What Are The Risks Of Testosterone Therapy
A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone treatment, such as acne, disturbed breathing while sleeping, breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also watch out for high red blood cell counts, which could increase the risk of clotting.
Men on long-term using forms of testosterone therapy long term appear to have a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease. For example, in 2010, researchers halted the Testosterone in Older Men study when early results showed that men on testosterone replacement therapy had noticeably more heart problems. “In older men, theoretical cardiac side effects become a little more immediate,” Dr. Pallais says.
Some physicians also have a lingering concern that testosterone therapy could stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. As with the hypothetical cardiac risks, the evidence is mixed. But because prostate cancer is so common, doctors tend to be leery of prescribing testosterone to men who may be at risk.
So, keep risks in mind when considering testosterone therapy or other therapies . “I frequently discourage it, particularly if the man has borderline levels,” Dr. Pallais says.
A What Sets This Clinic Apart
The answer to that question will vary for each Low T clinic, just like any other business.
As the owners and operators of Testosterone Centers of Texas, were local business people whose reputation as medical practitioners is on the line, as well as our livelihood you will not find us cutting corners.
Your health matters to us, both as medical providers and members of the community, which means we provide the highest quality of care possible, but your time also matters to us, so we pair that high level of quality with stellar customer service.
Unlike many other medical practices, we respect your time and dont leave you in the waiting room wondering when youll be next all of this sets us apart.
Youll want to find out the same from any Low T clinic you approach for treatment. What do they do that makes them better than the rest?
Effect Of Testosterone: Your Energy Levels Can Soar
“It’s very common for men to come in with low T and one of their primary symptoms is fatigue,” says Dr. Morgentaler. “And when we treat them, a lot of men will say that their energy has improved.” Many men also report an improvement in the “brain fog” that can come along with low testosterone, adds Dr. Tamler.
While researchers aren’t exactly sure how exactly testosterone plays a role in energy yet, Dr. Morgentaler says one of the thoughts is that it has an effect on your mitochondria, which produce energy within cells. This case isnt closed on this yet, but the theory is that “testosterone turns them on so they’re more productive in terms of creating the energy that the cells need.”
Dr. Tamler also notes that it may be tied back to androgen receptors as well. “If they don’t get sufficient input, that can cause fatigue,” he says. So bringing testosterone levels back up can help reverse this.
Related:The 8 Best Foods to Keep You Energized All Day Long
Recommended Reading: Texas Physical Therapy New Braunfels
Who Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy For And How Does It Work
Doctors prescribe TRT to males with hypogonadism. To receive a definitive diagnosis, blood tests must show that a person has low testosterone levels, which the American Urological Association notes as being below 300 nanograms per deciliter . The individual must also have other symptoms, such as fatigue, breast growth, and sexual dysfunction.
However, doctors do not usually recommend TRT as the first course of action for low testosterone levels, even for males who show such symptoms.
If other conditions or medications cause testosterone levels to drop, doctors usually treat the underlying condition before recommending TRT.
According to a 2019 study, TRT can improve sexual function, including:
How Long Into Trt Before You See Results
This question is tricky because everyones body is different, biologically, so the length of time it takes to feel positive benefits will vary drastically from person to person.
Individuals who need a smaller boost of testosterone often report their low T symptoms improve in a matter of days. However, clinicians say that most patients should see appreciable improvement within two to four weeks of commencing a TRT plan.
Thats the time frame for your body to adjust to the additional testosterone youre introducing and allow your body to stabilize. Every person responds differently to TRT, so if youre undergoing treatment and its been four weeks and youre not seeing the results youd hoped for, that doesnt mean TRT isnt working for you.
Talk to your doctor about how youre feeling and he or she can work with you to find the right levels of testosterone to achieve the results youre seeking. Sometimes, a light adjustment to your dose is all thats needed.
The first step: Assess your T levels. Hones at-home test measures your testosterone, along with other biomarkers critical for good health.
Don’t Miss: Occupational Therapy Schools In Ohio
What Happens When You Stop Trt
The short answer is your body will revert to how it was before you started TRT. Your low T symptoms will return. Unlike the gradual onset of your symptoms of low T, when youre coming off TRT, the onset of these negative symptoms will be more rapid. If you felt lethargic and a loss of libido before, thatll come back in a much more intense way after your TRT ends.
In some cases, your pre-TRT body and feelings are preferable to how you feel and react to the TRT. That personal decision is one to make with your doctor.
You Will Become Hardy As If You Are 20 Again
Most men who come to the doctor with a complaint about low testosterone levels also have complaints about low stamina. When they undergo treatment, their stamina is restored and improved significantly. Dozens of testosterone before and after reviews confirm this.
