Are you considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and stronger as you age? Know the risks before making a decision.
Testosterone replacement
therapy (TRT) is a treatment that is widely used in men with symptomatic hypogonadism. The benefits of TRT, such as increased libido and energy level, beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscles, and cardioprotective effects, are well documented. TRT is contraindicated in men with untreated prostate and breast cancer.Men receiving TRT should be monitored for side effects such as polycythemia, peripheral edema, and heart and liver dysfunction. The Endocrinology Society guidelines state that you should not have TRT if you have prostate or breast cancer. Testosterone can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer. Most experts recommend being screened for prostate cancer before starting to replace testosterone. Men with prostate cancer or high levels of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) should probably avoid treatment with testosterone.
Testosterone decreases in women as they age, especially after menopause, but most of the time, TRT isn't necessary. Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it's not clear if testosterone therapy would benefit older men who are otherwise healthy.
Testosterone replacement therapy
(TRT) involves an injection, patch, or gel of the hormone testosterone to bring the level back to normal. If you don't have a medical condition that contributes to lower testosterone levels, your doctor may recommend natural ways to increase testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.The male hormone testosterone plays an important role in the development and maintenance of typical male physical characteristics, such as muscle mass and strength and the growth of facial and body hair. You may need to have your blood drawn more than once and at different times of the day, as testosterone levels change. While erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a symptom of low testosterone, and having low testosterone levels can reduce libido, some people with low testosterone have no problem achieving an erection, while others have erectile dysfunction with normal testosterone levels. Hypogonadism hinders the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone because of a problem in the testicles or in the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Healthcare professionals should inform patients about this potential risk when deciding whether to start or continue testosterone treatment for a patient.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that prescription testosterone products are approved only for men who have low testosterone levels due to certain medical conditions. The relationship between testosterone levels and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes is challenging and has yielded conflicting results. In addition, prostatic specific antigen (PSA) levels and hematocrit levels should be monitored along with testosterone levels with established target levels (depending on the formulation used). Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice beforehand.
to recommend testosterone therapy to you.
