Testosterone Replacement Therapy: The Basics Every Man Should Know
What TRT is, who it's for, the trade-offs, and questions to ask before starting.
What TRT actually is
Prescription testosterone, usually delivered as weekly injections, daily gels, or implanted pellets. The goal is restoring physiological testosterone levels in men with documented deficiency.
Who benefits
Men with consistent symptoms plus two morning panels showing total T under ~300 ng/dL (or low free T with symptoms). Men with normal labs typically don't benefit and may face downsides.
Trade-offs and questions
TRT is usually lifelong. Fertility, hematocrit, prostate health, and cardiovascular markers all need ongoing monitoring. Ask your physician about baseline labs, monitoring cadence, and fertility preservation before starting.
Frequently asked questions
- Does TRT cause prostate cancer?
- Current evidence does not show TRT causes prostate cancer, but it requires monitoring in men with risk factors.
- Can I stop TRT later?
- You can, but natural production is often suppressed for months. A restart protocol may be needed.
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