DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
MT Lives!
HTML https://mtlives.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Testosterone, Steroids and Performance Enhancing Dr...
*****************************************************
#Post#: 428--------------------------------------------------
TRT Benefits vs Risks
By: guest5 Date: June 2, 2019, 4:21 am
---------------------------------------------------------
By Nick Gold
Did you know that nearly 8% of men who are between 41 and 50
years old are developing testosterone deficiency?
According to multiple studies, low testosterone can lead to
numerous health problems and a significant decrease in life
quality.
Testosterone deficiency is also known as hypogonadism. Although
it can affect numerous men of an elderly age, it can be
addressed using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
TRT involves administering testosterone into the body in various
ways such as by injections, creams, gels, pellets, etc. This
treatment can significantly improve the health of aging men.
What is Testosterone?
Testosterone is one of the most important male sex hormones.
It’s responsible for giving men drive and energy as well as
sexual desire and confidence. Athletes usually have high levels
of testosterone and enjoy a better quality of life.
On the other hand, low levels of testosterone can lead to
numerous health problems including anxiety and depressions.
The normal range of testosterone in men is between 300ng/dL and
1,000ng/dL. This range can vary depending on various factors
such as age, body mass index, fitness level, sleep quality,
stress, and other factors.
Signs of Testosterone Deficiency
Low testosterone can have a dramatic impact on men’s and women’s
health and quality of life. For example, here are the most
popular signs of having low T levels:
Low sex drive – men with low T are not in the mood for sex, and
they might have difficulties maintaining an erection
Hair loss problems – men with testosterone deficiency, tend to
lose their hairs quickly, even to the point of complete baldness
Excessive fatigue – feeling tired after a long day at work is
normal. However, being constantly tired and having difficulties
perform basic tasks might be a sign of low testosterone levels
Loss of muscle mass – testosterone plays a vital role in the
development of muscle mass. When the T levels are low, muscles
will shrink fast since they need a constant supply of
testosterone to maintain their size
Increased fat percentage – another common side effect of low T
levels consists of gaining weight and having a high body fat
percentage
Decreased bone density – testosterone plays an important role
when it comes to the strength of your bones. Fractures and bone
problems are common in men who have low testosterone levels
Mood swings – testosterone is known to influence mental capacity
and emotions. A lack of this hormone can cause negative
emotional changes and mood swings
How TRT Works?
Testosterone replacement therapy is the go-to treatment for men
who want to increase the levels of their testosterone.
This treatment is usually prescribed for men who are 40 years
old or older. This time is the point in life when drops in
testosterone levels cause the symptoms.
It’s important to speak with your doctor about TRT to find out
its benefits and risks. TRT is not a magic bullet, but it can
help a lot of men and improve their quality of life.
TRT involves introducing more testosterone into the body in
various ways. For example:
Testosterone injections – usually administered directly into the
deltoid (shoulder muscle) or quadriceps muscle
Testosterone gels – these can be applied directly on the skin
Testosterone pellets – a pellet can be inserted under the skin
by a medical professional. It will release testosterone into the
bloodstream slowly
Testosterone tablets – these are usually applied on the upper
gum, and they are increasingly popular among men
Choosing one administration method over the other can have a big
impact on your progress with TRT. For example, some people don’t
like injections, and they might prefer going with testosterone
gels or pellets instead.
At the same time, testosterone is absorbed differently by the
body, depending on the administration method. Make sure that you
discuss your options with your TRT doctor for more details.
Benefits of TRT
Testosterone replacement therapy has been proven to be
successful in treating testosterone deficiency in men for over
50 years.
This therapy is highly beneficial when done correctly and
monitored properly. The list of benefits is long, and they’ll be
enumerated in greater detail below.
TRT Can Reduce Vascular and All-Cause Mortality in Men
It is known that testosterone deficiency can be associated with
an increased risk of mortality. A testosterone level of less
than 300 ng/dL is low. Many doctors treat men with low
testosterone if they show low T symptoms and present with total
testosterone blood levels under 450 ng/dL.
Studies show that men who have low serum testosterone levels
have a higher incidence of all-cause mortality in comparison
with men who have high serum testosterone levels. In certain
cases, low testosterone can even predict a higher chance of
developing cardiovascular disease at some point in the future.
On top of that, a Veteran Administration study discovered that
men who were treated for testosterone deficiency using TRT had a
39% smaller risk of mortality, in comparison with people who
didn’t undergo TRT.
This study was based on a group of more than 1000 veterans who
were older than 40 years and had low testosterone levels. After
administering TRT to nearly 400 of these men, the mortality was
nearly 10%. On the other hand, the veterans who didn’t receive
TRT had a mortality rate of more than 20%.
A study performed on more than 83,000 veterans revealed a
similar situation. These men had documented low testosterone
levels, and some of them were treated using TRT. At the end of
the study, researchers have discovered that those who received
TRT had a lower risk of developing myocardial infarction or
stroke in comparison with those who didn’t receive the
treatment.
Another study suggests that low testosterone, free and
bioavailable testosterone are associated with a higher risk of
developing cardiovascular disease.
