Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Peter Colley provides a guide to Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Low Male Testosterone (LMT) is an issue that many men experience at some point in their lives. It can sap away at people's strength and leave them feeling self-conscious about their bodies, along with a fair share of health difficulties. Even though there are lifestyle changes you can make, for some people, that is not enough. You may want to go the extra mile and try testosterone replacement therapy (TRT in the UK). It is an effective method for restoring testosterone balance. However, as with any recovery process or medication, there are a few pointers that you need to be aware of beforehand.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?

Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a form of therapy that supplements lost hormones through a variety of treatments, relieving the patient of symptoms. Forms of therapy include:

Gel - You can also purchase a gel you apply once daily, absorbed transdermally through the skin.
Skin patch - One treatment involves a skin patch being worn either on the arm or the upper body. It needs to be applied once a day, ideally in the morning.
Mouth patch - Patients have the option of consuming a tablet called Striant. It sticks to the upper gums above the incisor and is applied twice a day, releasing testosterone into the blood via the oral tissues.
Injections - Testosterone can be directly injected into the muscles, which are absorbed into the bloodstream.
Implants - Testosterone can be implanted as pellets in the soft tissue before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Some people have found that this method has more benefits, including less skin irritation and a longer duration.
Oral tablets - As with many conditions, oral tablets are available. However, it should be noted that some doctors believe that treating LMT with oral tablets can have adverse effects on the liver. The previous medications listed above will directly get the testosterone into the blood, bypassing the liver.

Benefits

Apart from the chief benefit of supplementing hormone levels, the treatment can also produce some other benefits, many of which directly counteract the symptoms of LMT.

Boosted energy levels - TRT can bring your energy levels up to an average standard. Robbie Williams has previously spoken openly about his battle with LMT and how TRT gave him a renewed lease on life.
Mood - Depression and mood swings are frequent symptoms of LMT. The change in mood varies from patient to patient, with some not always noticeable. However, the consensus is that TRT balances out your mood levels.
Increased muscle mass - LMT sees patients suffering from decreasing muscle mass and low bone density. While TRT cannot guarantee that these will return to their original levels, it can still keep them stable.
Sex drive - With testosterone being directly linked to the testicles, your sex drive will take a hard hit as a result of LMT. Patients who have taken TRT have experienced an increase in sexual energy, as well as improved quality of erections.
Anaemia - Some people with LMT can experience anaemia (lack of iron in the blood and insufficient red blood cells). One such study investigated TRT's impact on anaemia, revealing that patients experienced a 40% increase in haemoglobin levels.

Risks

LMT and many of the resulting symptoms are a natural part of the ageing process, and for many patients, this is a significant factor in their decision to seek out TRT. However, there are a few risks that patients incur from TRT, especially if their form of LMT is due to natural ageing as opposed to a potentially enforced condition like hypogonadism. Also, if you have any pre-existing conditions you are receiving treatment for, the inclusion of TRT-related medication could exacerbate those symptoms.

Some side effects include:

Sleep apnea - sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which the upper airways are partially obstructed while you sleep, causing your breathing to stop and start at random intervals.
Skin rash - Sometimes, TRT can cause mild skin disorders such as skin acne or rashes.
Bodily sizes - TRT can alter aspects of your physical appearance. The effects are often directed to the body parts most commonly affected by LMT, such as breasts, which are enlarged, and testicles, which may shrink.
Low sperm count - The volume of sperm already experiences a decrease in volume due to LMT, but TRT could potentially lower your sperm count, increasing the possibility of infertility.
Red blood cells - If a patient's red blood cell count is already above average, doctors may advise against TRT.
Heart disease - Although research is ongoing and there is no conclusive data yet, some researchers have suggested that TRT could increase the risk of heart disease. There was a study in 2010 called the Testosterone in Older Men study, which was halted after researchers found that men on TRT were experiencing noticeable heart problems.
Prostate cancer cells - Again, an issue is down to speculation, but physicians have shown concern that TRT could stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. While the actual impact is undetermined, some physicians are hesitant to recommend TRT to patients who are already at high risk of prostate cancer.

You should consult your doctor, who will measure your testosterone levels at least twice, before making any recommendations. Before pursuing TRT, you need to take stock of your health, all your current ailments, and all the medications you are on. If you still wish to find a form of therapy for the condition, ensure you are fully clued to any symptoms you will be experiencing.

The potential benefits of TRT vary from person to person. Some men may not experience extreme levels of LMT but may benefit from the therapy. Seeking advice can be difficult, but it is a step that could renew your health and happiness.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

COLLEY, P. (2019) Testosterone Replacement Therapy [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article490.htm [Accessed

About the Author

Peter Colley is a freelance writer.


