Understanding Testosterone Replacement Results: Benefits and Timeline

Testosterone Replacement Therapy TRT: What to Know

Doctors usually start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it based on how your body responds. Your doctor will monitor your testosterone levels to make sure you are not taking too much or too little. 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 some recent studies actually suggest that normal testosterone levels might actually protect against these risks, says Dr. Morgentaler. When first starting TRT, you’ll be given a starting dose based on baseline testosterone levels, symptoms, and overall health.

There are a variety of reasons why testosterone replacement therapy might be implemented on a patient. Karen Herbst, MD, PhD, an endocrinologist, specializes in testosterone deficiency. It measures both testosterone attached to proteins in your blood and testosterone not attached to proteins (called free testosterone). Most testosterone is attached to proteins; the proteins control the amount of active testosterone in your body and prevent your tissues from using the hormone right away.

If you have low testosterone, TRT may help restore your ability to have healthy erections and can boost your sex drive. 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. For example, a recent review concluded that it effectively increased muscle strength in middle-aged and older males. But there are a lot of misconceptions about what the treatment can and can’t do for you. Testosterone replacement therapy can be taken through various methods, each with its own plusses and minuses.

The form of testosterone you use can also affect your dosage. Some people use injections, while others may use gels, patches, or implants. Each method delivers testosterone differently, so your doctor will take this into account when determining your dose. Injections, for example, tend to release testosterone more quickly into your body, while gels and patches may offer a slower, more steady release.

Some of these medications are used off-label to increase testosterone. Cylindrical pellets that are about the size of a grain of rice. The usual starting dose is pellets implanted underneath the skin in the office under sterile condi­tions once every 4 months. Single-use tubes, each containing 50mg of testosterone in 5g of oil-based gel.

Testosterone affects many parts of the body, from muscles to mood, and even small changes in hormone levels can have noticeable effects. A precise dosage is key to making sure that you feel your best and avoid these risks. In Canada, men undergoing TRT in Canada are generally monitored with regular blood tests to ensure hormone levels remain in a safe range.

For example, if a man’s testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL, the __________ produce testosterone doctor might start with a moderate dose, such as 100 mg of testosterone injections per week. If the levels are closer to 500 ng/dL, the starting dose may be lower, around 50 mg per week. The doctor attributed it to fifteen years of an insane sleep schedule from my old job. The lack of sleep had essentially shut my body’s natural testosterone production down. He referred me to a urologist, who put me on a low dose of bi-weekly testosterone injections right away.

If your testosterone levels are too low, your dose may be adjusted. At the same time, your doctor will check your red blood cell levels. If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits.