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EVERYTHING ABOUT TRT: RESULTS, COSTS, AND FACTS

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EVERYTHING ABOUT TRT: RESULTS, COSTS, AND FACTS

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EVERYTHING ABOUT TRT: RESULTS, COSTS, AND
FACTS

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src="https://gamedaymenshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/image-1.webp" title_text="image-1" force_fullwidth="on" module_class="styleimg" _builder_version="4.17.3" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="|0px||||" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_class="ib_a-style" _builder_version="4.17.3" _module_preset="default" text_font="Titillium Web|600|||||||" text_text_color="#2d2d2d" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="30px" link_text_color="#000000" header_3_font="Montserrat|800|||||||" header_3_text_color="#211e1f" header_3_font_size="28px" header_3_line_height="34px" custom_margin="50px||20px||false|false" custom_padding="||20px||false|false" hover_enabled="0" border_width_bottom="1px" border_color_bottom="#e5e5e5" border_style_bottom="dotted" global_colors_info="{}" link_text_color__hover_enabled="on|hover" link_text_color__hover="#dd2527" sticky_enabled="0"]As men age, their testosterone levels begin to drop. It's natural, but it changes so many aspects of your life, like your energy levels and sex drive.If you struggle with low testosterone, there's help: testosterone replacement therapy.TRT results can change your life and help you feel more like yourself than you have in years.Are you thinking about starting TRT therapy? Here's what you need to know about the treatment, who it's for, and how to pay for it.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone produced by both men and women. However, women make much smaller amounts of it.Because it rages through a male's body beginning in puberty, society tends to associate it with sex drive alone. While it does impact your sex drive and your sperm production, the hormone does much more than that.It also impacts your bone and muscle mass, red blood cell production, and your fat storage. Testosterone even affects your mood once the levels of testosterone start to dip, usually starting around age 30.

What Is Low Testosterone (Low T)?

Your testosterone starts to dip naturally after you leave the throes of puberty and adolescence.While the drop is natural, some men experience more extreme drops than others. These decreases are also called low T levels, and if you have low T levels, you might have symptoms like:

• Low energy levels
• Decreased sex drive
• Moodiness
• Depression
• Less body hair
• Weight gain
• Low self-esteem
• Loss of bone density

These may begin in your 30s or 40s and may occur naturally or be the result of several health issues.Because your testicles make testosterone, any injury or illness that impacts the testicles can damage your T levels.Chemotherapy and radiation in the area are two common culprits among younger men. However, other illnesses that can cause damage to your testosterone production include:

• AIDS
• Alcoholism
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Kidney disease

However, in some cases, you may be born with a condition called hypogonadism, which produces low T levels but is a health issue in itself.

What Is Male Hypogonadism?

Male hypogonadism refers to a condition in which your male body doesn't produce the testosterone needed for all normal functions.You can be born with it - or develop it. Usually, if you develop it, it is the result of an injury or a condition listed above.There are two types of hypogonadism that you may be born with. The first is primary, which is also called primary testicular failure. Secondary hypogonadism is an issue with your pituitary gland or hypothalamus - not your testicles. Your pituitary and hypothalamus tell your testes to make testosterone.Primary hypogonadism can be the result of a congenital abnormality or undescended testicles. It can also stem from infections like mumps or injury to the testicles.Secondary hypogonadism may occur for several reasons, including from an HIV/AIDS infection, obesity, aging, concurrent illness, medications, pituitary disorders, or Kallman syndrome.The difference between male hypogonadism and low T is essential because the symptoms and your treatment depend on when it occurs.Some of the complications that result from both primary and secondary hypogonadism include:

• Infertility
• Erectile dysfunction
• Enlarged male breasts
• Fatigue
• Decreased sex drive
• Loss of muscle mass
• Reduced hair growth
• Bone density loss (osteoporosis)

If it is a congenital issue that develops early, young males may see symptoms like:

• Ambiguous or abnormal genitalia (as babies); and from puberty
• Lack of body hair
• Impaired testicle and penis growth
• Arms and legs disproportionate with the abdomen/trunk
• Enlarged male breasts

Whether the symptoms develop early or late in life, they are usually treated with TRT.

