The Pros and Cons of Testosterone Therapy

Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Injections, Patches, and Gels

Testosterone pellets are small plastic pellets that doctors implant under the skin. The pellets dissolve slowly and can deliver TRT for 3–6 months. The dosage varies between individuals and a person should discuss this with their doctor prior to the first implantation. Topical gel dosage is usually between 40–100 mg per day but this will vary between products.

People can expect to have these blood tests at the start of the treatment, then three to six months later. Doctors will then repeat these tests annually if the results prove to be stable. Although TRT offers benefits to people with low testosterone levels, it can cause many short-term side effects. However, doctors do not usually recommend TRT as the first course of action for low testosterone levels, even for males who show such symptoms.

The biggest difference between gels and injections is how testosterone is absorbed. With gels, testosterone enters your body more slowly and consistently. This can help avoid the “rollercoaster” effect that injections sometimes cause.

Starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a long-term commitment that comes with both benefits and responsibilities. While many early side effects are manageable, understanding the ongoing impact of treatment is key to staying safe and getting the most out of your therapy. Some men report mood swings, irritability, or a short temper, especially in the initial weeks of therapy.

When starting TRT, doctors will look at both a man’s age and weight to determine the starting dosage. For younger men or men with less body fat, the initial dosage may be on the lower side, as their bodies are generally more efficient at using testosterone. Older men or men who are overweight may start on a higher dosage because their bodies either don’t produce enough testosterone or convert too much of it into estrogen.

If your T levels are only slightly low for your age, you probably don’t need TRT. If they’re significantly low, your provider will likely do some additional testing before recommending TRT. Certain symptoms can lead to a diagnosis of low testosterone, or hypogonadism, and make you a candidate for TRT [38]. People should be screened for sleep apnea before and during treatment [36-37]. TRT has been shown to provide numerous benefits for people with hypogonadism.

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.

The only way to know whether you truly have low T is by seeing a healthcare provider for a testosterone level test. This is a simple blood test, and most providers require it before prescribing TRT. Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy, in the form of injections, pellets, patches or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men.

Prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow, therefore taking TRT may make the cancer cells grow faster. The National Cancer Research Institute states that men with higher levels of testosterone in their blood are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Past research found a correlation between TRT and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to testosterone’s growth-promoting effects on the prostate. This is common among aging men who developed hypogonadism late in their life. Hypercapnia is a condition where carbon dioxide levels get too high in the blood. This can lead to problems such as respiratory acidosis, with symptoms including fatigue and drowsiness or a strong desire to sleep.

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 size needle for testosterone injection in glute (jointjedraaien.nl) 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.