Testosterone Replacement Therapy Department of Urology

TRT Dosage Explained: Finding the Right Testosterone Replacement Therapy for You

By managing your testosterone levels carefully, you can regain energy, increase muscle mass, improve your mood, and experience other benefits that come with balanced hormone levels. It’s not just about getting the numbers right—it’s about achieving a healthier, more balanced life overall. One of the key reasons it’s important to get the dosage right is to avoid the risks of taking too much or too little testosterone. If your dose is too high, you might experience side effects like mood swings, acne, or even more serious problems such as high blood pressure or liver issues.

Most clotting events were confined to patients with previously undiagnosed thrombophilia. This study analyzed over 30,000 men and found no association between testosterone therapy and an increased risk of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The findings were supported by a comprehensive analysis of 71,407 men, which also found no increase in the likelihood of blood clots in men on TRT compared to controls. During these visits, your doctor will review your blood test results, ask about any new symptoms, and check your overall health. They will make adjustments to your dosage if needed and may recommend lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to support your therapy. To monitor this, your doctor will check your hematocrit levels, which measure the percentage of red blood cells in your blood. If your hematocrit levels get too high, your doctor may lower your TRT dosage or recommend blood donation to reduce the number of red blood cells.

What you eat can also have a significant effect on your TRT dosage. A balanced diet that is rich in nutrients helps your body function properly, which includes the absorption and effectiveness of testosterone. Certain nutrients, such as zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D, are especially important for testosterone production. On the other hand, those who do not engage in regular exercise may need a different approach to TRT. A sedentary lifestyle, where someone does little or no physical activity, can lead to muscle loss, weight gain, and fatigue. In these cases, TRT can help, but it may take longer to notice improvements.

She gave me about eight other medications too—an estrogen blocker, a diuretic, fenofibrate, finasteride, something for my thyroid. I researched everything she gave me and promptly threw most of it away. Half of it was snake oil, but the other half made me feel awesome.

Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren’t clear. Considering testosterone therapy to help you feel younger and more vigorous as you age? Liver toxicity is a concern with certain forms of testosterone, such as oral testosterone undecanoate [36-37]. People with liver disease or those taking medications that affect liver function may require careful monitoring if they decide to take TRT. With continued testosterone replacement therapy, the effects of improving your bone density can last three years or longer before they plateau. Low testosterone levels can accelerate natural bone breakdown over bone formation which, left unchecked, can develop into osteopenia or, in more severe cases, osteoporosis. This medication works by reducing the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and can you increase testosterone raise testosterone levels and reduce estrogen levels.

Testosterone levels play a critical role in determining the starting dose for TRT. The goal of therapy is to raise testosterone levels to a normal, healthy range. Typically, normal testosterone levels range between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) for men. Before starting TRT, a doctor will order a blood test to measure testosterone levels. Based on the results, the doctor will decide how much testosterone is needed to bring the levels back to normal.

Once you start, your body may reduce or cease its natural testosterone production, making it challenging to stop therapy without experiencing low testosterone symptoms again. Men are encouraged to seek medical advice and ask their doctors for advice on the effectiveness o testosterone replacement therapy in their particular situation. It can also be given to replace testosterone levels that have fallen as a result of an orchiectomy (removal of one or both testicles). Some studies have found a link between TRT and higher blood pressure, while others have seen no effect or a link to lowered blood pressure. The effect on your blood pressure may depend on your own health, whether you have any heart disease or high blood pressure, and how much testosterone you take.

But watching over these levels is another reason you should be under a doctor’s care when taking testosterone. Regaining a healthy sex drive is one of the biggest benefits of testosterone replacement therapy, he says. T-therapy can possibly make your erections more satisfying, too.

TRT is a prescription-only treatment and should be taken under a healthcare provider’s supervision. That is why one of our doctors at Morph Wellness will assess symptoms, perform necessary tests, and monitor progress to ensure safe and effective treatment. There are some important recommendations that those receiving TRT should follow as precautionary measures. One should have baseline bone density testing (DEXA) and regular bone density tests (to rule out osteoepenia or osteoporosis). A primary reason is due to the many side effects of long-term testosterone replacement therapy, including a controversial increased risk of heart disease.

The amount of testosterone each person needs depends on many factors, including age, weight, lifestyle, and overall health. This is why it’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider who can determine the proper dose and make adjustments if necessary. “Poor sleep raises hunger hormones that increase appetite (particularly for processed foods) and stress hormones like cortisol,” says Watson. So for some individuals, TRT may even reduce symptoms of mild sleep apnea by lowering body fat and improving overall muscle tone. The journey to finding the perfect TRT dosage starts with an initial assessment by your doctor. This step is crucial because your healthcare provider will look at your current testosterone levels, overall health, and any symptoms you might be experiencing.