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Is TRT safe for people with low testosterone levels?
What is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
Does TRT help a male with primary hypogonadism?
Sep 11, 2023 · If you have an abnormally low T, boosting your testosterone levels with TRT can help bring your energy levels back to normal. It can also restore your sex drive.
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Jan 19, 2024 · Testosterone therapy might seem like the ultimate anti-aging formula. Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren't clear. Find out what's known — and not known — about testosterone therapy for normal aging.
- Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you get older, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically...
- Not necessarily. Men can experience many signs and symptoms as they age. Some may occur as a result of lower testosterone levels and can include: 1...
- Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it's unclear whether testosterone therapy would have any benefit for older m...
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- If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will likely meas...
- Overview
- What is TRT?
- Why does T decrease with age?
- How do I know if I have low T?
- How is TRT administered?
- How is TRT used medically?
- What are the non-medical uses of TRT?
- How much does TRT cost?
- Are there any risks linked to TRT?
- The bottom line
Doctors may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy to treat low testosterone levels. It can cause benefits and side effects and may not be safe for people who have a high risk of certain health conditions.
TRT is an acronym for testosterone replacement therapy, sometimes called androgen replacement therapy. It’s primarily used to treat low testosterone (T) levels, which can occur with age or as a result of a medical condition.
But it’s becoming increasingly popular for non-medical uses, including:
•enhancing sexual performance
•achieving higher energy levels
•building muscle mass for bodybuilding
Some research suggests that TRT may in fact help you achieve some of these goals. But there are some caveats. Let’s dive into what exactly happens to your T levels as you get older and what you can realistically expect from TRT.
Your body naturally produces less T as you age. According to an article in American Family Physician, the average male’s T production goes down by about 1 to 2 percent each year.
This is all part of a completely natural process that starts in your late 20s or early 30s:
1.As you age, your testicles produce less T.
2.Lowered testicular T causes your hypothalamus to produce less gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
3.Lowered GnRH causes your pituitary gland to makes less luteinizing hormone (LH).
4.Lowered LH results in lowered overall T production.
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.
You may need to do the test several times because T levels are affected by various factors, such as:
•diet
•level of fitness
•time of day the test is done
•certain medications, like anticonvulsants and steroids
There are several ways to do TRT. Your best option will depend on your medical needs as well as your lifestyle. Some methods require daily administration, while others only need to be done on a monthly basis.
TRT methods include:
•oral medications
•intramuscular injections
•transdermal patches
•topical creams
TRT is traditionally used to treat hypogonadism, which occurs when your testes (also called gonads) don’t produce enough testosterone.
There are two types of hypogonadism:
•Primary hypogonadism. Low T results from issues with your gonads. They’re getting signals from your brain to make T but can’t produce them.
•Central (secondary) hypogonadism. Low T results from issues in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
TRT works to make up for T that isn’t being produced by your testes.
If you have true hypogonadism, TRT can:
Many countries, including the United States, don’t allow people to legally purchase T supplements for TRT without a prescription.
Still, people seek out TRT for a range of non-medical reasons, such as:
•losing weight
•increasing energy levels
•boosting sexual drive or performance
•raising endurance for athletic activities
The costs of TRT varies based on what type you’re prescribed. If you have health insurance and need TRT to treat a health condition, you likely won’t pay the full cost. The actual cost may also vary based on your location and whether there’s a generic version available.
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $1,000 per month. The actual cost depends on a range of factors, including:
•your location
•type of medication
•administration method
•whether there’s a generic version available
Experts are still trying to fully understand the risks and side effects of TRT. According to Harvard Health, many existing studies have limitations, such as being small in size or using larger-than-usual doses of T.
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.
A 2016 article in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Urology suggests that some of these conflicting views are the result of overzealous media coverage, especially in the United States.
Before trying TRT, it’s important to sit down with your healthcare provider and go over all the potential side effects and risks. These may include:
•chest pain
•difficulty breathing
TRT has long been a treatment option for people with hypogonadism or conditions associated with reduced T production. But its benefits for those without an underlying condition aren’t as clear, despite all the hype.
Talk to your doctor before you take any T supplements or medications. They can help you determine whether your goals with TRT are safe and realistic.
Mar 31, 2023 · TRT, or androgen replacement therapy (ART), is a treatment that doctors give to males with testosterone deficiency who show symptoms of hypogonadism. Taking prescription testosterone helps...
- TRT costs range from $1,650 to $3,200 per year, depending on the type of TRT, the mode and frequency of administration, and a person's insurance co...
- Yes. Most insurance companies cover all forms of TRT. However, there may be out-of-pocket costs. Individuals should always confirm coverage with th...
- Although TRT offers benefits to people with low testosterone levels, it can cause many short-term side effects. A 2021 study suggests that long-ter...
- TRT treatment length is indefinite unless the low levels are due to an underlying cause that is treatable.
- Some physical changes that TRT can bring about include increased muscle mass and bone density, and decreased body weight.
- If a person has TRT as a treatment for a health condition, their medical insurance should cover this cost.
- People can take TRT orally, via intramuscular injections and implants or transdermal patches, mouth patches, and topical creams or gels. Other opti...
- Doctors monitor TRT treatment through blood tests, physical examinations, and scans. The blood tests measure total serum testosterone, complete blo...
Oct 31, 2023 · Testosterone replacement therapy helps raise your low testosterone levels. If you are prescribed testosterone therapy, you’ll likely start to see some changes, big and small,...
Jan 29, 2023 · Testosterone helps to influence or provides: Cardiovascular protection. Red blood cell production. Mood and overall sense of well being. Vitality (energy level) Bone density and strength. Sperm production. Conditions That Cause Low Testosterone. There are a number of conditions that could cause low testosterone levels, which include:
Oct 5, 2023 · The goal of TRT is to bring testosterone levels into a normal range and alleviate symptoms of low testosterone, like mood changes, sexual dysfunction or fatigue. TRT requires medical oversight...
