Taking higher doses of hormones won't necessarily cause faster changes, but it could endanger your health. And because everyone is different, you. Consider the effects of hormone therapy as if it were a second puberty, and puberty usually takes years to fully notice. In addition, because everyone is different, your medications or doses may vary considerably from those of your friends or those you may have read in books or online forums.
If you are considering hormone therapy, it is important to consult with a TRT Clinic in Cumberland ME to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for your individual needs. Be careful when reading about hormonal regimens that promise specific, rapid, or drastic effects. While it is possible to adjust medications and doses to achieve certain specific goals, the way the body changes in response to hormones depends more on genetics and the age at which you start taking it, than on the specific dose, route, frequency, or types of medications taken. When you have low testosterone levels, you may notice that your sexual desire decreases.
Testosterone replacement
can activate androgen receptors in the part of the brain that controls desire, says Abraham Morgentaler, M, D.Muscles respond to testosterone and starting T therapy can increase muscle mass, says Dr.This is because testosterone activates androgen receptors in muscle tissue to stimulate growth. Fatigue is a common symptom of low testosterone levels, and when we treat them, many men will say that their energy has improved, says Dr. It can also affect the size of the testicles. Most of the size of the testicles is dedicated to producing sperm, so when fewer sperm are produced, the testicles get smaller, says Dr.
Some people notice a little swelling in their feet and ankles because testosterone can stimulate the body to retain excess fluid, says Dr.
Testosterone replacement therapy can change skin
type for better or worse, says Dr. Fortunately, this isn't as common, Dr. Morgentaler says, and it's usually seen in men who have a history of acne.This is called gynecomastia, Dr. Morgentaler says, and it's not as common as other effects secondary. If this happens, the doctor will likely stop treatment for a month or two to allow the breast tissue to return to normal and then resume testosterone with testosterone along with a medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to estradiol. In the case of heart attacks and strokes, what is worrying is that testosterone thickens the blood because it binds to androgen receptors that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Thicker blood is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. However, some recent studies suggest that normal testosterone levels might actually protect against these risks, says Dr. For men who are clearly deficient in testosterone, there is no apparent increased risk of heart attack or stroke or a greater chance of developing a new prostate cancer from testosterone replacement therapy. One of the most important things to know about testosterone therapy is that it can decrease sperm production and pose a risk of infertility. If a man's testosterone is below the normal range, it's best to repeat it one more time to be safe before starting testosterone therapy, often keeping it indefinitely.
If your menstrual periods were interrupted due to testosterone treatment, be sure to report any recurrence of bleeding or spotting to your healthcare provider, who may request an ultrasound or other tests to ensure that the bleeding is not a symptom of an imbalance of the lining of the uterus. So, if you already have an enlarged prostate that makes it difficult to urinate, testosterone could aggravate the problem, says Dr. One thing to worry about if you opt for topical testosterone therapy is transference, especially to female partners or children. Starting hormone therapy at age 40, 50, or older may bring less dramatic changes than can be seen at the beginning of the transition at a younger age, due to cumulative lifetime exposure to estrogen and decreased responsiveness to hormonal effects as one approaches menopausal age.
They will do two blood tests in the morning (on different days) when testosterone is at its highest, said Dr. Until recently, testosterone cypionate and enanthate were frequently used by intramuscular injection of short-acting testosterone esters, which generally produce supraphysiological peaks and hypogonadal valleys in testosterone levels. Serum testosterone varies during the day and levels peak between 08:00 and 10:00 hours. A serum sample should be obtained between 07.00 and 11.00 hours. Acne can be minimized by using an adequate dose of testosterone that prevents excessively high levels.