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A Man’s Guide To TRT In Birmingham/Bloomfield, MI:
Everything You Need To Know
GET STARTED NOW
Research findings indicate that testosterone has a powerful effect on reducing amino acid oxidation and increasing protein synthesis in skeletal muscles.[1] Essentially, testosterone helps in maintaining (and even building) lean muscle mass. If you’re not making progress in the gym despite following a balanced diet and exercise routine, low testosterone levels could be a factor to consider.
And this is just the beginning…
Testosterone is essentially what defines masculinity in men, affecting hair growth, muscle size, voice pitch, libido, confidence, metabolism, and bone density.
It’s labeled as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS), similar to human growth hormone (HGH). Your body’s production of testosterone is influenced by a range of factors, both positively and negatively. These factors commonly include:
Positive regulators (these generally increase testosterone)
- Sufficient sleep
- Healthy body composition (leanness)
- Intense exercise (especially vigorous resistance training)
- Intermittent abstinence (up to 10 days)
Negative regulators (these typically decrease testosterone)
- Obesity
- Diabetes (specifically insulin-resistant/type II diabetes)
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Very-low-fat diet (fat is necessary for synthesizing androgens)
- Xenobiotics
- Lack of sleep
- Chronic stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Prolonged cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise
SYMPTOMS OF LOW T (TESTOSTERONE)
- Erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Reduced libido/sex drive
- Decreased energy (fatigue)
- Reduced muscle bulk and strength
- Depression
- Small or shrinking testes
- Poor concentration (brain fog) and recall
- Low red blood cell count (anemia)
- Brittle bones and general weakness
- Hot flashes
- Infertility
- Body fat increase
- Loss of body and pubic hair
- Sleep apnea (or other sleep disorders)
- Development of breast tissue (gynecomastia)
WHAT TO EXPECT ON TRT
Depending on the type of testosterone employed, many men observe a reduction in low T symptoms within just one month of initiating TRT. While some individuals may experience improvements sooner, for others, it may take a bit longer. Although waiting several weeks or months may seem like a significant period, it’s actually relatively brief in the broader context. It’s important to understand that TRT offers a sustainable solution to a persistent health issue.
Research indicates that the short-term benefits of TRT may include heightened vitality, increased libido, enhanced energy levels, improved sleep quality, and other positive changes.[2] The majority of TRT patients find that the initial waiting period for testosterone to take effect is well worthwhile.
What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED
Blood work is a mandatory requirement for all potential patients. This allows us to assess the precise levels of your testosterone (and potentially other related factors). It’s essential to conduct blood work both before and during TRT to monitor key indicators such as red blood cell counts, blood lipids, prostate-specific antigen, and other relevant biomarkers to ensure your well-being.
Entrusting a licensed physician to manage the initiation of TRT should provide reassurance, as they are skilled in prescribing appropriate medications and mitigating potential side effects or health risks. If your blood work indicates suboptimal testosterone levels, you’re likely to be deemed a suitable candidate for TRT.
If you decide to begin TRT with Gameday Men’s Health in Birmingham/Bloomfield, MI, you’ll receive a testosterone injection and receive guidance on self-administering future doses. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Gameday office for easy and convenient weekly TRT injections.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF
In practice, testosterone injections use a very small needle gauge. After the initial skin penetration, the needle will effortlessly enter your muscle tissue with minimal discomfort. Remember to take deep breaths and remain steady as you insert the needle.
You might instinctively believe that quickly inserting the needle will minimize any sensation, but this isn’t the most controlled method. Instead, grip the syringe firmly, take a deep breath, and confidently puncture your skin. The needle will smoothly enter your muscle, where you’ll then apply pressure to the plunger to administer the testosterone. While your muscle might twitch slightly, it’s typically not painful for most people; rather, it’s more of a reflex.
Normally, the injection process is completed in about 15 seconds. It’s essential to uphold sterility throughout. Prior to injection, disinfect the injection spot with an alcohol wipe. Never reuse needles or syringes, as this significantly increases the risk of infections.