TRT seems to benefit people who have type 2 diabetes mellitus as
well. A study performed on 857 men with type 2 diabetes revealed
shocking results. A group of these men was treated with TRT for
several years.
The researchers have found out that the risk of mortality
decreased significantly for the people who received TRT in
comparison with the group who didn’t receive TRT. This means
that TRT can independently reduce the risk of mortality in men
with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
These are just a few of the most important studies performed on
men with testosterone deficiency. When performed correctly, TRT
can significantly reduce all-cause mortality in men, and that’s
why it has become so popular in the last years.
TRT Can Increase Insulin Sensitivity and Reduce the Risk of
Diabetes Type 2
A study conducted by Per Bjornstrom revealed that TRT could
increase insulin sensitivity in men who have testosterone
deficiency. This therapy can also improve blood glucose levels
in men of all ages.
Men who have diabetes type 2 can greatly benefit from undergoing
TRT. This treatment options can reduce the HOMA index which
improves fasting insulin sensitivity. Another study performed by
Heufelder revealed that TRT combined with proper diet and a
well-designed exercise regimen could provide excellent glycemic
control in men who have low testosterone.
This study took place over 52 weeks, and it also showed a marked
improvement in patients who had metabolic syndrome.
Other studies also suggest that testosterone therapy can
ameliorate metabolic syndrome, reduce blood pressure, enhance
insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in men of all ages.
It has been discovered that TRT can increase lean body mass up
to 4.8 kilograms over one year in men who have low testosterone
levels. Lean body mass is associated with a higher quality of
life, improved fitness levels, and better health.
TRT Can Improve Body Composition
Body composition stands for fat or lean mass a person has in his
or her body.
It is characterized by several indicators such as lean body
mass, fat mass, etc. A plethora of studies indicates that TRT
can improve body composition in men who have low testosterone
levels. This data means increasing the amount of lean body mass
while reducing the amount of fat mass in the body.
Another study performed on testosterone-deficient men revealed
that testosterone treatment could produce a consistent loss of
weight if it’s administered over a long period.
This fact might make TRT a good treatment option for obese men.
It is also known that people who are overweight usually have
lower testosterone levels than those with normal weight, so TRT
can both increase testosterone levels while helping to lose
weight.
TRT patients who have used this treatment for a long period
experienced a massive improvement in their BMI numbers as well
as a drastic reduction in waist circumference.
A study performed by Saad and other researchers over 8 years
using TRT revealed massive weight reduction in 411 obese men.
This improvement was not seen in a different group of obese men
who didn’t benefit from TRT which confirms the efficiency of TRT
in weight loss.
Men with frailty can also benefit from TRT. Studies performed by
Saad show that people of an elderly age who have sarcopenia or a
different type of physical decline can experience improved bone
density, muscle strength and stamina when treated with
testosterone. TRT also improved their physical function, mood,
and self-esteem.
TRT Improves Bone Mineral Density
With the passing of years, bone density tends to decrease in
both men and women.
This makes the skeletal structure more fragile and predisposed
to fractures and other types of health problems. Osteoporosis is
a common bone ailment which affects mostly women but sometimes
men too.
With that being said, TRT is efficient in improving bone mineral
density in men of all ages.
A study performed by Wang and his colleagues revealed that
testosterone therapy, particularly when administered as gels,
can be efficient in improving bone density. TRT can improve the
structural and mechanical properties of the skeletal system,
making bones less predisposed to damage and more likely to heal
in the case of damage.
A study done over 6 years on testosterone-deficient men who also
had osteoporosis revealed shocking results. 89% of the study
participants who received TRT experienced significantly improved
testosterone levels. When tested for osteoporosis again after
six years, doctors said that they no longer fulfilled the
criteria for this bone disease.
TRT Can Improve Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough red
blood cells to transport oxygen to cells and tissues.
This can be caused by different problems such as a lack of iron
in the body. Anemia is characterized by excessive fatigue and
sometimes swelling of the feet and hands.
People of an elderly age are more predisposed to this health
condition as they progressively lose their vitality and energy
with the passing of years. This has been documented by Ferrucci
in an extensive study on seniors.
TRT has been shown to significantly improve the symptoms of
anemia in people who had testosterone deficiency. For example,
an observational study revealed that the prevalence of anemia
decreased from nearly 30% to 10% over 54 weeks in men who had
low testosterone levels.
This means that TRT can make you less likely to develop anemia
at some point in the future and deal with its consequences.
Similarly, another placebo-controlled study revealed that TRT
could improve the recovery of patients who had anemia, whether
the causes of this disease were known or unknown.
This study showed how hemoglobin concentration increased in
testosterone-deficient patients after administering TRT for
several months.
TRT Can Improve Sexual Function
It is commonly known that people who have low testosterone
levels experience a lack of sexual desire, poor-quality
erections, lower sex drive, and less stamina.
This can be treated with different types of ED pills such as
Viagra or Cialis. However, TRT can also improve sexual function
in testosterone-deficient men, especially when it’s administered
over many years.
