Testosterone Replacement Therapy – Benefits And Risk
Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, increased muscle and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.
Over the age, men experience low testosterone level. During adolescence and early adulthood, Testosterone levels generally peak but as you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. When you are old, it’s important to determine if a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism). Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Sometimes, adult also get the sign of low testosterone.
Low testosterone level leads to low sex drive, decreased in muscle mass, increased body fat, hair loss, depression, anxiety, difficult concentrating. If men have symptoms and tests show they have an abnormally low testosterone level, a doctor may suggest treatment for this.
Test
Some men with certain symptoms may even want Testosterone Replacement Therapy without being tested. This action may not be safe or helpful for them. Total testosterone level should always be tested before any TT. Your doctor may order these blood tests:
Total testosterone level – On samples collected before midday, this test should be performed twice. Later in the day, testosterone levels are lower. In case a misleading result is produced by your illness, the doctor will wait till you are well.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) – A Low-T level can be helped to be resolved with the aid of this test. This hormone regulates the production of testosterone. A pituitary gland issue may be indicated by abnormal levels.
Blood prolactin level – Your doctor could repeat the blood test if your prolactin level is high to make sure there was no mistake. High prolactin levels could also be an indication of tumours or issues with the pituitary.
Blood hemoglobin or Hgb – Your doctor will consider alternative causes of low Hgb, such as the climate level, before performing this test (like climate altitude),
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Treatment
The AUA recommends that Testosterone replacement Therapy be prescribed only to men who meet the clinical and laboratory definition of testosterone deficiency (Testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL). Testosterone therapy can help reverse the effects of hypogonadism, but it’s unclear whether testosterone replacement therapy would benefit older men who are otherwise healthy. If testosterone is low, why not replace it? Testosterone replacement therapy, in the form of injections, pellets, patches or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men.
If you wonder whether testosterone therapy might be right for you, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Your doctor will likely measure your testosterone levels at least twice before recommending testosterone therapy.
Treating normal ageing with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don’t have a medical condition that’s contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.
Benefits
It’s not known if testosterone therapy would be advantageous for older men who are otherwise healthy, but it can help to reverse the consequences of hypogonadism.
There is little evidence to support the use of testosterone in otherwise healthy men, despite the belief of some men that they feel younger and more vigorous if they take testosterone drugs. According to American College of Physicians guidelines, testosterone therapy may help certain men’s sexual function, but there isn’t much proof that it helps other functions like vitality and energy.
Risk
- Sleep apnea, a potentially deadly sleep problem when breathing frequently stops and resumes, is getting worse.
- Causing skin responses like acne.
- Stimulating the progression of prostate cancer that already exists as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia, the expansion of the prostate gland.
- Increasing breast size
- Preventing sperm from being produced or making testicles atrophy.
- Stimulating the synthesis of red blood cells excessively, this increases the chance of a blood clot developing. It is possible for a clot to become free, travel through the bloodstream, and then settle in the lungs, obstructing blood flow (pulmonary embolism).
- Additionally, some studies indicate that testosterone therapy may make you more susceptible to heart problems.
Alternative
There are some risk associated with the TT. If you want a safe and effective way to boost testosterone level then you can opt for ayurvedic testosterone booster supplement. They are effective to use and safe at the same time.
Beside this you should also change your lifestyle and diet to support to boost testosterone level naturally. Exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost your testosterone. Consuming adequate protein helps support healthy levels and promotes fat reduction. Consuming carbohydrates can assist optimise testosterone levels during resistance training which is linked to testosterone boosting.