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Low Male Testosterone (LMT) is an issue that many men experience at some point in their lives. It can sap away at people's strength and leave them feeling self-conscious about their bodies, along with a fair share of health difficulties. Even though there are lifestyle changes you can make, for some people, that is not enough. You may want to go the extra mile and try testosterone replacement therapy (TRT in the UK). It is an effective method for restoring testosterone balance. However, as with any recovery process or medication, there are a few pointers that you need to be aware of beforehand. What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy? Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a form of therapy that supplements lost hormones through a variety of treatments, relieving the patient of symptoms. Forms of therapy include: Gel - You can also purchase a gel you apply once daily, absorbed transdermally through the skin. Skin patch - One treatment involves a skin patch being worn either on the arm or the upper body. It needs to be applied once a day, ideally in the morning. Mouth patch - Patients have the option of consuming a tablet called Striant. It sticks to the upper gums above the incisor and is applied twice a day, releasing testosterone into the blood via the oral tissues. Injections - Testosterone can be directly injected into the muscles, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Implants - Testosterone can be implanted as pellets in the soft tissue before being absorbed into the bloodstream. Some people have found that this method has more benefits, including less skin irritation and a longer duration. Oral tablets - As with many conditions, oral tablets are available. However, it should be noted that some doctors believe that treating LMT with oral tablets can have adverse effects on the liver. The previous medications listed above will directly get the testosterone into the blood, bypassing the liver. Benefits Apart from the chief benefit of supplementing hormone levels, the treatment can also produce some other benefits, many of which directly counteract the symptoms of LMT. Boosted energy levels - TRT can bring your energy levels up to an average standard. Robbie Williams has previously spoken openly about his battle with LMT and how TRT gave him a renewed lease on life. Mood - Depression and mood swings are frequent symptoms of LMT. The change in mood varies from patient to patient, with some not always noticeable. However, the consensus is that TRT balances out your mood levels. Increased muscle mass - LMT sees patients suffering from decreasing muscle mass and low bone density. While TRT cannot guarantee that these will return to their original levels, it can still keep them stable. Sex drive - With testosterone being directly linked to the testicles, your sex drive will take a hard hit as a result of LMT. Patients who have taken TRT have experienced an increase in sexual energy, as well as improved quality of erections. Anaemia - Some people with LMT can experience anaemia (lack of iron in the blood and insufficient red blood cells). One such study investigated TRT's impact on anaemia, revealing that patients experienced a 40% increase in haemoglobin levels. Risks LMT and many of the resulting symptoms are a natural part of the ageing process, and for many patients, this is a significant factor in their decision to seek out TRT. However, there are a few risks that patients incur from TRT, especially if their form of LMT is due to natural ageing as opposed to a potentially enforced condition like hypogonadism. Also, if you have any pre-existing conditions you are receiving treatment for, the inclusion of TRT-related medication could exacerbate those symptoms. Some side effects include: Sleep apnea - sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which the upper airways are partially obstructed while you sleep, causing your breathing to stop and start at random intervals. Skin rash - Sometimes, TRT can cause mild skin disorders such as skin acne or rashes. Bodily sizes - TRT can alter aspects of your physical appearance. The effects are often directed to the body parts most commonly affected by LMT, such as breasts, which are enlarged, and testicles, which may shrink. Low sperm count - The volume of sperm already experiences a decrease in volume due to LMT, but TRT could potentially lower your sperm count, increasing the possibility of infertility. Red blood cells - If a patient's red blood cell count is already above average, doctors may advise against TRT. Heart disease - Although research is ongoing and there is no conclusive data yet, some researchers have suggested that TRT could increase the risk of heart disease. There was a study in 2010 called the Testosterone in Older Men study, which was halted after researchers found that men on TRT were experiencing noticeable heart problems. Prostate cancer cells - Again, an issue is down to speculation, but physicians have shown concern that TRT could stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. While the actual impact is undetermined, some physicians are hesitant to recommend TRT to patients who are already at high risk of prostate cancer. You should consult your doctor, who will measure your testosterone levels at least twice, before making any recommendations. Before pursuing TRT, you need to take stock of your health, all your current ailments, and all the medications you are on. If you still wish to find a form of therapy for the condition, ensure you are fully clued to any symptoms you will be experiencing. The potential benefits of TRT vary from person to person. Some men may not experience extreme levels of LMT but may benefit from the therapy. Seeking advice can be difficult, but it is a step that could renew your health and happiness. Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: COLLEY, P. (2019) Testosterone Replacement Therapy [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article490.htm [Accessed About the Author Peter Colley is a freelance writer.