You can continue testosterone replacement therapy as long as it benefits your symptoms and doesn't cause health problems. The TRT is designed to be long-term. You can continue testosterone replacement therapy as long as it benefits your symptoms and doesn't cause health problems. TRT is intended to be a long-term therapy.
If you stop taking testosterone, your levels will return to baseline. TRT doesn't cure low testosterone levels, so symptoms may come back if you stop taking it. Testosterone has a range of effects on the male body. This review attempts to determine, based on published studies, the temporal evolution of the effects induced by testosterone replacement therapy from its first manifestation until maximum effects are reached.
It should be noted that almost none of the studies cited were specifically designed to evaluate the temporal evolution of the effects. Some studies measure the effects of testosterone only after 3 months (3) and, in particular, the effects on libido and erections have occurred long before this time period (14, 6). We have observed significant differences in the onset of the effects of testosterone. The effects on libido and other psychological variables and the effects on the vasculature occur quite rapidly.
It is quite possible that these effects are not mediated by the classic androgen receptor, but by other mechanisms, such as effects on membranes (6,. In addition, the effects on erection occur quite rapidly and can be explained in part by non-genomic effects on the vascular erectile tissue of the penis (8). Your chest won't change much in response to testosterone treatment. That said, surgeons usually recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months after starting testosterone therapy before undergoing masculinizing chest surgery, also known as upper surgery, to first allow the contours of the muscles and soft tissues of the chest wall to adapt to their new pattern.
A relatively small number of men experience immediate side effects of testosterone supplementation, such as acne, breathing disorders while sleeping (worsening of sleep apnea), breast swelling or tenderness, or swelling in the ankles. Doctors also monitor high red blood cell counts, which may increase the risk of blood clots. While in some cases low testosterone can be treated with lifestyle changes, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be an effective treatment option when healthy habits aren't enough. Muthigi discusses these treatment options, as well as the signs and symptoms of low testosterone that he recommends that men not ignore.
Regardless of the type of testosterone you're taking, it's important to know that taking more testosterone won't make your changes go faster, but it could cause serious side effects or complications. In a study that combined testosterone with growth hormone, total lean body mass increased, as did lean appendicular tissue. Finally, there is oral testosterone, which over the decades experienced a rise and then a fall in popularity, when those formulations were found to increase the risk of liver toxicity. Treating physicians can prepare their patients for intermediate periods before they can experience the effects of testosterone.
Earlier observational studies suggested that long-term use of testosterone could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. However, not all trans men will experience a total deepening of the tone of their voice with testosterone. The above results call for a well-designed study showing the time needed to restore androgen-dependent function with optimal circulating testosterone for that specific androgen-dependent function. The point is that the definition of a “suitable” substitute necessarily implies a certain range of serum testosterone values.
There is a certain degree of consensus that older men with serum testosterone clearly below the reference limits and with clear and persistent clinical signs of hypogonadism can justifiably receive treatment (98, 9), but there remains a high degree of disagreement. If you have abnormally low testosterone, increasing your testosterone levels with TRT can help your levels of energy return to normal. An improvement in insulin sensitivity after administration of testosterone resulted in a reduction in fasting glucose and insulin levels within a single week (50), corroborating previous reports of increased insulin sensitivity after endogenous testosterone stimulation within 48 hours (4) and a sharp reduction in insulin sensitivity 2 weeks after discontinuing testosterone replacement in men with severe hypogonadia (5). While cisgender men have higher rates of cholesterol-related disorders and heart disease than cisgender women, available research on men who take testosterone has generally not found these differences.
The latter varies inversely with the initial testosterone concentration and predicts the magnitude and speed of the response to treatment. There are many factors that can affect testosterone levels, including lifestyle-related factors, such as diet, sleep, stress and weight.
