Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can be a real game changer for those experiencing unusual fatigue. Besides improved energy levels, it can boost your mood, libido, and muscle mass, all while strengthening bone density and the production of red blood cells. But like any medical treatment, it’s easy to get off track if you dive in without knowing what to expect. Here are four big mistakes with TRT:
1. Skipping Medical Guidance
The biggest and most dangerous mistake you can make is starting testosterone replacement therapy without a proper medical evaluation. After all, low energy doesn’t always mean low testosterone, and taking hormones without knowledgeable lab testing can result in more harm than help.
To optimize your levels, a medical provider should review your blood work and response to treatment every six months to see if any adjustments are necessary, especially in the beginning. It usually takes time to find the right dosage and protocol, and following up ensures personalized treatment. Plus, your response could shift as you age, so working with a doctor ensures you stay on top of things.
Often, insurance-funded TRT plans with traditional providers aren’t naturally customized enough. They have fixed dosage requirements rather than ones fixed to the individual, which can sometimes lead to infrequent and inefficient application schedules. That’s another pro to working with a doctor who can advocate for your specific needs.
2. Expecting Instant Results
Even when you work with a medical provider, testosterone therapy isn’t a quick fix. It takes time for the body to adjust and adapt to the new normal, which means you may not notice improvement until it gradually arrives over a period of weeks or even months. In other words, this is an ongoing therapy that requires you to take dosages at regular intervals; keeping consistent and staying patient is the key to the best possible results.
Because improvements are gradual, they might be difficult to notice when they happen. Be on the lookout for these good signs, all of which indicate that the testosterone therapy is helping:
- Feeling more rested in the morning
- Easier to think more clearly
- Increased motivation and drive
3. Not Asking About Storage and Handling
Like with many medications, testosterone requires careful attention for storage and handling. How testosterone is stored directly impacts its safety and effectiveness, especially with injectable forms.
For example, most forms should be stored at room temperature, or around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 20 degrees Celsius). It should also be kept out of direct sunlight as well as other strong UV lights; this exposure can degrade the hormones and make treatment much less effective.
Some vials may also require refrigeration. If so, your pharmacist and the packaging will inform you. However, testosterone should never be frozen; this can result in changes to the chemical composition, which would also degrade its effectiveness.
When in doubt about how to store testosterone cypionate, always check the manufacturer’s recommendations or ask your pharmacist for advice.
4. Ignoring Lifestyle Factors
Testosterone therapy can have a profound impact on individuals with low hormone levels, instilling them with more energy, muscle strength, and several other benefits. But it is also not a solution to everything. In fact, testosterone has the biggest impact when it’s combined with healthier lifestyle habits.
Taking illicit drugs, drinking to excess, and smoking or engaging in substance use are all habits that can affect testosterone levels. Not only will addressing these reduce that impact, it’ll make great strides towards improving your overall health.
For the best possible results, combine testosterone therapy with consistently good sleep, a nutritionally balanced diet, regular resistance and cardiovascular exercise, and stress management. And don’t worry about trying to overhaul your entire life all at once! At the end of the day, the small choices are the ones that have the ability to make the biggest difference.
The Bottom Line
Testosterone replacement therapy has the potential to benefit those diagnosed with low testosterone levels, but it’s very important to approach this treatment mindfully and with the right expectations. To avoid common mistakes like self-diagnosis or improper administration, working with a medical provider is crucial.
