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A Man’s Guide To TRT In Redwood City:
Everything You Need To Know
GET STARTED NOW
For example, studies suggest that testosterone effectively suppresses the oxidation of amino acids and stimulates skeletal muscle protein synthesis.[1] Essentially, testosterone helps maintain (and possibly enhance) lean body mass. If you’re not noticing improvements in your fitness journey despite following a balanced diet and regular exercise, low testosterone levels could be a potential concern.
And that’s only the beginning…
Testosterone stands as the quintessential marker of masculinity in men. It governs crucial aspects such as hair growth, muscle mass, jawline definition, vocal tone, sexual desire, self-assurance, metabolic rate, bone strength, and more. Hence, it’s recognized as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS).
Similar to human growth hormone (HGH), your endogenous production of testosterone is subject to a multitude of factors, which can impact it 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 REDWOOD CITY
Depending on the type of testosterone administered, many men observe a decrease in low T symptoms within just one month of starting TRT. For some, the benefits might take a bit longer to manifest. While weeks or months might seem lengthy, it’s actually a swift process in the bigger picture. It’s crucial to recognize that TRT is a long-term approach to a chronic health issue.
Studies show that the short-term advantages of TRT can include a boost in vitality, an increase in libido, higher energy levels, better sleep, and other positive outcomes. Most TRT patients feel that the initial waiting period is well worth the eventual benefits.
What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED
We require blood work from all potential patients. This allows us to measure your testosterone levels and other related parameters. Blood work before and during TRT is essential to ensure your red blood cell counts, blood lipids, prostate-specific antigen, and other relevant biomarkers are within a healthy range.
A licensed physician in Redwood City overseeing your TRT should help you feel at ease, as they are trained to administer the treatment properly and minimize side effects and health risks. If your blood work indicates low testosterone levels, you will likely be considered a viable candidate for TRT.
If you choose to begin TRT with Gameday Men’s Health, you’ll receive a testosterone injection and learn how to self-administer future doses. Alternatively, you can visit the Gameday office for quick and easy weekly injections.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF
The needle gauge for testosterone injections is very small; once it punctures the skin, it glides smoothly into the muscle tissue with little sensation. The best strategy is to take deep breaths and stay steady while inserting the needle.
You might think that quickly jabbing the needle will avoid any discomfort, but that’s not a very controlled technique. Firmly grip the syringe barrel, breathe deeply, and penetrate your skin steadily. The needle will glide into your muscle, allowing you to press the plunger and dispense the testosterone. Your muscle may twitch slightly, but this is usually a reflex rather than a pain response.
The injection process generally takes no more than 15 seconds. Always ensure a sterile environment by disinfecting the injection site with an alcohol wipe and never reusing needles or syringes to prevent infections.
Injecting testosterone places a depot of oil into muscle tissue, which is then slowly absorbed into the bloodstream over days or weeks, depending on the ester. You might feel some soreness at the injection site for a few days, but this is normal and will go away on its own. Massaging the muscle and applying a warm gel pack for 5-10 minutes can help reduce any soreness or stiffness.
DO I HAVE TO INJECT MYSELF ON TRT?
Alternatively, if you prefer a helping hand, don’t hesitate to involve a trusted friend or family member for those initial injections, particularly if you choose to administer them in your own home.
Long-term, mastering self-administered TRT injections is advantageous. Depending on others for injections may not always be viable, especially if you live alone or prefer to keep your TRT journey private.
Take a moment to breathe deeply and relax—believe in yourself, you’ve got this.
WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT IN REDWOOD CITY
That said, numerous TRT patients do report positive changes in their health and well-being within the initial 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
Remember, TRT is individualized, and comparing your experience to others’ isn’t helpful. It often involves trial and error, and the time it takes to see benefits varies for each individual.
THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT
When you start TRT, your body will decrease its natural testosterone production. This happens due to the pituitary gland’s negative feedback loop that regulates hormone levels.
In healthy individuals, the pituitary gland produces luteinizing hormone (LH) to signal the testes to produce testosterone. With exogenous testosterone, this feedback loop “shuts down” internal production because the external source meets the testosterone need.
Naturally, your body ceases its own testosterone production because it is being ‘fed’ the hormone externally.
As a side effect, your testicles may shrink due to decreased LH production and subsequent testosterone synthesis in the testes. You might also notice a reduction in sperm count, which can be an issue if you’re planning to have children.
To address these issues, a common approach is to use human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) alongside TRT. HCG, an analog of the LH your pituitary gland produces, is usually made by the placenta in females during pregnancy. Though often used “off-label” for weight loss, it has proven benefits in enhancing fertility and testicle size in males by promoting testosterone production from the testes, similar to how LH functions.
TAKE-HOME POINTS ABOUT TRT IN REDWOOD CITY
From an evolutionary perspective, higher testosterone levels were essential for men to have the ‘alpha male’ drive necessary for hunting and family protection. Today, men with elevated testosterone levels are often found to live longer, have more energy, and display increased confidence.
Naturally, having low T is a serious condition as it means you’re lacking the very substance that makes you a man. TRT can be a life-changing protocol for many men, with unequivocal research supporting its benefits.
Hopefully, this guide has given you a clearer idea of what to expect with TRT in Redwood City and how to begin the process of restoring your testosterone levels to a healthy range. Keep an eye on the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for future posts addressing all your questions 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.