By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: October 14, 2020 Categories: Medication Testosterone TRT
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
If you are suffering from low testosterone symptoms that come along with it, then you are probably looking into ways to increase your levels. Living with the side effects of low testosterone is never fun, but there are ways to overcome it. However, many men get caught up in some not-so-great methods of increasing testosterone. Some men experiencing low testosterone want to know the difference between testosterone replacement therapy and testosterone boosters. In theory, both of these methods should raise your testosterone. However, there are notable differences that you will want to familiarize yourself with before you make the jump and use either.
This complete knowledge base will go over the key characteristics of each type of testosterone treatment. As well as the differences between the two and when each of them should be used. With this knowledge in hand, you’ll be better informed to pick a testosterone treatment that is right for you.
Getting Familiar with Low Testosterone
If you’re this far into this article, then the chances are that you are facing your own challenge with low-T. To know which treatment is best, you must first know why so many men seek relief from low testosterone. The main reason that many seek testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or testosterone boosters is that the symptoms can be troublesome.
Here are just some of the most common symptoms of low testosterone and how they can affect the body negatively:
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble achieving or maintaining an erection
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Decreased muscle mass
You may be experiencing these already, or you may be worried about experiencing these side effects in the future. These side effects are not pleasant and usually occur as you age or if you have a condition that results in low testosterone.
Low testosterone does come with old age, but some men experience it at a much younger age and higher pace than other men. These men are thought to have abnormally low testosterone and it could be brought on by a condition such as hypogonadism or other conditions that hinder the body’s ability to produce testosterone.
In the case of a medical condition that reduces the ability of the body to produce testosterone, there is the potential for treatment. These treatments increase the amount of testosterone in the body to a normal level to overcome the side effects. If you are experiencing low testosterone as a result of a medical condition, then you could be a good candidate for TRT.
Testosterone Boosters
If you’ve been looking at testosterone treatments, you may have seen ‘testosterone boosters’ come up. Testosterone Boosters are a supplement, but not an official medical treatment. They come as a pill or powder and are designed to increase the level of testosterone in your body. These supplements are usually favoured by those that enjoy lifting weights. This is because they want to increase the level of testosterone in their body to help them increase muscle mass.
Testosterone boosters are often marketed supplements that are geared towards those that want to increase muscle mass, have prolonged sexual endurance, and other cliche effects that many men desire. These are not intended to help men overcome actual medical conditions that call for a testosterone expert and they are not a shortcut to overcoming low testosterone and the side effects that accompany low testosterone.
How effective are they?
Another thing that you will need to know about testosterone boosters is that they are very often not effective in actually raising testosterone for men. Many studies of these supplements show that they do not contain the necessary ingredients to help men actually raise the level of testosterone in their body. Additionally, many of them contain vitamins and minerals that are above the recommended limit for the body.
So, not only are they unlikely to increase your testosterone levels, but they are also likely to overdose your body. An overdose of key minerals and nutrients can have a harmful effect on your health. Even the most successful trials of these supplements have them improving testosterone levels by only 20%-30%. A 30% increase is nowhere near close enough to have an impact on your quality of life. It’s safe to say that testosterone booster supplements are almost never the right answer.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
If you’ve been researching testosterone, you may have also come across testosterone replacement therapy. For millions of men around the world, TRT is the first place they turn to when they need to overcome the side effects of low testosterone. However, just because a treatment is popular does not mean that it is safe or effective. There are brilliant marketers out there that know exactly how to market to men suffering from low testosterone. So, the question is: is TRT a viable option and how does it stack up against testosterone boosters?
How does it work?
TRT is a prescribed medical treatment that’s used to help men increase their testosterone levels. It is a legitimate treatment and not simply a marketing gimmick. However, this doesn’t mean that TRT is a quick fix or a solution that is going to work for everyone. Before entertaining TRT, you should try to increase your testosterone levels naturally.
Natural testosterone reduction in the body as a result of ageing will not be helped by testosterone replacement therapy, but men who are experiencing low testosterone as a side effect of hypogonadism or another medical condition could certainly benefit from testosterone replacement therapy.
Not only is this treatment considered trustworthy, but it is the treatment of choice by medical professionals, globally. It is proven to be effective and safe for individuals that are good candidates and can be administered in a variety of ways for the convenience of the patient.
Choosing a Testosterone Treatment Plan For You
Now that you know a little bit about both testosterone boosters and testosterone replacement therapy, you are ready to pursue the right option for you. For many, the right option is TRT. If you want to get the most out of TRT and remain safe throughout the process we highly recommend contacting us to book your free consultation. Start working with one of our medical professionals today and be well on your way to balanced hormones.
Evidence Based Research
This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.
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