A Man’s Guide To TRT In Preston Hollow:
Everything You Need To Know
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For example, according to studies, testosterone effectively inhibits amino acid oxidation and promotes protein synthesis in skeletal muscles. In simpler terms, testosterone assists in maintaining (and enhancing) lean muscle mass. If you’re not experiencing progress in the gym despite following a balanced diet and workout routine, low testosterone levels might be a contributing factor.
And that’s just the tip…
Testosterone is essentially what distinguishes masculinity in men. From hair growth to muscle size, jawline shape to voice pitch, libido to confidence, metabolism to bone density, testosterone influences a plethora of male characteristics. This is why testosterone is recognized as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS).
Just as with human growth hormone (HGH), a multitude of elements come into play in determining your body’s natural production of testosterone, either positively or negatively. These factors typically involve:
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 In Preston Hollow
Depending on the type of testosterone utilized, many men witness a decrease in low T symptoms within a month of starting TRT. However, for some individuals, it may take longer to see improvements in health and well-being. Although several weeks or months may seem lengthy, it’s relatively quick in addressing long-term health concerns. It’s vital to recognize that TRT offers a lasting remedy for enduring health issues.
Studies suggest that the short-term benefits of TRT could encompass an increased feeling of vitality, heightened libido, enhanced energy levels, better sleep quality, and other positive changes.[2] The vast majority of TRT recipients find the initial waiting period for testosterone to kick in to be highly valuable.
What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED
Blood work is required for all prospective patients. This enables us to evaluate the quantitative values of your testosterone (and potentially other related assays). It’s crucial 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 Preston Hollow to oversee the initiation of TRT should offer peace of mind, as they are skilled in prescribing medication accurately and minimizing any potential side effects or health risks. If your blood work suggests inadequate 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 may opt for weekly TRT injections at the Gameday office for added convenience.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF
In reality, when administering testosterone injections, the needle used is usually small, resulting in smooth insertion into the muscle tissue with minimal sensation once the skin is pierced. It’s crucial to maintain composure and steadiness throughout the process. While one might assume that fast needle insertion would minimize sensation, it’s not a controlled technique. Firmly grip the syringe, take a breath, and confidently pierce the skin. The needle will glide smoothly into the muscle, allowing you to dispense the testosterone by applying pressure to the plunger. (You might experience a slight muscle twitch, but it’s typically not painful, more of a reflex.)
Usually, the injection process lasts for about 15 seconds. It’s imperative to maintain a sterile environment consistently. Before administering the injection, clean the injection site using an alcohol wipe, and avoid reusing needles or syringes to mitigate the risk of infections.
When you inject testosterone, you’re placing an oil depot into the muscle tissue, which gradually releases into the bloodstream over several days or even weeks, depending on the ester. This may lead to soreness at the injection site for a few days following the procedure. However, rest assured that this is a typical reaction and typically resolves spontaneously. 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?
Alternatively, you can ask a friend or family member to assist with the first few injections if you prefer to do them at home.
In the long run, it’s advantageous to become comfortable with self-administering TRT injections. It’s not always feasible to rely on someone else to inject you, particularly if you live alone or prioritize privacy regarding your TRT.
Deep breaths and relaxation will help; you’ve got this.
WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT
Nonetheless, a considerable number of TRT patients report positive shifts in their health and well-being during the first month of TRT. These short-term benefits could encompass:
- 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 tailored therapy, and it’s not advisable to compare your TRT regimen with others’. It typically requires some experimentation at the start, and the timeline for experiencing benefits differs for each individual.
THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT
When you start supplementing with exogenous testosterone, your body will reduce its natural (endogenous) testosterone production. This occurs because of the negative feedback loop that your pituitary gland employs to regulate testosterone production.
In individuals with good health, the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH) to direct the testes to produce testosterone and maintain levels within the proper range. The pituitary’s negative feedback loop acts as a sort of “shutdown” for your body’s internal testosterone production pathway, as you’re receiving all necessary testosterone from an external source.
Naturally, your body doesn’t need to synthesize testosterone since it’s essentially being fed the hormone.
This may cause your testicles to shrink because of reduced LH production (leading to diminished testosterone synthesis in the testes). Moreover, you may notice a decrease in sperm counts, which could pose challenges if you’re aiming to start a family.
These challenges can be addressed through certain strategies; one such strategy 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. Although 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 In Preston Hollow
From an evolutionary perspective, men depended on higher testosterone levels to fuel their “alpha male” drive for hunting and family protection. In modern culture, individuals with higher testosterone levels are known to live longer, have more vitality, and exude greater confidence.
Naturally, facing low T levels is a significant issue as it implies a deficiency in the core substance that defines masculinity. TRT represents a life-changing treatment for many males, and the research supporting its benefits is indisputable.
Hopefully, this guide has equipped you with valuable insights into what to expect on TRT in Preston Hollow and how to take the first steps towards restoring your testosterone levels to a healthy range. Keep yourself updated with the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for future articles addressing all your inquiries and anxieties regarding male health and fitness!
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.