Testosterone affects mitochondria that produce energy inside cells. T hormone activates intracellular mitochondria, and therefore the cells in the body receive more energy.
Another theory about why TRT improves stamina is the effect of this hormone on the androgen receptors, which, due to the lack of sufficient testosterone, do not work at the proper level, and thus cause increased fatigue.
Recommended Reading: Are Birth Control Pills Considered Hormone Replacement Therapy
D Testosterone Injections And Water Retention
You wont be turning into a giant with TRT injections, but you might retain some extra water.
Mild fluid retention means you can expect to walk around feeling like youve just polished off a couple helpings of Thanksgiving dinner plus dessert for a bit.
This is typically short-term and can be treated as necessary.
My Health My Responsibility
First off, allow me to clarify one thing. I didnt discover that I had low testosterone by accident. In fact, I had been taking yearly blood tests for a few years up until that point. This has allowed me to see the huge difference in blood results from before and after TRT.
I recognized early on that my health was my duty and sole responsibility. Too many people rely on others to be the guardians of their health.
Their doctor, families, spouse, etc.
When something goes wrong, they blame someone else for not finding the problem. And they would only take action when disease strikes.
But by then its often too late.
This reactive mindset never made sense to me. I wanted to prevent things happening in the first place. I wanted to live the best quality of life possible and knew optimal health was integral to this.
And by this stage, I had identified testosterone as the centrepiece to optimal health.
I had been listening to podcasts and reading books. I remember reading my friend Jay Campbells magnum opus on testosterone therapy, the TRT MANual. I read it from cover to cover and absorbed every minute detail.
Originally, I thought blood tests were just for older guys. However, he made it clear that men of every age should take regular blood tests regardless of your age.
As a result, I made sure I got a full hormone panel on every blood test I took. This included markers such as total testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol and free testosterone.
Don’t Miss: Sound Wave Therapy For Arthritis
Testosterone Results After 5 Months Treatment
Month 5 is when most patients start to really see substantial improvements in body composition. So much so that many will be able to visibly document and take Testosterone results before and after pictures: within the fifth month, you will notice a much better defined physique, reduced body fat and other physical improvements such as in the condition of your skin and hair. Skin will be smoother, hair more lustrous, nails stronger, and hyperpigmentation, a common symptom associated with aging, will be less visible.
J Making Your Decision
Ultimately, the decision is up to you. Do your homework. Request a discussion on all available options and whether that particular practice utilizes them or not.
If you are not completely comfortable with the providers knowledge on the subject of TRT, you are in the wrong place.
The busiest clinic isnt necessarily the best. No matter how popular it is during the lunch-hour rush, you wouldnt go to McDonalds for a steak.
You also want a provider who understands hormone therapy generally, and not just Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
A provider who is not well-informed on all forms of hormone treatment and cannot explain the differences wont be able to properly assess what is really right for you.
You wouldnt have the guy who installs windows build your entire house. Choose the provider and clinic most concerned with your overall health.
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.
You May Like: Physical Therapy Great Falls Mt
Effect Of Testosterone: The Link Between Testosterone And Serious Risks Is Still Murky
Testosterone replacement therapy has traditionally come along with serious warning labels that your risk for heart attack, stroke, and prostate cancer could rise, but this is still very controversialand recent evidence has begun to debunk some of these fears.
In the case of heart attacks and strokes, the concern is that testosterone thickens blood because it binds to androgen receptors that stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. Thicker blood is linked to a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
But there isn’t strong evidence to connect these cardiac events to testosterone itself, and some more recent studies actually suggest that normal testosterone levels might actually protect against these risks, says Dr. Morgentaler.
One mechanism at play here could be that reduced body fat is linked to overall better health, and testosterone replacement therapy can encourage this, says Dr. Morgentaler. More research is needed, he says, and to be safe your doctor will monitor your red blood cell count throughout your treatment.
As far as prostate cancer goes, this is fuzzy, too. Because there are androgen receptors in the prostate, testosterone can make it grow. So if you already have an enlarged prostate that makes it difficult to urinate, testosterone could exacerbate the issue, says Dr. Tamler.
C Three Mental Health Benefits Of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Its equally important to mention that restoring healthy testosterone levels can increase your mood and sense of contentment. Men on Testosterone Replacement Therapy may experience these three benefits:
Relief from dysthymia , mild anxiety, and fatigue can restore vitality and an overall sense of wellbeing in men who have been suffering from chronic low testosterone.
