There is a great deal of controversy and debate when it comes to testosterone levels in men. Many subscribe to the notion that if your T levels fall within the normal range then there is nothing wrong with you. This is not completely true, however. The spectrum of what is considered normal testosterone levels in men is very broad; and doesn’t always stand up to a larger battery of scrutiny when you consider other factors like age, genetics, and environment. For instance, if your nanograms of testosterone per deciliter (ng/dL) is in the low 300’s, that could very well be the result of normal, age-related testosterone decline, for an 80 year old man. However, for a 30 year old man, T levels this low are often anything but normal. More recently, there have been some studies conducted with regards to the safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). These studies have shown very little cause for concern when it comes to TRT, while shedding some light on the question: is testosterone therapy safe?
What is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
There are a few things you can do to increase your testosterone levels naturally, or through supplementation. You may have heard the term testosterone boosters before. These “testosterone boosters” are supplements you can buy online or at most fitness stores. However, their efficacy is often nothing short of short-lived, and their usage can sometimes be unsafe. TRT is a series of testosterone injections given to a man over the course of treatment for conditions such as hypogonadism, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. Testosterone injections provide the body with bio-identical testosterone, which increases efficacy and safety far beyond most testosterone boosters. There are a number of symptoms that can accompany sub-par testosterone levels, and TRT is one of the best treatments available to men looking to take their life back. Many physicians agree that low T levels can lead to the following symptoms: low sex drive, sexual dysfunction, low sperm count, hair loss, hot flashes, low bone density, lean muscle loss, increased body fat, sleep problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, and a host of other complications related to low testosterone in men. When you consider the alternative (living with low T), you can see why so many men eventually seek testosterone injections to keep these symptoms at bay or eliminate them totally.
What are the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)?
Testosterone treatment for men may provide a cornucopia of positive effects on health and quality of life. Studies have shown that men who suffer from low testosterone can benefit in a number of ways such as: increased libido, improved sexual function, more energy, improved mood, increased sperm count, more lean muscle mass, decreased body fat, improved mood, and increased bone density. Testosterone injections are also safe, easy, and effective, with injections being administered typically only once per week. Many physicians agree that testosterone injections are the leading testosterone delivery system out there; and, when injected, testosterone is much more easily absorbed by the body than other methods currently is practice today. These benefits what makes it the leading testosterone treatment for men.
Is testosterone therapy safe?
As we mentioned earlier, there has been some debate and speculation as to the safety of testosterone replacement therapy. Many studies have been and will be conducted to test all aspects of TRT, including safety. This is no surprise. Most all drugs on the market today are put through years of tests and research even after they gain approval for medical use. This is a good thing. Further understanding of how testosterone effects the human body will help provide better treatments in the future. One such safety concern in patients receiving testosterone injections is the cardiovascular risk associated with testosterone replacement therapy. Further research on this topic indicates there is little evidence to support such claims, however. According to a 2017 article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “[Cardiovascular] safety concerns related to [testosterone therapy] are essentially based on a limited number of observational and randomized controlled trials which present important methodological flaws. When [hypogonadism] is properly diagnosed and TTh correctly performed no CV and prostate risk have been documented.” The risks to cardiovascular health associated with TRT are generally unfounded.
