How to get TRT in the UK
TRT is one of the most common procedures for men with low testosterone, but those who are exploring the possibility of TRT need to know as much information as possible before they decide on a treatment. One of those questions that need to be answered is, how you go about getting TRT in the UK?
Whether you are wondering about where to get UK TRT or you are wanting to learn more information about the conditions that surround TRT treatment, this guide will tell you what you need to know before you get TRT in the UK.
You have two options when trying to get TRT in the UK. Firstly you can opt to try and go through the NHS or secondly you can seek out a private TRT clinic. Most people will think to try the NHS first and book a consultation with their GP to explain their symptoms and try to get a blood test booked in. Assuming the GP agrees to book you in for a blood test you will then need to have a low enough total testosterone reading for them to consider offering you some form of TRT treatment. Getting private testosterone blood tests is a better way of getting a more accurate reading of any potential testosterone deficiencies as there are many barriers within the NHS that put a stop GPs allowing to prescribe you treatment.
How to get a clinical diagnosis of low testosterone?
Clinical diagnosis involves the following steps:
- Do you have symptoms of low testosterone, if the answer is yes progress to next step.
- Contact us below to have your blood test work done by one of our registered doctors who are experts in testosterone deficiencies.
- Blood testing already done? Contact us below to arrange a free consultation on how to go forward with TRT and if it’s the right path for you.
What Exactly Is TRT?
Before you can use TRT as a way to treat the symptoms and effects of low testosterone, it’s good to know more about this treatment and what exactly it is. TRT stands for testosterone replacement therapy and it’s one of the most common treatment methods for men that are experiencing low testosterone. This treatment is meant to treat specifically men with lower testosterone levels than what is natural for their age.
TRT is a treatment that occurs through the injection or insertion of testosterone to the body as a supplemental way to increase testosterone levels in the blood. There are a variety of ways that this treatment can be administered, such as through injections, gel, and patches. TRT is a treatment that continues to grow in popularity each year and as we uncover more information about this treatment, it becomes easier for men across the world to gain access to the wonderful benefits of TRT.
TRT is a treatment that has shown to be successful and that is why medical professionals continue to improve on it when possible. In the modern era, you can take additional medications along with TRT treatments to further improve testosterone levels and fight the side effects of low testosterone.
What is Testosterone and Why is it Important?
The next step to understanding TRT and whether it is a good option for you is knowing more about testosterone itself. Testosterone is a crucially important hormone in the male body that is responsible for dozens of functions that are essential to human growth and development. Testosterone plays a key role in sexual function, muscle mass, emotional health, fertility, focus, mood, and more. Without the right levels of testosterone, many functions in the body can easily be negatively affected and cause unpleasant side effects.
When men experience lower than normal testosterone levels in the body, there can be many side effects. The goal of TRT and other treatments aimed at increasing the level of testosterone in the body is to eliminate these side effects and regulate functions within the body that depend on testosterone. Without this balance, the health of men is in jeopardy.
Why Was Testosterone Therapy Introduced?
If you have been wondering why testosterone therapy is even necessary in the modern era, you are not alone. As early as 20 years ago, TRT was not nearly as popular or commonly used as it is today. That is because 20 years ago, it has been found that the average man had testosterone levels that were 20% higher than that of today’s average man. The reasons for this decline are not yet fully understand, but it is probably due to a mixture of factors in our change of environment and health habits as a group.
It is thought that these factors and others are some of the driving forces behind the reduction in testosterone levels throughout the years:
- Plastics and synthetics in food and water
- Increased steroid use
- Increased soy consumption
- Increased stress
- Decline with age
- Exposure to pesticides
- Poor health and obesity
- Smoking and other bad habits
All of these and more have been steadily contributing to the decline in testosterone levels throughout the years. With the world leaning more toward these tendencies, the decline in testosterone levels among men figures to keep declining as time goes on. With this decline, the need for TRT continues to rise.
Does TRT Contribute to Infertility?
