"Poison is in everything, and no thing is without poison. The dosage makes it either a poison or a remedy." – Paracelsus
With any medical treatment we all must weigh the benefits with the potential risks. Just as with the quote above we can either cause harm or we can experience the benefits associated with the treatment. Creating a near perfect balance is our key to developing a beneficial environment.
For me personally the risks were minimal as compared to the benefits of the treatment. It literally changed my life almost overnight. The increased sense of well being made treatment seem like the 'fountain of youth'.
Many adverse effects occur only in the presence of higher testosterone levels and others are simply the consequences of the body’s normal metabolism of testosterone. This metabolism or breakdown of testosterone occurs in the same manner for both exogenous and endogenous testosterone (naturally produced testosterone), but because of an increased abundance of testosterone this may lead to higher than normal levels of these metabolites.
Below is a list of common side effects that everyone should be aware of. Some men will experience all of them or none of them and then their are those who fall in between. The list is certainly not all inclusive. Personal research, education and consideration is required to determine in treatment is right for you. What works for one of us will not work for all of us. And what benefits one of us will not benefit all of us.
TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
- Elevated levels of estrodiol (estrogen)
- Elevated levels of DHT (acne, oily skin)
- Benign prostate changes
- Suppression of fertility including infertility
- Erythrocytosis (increased red blood cells, blood thickening)
- Development of sleep apnea
- Increased risk of blood clots
When done properly and under professional supervision all the above side effects can be easily manageable for the majority of men. Ultimately is comes down to balance. Once this is achieved we can receive the greatest benefits from treatment. If you have any questions concerning these or others side effects I highly recommend that you discuss them with a healthcare professional who specializes in hormone replacement therapy treatment.
“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” ― Sun Tzu
SEMPER FI