Though emotional health isnt always mens initial focus, a more positive and energetic feeling about life is a welcome change for many men who undergo Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
Men who find such benefits through TRT are glad to be back on top of their game at work and in life.
Your total testosterone score should not be the goal. The goal should be for you to feel better and experience relief from your symptoms.
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.
You May Like: Gene Therapy For Cystic Fibrosis
F What Improvement Can I Expect
Lets get down to the results. What should you reasonably expect your Low T clinic to deliver?
If you have clinically diagnosed hypogonadism , you should expect improvements in your symptoms as hormone levels normalize and become more consistent.
Other benefits may include the following:
- Reduced Fat and Increased Muscle
- Improved Concentration
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.
C Testosterone Hematocrit Levels Erythrocytosis And High Blood Pressure
What is the link between Testosterone Replacement Therapy and high blood pressure?
At the heart of cardiovascular disease lies the propensity of the body to form clots and blood pressure changes. Blood pressure changes often arise when blood becomes thicker. The true issue at hand is how testosterone affects the thickness of blood.
Red blood cells represent the solid component of blood. Theyre suspended in the liquid component of your blood: Plasma.
If you increase the solid portion, but dont increase the liquid portion , the solution becomes thicker. This higher viscosity blood exerts more pressure on the cardiovascular system.
An increase in solid blood cells suspended in the same amount of liquid plasma leads to thickening or increased viscosity of your blood a condition called erythrocytosis or polycythemia.
9.c.i. How High Hematocrit Levels May Affect Your Health
If youre taking supplemental testosterone without proper supervision or precautions, the risks of high blood pressure can definitely increase.
Testosterone has a suppressive effect on a peptide hormone called pepcidin. It was only recently discovered, but it is known to be a regulator of iron absorption. It is primarily made in the liver, and when suppressed, it can lead to increased iron stores in the blood.
Increased iron in the blood signals your bone marrow to work harder at its job, producing more red blood cells.
Red blood cells carry hemoglobin, and hemoglobin transports oxygen to your organs.
Recommended Reading: What Are The Benefits Of Red Light Therapy
Managing Your Trt Long Term
Unfortunately, TRT cannot help your body create testosterone on its own again.
Once youve chosen a provider, started therapy, and gotten your symptoms under control, youre probably in for the long haul. Sticking to your treatment plan and following your providers recommendations is critical to long-term success.
Thats why choosing your provider is so important. You need a provider who is reliable, dependable, and able to keep up with your ongoing therapy.
Your provider should test your blood repeatedly , and they should also know about other types of hormone replacement therapy and be willing and able to manage your other hormones as necessary.
Your treatment plan will be tailored to your unique needs, but those needs can change over time. Regular blood tests ensure your therapy can be altered to meet your bodys changing needs.
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.
H Testosterone Cholesterol And Effects On The Heart
Very few studies have found that Testosterone Replacement Therapy for people with legitimately low testosterone is dangerous or harmful, either to the heart, to cholesterol levels, or to any other bodily function.
Consider this quote from a Harvard Health article on testosterone and cholesterol:
Men who receive -deprivation therapy for prostate cancer drop their testosterone levels nearly to zero, and when that happens, their cholesterol levels rise. Even within the normal range, men with the lowest testosterone levels tend to have the highest cholesterol levels. And when doctors from the Mayo Clinic reviewed 30 trials of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, they did not find any overall effect of hormone treatment on cholesterol levels, for good or ill.
You can read the full article here, but the point is this Testosterone Replacement Therapy is unlikely to have much of an effect on your cholesterol, one way or the other.
In fact, it seems returning testosterone levels to normal may be good for your heart. Several studies seem to indicate that normal levels of testosterone may actually have a protective effect on the heart.
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.
Recommended Reading: Does My Health Insurance Cover Therapy
Questions To Ask Your Testosterone Replacement Therapy Provider
Choosing the right provider of Testosterone Replacement Therapy can be difficult, so heres what you should expect when you start looking at different providers, and here are some questions you should ask.
You should be able to have a free, but probably brief, consultation with a treatment provider. This might be in something called a mens clinic, or it might simply be in a clinic that specifically provides Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
To make the most of this opportunity, its best to have some questions prepared, such as the following:
The basic idea is to make sure you understand exactly what youre getting .
Any quality provider is going to be ready, willing, and able to discuss the details of your therapy in depth, and as a patient, you have a right to get all the information you want before you begin your treatment.
You also have a right to walk away. If you dont feel comfortable for any reason, choose a different provider.
Talk to a TRT expert and get back to feeling the way you’re supposed to.Now serving patients in all Texas cities.