Testosterone Replacement Therapy TRT: What It Is

When Should Men Consider Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Individualized, long-term testosterone therapy has been shown to improve bone density, stabilize mood, normalize body fat and body muscle, increase energy, and increase libido. If a patient isn’t evaluated and treated properly before beginning therapy, testosterone injections may cause blood clots, stroke, heart attack or liver toxicity. Testosterone replacement therapy can also increase the growth rate of prostate cancer, which is why proper screening is important before beginning testosterone therapy.

This medication works by increasing the body’s own testosterone production. It is also used to improve semen quality for fertility in some men. Metered-dose pump which dispenses 10mg of testosterone in 0.5g gel per pump. The usual starting dose is 6 pumps daily (about the size of 2 quarters) applied to the thighs. To balance hormones and support treatment for symptoms of low testosterone in men, Anastrozole (generic Arimidex) reduces estrogen levels and the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

For patients who have an elevated PSA at baseline, a second PSA test is recommended to rule out a spurious elevation. Many men have lowered testosterone levels as they age, and these low levels can start to cause a variety of symptoms. Male hormone replacement therapy, or TRT therapy, is a safe and effective treatment option if you have symptoms or difficulty with low testosterone levels.

Although testosterone and eq cycle might limit your fertility, you still can become pregnant if you have your uterus and ovaries and you have sex with a person who produces sperm. Talk with your healthcare professional about the form of birth control that’s best for you. Besides, she adds, decreasing testosterone is a natural part of getting older — your doctor and their staff aren’t going to think you did anything wrong. It’s much more likely that they’ll just think you care about your quality of life.

Oral testosterone capsules cost between $1,000–$2,000 monthly without insurance. Cost may vary based on dosage, baseline testosterone levels, and the reason for taking them. You can stay on testosterone replacement therapy for as long as it’s benefiting your symptoms and not causing health issues. If you stop taking testosterone, your levels will return to baseline. If you don’t notice an improvement in your symptoms after taking TRT for three to six months, your provider may recommend stopping the therapy. This is because if your symptoms don’t improve, your testosterone level may not be the cause of your symptom. Just being tired isn’t enough to seek testosterone replacement therapy.

Injections of testosterone are also common and may be ideal for those who don’t eat breakfast, have absorption issues or have personal concerns surrounding gels and transference. Testosterone nasal spray also contains a type of gel but doesn’t carry the risk of transference. Instead, the medication is applied into the nose and absorbed there through the nasal lining.

Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Multiple topical testosterone products are available in both branded and generic form. All topical products carry the risk of accidental exposure, which could potentially cause virilization in women and children. Patients should avoid washing the product off via showering, swimming, or bathing for the interval specified for the product.

Patients who are on long-acting SQ pellets require two separate assessments of testosterone to determine the dose and frequency required. The first testosterone measurement should be obtained two to four weeks after initial implant to determine if the number of inserted pellets needs to be increased or decreased to achieve the appropriate therapeutic level. Patients who are on long-acting IM testosterone (testosterone undecanoate) should have blood work tested once steady state levels have been achieved. Testosterone undecanoate is typically re-administered at a time point 4 weeks after initial dosing and then every 10 weeks thereafter. As with short-acting IM testosterone injections, the general recommendation is mid-cycle testing, after equilibration, and halfway between the first two 10-week injections.

There is a new product that allows men to take daily pills of testosterone, but this is a synthetic version of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and can cause GI symptoms. TRT seems to be more effective in young men with very low testosterone levels. Further, the combination of hydrogel microbeads and hormone therapies are unlimited, including for molecules like insulin. There have been few significant advancements in the administration of testosterone or oestrogen in over 20 years, and many approaches have not changed dramatically in 70 years. It is unsurprising, therefore, that only 20 percent of patients with deficiencies in sex hormone levels are being treated, creating demand from both physicians and patients for improved testosterone and oestrogen preparations for clinical use.