How Long Does TRT Take to Work? Optimize your Lifestyle

Testosterone replacement therapy can provide relief to men who are experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of low testosterone. 

Although every patient is unique, read on to learn more about the typical results that a TRT patient can expect shortly after he begins treatment. 

What Is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone that plays a key role in the development and maintenance of male characteristics and reproductive function. It’s present in both men and women, but it's found in much higher levels in men.

Testosterone levels contribute to:

• Bone density

• Muscle mass and strength

• Libido

• Sperm production 

• Mood regulation

• And others

Maintaining healthy testosterone levels helps men maintain optimal physical and emotional homeostasis. Low testosterone can affect any of these domains and lead to negative health outcomes if left unchecked and unmanaged over time. 

How Does Age Affect Testosterone Levels? 

As men age, testosterone levels tend to decline. This process typically begins in one’s mid-thirties and accelerates the older one becomes. As endogenous testosterone decreases, men often experience unpleasant symptoms from having lower testosterone levels. This has been referred to as “andropause,” but this term is not completely accurate as it is over-simplified and not an inevitable event.

How is TRT Used?

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is administered in a number of different ways, including:

• Injections

• Creams

• Oral 

• Gels

Lucidity Clinic typically starts patients off with subcutaneous injections, which are more effective than other treatment methods, because it introduces exogenous testosterone directly into the body systemically.

How Long Do Testosterone Injections Take to Work?

Patients typically start to see results shortly after treatment begins. In this section, we’ll provide a bit more information about what most patients experience. 

Generally, there is an improvement in mood shortly after treatment begins, which can be as soon as the first week. In the next several weeks, anxiety may begin to dissipate. As noted in other articles, TRT is an effective treatment for anxiety. 

After the second week of treatment, patients tend to see an improvement in their libido. A boost in confidence and relief in anxiety may also lead to sentiments of increased self-esteem, although patients often need to work on non-hormonal issues as well to see a lasting impact in that regard. 

From two to six months, patients may start to notice that their level of muscle retention increases, especially for those who regularly lift weights. There may also be noticeable improvements in lean body mass, positive changes in lipids, and the slow eradication of deep visceral fat. Testosterone can also act as a systemic anti-inflammatory, lowering inflammatory markers throughout the body, benefiting both immune modulation and longevity. These benefits of TRT are such that they typically end up having a self-reinforcing cycle. 

In months three to one year, patients may start to see a significant boost in sexual potency and bone health. Benefits continue to accrue until an endocrine system that is restored to balance ultimately eliminates the negative side effects of testosterone levels. 

How Long Does TRT Last? 

Those on testosterone need to continue taking testosterone in order to maintain balanced T levels. This is simply due to the reality that if the body no longer produces ideal endogenous levels of testosterone, an exogenous source is required for those levels to be maintained. 

Although many of the longer-term benefits like bone density may last longer. Over time, cessation of TRT does result in lower testosterone levels, which could result in the return of negative symptoms. 

How Long Should Someone be on Testosterone? 

The amount of time a patient should be on TRT can vary from patient to patient. However, the ‘average patient,’ can often use TRT indefinitely. Evaluations about continuing treatment are made on a patient by patient basis, with each patient’s overall endocrine profile being monitored by a doctor to ensure that if any hormonal imbalances occur, they can be addressed.

In some cases, treatment may need to be adjusted in order for a balance to be maintained. As this process continues, it’s important that patients stay in regular contact with their provider, especially with regard to any side effects or adverse events that may occur.  

Benefits of Testosterone Therapy

Before concluding, we’ll briefly outline some of the benefits of TRT in this section:

• Improved mood

• Higher confidence 

• Greater mood regulation 

• Reduced anxiety

• Higher muscle retention

• Better bone density 

• Increased libido

• And, numerous others 

TRT with Lucidity Clinic

Lucidity Clinic offers subscriptions for testosterone replacement therapy as well as weight loss therapy and a peptide club for a wide variety of other therapy treatments. This natural approach to wholistic care with a goal of health optimization is referred to as Performance Medicine.

The first step in getting TRT is to have your blood work done, which is a simple and easy process. It’s no more painful than a small prick and can even be done at home. 

Feel free to reach out to us with any potential questions that you may have about TRT, weight loss, or peptides, and one of our friendly medical professionals will get back to you in a timely manner.