Who Does Low Testosterone Impact?

The acknowledgment of low testosterone as an issue has picked up steam over the past twenty years thanks to a combination of the aging population, increased awareness in the medical community, and advertising of testosterone replacement drugs.All this is to say that if your testosterone is low, you're not alone. The trend of declining testosterone in aging men is well established. Studies find that men lose an average of 0.4 to 1.6 percent of their testosterone production per year on average. Men over 40 lose between 1.7 to 2.8 percent per year.The number of men seeking treatment is also on the rise. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of prescriptions for medications like TRT among men over 40 jumped from 0.81 percent of the population to 2.91 percent.However, it is also worth noting that although the number of men experiencing low T is increasing, the treatments available won't impact men who have normal testosterone levels.

What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the treatment used to reverse the effects of low T and hypogonadism. Physicians primarily prescribe it for younger men who either have primary or secondary hypogonadism or who went through a traumatic experience (injury, cancer, etc.) that caused their testicles to produce lower levels of testosterone either suddenly or very prematurely.TRT is what it says on the tin. It is testosterone provided in a supplemental form. It can include:

• Skin patches
• Gels
• Mouth patches
• Injections
• Implants

Although testosterone is available in pill form, it is rarely prescribed. When you take testosterone orally, your body metabolizes it through the liver, which can lead to liver damage. The other methods send testosterone directly into your bloodstream rather than via the liver, which protects your organs from the stress.Science recognizes testosterone injections as the gold standard for TRT because it's statistically more effective than the other types of testosterone supplements. That's why Gameday Men's Health provides 100 percent bioidentical hormones in injection formula.

How to Start Testosterone Replacement Therapy

When you come to us, Gameday Men's Health offers:

• free testosterone and PSA test
• medical oversight of your care
• 100% bioidentical hormones, which are structurally identical to what your body naturally produces

To start TRT, you first need to Discover Your T Levels using a testosterone level test. You will need to test your hormone levels at least twice before a decision is made. Taking two tests reflects the fluctuations in T levels that all men experience and helps us move onto step two: creating your game plan.Because we use medical oversight every step of the way, our licensed provider uses your health history and your T level tests to create a testosterone program to meet your health needs.You then retake further testosterone level tests at three and six months into your treatment to see how you're improving. However, you could start to see improvements in your energy, mood, and libido after a month.

What Are the Benefits of TRT?

TRT works, but it works best for men who have dramatically lower testosterone as a result of a medical condition or injury.Doctors and the FDA don't advise it for men who want to counteract aging, and your company won't fund it without a diagnosis.If you are aging and struggling with adapting to your testosterone levels, there are also natural things you can do to increase your hormone levels. Losing weight and engaging in exercise are two common recommendations for men who don't qualify for TRT. You may also be told to this in conjunction with TRT to achieve better results.That being said, let's dive into the benefits of trying TRT.In 2018, researchers published the results from The Testosterone Trials (TTRials), which included a coordinated set of high-quality trials among 788 men with a mean age of 72 years.The benefits of TRT for men who received one year of TRT included:

• Improved sexual function (all aspects)
• More physical energy
• Improvements to mood symptoms
• Increased bone density (when lost)
• Higher levels of red blood cells

The most significant and fast-acting effect that TRT has on men is the impact on your sexual interest.Literature suggests that you start to see a renewed sex drive (or sexual interest) after three weeks. After those first three weeks of treatments, your sex drive may continue to grow and grow up to six weeks, when it may begin to plateau (but not necessarily drop).TRT can also help you improve your ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate, but these changes can take up to six months to fully manifest themselves.The same review of literature on TRT says that you could see your quality of life improve within three to four weeks, but these continue to improve after several months.If you struggle with depressive mood related to your low T, then you may see improved mood after three to six weeks with full benefits appearing after 18 to 30 weeks.If you lost lean body mass and gained fat, then you can see improvements over 12 to 16 weeks with your metabolism stabilizing again over six to 12 months. Bone loss begins to remedy itself after six months and over three years.

