Know More About TRT San Diego Before Deciding to Undergo Treatment

Testosterone replacement therapy, more commonly called TRT, is a procedure in which testosterone is added into a man’s body by either ingesting, injecting, or applying dermal patches with testosterone-containing medications to increase his testosterone concentration. It is used to cure hypogonadism – a condition marked by low blood testosterone levels and clinical symptoms consistent with low testosterone, such as lack of hair on the body and excessive breast growth. 

The purpose of TRT San Diego is to restore normal testosterone levels in the blood. Additionally, it can help regain a man’s sexual desire and expression of sex hormones in the process, such as deep voice and facial and body hair.

TRT San Diego: Who Should Undergo Treatment?

Testosterone replacement therapy is used to cure men who have been diagnosed with hypogonadism definitively. To be identified with hypogonadism, a person must have low testosterone blood levels and clinical signs of abnormality such as lack of body hair and breast growth. Since the majority of the causes of low testosterone, like testicular dysfunction, are incurable, the majority of men who begin testosterone replacement therapy should continue treatment for the remainder of their lives. TRT is not used in males with reversible or age-related reasons of testosterone deficiency.

TRT San Diego: Who Should Not Undergo Treatment?

1. Men over the age of 40

A man’s testosterone levels naturally decline as they age, a condition known as andropause or male menopause. This can manifest clinically as sexual dysfunction and low testosterone levels in the blood. There is no evidence to support the use of testosterone replacement therapy in these men.

2. Illness, whether chronic or transient or recent trauma

When a disease like diabetes or trauma triggers hypogonadism, TRT is rarely helpful. In these instances, the underlying illness or trauma that contributed to the low testosterone should be treated.

3. Breast or prostate cancer

TRT is not used to cure males with breast or prostate cancer because it could enhance the growth of these cancers.

4. Others

Testosterone replacement therapy is contraindicated in the following conditions in men:

• Nodules or indurations in the prostate;
• Increased prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels for no apparent reason;
• Erythrocytosis;
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia associated with significant urinary tract dysfunction;
• Heart failure with congestive heart failure;
• Untreated obstructive sleep apnea;
• Over the age of 65 years;
• Testosterone replacement therapy is not indicated for the treatment of infertility, erectile dysfunction, or atypical symptoms.

TRT San Diego: Objectives and Outcomes of Treatment

The purpose of TRT is to bring blood testosterone levels back to normal. When used to treat hypogonadism in men, it may also have additional benefits, including the following:

• Enhanced libido;
• Enhancement of one’s sense of well-being;
• Loss of body fat and gain of lean muscle mass; and
• Bone density is increased.

Blood testosterone levels and sexual desire typically improve within the first week of therapy, while other benefits usually occur within two months.

It is critical to keep in mind that TRT usually has a significant placebo effect during the early stages of treatment. This means that many men who take testosterone notice an improvement like increased sex drive not because the testosterone-containing medication increased their testosterone levels, but because of the psychological impact of the medicine. In short, some men believe testosterone therapy is effective and then feel better, even though the treatment is ineffective. This may create confusion and discontentment as the treatment’s placebo effect diminishes.

TRT Dosage

The majority of adult men eventually receive substitute testosterone at a sufficient dose to restore blood testosterone levels to normal in men over 40. Lower doses are typically used in prepubescent boys and adult men to avoid a dangerous increase in sexual desire or energy. After treatment begins, the doctor will examine the man’s blood testosterone levels and side effects and adjust the dose accordingly.

TRT Treatment Monitoring

Due to the irreversible nature of the reasons for testosterone deficiency, TRT is typically lifelong. Men who receive testosterone replacement therapy will have their response assessed throughout their treatment.

To determine a man’s response to treatment, testosterone levels in his blood are typically assessed three months after treatment begins. Three to six months after therapy starts, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels may also be measured, as low levels of LH imply that the therapy is working.

If testosterone replacement therapy fails to increase testosterone levels in a man’s blood adequately, hypogonadism would not be the cause of his symptoms. In these cases, the doctor will discontinue testosterone replacement therapy and begin classifying other conditions related to testosterone deficiency.

A physician will monitor changes in the symptoms of low testosterone and the treatment’s side effects. This monitoring typically begins three to six months after the start of treatment and continues annually after that. Typically, a doctor will assess a man for symptoms of:

• Edema;
• Breast development;
• Obstructive sleep apnea;
• Disorders of the lower urinary tract; and
• Inadequate bone mineral density.
• Periodic tests will typically include the following:
• Digital rectal examination to detect prostate cancer;
• Testosterone levels in the blood
• Prostate-specific antigen levels in the blood;
• Hematocrit;
• Density of bone mineral;
• Lipid levels in the blood;
• The liver’s function.

TRT San Diego: Advantages

Testosterone replacement therapy has a plethora of short- and long-term advantages. These include the following:

Physical

• Increase in energy
• Bone density is increased
• Risks of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are reduced
• Decreased risk of coronary artery disease
• Risk of osteoporosis is decreased
• Decreased body fat
• Decreased risk of anemia
• Increased muscle strength
• Lean body mass

Sexual

• Enhanced libido;
• Increased sexual pleasure;
• Enhanced erection satisfaction; and
• Sexual activity is increased.

Psychological

• An elevated mood and a greater sense of well-being; and
• Enhancement of memory and cognition function

TRT San Diego: Consequences and Risks 

The side effects of TRT are uncommon and vary according to the patient’s age, life circumstances, and health status. They include the following:

• Polycythemia: Usually appears to happen in older men who receive testosterone via injection;
• Obstructive sleep apnea;
• Mania: A condition that occurs in a small percentage of men when an excessive amount of testosterone is administered;
• Decreased testicle size and infertility: As a result of testosterone’s effect on gonadotrophins;
• Breast development;
• Erythrocytosis;
• Skin diseases: Predominately associated with the use of transdermal patches;
• Acne, hair growth, and weight gain are all possible side effects.