What Are The Top 5 Side Effects Of TRT?

The side effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), including short term and long term, are well known to the medical community. However, not everyone is aware of them and their possible impact on your health. Understanding these potential effects is important in order to make educated decisions regarding TRT. Here, we will cover some of the top 5 side effects associated with TRT:

• Heart Disease And Stroke

Heart disease and stroke  are two conditions that claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. These deadly diseases can be lessened or even prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes and medications (when necessary). The use of testosterone replacement therapy has been shown through many studies to help reduce blood pressure , improve lipid profiles and lower cholesterol levels. The real danger associated with TRT is that it can cause blood pressure and lipid levels to drop too low (a side effect of testosterone called "late onset hypogonadism"). Lowered HDL (the good kind) and higher LDL (the bad kind) are common effects associated with TRT; however, you can protect yourself by keeping your doctor involved in the process and monitoring your progress regularly.

• Sleep Apnea

Although sleep apnea may not be a direct result of taking testosterone replacement therapy, one of its main causes does lie in an area that's influenced by testosterone: obesity . Many men who take T therapy tend to gain weight because the increased demand on their body requires more energy and nutrients than before. The added weight can cause sleep apnea . If you are on TRT and notice that your breathing is interrupted while you're asleep (you may hear yourself snoring), make an appointment with your doctor immediately to get evaluated.

• Low Cholesterol

The effects of testosterone on cholesterol levels were summed up in a clinical trial conducted by the University of Melbourne, Australia. For this study, researchers recruited 74 men aged between 21 and 45 years old who had low testosterone levels but did not have any current health conditions that could be attributed to their condition. Participants were required to follow specific diets high in saturated fat for 6 weeks; they also received either 400 mg or 600 mg of testosterone weekly via injection for 20 weeks. After 12 weeks of the high fat diet, the results showed that LDL (bad cholesterol) had increased in both groups. However, after 20 weeks of dosing with either 400 mg or 600 mg of testosterone weekly plus the high fat diet, LDL levels decreased significantly. This study clearly shows how testosterone replacement therapy can impact your cholesterol levels . It's important to note that it didn't matter if participants received 400 mg or 600 mg doses; both resulted in lower LDL readings. Therefore, there is no set dosage amount required for someone using TRT to reduce their risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

• Low Libido

As your testosterone levels increase during treatment not only will you begin building up lean muscle mass at a rapid rate but also experience improvements in both mental clarity and metabolic function which allows you to decrease body fat levels even further . Unfortunately these benefits may come at the detriment of your libido because TRT treatments are known for suppressing production of the luteinizing hormone which is responsible for triggering arousal.

• Prostate Cancer

The controversy surrounding testosterone replacement therapy and prostate cancer has been going on for years. Researchers and scientists alike continue to study and debate this issue, but so far there is no conclusive evidence that TRT can cause cancer of the prostate . However, there's much research to support the claim that it does not increase your risk for developing prostate cancer. There are also studies showing a relation between low testosterone levels and an increased likelihood of prostate cancer; however, these studies were conducted in men over the age of 40 (usually after they experienced symptoms such as fatigue , erectile dysfunction , decreased libido etc.). Most experts agree that more long-term clinical trials need to be conducted before we can definitively say what effect TRT has on prostate health and cancer risks.

In conclusion, testosterone replacement therapy is one of the most controversial treatments being used for those suffering from low testosterone levels. The possibility of prostate cancer as a potential side effect has been weighing heavily on men's minds as they talk to their doctors about TRT. An increasing number of men are looking into this option, despite the controversy surrounding it.