What Are the Side Effects of TRT?

As long as the TRT you use raises your testosterone levels to a point where you find balance, you shouldn't experience adverse side effects of TRT. Because Gameday Men's Healthy uses weekly appointments, you can always talk to your specialist about any side effects you may experience.For a moment, let's talk about a pervasive myth in our society: the idea that you can have "too much testosterone."The myth of having "too much testosterone" as it accounts for aggressive behavior or a hyperactive sex drive is just that - a myth.However, if you are supplementing, then you do risk increasing your T levels by too much. However, this is only a risk if you are not following your prescription or if your prescription is incorrect.It can also happen if your T levels change for the better in between tests and you continue supplementing too much afterward. However, our weekly appointments pick up on any issues very quickly.Some of the symptoms of (really) having too much testosterone include:

• Acne
• Worsening to sleep apnea
• Decreased testicle size
• Increased red blood cells
• Fluid retention
• Prostate swelling

So, if you suddenly begin to find that you have breakouts or fluid retention, talk to your specialist ASAP.

Is TRT Safe?

TRT is safe, but men with contradictions should be made aware of the risks among some patient populations.One of the significant risks associated with TRT is among men who either have prostate cancer or who have fathers who had prostate cancer. African-American men with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are also at risk from adverse reactions if they take TRT.However, if you have a lower risk, taking TRT may or may not increase it. Studies showed there was little risk of developing prostate cancer on TRT if you don't already have it.Although the impact is rare, polycythemia occurs in 20 percent of men who use TRT. Polycythemia increases your risk of stroke, deep vein thrombosis, and myocardial infarction. You will likely need to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) while on TRT to assess the increase in the risk of polycythemia.

TRT Results: Does TRT Cure Low Testosterone?

TRT treats low testosterone to relieve the related symptoms, but it does not cure it. You may need to stay on TRT indefinitely if you want to continue enjoying the benefits.Your symptoms will likely reoccur when you stop taking it, and your testosterone levels dip again.

How Much Does TRT Cost?

The cost of TRT is an essential consideration because it is a long-term treatment.Fortunately, most companies provide coverage for all forms of TRT as long as you have a prescription. It can be helpful to make sure that your company will cover the treatment.Gameday Men's Health verification process helps you find out where you stand before you sign the dotted line. We accept from companies like:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• BlueCross BlueShield
• Cigna
• Healthnet
• Humana
• United Healthcare

If you use a different company, get in touch to see how we can help.

Are You Ready to Try TRT?

TRT is available to men who have low testosterone, and it could change the way you live your life. You could have more energy, a reinvigorated sex drive, and protect your body shape as you enter your 40s, 50s, and beyond.It also protects aspects of your health that feel less tangible, like your bone density and red blood cell count. Plus, TRT is safe when used correctly, and you receive monitoring for any contraindications.Are you ready to take the plunge and experience the potential TRT results that so many men benefit from?Click here to book a new patient consultation and start your journey to renewed health.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" custom_padding="0px||80px||false|false" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.17.3" _dynamic_attributes="content" _module_preset="default" text_font="Titillium Web|600|||||||" text_text_color="#999999" text_font_size="12px" text_line_height="20px" link_font="Titillium Web|600||on|||||" link_text_color="#999999" global_colors_info="{}" link_text_color__hover_enabled="on|hover" link_text_color__hover="#000000"]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jYXRlZ29yaWVzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiRklMRUQgVU5ERVI6ICIsImFmdGVyIjoiIiwibGlua190b190ZXJtX3BhZ2UiOiJvbiIsInNlcGFyYXRvciI6IiB8ICIsImNhdGVnb3J5X3R5cGUiOiJjYXRlZ29yeSJ9fQ==@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column_inner][/et_pb_row_inner][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_code _builder_version="4.16" _module_preset="default" background_color="#333132" custom_padding="15px|15px|15px|15px|true|true" global_colors_info="{}"]

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