TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men
Testosterone is the male sex hormone produced by the male's testicles and is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. Testosterone is also important for maintaining muscle and bone density, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone density, brain and heart function, sexual potency and reproductive function.
Testosterone Deficiency:
With age, testosterone production in men eclines affecting mind, body and sexual function. Low levels of testosterone hormone also refrred to as "LOW T", Hypogonadism, Male Menopause or Andropause can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy or TRT.
Low testosterone production can be a cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). When Erectile Dysfunction occurs due to decreased testosterone levels in men, testosterone replacement therapy may help improve the ED.
What causes testosterone deficiency?
As a man ages, the amount of testosterone in his system gradually declines. This natural decline starts around age 25 to 30 and continues its decline throughout life. Other causes of testosterone deficiency are:
- Obesity
- Poor Health
- Injured Testicles
- Chemotherapy or Radiation
- Pituitary Gland Damage
- Chronic Illness
- Stress
- Alcoholism
What are the symptoms of testosterone deficiency?
Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency include the following:
- Low Sex Drive
- Decreased Sense of Well-Being
- Sleep Disturbance or Insomnia
- Loss of Concentration and Memory
- Erectile Dysfunction / Impotence
- Extreme Fatigue, Feeling Tired all the Time
- Weight Gain and Muscle Loss
- Decreased Bone Density
What are other changes that occur in the body with low testosterone?
Measurable changes that occur with lowered testosterone include:
- Decrease in muscle mass, with an increase in adipose body fat
- Increase in bad cholesterol and adverse metabolism
- A decrease in hemoglobin and mild anemia
- Loss of bone mineralization (osteoporosis)
- Thinning of hair and decrease in body hair
How do I find out if I have LOW T or a testosterone deficiency?
Low testosterone hormone testing. The only accurate way to detect a low testosterone condition is to have a blood test so your doctor measure the amount of testosterone in your blood. Testosterone levels tend to fluctuate throughout the day so your physician may ask you to take the low t test in the morning after fasting at night and when the highest levels of testosterone are normally present.
What hormone treatment options for testosterone replacement?
The options available for testosterone replacement are:
- Testosterone injection - intramuscular injections, generally every two or three weeks
- Testosterone patches - a patch is worn either on the body or on the scrotum. Testosterone patches can be rotated between the buttocks, arms, scrotum, back or abdomen.
- Testosterone gels - a gel is applied daily to the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen.
- Testosterone pellets - small rice-sized hormone pellets are implanted under the skin
Each of these options provides adequate levels of testosterone hormone replacement. Each testosterone administartion method has side effects, advantages and disadvantages. Unless injections are taken weekly, intramuscular injections can produce wider swings in hormone blood levels - with higher levels shortly after the injection and lower levels just before the next injection is due. They may also produce increases in red blood cell count that are higher than normal.
In some men, testosterone patches may produce skin irritation requiring removal of the patch. Testosterone gels and testosterone creams require precautions to make sure that the testosterone hormone is not accidentally transferred to another person, child or partner.
There are currently no effective testosterone pills available in the United States that provide adequate levels of testosterone hormone replacement. In addition, oral hormone medications may produce liver problems and are to be avoided.
The choice of hormone replacement therapy is best made after a comprehensive blood test and medical evaluation from an experienced hormone physician.
Who shouldn’t take testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy may stimulate growth of the prostate. If early prostate cancer is present, testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. Therefore, men who have prostate cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. It is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy.
Although it is a rare condition, men who have breast cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy.
What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?
In general, hormone replacement therapy including testosterone replacement therapy is safe. Discuss any possible side effects with your hormone replacment doctor.
To learn more about low testosterone and testosterone hormone level testing, visit the Anti-Aging Group @ www.antiaginggroup.com - Low Testosterone Test ; Testosterone Hormone News Article: Testosterone Replacement for Low T - TRT
Testosterone News Article : Testosterone Replacement for Men
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