A Man’s Guide To TRT In Roseville:
Everything You Need To Know

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As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline, so keeping them healthy is crucial for longevity and wellness. Studies show that testosterone has many beneficial properties.

Research shows that testosterone significantly lowers amino acid oxidation and enhances muscle protein synthesis, supporting lean muscle maintenance and growth. If you’re not achieving results in the gym with a proper diet and exercise regimen, low testosterone might be the cause.

This is just a fraction…

Testosterone is key to male characteristics like hair growth, muscle size, jawline shape, voice pitch, libido, confidence, metabolism, and bone density. It is identified as an anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS).

Like human growth hormone (HGH), your body’s production of testosterone is influenced by a range of factors, both positive and negative. These factors typically include:

Positive regulators (these generally increase testosterone)

• Quality sleep
• Maintaining a healthy physique
• Strenuous exercise, especially vigorous resistance training
• Limited abstinence (up to 10 days)

Negative regulators (these typically decrease testosterone)

• Severe overweight
• Insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Low-fat dietary approach (fats are essential for androgen synthesis)
• Xenobiotics
• Insufficient sleep
• Constant stress
• Inactive routine
• Prolonged cardio activity

You likely found this article because of concerns about low testosterone. The next section will outline common symptoms of low T.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW T (TESTOSTERONE)

The list below describes the most common signs and symptoms of low testosterone:

• Erectile dysfunction, or impotence
• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Lowered energy levels (fatigue)
• Lower muscle bulk and power
• Symptoms of depression
• Decrease in testicle size
• Reduced focus (brain fog) and recall
• Low red blood cell levels (anemia)
• Weak bones and diminished strength
• Hot flash events
• Infertility
• Increase in fatty deposits
• Reduction in body and pubic hair volume
• Sleep disorders, including apnea
• Increase in chest tissue (gynecomastia)

It’s essential to confirm low testosterone with proper blood work, even if you exhibit several (or all) of these symptoms. Gameday Men’s Health physicians in Roseville can order the necessary tests and assist in restoring your testosterone levels.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON TRT

If you’ve decided to start testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), you might be curious about what to expect throughout the process of regaining your “manhood.”

Men undergoing different forms of testosterone therapy often notice a decrease in low testosterone symptoms within a month of starting TRT. Yet, for some, it might require additional time to feel improvements in health and well-being. Despite feeling like several weeks or months is a significant duration, it’s relatively brief when considering the broader perspective. Keep in mind that TRT provides a long-term remedy for a persistent health concern.

Studies suggest that the short-term advantages of TRT may involve feeling more energetic, having a greater libido, experiencing increased vitality, enjoying better sleep, and other positive outcomes. Most TRT patients find that waiting for testosterone to kick in is worth it.

What THE PROCESS IS LIKE TO GET STARTED

Starting TRT involves reaching out to Gameday Men’s Health and booking an initial consultation. In this session, you’ll share your symptoms and gain insight into TRT.

We need blood work from all potential patients. This allows us to evaluate your testosterone levels (and potentially other relevant measurements). It’s important to undergo blood work before and during TRT to monitor your red blood cell counts, blood lipids, prostate-specific antigen, and other important biomarkers and ensure they are within healthy levels.

Having a licensed physician manage the commencement of TRT should offer peace of mind, as they are skilled in prescribing the appropriate medication and minimizing potential side effects or health issues. If your blood work indicates low testosterone levels, you’re likely a candidate for TRT.

If you proceed with starting TRT at Gameday Men’s Health, you’ll receive a testosterone shot and be trained to self-administer future doses. Alternatively, you can visit the Gameday office for weekly TRT injections.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO INJECT YOURSELF

Fear needles? No need to panic, injections are not as terrifying as they may appear initially. We won’t downplay this process because injections can indeed be daunting for many TRT beginners. Even individuals with years of TRT experience may still feel a bit anxious when it’s time to self-administer injections.

In actuality, the needle used for injecting testosterone is very thin in gauge; once you’ve pierced the skin, the needle will move easily into your muscle tissue with little sensation. It’s advisable to take deep breaths and be steady when inserting the needle.

While it may seem intuitive to quickly insert the needle to reduce sensation, it’s not a very controlled approach. Hold the syringe firmly, take a deep breath, and gently penetrate your skin. The needle will smoothly enter your muscles, allowing you to press the plunger and dispense the testosterone. (You might feel a slight muscle twitch, but it’s usually not painful, more of a reflex.)

