A New Look At Testosterone Therapy In [location_name]

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Throughout the past decade, TRT has seen a significant rise in popularity in Rowlett. Countless older men have chosen this therapy to restore hormone levels, with the aim of elevating their energy and rejuvenating their sexual drive.

Even with its broad usage, TRT remains a controversial issue because of its uncertain benefits and potential health risks. Years ago, studies proposed a possible link between TRT and increased cardiovascular disease risk, raising safety concerns.

At the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Frances Hayes, a reproductive endocrinologist, highlights study limitations.

“For instance, in one study, TRT doses were much higher than what would usually be prescribed, and the subjects tended to be more frail, with other health problems,” she says. “Other studies showed no evidence of increased risk.”

THE LATEST FINDINGS

New research supports this position. A study unveiled at the 2015 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions included 1,472 men aged 52 to 63 with low testosterone and no history of cardiovascular disease.

The results indicated that TRT did not elevate the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death among healthy men.

Further findings published in the August 2015 Mayo Clinic Proceedings showed no connection between TRT and blood clots in veins among 30,000 men. “Right now, the jury is still out about TRT’s influence on cardiovascular disease,” says Dr. Hayes.

TRT’s connection to other health issues presents a mixed scenario. Although previous studies linked TRT to a higher risk of prostate cancer, the December 2015 Journal of Urology published a study showing no increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer with five years of TRT exposure. This challenges conventional understanding and suggests further investigation into TRT’s long-term effects.

The long-term risks of TRT are still unknown, given the limited follow-up in many studies. Nevertheless, individuals should not shy away from considering TRT as a potential option, as it may still be suitable for specific cases.

Who Is a Candidate For TRT In [location_name]?

In Rowlett, obtaining a TRT prescription requires meeting two prerequisites: having low testosterone levels (below 600 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL)) and experiencing various symptoms (refer to page 7). Dr. Hayes emphasizes, “While it’s possible to have low levels without symptoms, if essential symptoms like fatigue and sexual dysfunction aren’t present, starting TRT isn’t recommended due to current uncertainties about its long-term safety.”

Employing a standard blood test is a routine method to measure testosterone levels. Given the daily fluctuations and the influence of medication and diet, conducting multiple tests becomes crucial. Dr. Hayes points out, “In roughly 30% of cases where the initial testosterone test indicates low levels, subsequent tests demonstrate normal levels.”

Even when faced with low testosterone levels and presenting with diverse symptoms, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) isn’t always the immediate remedy. Dr. Hayes suggests, “Understanding the underlying cause of declining levels enables us to address it and naturally raise low levels.”

Take weight gain, for instance, often the top cause of decreasing levels. “Weight plays a larger role in testosterone levels than aging. As weight increases, testosterone levels tend to fall,” she emphasizes. A five-point increase on the body mass index (BMI) scale, like progressing from 30 to 35, equates to adding 10 years to your age in terms of testosterone levels.

“Your doctor should also consider any additional factors that could influence levels, such as medication or medical conditions,” recommends Dr. Hayes. In such circumstances, your doctor could tackle the root cause or adjust your medication or dosage to avoid affecting testosterone levels.

Men should grasp the limitations of TRT, as it’s commonly hailed as a miraculous solution. “Its outcomes are typically not as astounding as men expect,” Dr. Hayes observes.

An illustration of this can be seen in the frequent emphasis on sexual health and vitality as benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). A study detailed in the Feb. 18, 2016 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine investigated the effects of TRT on 790 men aged 65 and older. Participants who received TRT for one year, compared to those on a placebo, observed enhancements in sexual function, including activity, desire, and erectile function. However, the group only experienced a slight uplift in mood and detected no alterations in walking speed, a measure of TRT’s effect on vitality.

Using TRT

Administering TRT is possible through gel application or injection. Using gel involves spreading the daily dose, roughly the size of a ketchup packet, across both upper arms, shoulders, or thighs. Injections are commonly administered into the buttocks every two weeks.

Both methods offer unique benefits, with gels maintaining stable testosterone levels. “However, you should be careful to avoid close skin contact for a few hours, especially with women, as testosterone could cause acne or hair growth,” Dr. Hayes advises.

Following an injection, testosterone levels may briefly spike before tapering off, causing mood and energy levels to oscillate in a roller-coaster-like manner.

Within four to six weeks, it’s common for most men in Rowlett to experience symptom improvement, although muscle mass changes may take three to six months.

TRT doesn’t have to be taken indefinitely. “If the factor that caused your testosterone drop is resolved, you should try stopping the treatment and be re-evaluated by your doctor,” says Dr. Hayes.