TRT is prescribed by our TFMC clinicians for biological purposes only. When administered for your personal health, beneficial effects may include: increase in libido, heightening of sexual performance, improvements to both muscle mass, and a reduction in pain levels. You may also notice positive changes to your sleep and cognition (i.e. memory retention).

Prior to taking TRT, please understand that there may be potential risks when the treatments are administered. These may possibly include: decline in skin quality (i.e. acne), prostate growth (benign prostatic hyperplasia), breast enlargement, shrunken testicles, decrease in sperm production, worsening of current sleep conditions (i.e. sleep apnea), excessive formation of red blood cells that can increase your chances of forming blood clots.

You may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy under these conditions: a) You’re 40 years old or older; b) Lab work is maximum 3 months old and indicates you have low T; c) You are currently demonstrating clinical symptoms of low T (i.e. poor energy levels, unresponsive to exercise regiments, low sexual function, mood swings, anxiety, depression, erectile dysfunction, etc.)

Our healthcare providers may NOT prescribe TRT if you have these current health issues:

• Sleep conditions (i.e. sleep apnea)
• UTIs (especially those associated with prostate issues)
• Heart disease or other cardiac concerns
• Low T due to age-related decline
• Excessive red blood cell count
• Breast cancer and/or prostate cancer

Testosterone replacement therapy is available through various delivery methods. Some of these include: 

• Injections: testosterone may be administered as an intramuscular injection.

• Nasal administration: a compounded gel is directed into the nostrils using a pump.

• Topical gels or creams: Gels or creams may be absorbed through the skin (usually rubbed onto the upper arm/shoulder or thigh).

The delivery method of TRT is a personal decision. Please discuss which method is suitable with your functional medicine practitioner.

These treatments encourage the body to return to a healthy hormonal balance. In turn, this can help lessen the clinical symptoms of low T, such as erectile dysfunction and muscle weakness. Once testosterone levels have reached a stable level, you may notice an improvement to different aspects of health (i.e. muscle strength, erections, mood, and energy production).

When TRT is administered, side effects may occur. These may include: 

• Hair loss
• Increase in oil production (may cause acne)
• Swollen nipples
• Fluid buildup/retention
• Sleep troubles (may cause sleep apnea or may worsen current sleep conditions)
• Irritability, mood swings
• Low sperm count (may cause infertility); testicles may decrease in size
• Increase in blood cell count
• Cholesterol levels may alter

Some patients inquire about “non-drug options” for alleviating low T. Health advice from our clinicians is based on your biological needs. You can explore the following lifestyle modifications and/or complementary and alternative medicine options, too, but please consult with your health practitioner beforehand: 

• Diet and exercise regiments: According to an article from Sexual Medicine Reviews, studies have indicated that both 12-week and 52-week diet and exercise programs increased testosterone levels. Low calorie diets also contributed to enhancing the hormone in male bodies. 

• Stress management tools: Numerous articles have stated that excessive stress can diminish serum levels of testosterone. You can explore various stress management techniques with your healthcare provider, such as acupuncture, meditation, yoga, journaling, etc. 

• Varicocele repair: Varicocele is when the veins that carry oxygen-diminished blood away from the testicles become enlarged. Studies have suggested that repairing this condition can contribute to improving low T. 
• Sleep modifications: Discuss with your health care provider how to improve your sleep hygiene. Did you know that sleep deprivation can contribute to lowering testosterone? One study showed that getting about five hours of sleep per night can decrease testosterone by 10-15%.