Testosterone replacement therapy or most commonly known as TRT is sometimes referred to as androgen replacement therapy which is a method that is primarily used in treating low testosterone levels which occurs as the person ages or if he has an underlying medical condition.
If you find yourself to be in this situation, then it is recommended that you visit your nearest San Diego Testosterone Replacement Therapy Clinic in order for you to get the necessary treatment.
As Your Age Increases, Testosterone Level Decreases
As you age, your body actually creates less amount of testosterone. In fact, for the average male, there is about a 1 to 2 percent drop in testosterone development per year.
This is all part of an entirely normal progression that begins in your late 20s or early 30s:
How Can I Say if I Have Low Testosterone Level?
The best way to determine if you actually have low testosterone is to see a testosterone level test from a healthcare professional. This is a basic blood test, and before administering testosterone replacement therapy, wherein most physicians will be needing it.
You will need to do the test many times because different variables influence testosterone levels, such as:
- Your dietary pattern
- Your fitness level
- The time when the test is being done
- Some medications that you might be taking (e.g. anticonvulsants and steroids)
You definitely do not need testosterone replacement therapy if your testosterone levels are just marginally poor for your age. If they are extremely poor, before prescribing testosterone replacement therapy, the provider would definitely do some more research.
Ways of Administering Testosterone Replacement Therapy
There are many ways that TRT can be achieved. As well as your lifestyle, your right choice would depend on your medical conditions. Such procedures require regular administration, while others need only to be conducted on a monthly basis.
Below are some of the methods of administering testosterone replacement therapy:
- Oral administration of medications;
- Through intramuscular injections;
- Through transdermal patches; or
- Through topical creams
Medical Uses of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Traditionally, TRT is used to treat hypogonadism, which happens when not enough testosterone is produced by the testes (also called gonads).
The following are the two types of hypogonadism:
- The first type is the primary hypogonadism
The lowering of testosterone level is being caused by complications in the gonads. They get cues to produce T from your brain, but they can’t produce them.
- The second type is central or secondary hypogonadism.
This happens when the decrease in testosterone in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland is a result of complications.
Testosterone replacement therapy will help in making up the lost testosterone that is no longer produces by your testes.
Non-medical Uses of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Many nations, including the United States, do not allow individuals without a prescription to legally buy testosterone supplements for testosterone replacement therapy.
Still, for a number of non-medical purposes, individuals attempt testosterone replacement therapy, such as:
- To facilitate weight loss
- To increase energy levels
- To be able to boost sex drive or sexual performance
- To be able to raise endurance especially for athletic activities
- To facilitate the gaining of extra muscle mass for bodybuilding
It has indeed been shown that testosterone replacement therapy has each of these advantages. A new Trusted Source study, for instance, concluded that in middle-aged and older males, it effectively improved muscle power.
But testosterone replacement therapy has little proven benefits for individuals with average or elevated testosterone levels, especially younger males. And the dangers might outweigh the advantages. A small 2014 study found a link between high levels of testosterone and low development of sperm.
Plus, many athletic associations consider “doping” the use of TRT to achieve a competitive advantage in a sport, and most consider it grounds for expulsion from the sport.
Instead, consider using some alternative T-boosting strategies. To get you started, here are eight tips.
Usual Pricing of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy prices differ depending on the form you are prescribed for. You certainly won’t face the entire amount if you have private insurance and use TRT to cure a health problem. Based on the position and if there is a generic product available, the exact cost can also vary.
Depending on where you plan to have your testosterone replacement therapy, the price will usually range from $20 to $1,000 per month. The exact cost depends on a number of factors, including:
- Where you are located
- What type of medication do you require
- What type of administration will you get
- Whether or not there is a generic version available
Bear in mind, when considering the cost, that TRT simply increases your T levels. The root cause of your low T will not be treated, so you may require life-long therapy.
Risks Associated with Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Experts are also seeking to thoroughly understand the dangers of TRT and its side effects. Many current experiments have drawbacks, such as being limited in scale or using larger-than-usual doses of T, according to Harvard Health.
As a consequence, there is still some controversy regarding the advantages and hazards involved with TRT. It has, for instance, been said to both raise and decrease the risk of some cancer forms.
A 2016 article by Trusted Source in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Urology indicates that some of these contradictory opinions, especially in the United States, are the result of overzealous media attention.
It’s important that you allocate time to first sit down with a medical professional to discuss all the possible side effects and complications before attempting a testosterone replacement therapy.
This may include chest pain, difficulty in breathing, difficulty in speaking, decreased sperm count, polycythemia vera, decreased good cholesterol or HDL, heart attack, swelling in the hands or the legs, stroke, enlargement of the prostate, sleep apnea, skin breakouts like acne, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism,
If you have either of the aforementioned condition, then testosterone replacement therapy is not recommended for you.
To conclude, testosterone replacement therapy has been a treatment option for people for quite some time now, especially for those who have hypogonadism or conditions that are associated with decreased testosterone production.
On the other hand, for people who do not have the underlying conditions stated in the previous paragraph, the benefits of getting testosterone replacement therapy are not that clear.
Therefore it is highly recommended that you talk to a medical professional first before proceeding with getting testosterone replacement therapy.
