Published by Programme B
Testosterone replacement therapy or TRT is very effective in the treatment of low testosterone levels. The tricky part is not treating low testosterone (low T) levels but identifying who suffers from low T and if they will get a benefit.
What does testosterone do?
Testosterone in the male body helps with:
- Maintaining muscle mass.
- Maintaining bone density.
- Production of red blood cells.
- Sperm production.
- Libido.
- Fat distribution.
- Facial and body hair.
Signs of low Testosterone Levels
A lot of the typical symptoms of low T are normal signs of aging, which makes self-diagnosing almost impossible. Even though testosterone levels will decline as men age, there can be other factors that could result in an abnormally low level of testosterone at any age. Common symptoms of low T are:
- Depression, anxiety, or mood swings.
- Irritability.
- Decreased libido.
- Obesity.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Decreased sperm count.
- Low energy or fatigue.
- Poor concentration.
- Loss of bone density or mass (osteoporosis).
- Decrease in hair growth, especially beard and body hair.
- Increased risk of stroke.
- Increased risk of a heart attack.
- Increased risk of fractures due to low bone density.
Now looking at the above list some of these could just be age or stress-related. The only real way to diagnose low T is by drawing blood for a doctor or laboratory-ordered testosterone level test. The test should be done between 7 am and 10 am when natural testosterone levels are at their highest. This test will clearly show if someone has low testosterone levels. Confirming a low T level with a second test is also advisable before starting therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy is only an option for people who have been diagnosed with low T.
Testosterone replacement therapy is only advisable in cases where the tests show abnormally low testosterone levels. Some of the symptoms above could be related to other lifestyle factors and aren’t enough to start testosterone replacement therapy. There are also cases men have low T, but don’t show any of the symptoms above. In those cases, it might also be a good idea not to start treatment just yet.
Alternative Treatments
As already mentioned many of the symptoms above can be attributed to natural aging. If your testosterone levels aren’t low enough to warrant TRT then there are some other options to combat the above symptoms:
- Get enough sleep.
- Eat healthily.
- Get enough exercise.
- Take a vitamin supplement if needed.
Another option if your testosterone levels are not low enough to have TRT is to try IV therapies similar to these IV drip therapies in Atlanta as custom formulated drip therapies can help relieve many of the above symptoms.
Potential Benefits of TRT
The benefits of testosterone therapy are looking promising for men suffering from low T according to research. The potential benefits are:
- Increase in libido.
- Improved mood and mental health.
- Less prone to depression.
- An increase in energy.
- Improvement in symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
- Increased sperm count.
- Less prone to osteoporosis.
- Decreased risk of heart attacks.
- Increased muscle mass.
- A decrease in body fat.
- Increased insulin sensitivity.
Every case is different and the research is still ongoing. The above benefits are just some potential benefits that have been reported, but not all men will see these results.
From some of the research that has been conducted it seems that some patients receiving testosterone replacement therapy do not notice any benefits. Some men notice major improvements and benefits and most are likely reporting that it is positive, but not in an extreme way.
Risks of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Like most treatments, there is also a risk of side effects. Large-scale studies of long-term testosterone replacement therapy have not been studied. There is some research into this, but nothing completely conclusive.
Health risks of TRT could include:
- Liver problems. Especially if taken orally.
- Increased sleep apnea.
- Increased acne.
- High red blood production can lead to blood clots. This could lead in turn to a heart attack or stroke.
Types of Testosterone Therapy
TRT delivery methods provided by companies such as Male Excel HRT and others similar include gels, capsules, skin patches, and injections, as well as ingestible tablets. With injections, the testosterone is injected directly into a large muscle. These injections are usually done every two to three weeks. Injections are reliable and cost-effective.
Testosterone gels can be applied directly to the skin. The gels are usually rubbed on the skin once a day. Testosterone is then absorbed through the skin.
Skin patches work similarly to gels as testosterone will be absorbed through the skin. Patches are usually applied once a day to the upper body or arm. Some men do develop a rash from these patches.
Oral testosterone is available, but it might be a good idea to rather avoid these as the increased risk of liver damage is not worth the risk. Any treatment that bypasses the liver should in theory be a better option.