The injection process generally takes no more than 15 seconds. It’s important to maintain a sterile environment. Before disinfecting the skin, wipe the injection site with an alcohol wipe, and never reuse needles or syringes to minimize the risk of infections.

Injecting testosterone involves depositing an oil depot into muscle tissue, and gradually releasing it into the bloodstream (for days or weeks, depending on the ester). Consequently, you may experience soreness at the injection site for a few days afterward. This is a normal occurrence that usually resolves on its own. Massaging the muscle and applying a warm gel pack for 5-10 minutes can help relieve any discomfort.

DO I HAVE TO INJECT MYSELF ON TRT?

If self-injection is difficult for you, Gameday Men’s Health provides efficient injection appointments for our TRT patients. This is a popular option for many new to TRT, as you can simply relax and have us perform the injection.

If you choose to perform the injections at home, you can also have a friend or family member assist you with the first few.

In the long term, it’s beneficial for you to become proficient at self-administering TRT injections. Depending on others for injections may not always be possible, especially if you live alone or value discretion regarding your TRT.

Stay relaxed and take a breath, you’re fully capable of managing this.

WHAT BENEFITS YOU NOTICE FIRST ON TRT

It’s common to feel antsy for results after your first TRT injection. But as mentioned before, patience is key. TRT is not a quick solution; it’s about prioritizing your long-term health.

Nonetheless, a significant number of TRT patients see improvements in their health and well-being within the first month of beginning treatment. Some short-term benefits may include:

• Growth in libido or sex drive
• Improvement in erectile potency
• Enhancement of stamina and mental concentration
• Augmented vitality
• Enhanced restoration of sleep quality

Potential long-term advantages of TRT may involve:

• Better post-exercise recovery efficiency
• Strengthened confidence
• Support for achieving and maintaining a healthy physique
• Growth of facial hair strands
• Improvement in bone health and joint stability
• Enhanced red blood cell manufacturing

While there may be additional advantages to TRT, it’s important to acknowledge that the response to testosterone can vary among individuals. Some people may experience benefits sooner with a lower dose, while others may need a higher dose and longer duration for effectiveness. If you don’t notice any positive changes after several months, it’s wise to seek advice from your physician for additional evaluation.

TRT is individualized therapy, so it’s not appropriate to compare your treatment with others’. It usually involves some trial and error initially, and the duration for noticing benefits varies for each person.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ON TRT

It’s necessary to discuss some unexpected events that could happen during TRT. Exogenous testosterone, functioning as a drug, may cause side effects, like other medications.

When you begin exogenous testosterone therapy, your body might reduce its natural (endogenous) testosterone production. This happens because of the negative feedback loop overseen by your pituitary gland, which regulates testosterone production.

In healthy individuals, the pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH), directing the testes to produce testosterone and maintain levels within an appropriate range. The pituitary’s negative feedback loop acts akin to a “shutdown” mechanism for your body’s internal testosterone production, as all required testosterone is obtained externally.

When your body gets testosterone externally, it no longer produces it naturally. This can result in your testicles shrinking because less LH is produced (causing decreased testosterone production in the testes). You might also experience lower sperm counts, which could affect fertility.

Strategies for addressing these concerns include combining human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) with TRT. HCG, akin to LH produced by the pituitary gland, is typically produced in females during pregnancy. Although commonly used off-label for weight loss, HCG also offers documented benefits for enhancing fertility and increasing testicle size in males by promoting testosterone production in the testes, similar to LH.

TAKE-HOME POINTS ABOUT TRT

Opting to start TRT is a significant step for men. Testosterone, the key androgenic hormone your body creates, regulates masculinity comprehensively.

From an evolutionary perspective, men evolved with heightened testosterone levels to support their primal drive for hunting and defending their families. In modern culture, individuals with elevated testosterone levels often experience longer lives, increased vitality, and enhanced confidence.

Naturally, low T is a significant issue as it suggests a lack of the hormone vital for male attributes. TRT serves as a life-altering approach for many men, supported by unequivocal research findings.

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with a clear overview of what to expect during TRT and how to initiate the process of rebalancing your testosterone levels. Stay tuned to the Gameday Men’s Health Blog for additional articles addressing your queries and concerns regarding male health and wellness!

REFERENCES

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Dohle, G. R., Smit, M., & Weber, R. F. A. (2003). Androgens and male fertility. World journal of urology, 21(5), 341-345.
4. 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.