Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT for short) appears to be an increasingly used Anti-Aging therapy.TRT is the use of hormone replacement for men (and on occasion, women), who do not produce sufficient amounts of Testosterone hormone themselves. A person's Testosterone level can be identified through a serum blood test, where hormone levels tend to be measured in Nanograms per Decilitre (ng/dL).For an adult male, the middle of the normal range should be between 300 - 1000 ng/dL, so the aim of TRT would be to restore a normal level of serum hormone.Once low Testosterone levels have been confirmed by a blood test, your Doctors may then determine if treatment is necessary. What’s the Problem with Low Testosterone?

In order to understand the benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy, it's useful to understand first the health challenges associated with low Testosterone levels.

Testosterone is a hormone produced by both men and women, and is responsible for generating male and female sexual characteristics.In men, testosterone is primarily secreted by the testes. In women, the hormone is primarily secreted by the ovaries.

In men, Testosterone levels are greatest just before they reach their 20s.Testosterone levels decline with age, beginning to diminish as early as the mid-thirties. As testosterone levels decrease, the risk for developing Osteoporosis increases due to a loss of bone calcium as a consequence of low Testosterone levels.So, because Testosterone is produced by men and women, low testosterone levels can affect both sexes.

Other problems associated with low testosterone levels may include:

Diabetes,(particularly in men with Insulin Resistance)

Obesity

Decreased sex drive

Infertility

Irritability

Depression

Poor concentration

Decreased stamina

Decreased muscle mass

Bone loss

Fatigue

Gynecomastia

Coronary heart problems

Hypertension

And Health professionals realise that there may be other problems not yet diagnosed, or which may follow on from any of the conditions mentioned.

Why should I benefit from TRT?

Now in use for well over fifty years, Testosterone Replacement Therapy may become for men what Oestrogen therapy has become for millions of women, because it seems to be a highly sought after treatment for male menopause.Having said, this type of therapy may be recommended for men and women who have Testosterone deficiency.

A person's Testosterone level can be identified through a serum blood test, where hormone levels tend to be measured in Nanograms per Decilitre (ng/dL).For an adult male, the middle of the normal range should be between 300 - 1000 ng/dL, so the aim of TRT would be to restore a normal level of serum hormone.Once low Testosterone levels have been confirmed by a blood test, your Doctors may then determine if treatment is necessary.

It's worth noting here that you should have TRT: i) Only if you have been diagnosed with low Testosterone by your Health Professional ii) You are taking TRT under a Doctor's prescription and supervision.

TRT can be administered by one of four treatments:

i) Injections. Perhaps the most favoured way of administering treatment; however, their drawback is that they can be painful.

ii) Oral medication,(tablets). Perhaps, the most convenient way of having TRT.

iii) Gels / Creams. A prescribed amount of gel or cream is used to be spread onto the body.

iv) Transdermal Patch, or Testosterone pellets. A Patch can be placed strategically on the skin as determined by a licensed medical professional. Testosterone pellets are a form of testosterone replacement therapy that uses testosterone pellets implanted underneath the skin. Pellets can provide a consistent level of Testosterone release for about 4 months.

Of course, the goal for your Health Professional is to match the most appropriate treatment to the individual patient.

The Decision is Mine

So, once you receive knowledge about TRT, the decision to use TRT is one you make along with your Health Professional. The benefits of TRT should include less pronounced symptoms of any of the conditions mentioned earlier: TRT seems to be particularly good at managing symptoms of type 2 Diabetes.However, TRT may have side effects. So, if you ever consider having TRT, always do your research and due diligence to find out whether such treatment is right for you, along with active discussions with your Health Professional.

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