Testosterone Replacement Therapy TRT: What to Know

The Pros and Cons of Testosterone Therapy

Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy. This highlights the importance of considering individual factors and symptoms in addition to serum testosterone levels when being evaluated for TRT. Advantages include efficacy and patient satisfaction, weekly to biweekly dosing, and low cost. Disadvantages include increased fluctuation (peaks and valleys) in testosterone levels compared to daily dosing options and the requirement for needles and possibly self-injection. The testosterone is supplied in 10cc multiple-dose vials and single-use syringes are supplied as well. Injections are administered into large muscles (usually the buttocks or thigh).

The only way to know whether you truly have low T is by seeing a healthcare provider for a testosterone level test. This is a simple blood test, and most providers require it before prescribing TRT. Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy, in the form of injections, pellets, patches or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men.

Some men experience a brief increase in irritability or anger in the initial stages, especially if testosterone levels are raised above the normal range. Improvements in muscle mass and strength become apparent within 12 to 20 weeks, with maximum benefits seen after 6 to 12 months. This increase in lean body mass can enhance physical performance, boost metabolism, and support weight management. TRT can increase the number of red blood cells, thickening the blood and raising the risk of blood clots.

Researchers performed a clinical trial on men aged over 65 who took TRT for a period of 12 months. At the end of the 12 months results showed an increase of 4.0 ng/mL in antigen levels in 5% of the men. A doctor will also monitor changes in symptoms and side effects at 3 and 6 months after the initial treatment and then annually. However, people using topical treatments must be careful to avoid skin-on-skin contact with other people for at least 6 hours after application. It is important to prevent the risk of transferring the medication onto other people’s skin because it may be dangerous for pregnant people and children. Further 2019 research suggests that TRT can also maintain bone density, with a 2022 study also revealing that TRTs may improve cognitive function and attention span. However, there was a higher incidence of pulmonary embolism, acute kidney injury, and atrial fibrillation among men who received testosterone replacement.

If you have low testosterone, TRT may help restore your ability to have healthy erections and can boost your sex drive. As a result, there’s still some debate over the benefits and risks linked to TRT. For example, it’s been said to both increase and decrease the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, a recent review concluded that it effectively increased muscle strength in middle-aged and older males. But there are a lot of misconceptions about what the treatment can and can’t do for you. Testosterone replacement therapy can be taken through various methods, each with its own plusses and minuses.

Prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow, therefore taking TRT may make the cancer cells grow faster. The National Cancer Research Institute states that men with higher levels of testosterone in their blood are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Past research found a correlation between TRT and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to testosterone’s growth-promoting effects on the prostate. This is common among aging men who developed hypogonadism late in their life. Hypercapnia is a condition where carbon dioxide levels get too high in the blood. This can lead to problems such as respiratory acidosis, with symptoms including fatigue and drowsiness or a strong desire to sleep.

A doctor makes a small incision in the fatty tissue below the skin to insert the pellets. In all men—whether you’re taking T or not—some testosterone is converted into the hormone estradiol, a form of estrogen. And in men who have more breast tissue by nature, the T they’re taking that’s naturally converted into estradiol could stimulate this breast tissue to grow.

Doctors usually start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it based on how your body responds. Your doctor will monitor your testosterone levels to make sure you are not taking too much or too little. In the case of heart attacks and strokes, the concern is that testosterone thickens blood because it binds to androgen receptors that stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. Thicker blood is linked to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke. But some recent studies actually suggest that normal post testosterone cycle (https://autoscuolagatti.it/art/acquistare_testosterone_1.html) levels might actually protect against these risks, says Dr. Morgentaler. When first starting TRT, you’ll be given a starting dose based on baseline testosterone levels, symptoms, and overall health.