Could Testosterone Replacement Therapy be right for you?

  Testosterone therapy helps replace deficits which is essential for the well being of a male, especially as they get older and testosterone synthesis starts tapering down. Testosterone therapy effectively counters hypogonadism or low — T. Finasteride & Minoxidil for Patients on TRT Long term external replacement of testosterone might lead to an excess production of DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which shrinks hair follicles eventually leading to hair loss. A genetic disposition to MPB(Male Pattern Balding) is the leading cause for a thinning crown and a receding hairline. But being proactive and starting early treatment will help reverse this condition. Finasteride ,  a 5AR blocker blocks the enzyme called Type -II Alpha Reductase that synthesizes DHT from testosterone. More 5AR enzyme, more DHT, leading to MPB hair loss. Minoxidil, which is a scalp treatment, helps increase blood flow to the hair follicles. Together  finasteride and Minoxidil  help regrowth of hair, ...

  So A and B both got diagnosed with male pattern balding. It starts thinning hair from the crown area and a receding hairline, and is probably inherited. Both get a prescription for Finasteride pills and Minoxidil topical application. ​ Finasteride & Minoxidil A got his Finasteride & Minoxidil prescription filled with generic meds at a reputed, online men’s clinic with a compounding pharmacy spending X dollars. ​ B went to a huge retail chain and got his prescription filled for Y Canadian dollars for branded Finasteride & Minoxidil. ​ Any guesses wh o  saved the most money, and didn’t have to lose hair on the cost of pattern  male pattern balding medication prescriptions in Canada ?​ Yup, you guessed right. A saved a ton of money that he paid 10% down payment for a Condo in Bridal Path, Ontario. Just kidding. But A is certainly living happily ever after with his Finasteride pills and Minoxidil topical application purchase, cheapest in Canada, getting the same...

External testosterone from TRT after a while, might increase estrogen levels from aromatization which needs to be countered. Too much estrogen can lead to side effects such as gynecomastia or male breasts, high water retention among other side effects. ​ Men are from Mars and women might be from Venus, but hey, we all share the same hormones, but in different proportions. Estrogen (E) is also crucial for men’s health as much as women’s though. Maintaining hormonal balance of different hormones as nature intended while optimizing deficits should be the goal of TRT for men. ​ One  o f the reasons TRT patients are monitored diligently at ON MEN via blood work and quarterly check ups is also to monitor estrogen levels. Means not eliminating estrogen from the body, but making sure the proper proportions of hormones are maintained for optimum health. ​ Testosterone is the most significant hormone for male sexual development and function. Naturally in males, testosterone levels decline wi...

Witches cauldrons’ brewing potions, ghouls & goblins haunting sidewalks, bewitching parties galore in the twilight zone…we thought it is time to scare the hell out of testosterone self-diagnosing, and dosing, DIY wizards keeping with the spirit. If we had to put a piece of candy in a bowl for every testosterone self medication misadventure that comes our way, the bowl would have to be replaced by a barrel now. Here is a typical horror story shared verbatim we see at ON MEN: “I have been using   anabolic steroids for several years now and have been experiencing severe side effects lately. I am looking to get a blood test requisition for a few parameters I am looking to get tested for. I am concerned for my health and am looking to minimize the harm I am putting on my body. Is the requisition something you could offer?” This theme is consistent across age groups. Younger men report steroid or testosterone use for gains at the gym. But eventually their natural testosterone product...

The question really should be to what extent testosterone replacement alleviates depression, and the factors that influence the positive outcomes. But let’s not scare you with long headings. ​ With the backdrop of a sweeping epidemic, debilitating lock downs, social distancing norms it is no surprise world mental health day is trending. Even return gift bags given with thoughtful notes being penned about understanding & empathy, coaxing to reach out if feeling down and depressed. ​ Low-T being the cause of   mood issues, a certain lack of overall well being is well understood, as is the ability of testosterone to boost mood and bestow that spring in the step, feel good, win the world feeling. ​ So testosterone eminently qualifies as a therapy option. Although it can be nuanced and it might not be for everyone, but for a certain subset of people testosterone replacement is simply tailor-made to a T to deal with depressive symptoms. ​ It has long been debated among medical profes...

Low-T can affect men of all ages. Even adolescents can suffer from low-T. An aging testis in older males leading to physiologic changes is the main cause of gonadal dysfunction, or primary hypogonadism.​ Hypogonadism  In younger males the cause of low-T is commonly due to congenital or acquired conditions that disrupt the testosterone production in the testes due to HPT axis issues. (Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.) which results in declines of LH(Luteinizing Hormone and FSH(Follicle Stimulating Hormone). ​ This is also called secondary hypogonadism. ​ Diagnosis & treatment parameters for young males suffering from low testosterone To diagnose low-T  i n younger males is challenging due to absence of decreased libido or erectile dysfunction, a telltale symptom of low testosterone, common in older males. Instead, hypogonadism manifests as fatigue and lack of energy, which is the common complaint of younger males suffering from low testosterone. ​ While a...

Testosterone has a powerful effect on muscle mass, strength and fat reduction. ​ Myotrophic and Hypertrophic Effects of Testosterone on Muscles In a nutshell testosterone:  Improves how the body processes proteins by inhibiting the breakdown of protein Activating satellite cells which are a type of stem cells that play a role in muscle development Stimulating anabolic hormones, which promote muscle growth and protein synthesis Enhancing tissue growth Myotrophic and Hypertrophic Effects of Testosterone on Muscles Important mechanisms behind the myotrophic (increasing muscle weight) effects of testosterone were uncovered both in athletes using steroids for several years and in short-term controlled studies. Both long-term and short-term testosterone usage accentuated the degree of fibre hypertrophy in human skeletal muscle by enhancing protein synthesis. Hypertrophy is the process of organ or tissue enlargement by increasing the size of cells. Testosterone increase s  the size o...