, changing delivery method, or adding complementary hormone support. Elise stays involved throughout.
Low Testosterone Doesn't Exist in Isolation
Testosterone interacts with nearly every other system in the body — and low levels rarely exist without other hormonal or metabolic factors at play. At Copper Wellness, we look at the full picture rather than treating testosterone in isolation.
Low testosterone is closely linked to increased body fat, particularly visceral fat around the abdomen. And that relationship runs both ways — excess fat reduces testosterone production, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break without addressing both sides. For patients where weight is part of the picture, Elise may recommend combining TRT with medically supervised weight loss as part of a coordinated treatment plan.
For women, low testosterone frequently occurs alongside declining estrogen and progesterone. In those cases, hormone replacement therapy that addresses the full spectrum of hormonal change — not just testosterone — often produces better outcomes than testosterone alone.
If bioidentical formulations are preferred, bioidentical hormone options are also available and can be discussed during your consultation.
TRT Clinic Near You — Testosterone Replacement Therapy Across Illinois via Telehealth
If you’ve been searching for a TRT clinic near you in Illinois or testosterone replacement therapy near you without luck, telehealth makes it possible to access the same quality of medically supervised TRT from anywhere in the state. As a TRT specialist serving patients statewide, Elise conducts virtual consultations for testosterone evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing monitoring — with the same clinical rigor as an in-office visit.
Complete your lab work at a location near you, meet with Elise over a video call to review your results and discuss your plan, and receive your prescription sent directly to your pharmacy. For men and women across Illinois searching for trt therapy near them — this is how we make that work without the commute.
- Available to patients statewide throughout Illinois
- Full TRT evaluation, prescribing, and follow-up via telehealth
- Local lab referrals provided as needed
- Book your virtual TRT consultation today
Your TRT Specialist in Chicago & Illinois
Elise Sterritt, FNP-BC
Elise Sterritt is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience in integrative medicine, hormone therapy, and metabolic health. Licensed to treat patients across Illinois and Nevada, Elise brings a whole-person approach to every TRT consultation — evaluating not just testosterone, but the full hormonal and metabolic context that shapes how you feel.
Elise treats both men and women for low testosterone — and understands that the clinical picture looks different for each. Her goal is straightforward: to help you understand what’s happening in your body, restore what’s been lost, and monitor your progress so treatment stays effective over time.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy at Copper Wellness — Chicago TRT Clinic
Copper Wellness is an integrative health clinic in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, at 1654 W. North Ave. Our Chicago TRT clinic takes a root-cause approach to testosterone therapy — which means treatment here starts with a thorough evaluation, not a same-day prescription based on a single symptom.
Whether you’re coming in for your first TRT consultation in Chicago or looking for a trt doctor who will monitor and adjust your care over time, Elise offers the continuity and clinical depth that most men’s health clinics don’t provide — and extends that same level of care to women, who are too often overlooked when it comes to testosterone health. For patients across Illinois who prefer not to travel, full TRT care is available via telehealth — from initial lab testing to ongoing prescription management.
Copper Wellness accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna — visit our insurance coverage page for details. FSA and HSA payments are also accepted.
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FAQs About Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Chicago, IL
Is testosterone replacement therapy only for men?
No. Testosterone is an essential hormone for women as well, and low levels cause real, disruptive symptoms — including fatigue, low libido, brain fog, and reduced muscle tone. Elise treats both men and women for low testosterone at our Chicago TRT clinic and via telehealth across Illinois.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
In men, common symptoms include fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, mood changes, and brain fog. In women, low testosterone typically presents as fatigue, low libido, poor concentration, reduced muscle tone, and mood instability. If several of these are present, a testosterone panel is a reasonable starting point.
What forms of TRT are available at Copper Wellness?
Elise works with multiple delivery methods depending on your clinical profile and personal preference — including injections, topical gels and creams, and patches. The right form is determined based on your labs, lifestyle, and what will be easiest to maintain consistently over time.
Do TRT clinics near me accept insurance?
Many do — and Copper Wellness is no exception. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, and FSA/HSA payments are also accepted. Coverage for testosterone replacement therapy varies by plan and medical indication. For specific questions about your coverage, visit our Insurance page or contact the clinic directly.
Can I get TRT via telehealth if I live outside Chicago?
Yes. As a TRT specialist licensed in Illinois, Elise sees patients across the state via telehealth for testosterone replacement therapy evaluation, prescribing, and ongoing monitoring. You can complete lab work at a location near you and meet with Elise virtually for everything else — making quality TRT care accessible anywhere in Illinois.
How long does it take to feel the effects of testosterone replacement therapy?
Most patients begin to notice improvements in energy and mood within two to four weeks. Libido and sexual function often improve within four to six weeks. Muscle mass and body composition changes take longer — typically three to six months of consistent treatment. Elise monitors your progress throughout and adjusts dosing as needed to ensure you’re getting the full benefit.
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