Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
Discover how Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can help improve your energy levels, libido, mood, and overall well-being. At Eden Clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating testosterone deficiency with tailored solutions to suit your unique needs.
What is Testosterone Deficiency?
Testosterone deficiency (TD), also known as hypogonadism, occurs when your body produces insufficient levels of testosterone. This can impact your physical, mental, and sexual health, leading to symptoms that disrupt your daily life.
Understanding and addressing these changes can significantly improve one's quality of life.
Causes of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone levels can result from:Aging
Disorders affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary glands, or testes
Chronic illnesses such as diabetes or obesity
Long-term use of medications like opiates or antipsychotics
Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, or lack of physical activity
Common symptoms include:
Psychological: Low mood, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Sexual: Reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased frequency of morning erections.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, consider scheduling a consultation at Eden Clinic.
Why does it occur?
Who Should Be Screened for TD?
Testosterone screening may be beneficial for:
- - Men with persistent fatigue, low mood, or decreased libido.
- - Those with type 2 diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome.
- - Men experiencing erectile dysfunction or difficulty with morning erections.
- - Individuals on long-term opiates, antipsychotics, or anticonvulsant medications.
How is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?
At Eden Clinic, we use a comprehensive process to diagnose TD:
- Symptom Evaluation: Discussing your health concerns and how they impact your life.
- Physical Examination: Assessing physical signs of low testosterone.
- Laboratory Testing: Blood tests to measure testosterone levels, typically in the morning for accuracy.
- Advanced Hormone Testing: Further testing of LH, FSH, and SHBG to determine the root cause.
Treatment Options
At Eden Clinic, we offer multiple treatment options, each tailored to your lifestyle and preferences:
Our clinicians will help you decide which option best suits your needs.
Take Control of Your Hormonal Health
Understanding your testosterone levels is key to optimising your well-being. We provide simple and effective tools to help you gain insights into your hormonal health. Levels fluctuate throughout the day, so we recommend taking your blood tests between 0700-1100 in the morning to get a look at your levels when they're at their highest. It's also important to consider other factors that may have influenced your testosterone levels (recent illness, medications, significant sleep disruption).
Primary hypogonadism (PH) results from testicular dysfunction, being characterised by low testosterone and raised LH and FSH, and can be reliably diagnosed. PH isn't very common but affects 1–2% of older men. It's associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoporosis.
Secondary hypogonadism (SH), sometimes called central hypogonadism, will demonstrate low testosterone with low / normal LH and FSH levels. SH is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. It is important to exclude haemochromatosis in these people and assess serum ferritin and pituitary hormone profile (serum prolactin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones). An MRI of he head or potentially the pituitary may be needed in some of these patients.
Most of the testosterone in the blood is bound to sex hormne binging globulin (SHBG), which makes it inactive. Only a small fraction exists as "free testosterone," which is biologically active and can enter cells to exert its effects around the body. You can use these unit conversion tools below to understand how much free testosterone you have. This can have an influence on treatment. Some blood tests don't include this separately but you can use the "free testosterone calculator' below. Men with a body fat percentage or insulin resistance may have a very low SHBG.
Step-by-Step Process
Email Results
Send your results to the email below. You’ll receive an email with instructions on how to proceed.
Consultation
Discuss results and plan treatment in a 60-minute consultation. You will need to have a minimum of two tests demonstrating low testosterone before starting treatment. This consultation will help understand if you might benefit from treatment,
Start Treatment
Begin TRT if it is clinically appropriate for you. You will be offered ongoing tailored support and monitoring. This will need regular blood tests and consultations.
Understanding the Potential Side Effects of TRT
Once starting to treat testosterone deficiency, regular monitoring is essential to manage potential side effects like acne or increased red blood cell count. It's also important to monitor your blood pressure.
Your clinician will ask you about symptoms relating to prostate health: How many times do you pass urine at night, is there any dribbling when you have finished passing water? You will also have a blood test that will monitor prostate health.
Historically there was concerns about an association with prostate cancer and men being treated TRT, however there is now good evidence that there is no association, however if you are on treatment you will be having regular blood tests.
Testosterone deficiency can negatively impact your fertility. It is worth considering this prior to starting treatment. HCG is a medication (unlicensed) that can be used to support fertility.
Injection site reactions (mild)
Male pattern baldness
Acne
Reduced fertility
Nipple tenderness or swelling (gynaecomastia)
Elevated oestrogen can cause anxiety and water retention
Prostate growth
What to Expect from TRT at Eden Clinic
Your TRT journey includes:
- Initial Consultation: A thorough assessment of your symptoms, medical history, and goals.
- Tailored Treatment Plan: Personalized recommendations based on your health profile.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular blood tests and follow-ups to optimize your treatment.
- Lifestyle Support: Guidance on diet, exercise, and stress management to enhance results.
Take the Next Step
If you're experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, don’t wait to get help.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Complete the ADAM Questionnaire:
Start your journey to improved health by completing our online assessment.
Resources
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for men.
Educational resources, including Dave Lee's ebooks.
Guidelines and treatment thresholds.
TRT can provide numerous benefits for men, including increased energy levels, improved sexual function, enhanced muscle mass and strength, reduced body fat, improved mood and cognitive function, and increased bone density.
TRT can be administered through various methods, including injections, gels, and creams. The choice of treatment depends on individual preferences and medical considerations, which can be discussed with our clinicians.
The procedure for TRT involves regular administration of testosterone according to the chosen method. Our medical professionals will provide detailed instructions on how to self-administer injections or apply gels or cream.
Why Choose Eden Clinic?
Expert Care: Our experienced clinicians specialize in testosterone deficiency and men’s health.
Personalized Approach: Treatment plans designed to meet your unique needs.
Comprehensive Support: From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
J D
Regulated by CQC
