Testosterone Therapy: Review of Clinical Applications Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Others, such as a deeper voice, a larger clitoris, scalp hair loss, and more body and facial hair, cannot be reversed. The testosterone that’s used for masculinizing hormone therapy is identical to the hormone that the testicles and ovaries make naturally. Don’t use synthetic androgens, such as oral methyl testosterone or anabolic steroids. It’s unclear whether masculinizing hormone therapy raises the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. We don’t give testosterone as a pill, because it can cause liver toxicity when it’s metabolized through the gut. However, testosterone can be safely administered as a gel that you apply to your skin, injections that you give yourself at home, or as a pellet implant performed in the doctor’s office. Your physician can help you determine which method is right for you. To minimize risk, the goal for people taking masculinizing hormone therapy is to keep hormone levels in the range that’s typical for cisgender men — men whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth. “They felt better, like they had more energy.” But in the studies that enrolled men who had testosterone on the lower end of the normal range, taking testosterone didn’t make a difference. If test results confirm an abnormally low testosterone level, your doctor may recommend replacement therapy treatment. No RCTs have compared the current formulation of IM testosterone undecanoate available in the United States to other therapies. There are several areas in the testosterone deficiency space, more specifically, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and adverse events, which warrant more detailed investigation. If you’re on testosterone treatments, it’s important to be regularly monitored by a physician to avoid potential risks. Also, the steroids are often combined (“stacked”) with other substances like stimulants, pain relievers, and growth hormones to boost the overall muscle-building effect. Most experts recommend screening for prostate cancer before starting testosterone replacement. Men with prostate cancer or elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) should probably avoid testosterone treatment. Testosterone levels are highest in men around age 17 and drop as they age, starting between ages 30 and 40. The drop is very gradual (about 1% per year) but increases as you get older. By age 70, the average man’s testosterone is 30% below its peak, but it’s usually still within the normal range. If you’ve been feeling tired, struggling to focus, or noticing a drop in mood or sex drive, it co… While more research will continue to uncover these risk factors, TRT is safe for men when performed properly and with the appropriate monitoring and follow-up. In 2023, a study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine called “Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy.” Many insurance plans will cover it if low-T is confirmed with a blood test. However, your costs may vary depending on your deductibles and other insurance terms. Don’t think it is just being sleepy or being too busy… it could be low testosterone. Core Shell Spherification (CSS)