Forms of testosterone supplements: from oral medication to injection application
Testosterone is a men’s sex hormone important for many functions of the body, including muscle growth, development of reproductive organs and sperm production. Some men with low testosterone levels may need treatment, known as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This treatment comes in several forms, including pills, gels, patches and injection application. Each form has its own advantages and specific restrictions.
Oral medication
Oral testosterone is easy to administer, as it is simply taken by mouth. However this method has its risks and restrictions as orally taken testosterone may cause liver damage. Oral testosterone is not often used for long term TRT treatment.
Gels and creams
Testosterone gels and creams are applied directly to your skin allowing testosterone to be slowly released into your body during the day. This method avoids sudden peaks in hormone levels and is fairly easy to use. It is however very important to be careful as to avoid accidental contact of the cream or gel with the skin of other people, especially women and children.
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The choice of the most suitable form of testosterone supplementation depends on individual patient needs, his lifestyle and also tolerance to potential side effects. The treatment should always be performed under the supervision of a medical professional and include regular check ups and monitoring of the therapy progress and patient's health. This is important in order to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the therapy.
Patches
Testosterone is absorbed through the skin in a similar way as with gels. These patches are usually applied once a day and ensure stable levels of testosterone in the blood. Patches may cause local skin irritation for some men.
Injection applications
This is the most common delivery system as these allow more precise and quick adjustments of hormone levels in the body and also are cost-effective. There are different types of testosterone injection applications such as those with a shorter term effect, and therefore require more frequent applications, or long-acting testosterone depot preparations which require less frequent applications. Injection applications provide a faster increase of testosterone levels in the body, however this can lead to mood swings and quick changes in energy levels if an incorrect dose is administered.
Microdosing TRT
Microdosing is one of the latest TRT methods, especially when used with injection applications. This method consists of applying smaller doses of testosterone in shorter intervals. The advantage of this method are more stable levels of testosterone in the blood over time and minimal side effects which can be linked to higher doses. Microdosing can be especially useful for patients sensitive to hormonal changes or those with other health issues.