When it comes to testosterone replacement therapy(TRT), you have quite a few choices for treatment. However, not all TRT options are created equal. If you are suffering from low testosterone, you should know all of your options and choose the one that will get you the results you desire. Our Team offers testosterone replacement injections because our clients and many medical professionals believe injections are the most effective and convenient treatment.

Types of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Medical professionals have developed a number of treatments for low T over the years. The most common TRT options include:

• Testosterone replacement injections
• Subdermal pellets
• Gels and Creams
• Patches

In addition to the different delivery systems for testosterone there are also 2 types of hormones offered. The two types are synthetic and bioidentical. Synthetic hormones are chemically different from the hormones that naturally occur in your body. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants and are identical from the testosterone molecules that your body naturally creates. Bioidentical hormones are less likely to cause certain side effects and are widely considered more effective.

Why Choose Testosterone Replacement Injections?

Our physicians use injectable testosterone for several reasons. These injections are often given once a week but the dosing may differ depending on your specific needs. Testosterone replacement injections are fast acting and effective because they are administered directly into your muscle tissue. This allows your body to absorb the testosterone quickly which in turn provides you the benefits of TRT quicker.

Another benefit to choosing testosterone replacement injections over other treatment options is that there is no risk that someone else will come in contact with the medication. While adding testosterone into your system will help you, it could have negative effects on others, especially women, who come into contact with the medication. Injectable testosterone leaves no residue and therefore isn’t a risk for anyone else.

Lastly, testosterone injections make it very easy to change your dose to either increase or decrease your testosterone levels. Other treatment options make it difficult to judge the dosage or change the dosage quickly. While injections are exact and can change from week to week depending on your needs.

Testosterone Replacement Injections: Studies and Research

There have been quite a few studies to determine the effectiveness of certain TRT options as well as the effectiveness of TRT as a whole. One study has shown that testosterone injections are safer and more effective than other treatment options at combating muscle and bone loss in older men.

Another study ranked all of the TRT options based on medication efficacy, cost, common side effects, and patient compliance. This study determined that testosterone injection therapy was the best option for most men given the testing criteria. 

Lastly, a third study found that testosterone injection therapy gave patients higher free and total testosterone levels than other forms of treatment. In addition, this study showed an increase in hematocrit, hemoglobin, and estradiol in the participants that used injectable testosterone compared to the others. 

Drawbacks of Other TRT Options

While all forms of TRT increase testosterone, some forms have drawbacks that injectable testosterone doesn’t have. Our team will help you manage your treatment plan so that you have the safest, most affordable, and most effective treatment plan available. Below are some of the drawbacks of certain types of testosterone replacement therapy.

Testosterone Pellets

Testosterone pellets are an implant that a doctor will place under your skin that slowly releases testosterone into your system for the next 90 days to 6 months. There are a few main drawbacks with this treatment option. The first drawback is that there is a risk of infection and scarring at the injection site. Since the pellets have to be placed under the skin, the doctor must make an incision in your skin. This incision site can become infected or leave a scar in some patients.

Another drawback of testosterone pellets is the fact that you can’t quickly adjust the dose. As previously mentioned, these pellets are designed to slowly dissolve over time. This means that until the pellet has dissolved and it is time for your next dose, you likely will not be able to increase or decrease the dosage.

Testosterone Creams and Gels

Testosterone creams and gels are topical medications that you apply directly to your skin. These gels and creams often have to be applied at the same time every day. Additionally, creams and gels absorb through your skin which means it may take longer for you to start to feel the benefits of TRT. Creams and gels often leave behind a mess as well.

One of the biggest drawbacks with a testosterone cream or gel in comparison to testosterone replacement injections is the fact that they take time to dry. This isn’t only an inconvenience for the patient, this can also be dangerous for people they come into contact with. If your friends or loved ones come into contact with the application area, they can absorb some of the testosterone meant for you. Most people can see how taking medication meant for someone else may not be the best thing for you.

Lastly, creams and gels make accurate dosage much more difficult. Since you are applying a cream or gel, it may be easy to leave a bit behind or use too much.

Testosterone Replacement Injections: The Right Choice

Patients and doctors alike have had tremendous success with testosterone replacement therapy using injectable testosterone. If you are trying to decide what treatment option is best for you, let us help. You can call our office to schedule a consultation and we can discuss what option will work best for your situation.