When you administer a testosterone injection, you’re introducing an oil depot into the muscle tissue, which slowly releases into the bloodstream over several days or weeks, depending on the ester used. Consequently, you may experience soreness at the injection site for a few days afterward. Rest assured, this is a common occurrence and usually resolves on its own. Massaging the muscle and applying a warm gel pack for 5-10 minutes can also provide relief from any soreness or stiffness at the injection site.
DO I HAVE TO INJECT MYSELF ON TRT?
Alternatively, if you prefer to administer injections at home, you can enlist the help of a friend or family member for the initial injections.
Ultimately, it’s important to feel confident in administering TRT injections yourself. Depending on others for injections may not always be feasible, especially if you live independently or wish to maintain confidentiality about your TRT journey.
Just breathe and relax, you got this.
WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT
However, many TRT patients experience positive changes in their health and well-being within the first month of treatment. Some short-term benefits may include:
- Increase in libido/sex drive
- Restoration of erectile quality
- Improvement in energy levels and concentration
- A better sense of vitality
- More restorative sleep cycles
- Ability to recover from exercise more efficiently
- More confidence
- Support for healthy body composition
- Facial hair growth
- Improvement of bone and joint health
- More adequate red blood cell production
TRT is an individualized therapy, and it’s important not to compare your TRT routine with others’. Initially, TRT involves some trial and error, and the duration for benefits to appear varies from person to person.
THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT
When you begin taking exogenous testosterone, your body will reduce its natural (endogenous) testosterone production. This is due to the negative feedback loop governed by your pituitary gland, which regulates testosterone production.
In healthy individuals, the pituitary gland secretes luteinizing hormone (LH), signaling the testes to produce testosterone to maintain appropriate levels. The pituitary’s negative feedback loop functions as a “shutdown” mechanism for your body’s internal testosterone production pathway, as exogenous testosterone supplies all the required testosterone.
Naturally, your body doesn’t need to generate testosterone since it’s essentially receiving the hormone from an external source.
Consequently, your testicles may shrink in size due to reduced LH production, leading to decreased testosterone synthesis in the testes. Additionally, you may notice a decline in sperm counts, which could pose a challenge if you’re attempting to conceive.
There are ways to address these concerns, and one method involves using human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) alongside TRT. HCG acts similarly to the LH produced by the pituitary gland. Although commonly associated with pregnancy in females, HCG is also employed off-label for weight loss. Furthermore, it has documented benefits for improving fertility and testicle size in males by stimulating testosterone production from the testes, akin to the action of LH.
TAKE-HOME POINTS ABOUT TRT
From an evolutionary standpoint, men required elevated testosterone levels to fuel their ‘alpha male’ instincts for hunting and safeguarding their families. In contemporary society, individuals with higher testosterone levels are observed to have longer lifespans, increased vitality, and greater confidence.
Naturally, low testosterone levels are a serious concern, as they indicate a deficiency in the key hormone that defines male characteristics. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a life-changing treatment for many males, supported by unequivocal research evidence of its benefits.
I hope this guide has given you a better understanding of what to expect during TRT and how to begin the journey of bringing your testosterone levels back to a healthy state. Keep an eye on the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for future posts covering all your queries and worries regarding male health and well-being!
REFERENCES
- Brodsky, I. G., Balagopal, P., & Nair, K. S. (1996). Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in hypogonadal men–a clinical research center study. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 81(10), 3469-3475.
- Bassil, N., Alkaade, S., & Morley, J. E. (2009). The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 5, 427.
- Dohle, G. R., Smit, M., & Weber, R. F. A. (2003). Androgens and male fertility. World journal of urology, 21(5), 341-345.
- Shores, M. M., Moceri, V. M., Sloan, K. L., Matsumoto, A. M., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2005). Low testosterone levels predict incident depressive illness in older men: effects of age and medical morbidity. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.