A study performed by Bhasin and his colleagues looked at the
relationship between testosterone levels and sexual activity in
young men who had normal testosterone levels. The results were
recorded before and after treating the study participants with
TRT. It has been discovered that both sexual activity and
function increased markedly after administering TRT.
Another study revealed that men who have low levels of
bioavailable testosterone are three times more likely to develop
ED in comparison with men who have normal levels of bioavailable
testosterone.
Other placebo-controlled and comprehensive study revealed the
improvements in sexual function and quality of erection after
administering TRT in people of elderly age. The study was done
on 790 men who had low testosterone levels, to begin with.
After administering TRT, they experienced significant
improvement in sexual function, sexual desire, and stamina.
A long-term study done over 8 years revealed that testosterone
therapy could offer marked improvements on all erectile function
domains such as intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function,
sexual desire, and overall satisfaction levels. These results
were corroborated with other recent studies performed by
researchers on people who have low testosterone levels.
TRT Can Improve Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life
The levels of testosterone in your body can significantly
influence your mood, confidence, and self-esteem.
It has been discovered that low T levels can seriously hurt
one’s confidence and lead to emotions such as depression and
anxiety. This is true in both men and women.
With that being said, it is normal to assume that TRT can also
improve energy levels, moods and overall quality of life. There
are numerous studies which confirm this theory.
For example, a study done by Wang over 3 years revealed that TRT
could significantly reduce negative thoughts and moods in people
who have low testosterone levels. The improvement was gradual
and experienced by most study participants.
Another study done on nearly 800 men who were
testosterone-deficient revealed a 22% reduction when it comes to
fatigue scores. This study took place over 6 months, and it
shows how TRT can improve energy levels and overall quality of
life. The study participants were using testosterone gel 1%
which is a pretty common method of administering testosterone.
Other studies performed on nearly 1000 men revealed a drastic
improvement in positive emotions and moods in people who were
testosterone deficient, after administering TRT. There are
numerous other similar studies which reveal the efficiency of
TRT when it comes to improving the emotional system, cognitive
function, and mood.
Potential Risks Of TRT
Although there are numerous of TRT, no treatment option is
without risks.
There are several disadvantages of undergoing TRT and they vary
from individual to individual. Some people might experience no
side effects at all while others might go through the full
spectrum of disadvantages.
The Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
One study done by Basaria over a period of 6 months reveals some
risks of getting cardiovascular disease as a result of TRT. The
study involved 209 who were 65 years old or older. They had
frailty issues and were unable to climb a flight of stairs due
to decreased mobility.
In the group which received TRT, there were 23 cardiovascular
events, in comparison with the control group which didn’t
receive TRT and had just five events in total.
However, these types of events included abnormal EKG results,
pedal edemas or something similar. In most cases, these are not
life-threatening problems, and the researchers considered more
serious events called major adverse cardiovascular events
(MACE). In this study, there was only 4 MACE, and they took
place in the TRT group.
There was another study performed in 2014 when Finkle et al.
discovered an increase in myocardial infarction in men who
received a prescription for testosterone. The increase was up to
36% in comparison with 12 months before receiving the
prescription.
Although more studies are necessary to determine whether TRT can
pose a serious risk of cardiovascular disease, it’s important to
speak with your doctor while doing TRT to monitor your health
status along the way.
The Risk of Prostate Cancer
Another common risk that many people assume with TRT is
represented by prostate cancer.
It has been believed for decades that TRT injections can cause
prostate cancer or worsen its effects in patients who already
have it. There are multiple studies which contradict these
beliefs.
For example, a study done in 2351 individuals revealed that TRT
doesn’t cause prostate cancer. This was a placebo-controlled
study, and it’s corroborated by other similar studies which
reveal similar results.
Another study shows that there is no association between
exposure to testosterone and high-grade prostate cancer in men
who already have prostate cancer. The study was done on nearly
52,000 individuals, and it shows that TRT doesn’t cause an
advancement in prostate cancer when administered over a long
period.
Thanks to the latest studies done on multiple groups of people
over long periods, it can be seen that testosterone replacement
therapy doesn’t cause prostate cancer or degradation of prostate
tissue.
Other TRT Risks
There are other side effects and risks associated with poor
management of TRT. For a table of the most common ones, see
this testosterone side effect management table.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re thinking about trying TRT, you’re making a good
decision, but you also need a good doctor to monitor your
progress.
Testosterone replacement therapy can significantly improve your
life, but you need to make sure you’re doing it correctly. Start
by getting a testosterone test which can be purchased online at
an affordable price.
This will give you an idea regarding your testosterone levels
and whether you have low testosterone or not. Then, talk to a
TRT doctor and ask plenty of questions to have more peace of
mind when going this route.
#Post#: 436--------------------------------------------------
Re: TRT Benefits vs Risks
By: Bookerman Date: June 2, 2019, 4:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
TRT is another one of those things that when it first came about
someone had a preconceived idea of it and the myths have stuck
ever since.
I sometimes listen to the - TOT Revolution podcast with Jay
Campbell, some good info on there.
*****************************************************