A Man’s Guide To TRT In Coeur d’Alene:
Everything You Need To Know
GET STARTED NOW
For example, studies suggest that testosterone effectively reduces the breakdown of amino acids and enhances skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Put plainly, testosterone aids in maintaining (and building) lean body mass. If you’re not seeing results at the gym despite sticking to a proper diet and exercise regimen, low testosterone levels may be a consideration.
And that’s just the beginning of it…
Testosterone is essentially what embodies masculinity in men. Everything from hair growth to muscular size, jawline shape to voice pitch, libido to confidence, metabolism to bone density, is interconnected with testosterone levels. This is why testosterone is identified as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS).
Similar to human growth hormone (HGH), there are various factors affecting your body’s endogenous production of testosterone, either positively or negatively. These factors typically consist of:
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 testosterone form, many men notice a reduction in low T symptoms within a month of starting TRT. However, for some, it may take longer to see improvements in health and well-being. Although several weeks or months may feel lengthy, it’s relatively quick in addressing long-term health concerns. It’s crucial to recognize that TRT offers a lasting remedy for enduring health issues.
Studies propose that the short-term benefits of TRT might include an elevated feeling of vitality, heightened libido, increased energy levels, enhanced sleep quality, and various other positive alterations.[2] The majority of individuals undergoing TRT find the initial wait for testosterone to take effect to be worth it.
What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED
Blood work is mandatory for all prospective patients. This enables us to analyze the quantitative values of your testosterone (and possibly other associated assays). It’s essential to undergo blood work before and during TRT to monitor your red blood cell counts, blood lipids, prostate-specific antigen, and other relevant biomarkers to ensure they are within a healthy range.
Entrusting a qualified physician in Coeur D’Alene to oversee the commencement of TRT should offer reassurance, as they are knowledgeable in prescribing medication accurately and minimizing any potential side effects or health issues. If your blood work suggests low testosterone levels, you will likely be considered a suitable candidate for TRT.
If you opt to proceed with starting TRT through Gameday Men’s Health, you’ll receive an initial testosterone injection and be educated on self-administering future doses. Alternatively, you have the option of weekly TRT injections at the Gameday office for convenience.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF
In practice, when administering testosterone injections, the needle gauge is usually small, resulting in smooth insertion into the muscle tissue with minimal sensation once the skin is punctured. It’s essential to maintain calm and steady hands throughout the process. Although one might assume that quick needle insertion would diminish sensation, it’s not a controlled method. Firmly grasp the syringe, take a breath, and confidently penetrate the skin. The needle will glide effortlessly into the muscle, enabling you to deliver the testosterone by applying pressure to the plunger. (You may experience a slight muscle twitch, but it’s generally not painful, more of a reflex.)
Typically, the entire injection process takes less than 15 seconds. It’s crucial to maintain sterility throughout. Before administering the injection, use an alcohol wipe to disinfect the injection site, and avoid reusing needles or syringes to minimize the risk of infections.
In the process of injecting testosterone, you’re placing an oil depot into the muscle tissue, which is gradually dispersed into the bloodstream over several days or weeks, depending on the ester. This might result in injection site soreness for a few days post-procedure. However, rest assured, this is a common occurrence and typically resolves on its own. Massaging the muscle and applying a warm gel pack for 5-10 minutes can help alleviate any discomfort or stiffness at the injection site.
DO I HAVE TO INJECT MYSELF ON TRT?
Should you opt for home injections, enlisting the aid of a friend or family member for the initial injections is also an option.
Over time, it’s beneficial to become confident in self-administering TRT injections. Relying on others to inject you may not always be practical, particularly if you live alone or wish to maintain privacy about your TRT.
Keep calm and take deep breaths; you’ve got this.
WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT
Nonetheless, many TRT patients notice beneficial changes in their health and well-being within the first month of commencing TRT. These short-term benefits might consist of:
- 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 individualized therapy, and it’s not recommended to compare your TRT protocol with others’. It usually requires some experimentation in the beginning, and the duration for seeing improvements differs for each individual.
THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT
Initiating exogenous testosterone therapy will lead to a reduction in your body’s natural (endogenous) testosterone production. This is because of the negative feedback loop regulated by your pituitary gland to manage testosterone production.
In individuals with good health, the pituitary gland produces luteinizing hormone (LH), prompting the testes to produce testosterone and maintain levels within the correct range. The pituitary’s negative feedback loop functions similarly to a “shutdown” mechanism for your body’s internal testosterone production pathway, as all required testosterone is obtained from an external source.
Naturally, your body doesn’t need to manufacture testosterone since it’s essentially being given the hormone.
This could lead to your testicles shrinking as a result of reduced LH production (resulting in diminished testosterone synthesis in the testes). Additionally, you may encounter a decrease in sperm counts, which could pose challenges if you’re planning to have children.
These challenges can be managed through various means; one such method is to incorporate human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) into the TRT regimen. HCG, which mimics the LH produced by the pituitary gland, is naturally produced in females by the placenta during pregnancy. While it’s commonly used “off-label” for weight loss, it’s also known to enhance fertility and increase testicle size in males (by promoting testosterone production from the testes, similar to LH).
TAKE-HOME POINTS ABOUT TRT
Looking through an evolutionary lens, men required increased testosterone levels to support their roles as dominant “alpha males” in hunting and family defense. In today’s culture, individuals with higher testosterone levels are reported to enjoy longer lives, enhanced vitality, and exude greater confidence.
Dealing with low T naturally demands serious attention as it indicates a deficiency in the very essence of manhood. TRT presents a life-changing opportunity for countless males, and the research supporting its benefits is unequivocal.
Hopefully, this guide has provided you with clarity on what to expect on TRT in Coeur D’Alene and how to kick off the process of restoring your testosterone levels to a healthy range. Be sure to follow the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for future articles tackling all your inquiries and concerns about male health and wellness!
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.