A Better and More Natural Testosterone Replacement Therapy by Jerry Brainum 4/21

 

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) had become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the practice of administering testosterone to mostly men over 40 remains controversial for a number of reasons. The first is that many men who think they need TRT may actually not be realistic candidates for such therapy. In many cases, symptoms indicative of low testosterone or "Low T" can be ameliorated by making a few simple lifestyle changes. These include losing excess body fat levels. Having a higher body fat level could interfere with testosterone production in the body, yet conversely a higher body fat level may also be symptomatic of having Low T. Avoiding excess stress is another measure that can be taken to normalize low T levels. Under high stress conditions, the release of hormones that oppose the actions of testosterone, such as cortisol from the adrenal glands, increase and this if often reflected in lower T levels. 

But it's also true that after age 40, testosterone levels decline in men at an average rate of 1 to 2% a year. Thus by the time many men reach 50 or more, their testosterone levels are significantly lower, and this could affect the way that they feel and the way that they look. One example of this is that a certain amount of testosterone is needed to build and maintain muscle. If T levels get too low, it will be impossible to develop additional muscle mass. This was shown years ago in a study that involved young men who were at the peak of their natural testosterone production. When these men were given a drug that blocked testosterone synthesis in their bodies, their rate of muscular gain progress halted completely. A similar scenario exists when testosterone declines with age. Not all men aspire to be competitive bodybuilders, but it's disappointing  to see that all the work put in the gym amounts to nothing. Also, the familiar "dad bod" exemplified by thin arms and legs accompanied by fat accumulated in the midsection, is also related to a lack of testosterone. Many men who commence TRT are surprised to find that their waist measurement is less despite no change in diet or exercise. There are cells in the body called Pleuripotent stem cells, meaning that they can go in different directions. They can either become fat cells or muscle tissue. When testosterone levels are optimal, these stem cells take the road to muscle tissue, rather than fat cells.

Men have a large choice to consider when beginning TRT. One way that isn't common is to have pellets surgically placed under the skin. These pellets last for 3 to 6 months, releasing small amounts of testosterone each day. The advantage of this form of therapy is that it avoids injections and once the pellets are implanted, you don't have to think about them. But it does require a minor surgical procedure to implant them, and this has to . . .