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TRT in the UK and EU | Contact: +44 (0) 203 9003 209 | Login
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
You may have seen a TRT advertisement or heard about its benefits from one of your friends whose health improved after starting TRT. Now, you may be considering this treatment to enjoy the same benefits, but the question, ‘will TRT work for me’ is on your mind.
If that is the case, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will answer this question in detail to help you decide whether you should go for TRT or not.
Like any other hormone, testosterone plays many important roles in your body, and it must be secreted in healthy amounts for your body to function normally. An increase or decrease in its normal concentration can lead to serious health problems.
Men whose blood testosterone level stays below 300 ng/dL have a condition called low testosterone (low T). Low T is a common problem among older men, but it can affect men of any age. Some men are born with it, while others acquire it with time.
Testosterone is secreted by the testes in men. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland control its release. The hypothalamus releases GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) that travels to the pituitary gland and tells it to release LH (luteinizing hormone). LH stimulates the testes to release testosterone in the blood.
Any injury or issue with the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and testes can result in low T. Common conditions that cause low T are:
Acquired conditions:
Congenital conditions:
Low T is known by many other names, including hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency syndrome, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Low T causes several symptoms. In some men, they go unnoticed, while in others, they produce a significant impact. Some of these symptoms are:
In some men, low T produces no significant effect, and they may not have any problem living with it, while in others, it may show mental, emotional, and physical health effects. Men with low T should discuss their condition with their doctor because leaving it untreated may increase their risk of serious health conditions such as:
If you are experiencing symptoms like low libido and erectile dysfunction, you should talk about the problem with your doctor. The doctor will first perform a physical examination to look for low T signs, and then take your blood sample to run a serum testosterone test. This test will find your total testosterone (the sum of bound and free testosterone), bound testosterone (attached to a carrier protein), and free testosterone (not attached to any protein) levels.
Because testosterone concentration changes from day to day, your doctor may conduct 2 to 3 testosterone tests. If all tests prove your testosterone levels are low, your doctor will most probably prescribe you testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Before starting TRT, your doctor will first look at your lifestyle. He may suggest some lifestyle changes, such as becoming more active physically, losing weight, and reducing alcohol intake. TRT is prescribed when no natural method of increasing TRT works.
TRT is a hormone therapy given to men who have testosterone deficiency. It helps restore their testosterone levels and improve their overall well-being.
In TRT, testosterone can be administered in several ways, including injections, skin patches, and gels. A majority of men choose testosterone gels as they are easier to apply compared to other TRT forms.
Other popular TRT forms are:
TRT helps men with low T in multiple ways. You will not notice these benefits right away as it is not a quick fix. TRT will take at least 1 to 2 months to show its effects.
TRT produces many short and long-term effects in the body. Some of these effects are:
People may also take testosterone for non-medical reasons. However, in most countries, you need a prescription to purchase a testosterone supplement legally. Some non-medical benefits of testosterone may include:
Taking testosterone to improve performance in sports is considered doping in many places. A sportsman can get banned for taking it without any medical need.
TRT offers many benefits, but that does not mean it is a safe procedure for all. In some men, it produces more side effects than benefits; in others, its benefits outweigh the health risks.
TRT may produce the following side effects.
Taking testosterone from an exogenous source further reduces the production of endogenous testosterone and healthy sperm. It also reduces the size of the testes that produce and release testosterone. Having said that, many experienced TRT doctors do offer hCG with TRT which helps to preserve fertility.
TRT can worsen certain medical conditions such as sleep apnea, prostate cancer, heart disease, and polycythemia. Therefore, if you have any of these diseases or if these diseases run in your family, you may not be a good candidate for TRT.
TRT is a life-long procedure. It will increase your testosterone levels as long as you keep taking exogenous testosterone. Your testosterone levels will return to their original level if you stop TRT. This may sound daunting but if you think about it as brushing your teeth every day to upkeep your oral health, it makes more sense.
You should discuss everything about this procedure, including its side effects, costs, dosage, etc., with your doctor before you start taking testosterone. Once you start the procedure, you will have to stick to your treatment plan for the rest of your life for long-term success.
You should set realistic expectations for TRT. Remember that it is not a fountain of youth and there is no guarantee it will fully restore your sexual function and improve physical health. But, plenty of studies and testimonials suggest TRT is a fantastic treatment that has changed the lives of many men for the better.
It is better to choose a doctor who is specialised in testosterone treatments, particularly TRT.
TRT cost depends on various factors, including the clinic you choose, TRT type, and frequency of testosterone administration. Discuss long-term treatment charges with your doctor during your first consultation so you can cover your financial needs beforehand.
TRT can lower your sperm count but a lower sperm count doesn’t render you infertile. If the sperm count risk is concerning you, we do offer a balanced TRT with HCG solution which helps to preserve fertility while on testosterone treatment.
No, it is not. TRT is prescribed to men who are naturally deficient in testosterone. Athletes who take anabolic steroids have a healthy testosterone level, but they still take steroids to enhance their athletic performance, which is considered dangerous and may produce serious health effects.
TRT is a beneficial procedure, but you cannot tell whether it will work for you or not without consulting a doctor.
You should discuss your symptoms, medical history, and future health-related plans with your doctor so he can compare TRT pros and cons for your unique case to decide whether it is the right treatment for you or not.
If you are the right candidate for TRT, your doctor will design a customised treatment plan that matches your individual needs and goals. He will monitor your symptoms, side effects, and testosterone levels from time to time to optimise your testosterone dose and see if the treatment works for you.
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.
References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.
Our team of healthcare experts and GMC registered doctors are licensed to UK GMC standards. We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. You can read more about our Editorial Process by clicking here.
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If you know your total testosterone reading from a previous blood test input the results to the left above to see if your testosterone levels are normal.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
The Total Testosterone Level You Entered Is Incorrect. Figure Must be in nmol/L you can use our converter here.
Your testosterone levels appear to be in the normal range.
You must be over 38, have had your ovaries removed or have suffered with premature menopause to warrant further hormone tests.
Please contact us to discuss your hormones, we need your total testosterone levels to validate your hormone deficiency. You can order a blood test here.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
You appear to have higher than normal testosterone levels, please contact us for further investigation.
You appear to have normal testosterone levels. Contact us if you have any concerns.
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones Ltd which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
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