Starting Testosterone Replacement Therapy and its Side Effects - MyTestosteroneTherapy.com

Starting on TRT for Low T

After getting my diagnosis and coming to terms with the fact that I would be on TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) for the rest of my life.

I started looking forward to getting started on Testosterone. I wondered just what my body had been missing out on for the last year or so. After my consultant explained that there would be some side effects I figured I didn’t really have a choice. If I didn’t go onto TRT I would be more likely to suffer from osteoporosis or have a heart / cardiovascular problem later in life.

Sustanon injection and side effects

Testosterone itself can cause side effects. I take an injection of sustanon 250 into my butt cheek/hip once every three weeks. I have only been on the treatment for a matter of months. But never felt any pain from the injection. I have never self administered the shot apparently this is difficult to do it yourself as it should be injected into deep muscle/tissue. (However, I’m sure bodybuilders inject more frequently and will do this themselves) I go to see a nurse at my GP’s surgery. This in itself may have to change as I can see my patience possibly change with having to trawl down to the surgery every 3 weeks.

I kept a diary from the very start of my TRT. I recommend that you do too. (If you too are Diagnosed with Low T that is!) Some people do react unfavourably with different forms of Replacement Therapy. They may find that they do better with the other alternatives. I plumped for the shots because they are more commonplace and just (well at the moment anyway) more convenient for me and they give a larger more immediate boost.

In the UK you can get the injections or a Testosterone gel which you rub into your skin after a shower and is absorbed in this way. I didn’t fancy that personally because you have to be careful who is exposed to this gel. Children and women really should not come into contact with the Gel. It’s only a risk when it’s just been freshly applied and is still wet. Although it does give a more balanced consistent dose due to being applied daily. I must mention also that a patch is available but I haven’t really looked into this just yet.

Testosterone injections can and will vary the amount of T that is in your system depending upon how long it’s been since your last injection. Personally, I start to crash and lose the positive effects of Sustanon as it begins to wear off in my last week. You may be different from me.

For the first 2 injections (at 3 weekly intervals) I was placed on a half dose of Sustanon 250. This was just to see how my body reacted to the hormone.

Thankfully, So far I have not really suffered many side effects. Apart from at the actual injection site. The jab itself doesn’t hurt but I was left with what felt like a dead leg. I could liken it to being stung on the butt cheek by a bee. Not sore but a little uncomfortable. This ache passed after the second day I am glad to say.

I felt more palpitations / a racing heart for the first day after my first injection. I think this was my body changing up a gear. After the first few weeks I really noticed my panic attacks were dissappearing. I was starting to see improvements all round.

After the first week I felt an infrequent dull pain in one of my testicles thankfully this passed!

Obviously there are other risks associated with testosterone replacement. I am not a doctor and don’t wish to preach to you. Please Do your own research naturally.

But here are the main reported negative effects of TRT for men

Fluid Retention: the first few months of TRT, for a man to retain fluid possibly resulting in swollen ankles etc

Fertility problems: Sperm production will most likely stop when you take TRT If you have not completed your family or are thinking of having childrem you must seek advice BEFORE taking ANY Hormone replacement. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

Liver Toxicity may be a possibility Certainly more so with Testosterone taken orally.

Polycythemia (Increased red blood cell concentration)

Sleep apnea/ Sleep disturbance.

Breast Enlargement: This may be because of the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Prostate problems exacerbated by TRT this is currently inconclusive, but there may be long term risks involved.

Only you can weigh up the pros and cons of Testosterone replacement but for me, it was a no-brainer. I can live with possible problems later in life IF it improves my quality of life now and for the next 30 years.