Are You Making These 7 TRT Mistakes?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy helps thousands of men improve their sex drive, regain their body composition, boost their mood, and more.
But hormones are complex, and it’s important to avoid making mistakes when you start a TRT protocol.
We’ll go over the top seven TRT mistakes to avoid as you consider Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
1. Using illegitimate sources for Testosterone.
TRT is a medical therapy to treat low Testosterone (also called hypogonadism) in men. TRT plans should always be overseen by a provider, and medications should come from reliable pharmacies that adhere to FDA regulations.
Legally, Testosterone cannot be purchased without a prescription, and selling Testosterone without oversight is against the law. There is no quality guarantee for medications purchased from black market vendors. These medications may be dangerous, improperly packaged and stored, include harmful additives like heavy metals, and more.
On top of that, hormones are a delicate balance. Providers who specialize in TRT understand how to create a plan that optimizes Testosterone while considering the ways TRT impacts the body. A medical-guided plan can help you avoid side effects, plus make sure your plan is optimized to your needs.
Injecting Testosterone without the guidance of a provider can lead to overuse, aggressive peaks and crashes, excessive hair loss and acne, physiological damage, mood swings, and more.
2. Cycling on and off Testosterone.
One of the biggest Testosterone myths is that you need to “cycle” – or stop taking Testosterone periodically to give your body a break.
TRT is an ongoing therapy with dosages taken at regular intervals. A consistent schedule keeps Testosterone levels balanced and elevated over time.
On a provider-guided TRT plan, there is no need to stop taking Testosterone. Doing so can interrupt your progress and cause low T symptoms to resurface. Cycling can also cause uncomfortable peaks and lows in your Testosterone levels.
If you need to stop TRT permanently for whatever reason, a knowledgeable provider can guide you through halting therapy and restarting your HPTA axis. Learn more about Defy Medical’s HPTA Axis restart protocol.
3. Not knowing your TRT options.
There are more TRT options than you may think. The most common form of TRT is injection therapy, but others include:
- Topical gels and creams
- Implantable pellets
- Supplemental nasal application
- Combination therapies as appropriate
The right TRT plan for you will depend on several factors. One factor is your comfort level with the application process. Injections may not be a great idea if you fear needles, for example.
Each delivery system has different pros and cons, as well.
Testosterone injections allow for quick adjustment of hormone levels, and many patients find them to be the most efficient delivery system.
Topical Testosterone allows patients to avoid injections, but absorption takes place over time, which may or may not work depending on your lifestyle.
Implantable pellets don’t require daily or weekly application, but it can take a few months to find the right protocol to balance hormones, since bodies metabolize the implanted Testosterone differently.
You should work with a knowledgeable provider who can explain all of your options to you. A customized plan that suits your needs, goals, and lifestyle will work best for optimizing your Testosterone levels.
4. Not having an individualized TRT protocol.
As we’ve said, hormones are complex, and each patient responds differently to treatment. This means you need an individualized plan to reach optimal Testosterone levels.
Often, insurance-funded TRT plans with traditional providers aren’t customized enough. Dosages are typically fixed, rather than adjusted to the individual, and application schedules may be too infrequent to be effective.
Defy Medical offers TRT plans that are tailored to your needs and response to treatment. Dosage and application frequency depend on what works for you, which we measure based on lab results and consultations that monitor your symptoms.
5. Not working with a provider who offers regular follow-up.
To optimize Testosterone levels effectively, your provider should review your blood work and response to treatment every 3-6 months and make adjustments as necessary.
It often takes time to find the right TRT protocol, and following up ensures your treatment is customized. Your response to treatment may shift as you age, as well. Following up regularly helps you stay on top of these shifts, so your TRT works long-term.
Defy Medical offers regular follow-up with routine lab work, so we know exactly how you’re responding to treatment.
6. Not making lifestyle changes to optimize your results.
TRT eases Low T symptoms to help men feel better, have more energy, build muscle while burning fat, and more. But these benefits are compounded when you also make lifestyle changes to support your protocol.
Taking illicit drugs, smoking, drinking excessively, and engaging in other substance use can affect Testosterone levels. Addressing these lifestyle factors can help boost your TRT results, plus improve your overall health.
Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and other issues can affect your T levels, as well. Adding regular exercise and healthy eating to your TRT plan often leads to better results.
7. Not sticking to your TRT plan.
TRT requires regular administration of Testosterone.
Topical Testosterone is typically applied daily, while Testosterone injections are injected once to three times a week. Pellets need to be implanted during an in-office procedure every 4-6 months.
To see results, it’s crucial to stick to your plan and apply your medication on schedule. If you skip doses, your TRT protocol won’t be effective at balancing your levels. You may experience the return of low T symptoms, as well as symptoms associated with irregular hormone levels.
If you struggle to take medications consistently, you can try setting an alarm on your phone or in your calendar to remind you.
TRT with Defy Medical
Defy Medial is an industry-leading Men’s Health clinic that has helped thousands of patients achieve healthier, more active lives. Read more about our patient success stories.
Our team has worked in the field of HRT and Men’s Health for more than a decade, and we bring this experience to you via convenient telemedicine and easy online ordering of medications. We offer comprehensive hormone therapy to help you feel your best.
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