Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly used as a treatment modality for older men with symptomatic hypogonadism. The symptoms of hypogonadism can include lower libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness, increased body fat, low mood, and decreased vitality etc.

Testosterone replacement therapy is primarily used to treat low testosterone, which can occur with age, or as a result of a medical condition. Some research suggests that TRT may also be used to help enhance quality of life.

Below are some Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) health benefits you should know about.

1- Helps Prevent Certain Health Conditions 

As men age, their testosterone levels decrease. Research shows that a low testosterone level (low T) puts a person at a greater risk of developing diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. A recent meta-analysis entitled “Testosterone level and risk of type 2 diabetes in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis” concluded that ” higher testosterone levels can significantly decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes in men. Therefore, combined with previous research, these findings suggest a reverse-causality scenario in the relation between testosterone deficiency and risk of type 2 diabetes in men.”

2 – Increase Muscle Mass and Build Stronger Bones

Male osteoporosis is a condition that is usually associated with a low T level.

Testosterone replacement therapy will help Increase bone strength and reduce the risk of fractures. Recent studies have concluded that it effectively increased muscle strength in middle-aged and older males.

3 – Improves libido

This benefit is perhaps the most popular among the older male population, when testosterone replacement therapy comes into mind. But did you know men as young as 25 years old can also be diagnosed with testosterone deficiency? 

Potential Causes of Low Testosterone Include the Following:

• • Aging 
  • Acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) illness
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Chemotherapy 
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Chronic renal (kidney) failure
  • Dysfunction of the pituitary gland
  • Excessive estrogen exposure 
  • HIV/AIDS
  • High levels of prolactin
  • Injury (trauma, interrupted blood supply to the testicles) 
  • infection of the testicles (orchitis) 
  • Diabetes type 2 
  • Head trauma
  • Hypothyroid disease 
  • Medications, including opioids, hormones used to treat prostate cancer, and steroids (such as prednisone)
  • Metabolic disorders such as hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
  • Obesity or extreme weight loss 
  • Obstructive sleep apnea 
  • Radiation exposure

4 – Improves Cognition and Mood

The study “Effect of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Cognitive Performance and Depression in Men with Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome” concluded.

“TRT may be prescribed in men with testosterone deficiency syndrome if low testosterone levels are associated with depression or cognitive impairment.”

Please take note:

If a testosterone replacement therapy program interests you, before trying TRT, it’s important to sit down with a healthcare provider and go over all the possible benefits and potential side effects.

Make sure you visit a testosterone replacement therapy clinic such as the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre for more information on the TRT program available at the clinic. 

The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre offers a fully integrative and functional medicine program for men’s health. Schedule an appointment here.

 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5793809/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29774669 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24994579 

https://www.naturopathic.org/article_content.asp?article=802 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15603-low-testosterone-male-hypogonadism 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5209560/

 

Recommended Reading: Understanding Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men and Weight Loss