Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Therapy

Benefits and Risks of Testosterone Therapy

There have been no large, long-term studies to tell us the benefits and risks of using testosterone replacement therapy. For the studies that have been done, researchers are not always in agreement about the benefits and risks of TRT. More research needs to be done. At this point, here s what studies are reporting.

Benefits

Testosterone replacement therapy may have these benefits:

• Improved libido
• More energy and improved sense of well-being
• Increase in bone and muscle mass
• Improved body composition
• Better mood
• Rise in hemoglobin levels to the normal range. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body.

Risks

Testosterone replacement therapy might have these risks:

• Higher chance of prostate cancer
• Rise in hemoglobin levels above the normal range
• Problems passing urine, also called voiding symptoms. This includes poor urine flow, feeling like you can t empty your bladder, or hesitancy before urinating.
• Liver damage from oral preparations of testosterone
• Sleep apnea (stopping breathing during sleep)
• Breast tenderness and swelling
• Testicles get smaller
• Fertility problems while using TRT
• Skin reaction from patches or gel
• Pain, soreness, or bruising from injection
• Fluid retention
• Acne
• Oily skin
• Increased body hair

Some experts recommend following these guidelines when taking TRT:

Before you start taking TRT:

• Get a Prostate-Specific Antigen ( PSA) test and digital rectal exam.
• Have your hemotocrit or hemoglobin level tested.
• Tell your doctor if you have sleep apnea. If you re not sure, ask to be tested.
• Talk to your doctor about voiding (urination) problems.

One to two months after you ve started taking TRT:

• Visit your doctor to see if the TRT is working.

Every three to six months:

• Visit your doctor to see how you re responding to treatment.
• Get your testosterone levels measured.
• Get your hematocrit or hemoglobin levels tested.
• Get a PSA and digital rectal exam.
• Let your doctor know if you have sleep apnea or problems passing urine.

Get liver function tests if you re using oral preparations of testosterone.

If you ve had heart failure or renal inconsistency, use TRT with caution.

Men with an abnormal result on a digital rectal exam or elevated PSA level should have a negative prostate biopsy before they use TRT.

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By www.4woman.gov