After receiving testosterone therapy, many men with low testosterone report feeling more upbeat, sexually motivated, and energetic. Why not supplement with testosterone if it’s low? Not so quickly. Treating a low testosterone level on its own is not necessary. The long-term hazards of testosterone replacement therapy are unknown, and there may be side effects. Men should only think about testosterone replacement therapy if they have symptoms of low testosterone, and blood results support this as the source of the symptoms.
The only way to determine whether testosterone therapy is right for you is to speak with your doctor. You can easily find the doctors for TRT by searching on a search engine. You need to search for accurate results using your exact location. For example, you can search for testosterone treatment near you in West Chester.
Low Testosterone Causes
Causes of low testosterone include:
- Getting older
- Side effects from treatments like chemotherapy
- Injury to the testicles
- Testicular cancer
- Too much weight gain
- Issues with glands in the brain that control hormone production
How Are You Tested for Low Testosterone?
If your doctor doubts your testosterone levels are low, they’ll present you with a blood test, likely first thing in the morning. Once your results come back, your doctor may request other tests to determine other causes for your low T levels.
Daily testosterone cycle
Over the day, your levels fluctuate. Particularly in older men, testosterone levels peak at 8 a.m. and fall at 9 p.m. For this reason, you should have your level measured in the morning since a reduction will be more apparent if blood is obtained at that time.
Blood test
Your arm vein will be used to obtain blood, which a technician or nurse will collect in a tiny test tube. It’s going to be sent out for examination. Three different blood tests are available to quantify testosterone.
Total test.
This is the standard examination. It detects the amount of testosterone in your blood that is bound to proteins as well as the testosterone that isn’t (called free testosterone). The majority of testosterone is bound to proteins, which regulate your body’s level of active testosterone and keep your tissues from immediately utilizing the hormone.
Free testosterone test.
This gauges your blood’s free testosterone content. It is administered to identify specific medical disorders.
What is TRT?
Testosterone replacement therapy is sometimes called androgen replacement therapy. It’s mainly used to treat low testosterone (T) levels, which can occur with age or as a consequence of a medical condition.
But it’s evolving increasingly widespread for non-medical uses, including:
- improving sexual performance
- reaching higher energy levels
- creating muscle mass
Study suggests that TRT may help you accomplish some of these plans. But there are some cautions.
How to get TRT
TRT is only unrestricted with a prescription. If a person shows symptoms constant with low testosterone levels, a doctor will only provide a prescription after taking a complete medical history and conducting physical exams.
As hormone levels fluctuate depending on activity levels, diet, and the time of day, doctors generally take two separate blood samples before noon. They may sometimes also request imaging studies and additional tests, such as tests for luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulation hormone, to specify the reason for the low testosterone levels in your body.
Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Healthy heart and blood
A healthy heart pumps blood to the body, supplying muscles and organs with the oxygen needed for extreme performance. Low testosterone levels are related to a variety of cardiovascular risks.
Less fat, more muscle
Testosterone is liable for increased muscle mass. Leaner body mass helps maintain weight and increases energy. For men with low testosterone, that treatment can decrease fat mass and increase muscle size and strength. Some men conveyed a change in lean body mass but no gain in strength. You’ll likely see the most benefits when you mix testosterone therapy with strength training and exercise.
Stronger bones
Testosterone plays a huge part in bone mineral density. Bone density declines as men age and testosterone levels drop. Strong bones help keep your muscles and internal organs, which can raise athletic performance.
Research shows that bone density increases with testosterone treatment as long as the dose is increased enough.
Enhanced verbal memory
Study shows that men with higher ratios of total testosterone have a decreased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also proof of a strong correlation between testosterone and thinking abilities, such as verbal memory and faster processing speed. Testosterone treatment for men 34 to 70 years old has demonstrated an advancement in spatial memory.
Better libido
Testosterone levels naturally increase in reaction to sexual arousal and activity. Men with more elevated levels of testosterone usually have more significant sexual activity. However, it’s essential to note that erectile dysfunction is often due to other illnesses or medications rather than low testosterone levels.
Improved mood
Lower testosterone levels are linked with poorer quality of life. Some of the signs of low testosterone levels include depression, fatigue, and irritability. However, some studies show that this may only be for men with hypogonadism. Men whose bodies follow the normal decrease of testosterone over time didn’t show an expansion for depression.
The Bottom Line
For a long time, TRT has been a therapy option for those with hypogonadism or illnesses linked to decreased T production. Despite all the excitement, its advantages for people without an underlying disease are less obvious.
Before taking any T supplements or drugs, see your physician. They can assist you in assessing the safety and viability of your TRT objectives.
As you take T supplements, it’s crucial to have medical supervision so that any unfavorable side effects or symptoms can be noted and addressed.