Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Male Hypogonadism

Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

That is because unlike other clinics, we give patients the choice to provide us with labs or, they can run labs through us. An intranasal testosterone gel applied topically into the nose was approved by the FDA in 2014. Patches are currently available in 2 and 4 mg formulations, with a 4mg starting dose recommended and titration to 6 mg permitted. While there are three injectable drugs, two of them are short-acting and one is long-acting. Finally, testosterone pellets are also available in branded form, with no generic agents currently available. An updated evidence search was subsequently performed in 2022. The original guideline search strategy was updated and used to systematically search PubMed for new evidence published between the previous search end date and February 2022.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help restore low testosterone levels in your body to normal, healthy ranges. Our team finds and optimizes treatments that fit your lifestyle so you feel your best. We begin the path to feeling better with a testosterone animal test ingredients at your initial visit. If you have low levels, you will schedule a second visit, which includes bloodwork (via blood tests), a vitals check, a medical history, and a health questionnaire. It’s important to keep in mind that the goal of testosterone replacement therapy is simply to replace testosterone, not to boost it above average levels.

Testosterone administration reduces whole-body and visceral fat mass. Some trials have reported greater improvement in measures of insulin resistance with testosterone treatment of men with T2DM or metabolic syndrome than placebo (7), but testosterone treatment has not consistently improved glycemic control. “There’s no signal that testosterone therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer,” says Anawalt. Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, however, it is unclear whether testosterone therapy would benefit older men who are otherwise healthy. Although some men believe they feel younger and more vigorous if they take testosterone medications, there is little evidence to support the use of testosterone in otherwise healthy men.

Sometimes in primary hypogonadism testosterone levels are within the normal range and gonadotropins are high. Your specialist will help you understand if you need treatment, even with normal testosterone levels. Androgen replacement therapy (ART), often referred to as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), is a form of hormone therapy in which androgens, often testosterone, are supplemented or replaced. It typically involves the administration of testosterone through injections, skin creams, patches, gels, pills, or subcutaneous pellets. ART is often prescribed to counter the effects of male hypogonadism.

Studies have also demonstrated no significant change in PSA while on therapy. An increasing PSA while on TRT may indicate underlying malignancy and warrants evaluation. There has been no increased risk of prostate cancer demonstrated with TRT. Additionally, studies have demonstrated no increased risk of recurrence in men on TRT after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Small studies of men with active prostate cancer have shown no progression of disease on TRT.

Restoring testosterone levels to within the normal range by using testosterone replacement therapy can improve many of the effects of hypogonadism. Most importantly, these include beneficial effects on mood, energy levels and patients’ sense of well-being, sexual function, lean body mass and muscle strength, erythropoiesis and bone mineral density (BMD), cognition and some benefits on cardiovascular risk factors. Testosterone is well known to help in libido, bone density, muscle mass, body composition, mood, erythropoiesis, and cognition.

The cut-off of 300 ng/dL was chosen based on the mean total testosterone levels cited in the best available literature with a view to maximizing the potential benefit from prescribing testosterone while minimizing the risks of such treatment. At Nebraska Medicine, you will be seen by a board-certified doctor who is experienced in the treatment of patients with low testosterone/hypogonadism. We care for the whole patient, beginning with a careful evaluation of your overall health, lifestyle and medications. You will also receive proper screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and prostate cancer – conditions that can be harmful if not diagnosed before undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. However, consistent hormone replacement therapy helps improve sex drive, ease symptoms of depression and increase energy levels for those experiencing low testosterone. Laboratory parameters that should be monitored before and during treatment include PSA, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lipid profiles, and liver function tests. Patients should also be monitored for signs of edema, gynecomastia, sleep apnea, lower urinary tract symptoms, and low BMD.

Testosterone also increases bone density, muscle mass, and insulin sensitivity in some men. “In my practice and most other andrology-focused practices, if a patient meets the criteria of hypogonadism, I offer testosterone therapy as long as there are no contraindications that make it unsafe for them to take,” Dr. Muthigi says. “Such conditions or factors may include a desire to maintain their current or future fertility, a recent heart attack or stroke, certain advanced prostate cancers that require hormone therapy, among others.” Whatever the cause, low levels of testosterone can not only result in a decline in sex drive and function, but can also contribute to a range of symptoms, including decreased muscle mass, weight gain, mood changes, fatigue and even osteoporosis (weakening of bone).