It’s not uncommon for patients to ask us what to expect from our Toronto functional medicine therapies. At the TFMC, we welcome patients to learn about their health status and treatments, especially when hormone imbalances are diagnosed. 

In particular, men may be uniquely affected by low testosterone levels, as this hormone can naturally start to decline around ages 40+. This can impede various aspects of health in men, with individual symptoms linked to brain health, sexual health, stress management, muscle recovery, and more. 

In our clinic, if functional lab tests reveal low testosterone (also called low T), our possible next steps might be to customize your treatment plan. Each patient may be prescribed distinctive integrative medicine therapies and supplements, as treatments are tailored for unique needs only. For some patients, lifestyle modifications may suffice for alleviating low T. But for other men, depending on the severity of their hormone levels and symptoms, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be prescribed. The purpose of TRT is to alleviate this hormone shortcoming, which helps reduce related chronic symptoms and improve energy production, alleviate erectile dysfunction, and reduce muscle weakness. 

There are different options of TRT to note. Which type, as well as how to take it, is a personal decision to make, and should include consultations with your healthcare provider. For this blog post, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) explores how to “get organized” if you’re prescribed TRT, and what to expect during and after these hormone treatments. If you need to know more, you can read our functional medicine guide to TRT to help you get started.

How to prepare for testosterone replacement therapy

Our TFMC can personalize hormone optimization programs for your unique needs, including low T. Take note of the patient qualifications listed below: 

• • Patients for our TFMC hormone programs must be 40 years old or over.  
  • Lab work must be at least three months old and must prove you have low testosterone.
  • You must already have clinical symptoms. These include: low libido, mood swings, anxiety, depression, low sexual function, etc. 

Note: The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre does not prescribe TRT for muscle-building health goals. Hormone programs are only prescribed by us for disease prevention and age-related hormone decline. 

It’s imperative to keep your schedule organized, as TRT consultations must be planned in advance. When you formally begin the treatment, your first visit would be considered as your initial consultation. Then, follow-up visits are scheduled every three months during the first 12 months of treatments. After the first year of TRT, follow-up visits should take place every six months. (In some cases, they may become annual visits, but this depends on recommendations from our functional medicine practitioner).

What to expect during and after TRT

Testosterone treatments work differently for each patient. But within the first month, you might notice general improvements to your current symptoms. Here’s what you might expect  from these treatments: 

• • Positive changes to your mood: In the body, testosterone naturally releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter known for pleasurable feelings. The extra release of dopamine could act as a mood booster.  
  • Libido may increase: Your sex drive may heighten. Testosterone can stimulate androgen receptors in the brain, which contributes to controlling desirable feelings. 
  • Muscle formation may be apparent: When you start TRT, your muscle mass may augment. This is due to the androgen receptors getting stimulated by testosterone, which encourages the growth of muscle tissue. 
  • Increased energy production: Low T can cause poor energy levels; but testosterone treatments can help improve your cellular health by increasing cellular energy production. 

TRT administration can come with potential side effects. These may include: 

• • Impacts on fertility: Sperm production may lessen, which can potentially cause infertility. 

• • Increased fluid retention: Some patients notice minor swelling at the feet and ankles – this is because testosterone encourages the body to cling onto additional fluids. 

• • Skin changes: TRT can amplify your skin’s oil production, which enhances moisturization. You may notice improvements to your complexion; but if oil buildup occurs, there’s a chance of forming acne. 
  • Enlarged breasts: In the male body, testosterone transitions into another hormone called estradiol, a type of estrogen; this occurs whether or not you’re taking TRT. Some men naturally have added breast tissue, so TRT could stimulate the additional growth of this.  

As we explained, treating low T is personal, and advice should be received from your healthcare provider. Please reach out to us for your hormone inquiries – we are currently accepting new patients. 

About our functional medicine approach to wellness

Everyone has a unique way of attaining optimal wellness – our goal is to help find the root cause of your health concerns to tackle your symptoms and promote disease prevention.  

Integrative functional medicine is a health care model that applies “whole body” approaches to health care. This is what we adhere to at the TFMC, and we consider various treatment modalities to help mend your mind and body. Our integrative approach to health encompasses Western medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathic medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture, hormone replacement therapies, and IV therapy drips. Each treatment is customized with the functional medicine model, including  doses of nutrients for IV drips. 

A comprehensive treatment plan may directly deal with biological concerns. To tailor your therapies, our clinicians take ample time to chat with you during the initial visit, especially regarding your medical history (genetics), current lifestyle, environmental factors, future health goals, and the potential use of core tests. Once we’ve received a “whole picture” of your current health issues, we can customize your health plan. Our team has experience adapting therapies for different health conditions, including heart disease, histamine intolerance, acid reflux, nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, inflammatory conditions, among others. 

Our personalized approach to health care could uncover the root of your health concerns. Ask us about our hormone optimization programs anytime! Call us to request your first functional medicine Toronto session. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

 

References

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Bhasin S. Testosterone replacement in aging men: an evidence-based patient-centric perspective. J Clin Invest. 2021 Feb 15;131(4):e146607. doi: 10.1172/JCI146607. PMID: 33586676; PMCID: PMC7880314.

Giovanni Corona, Matteo Monami, Giulia Rastrelli, Antonio Aversa, Yuliya Tishova, Farid Saad, Andrea Lenzi, Gianni Forti, Edoardo Mannucci, Mario Maggi, Testosterone and Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta‐Analysis Study, The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 272–283, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01991.x

I G Brodsky, P Balagopal, K S Nair, Effects of testosterone replacement on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis in hypogonadal men–a clinical research center study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 81, Issue 10, 1 October 1996, Pages 3469–3475, https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.81.10.8855787

Saad F, Aversa A, Isidori AM, Zafalon L, Zitzmann M, Gooren L. Onset of effects of testosterone treatment and time span until maximum effects are achieved. Eur J Endocrinol. 2011 Nov;165(5):675-85. doi: 10.1530/EJE-11-0221. Epub 2011 Jul 13. PMID: 21753068; PMCID: PMC3188848.