One of the main concerns of those looking to try out TRT to raise the level of testosterone in their body is speculation that it may contribute to infertility. While there is some truth to this theory, this is mostly the case in older types of TRT treatments that do not meet the modern standards of quality which incorporate HCG. For newer types of TRT treatment, the risk of this outcome has been properly addressed, most of the time, additional medication is prescribed to help ensure healthy fertility levels even when using TRT, this is known as ‘HCG on TRT‘ in the industry.
Is Injection The Only Option?
One common misconception among those who are looking to have TRT is that injections are the only option. Especially if you are particularly not fond of injections, this can be troubling. However, this is not true. There are several ways to have TRT treatments and the delivery methods are plentiful, giving you the options that you need. Here are some of the most common ways that testosterone replacement therapy treatment is administered:
- Gel
- Injections
- Patches
With these options, you’ll be able to find the TRT treatment method that works for you, your life, and how you prefer to seek treatment. Here’s a rundown of each of these treatment methods.
Gels
Gels are probably one of the easiest ways to give yourself TRT treatments, but they do come with their downsides. One of the main advantages of gels is that you can easily apply them at any time. However, it can be inconvenient with gel on your skin to try and put on clothes or do activities. In addition, when you are wearing gel, it is not recommended that you make contact with others, with this situation presenting the risk for infusing testosterone into that person.
Injections
Though injections are not the only option that people have when receiving TRT, it is one of the most commonly-used methods of TRT. That is because injections are very effective in providing a strong dose of testosterone very quickly. In addition, TRT is more convenient with injections since you can make the injection at any point and do it almost anywhere. There are downsides to injections. One of the most notable downsides to injections is that the testosterone treatment often ends up with an uneven distribution. For example, the effects are felt more strongly immediately after the injection and felt less strongly a couple of weeks after. This can welcome back side effects that patients were hoping to be able to eliminate. Overall, injections are perhaps the most effective way to administer testosterone treatment.
Patches
Patches are another highly convenient way to administer TRT. Patches can be worn in several areas of the body and help to quickly deliver testosterone to your body. They are highly convenient since they can be taken anywhere and applied almost anywhere as well. Patches provide you with a more evenly-distributed way to administer testosterone into your body, but they also come with generally a weaker dose. They are the treatment method of choice for many people who want to experience the benefits of TRT.
What Does TRT Cost in the UK?
One of the main concerns for anyone who is looking into TRT treatment as an option for their low testosterone is what the cost of the treatment will be. Of course, you want to eliminate the side effects of low testosterone that have been bothering you, but you will also want to do so without exhausting too many funds. In the UK, TRT treatments can actually be surprisingly reasonable when it comes to cost. If you are looking for TRT on a budget, then the UK is the right place to be.
Prices for TRT treatment can start at as low as £20 a month. In addition to this monthly cost, you’ll likely have to pay for an upfront test to determine your testosterone levels. This costs about half that price. For additional treatment to help with sexual function or fertility, there are additional costs associated with the TRT. You’ll need to engage in regular tests with medical staff to ensure your body is in good condition and all of your levels are suitable.
Does TRT Shrink The Testicles?
If you are considering TRT as a treatment for your low testosterone, one of the things you may be concerned with is whether TRT will shrink your testicles. When you are using TRT, the testicles are less needed than before, which can indeed cause the testicles to shrink by about 25%. There are medications that can combat the effects of this shrinkage, however. If you are concerned about this side effect, you should consult your medical professional to see what medication is available to fight the possible effects.
The medication that is often used to reverse these effects is called hCG, which can improve testicle size back to normal as well as help with a variety of other side effects. Additionally, it can help improve your mood during TRT and low testosterone.
Does TRT Cause Prostate Cancer?
If you have been researching TRT as a possible treatment for you, you may have come across a rumor that TRT causes Prostate Cancer. If you are serious about TRT as a treatment, then you’ll be happy to know that studies have found that there is no link between prostate cancer and TRT treatments.
While it has been found that TRT does not increase the chances of prostate cancer, you should also know that it is not recommended that men who are found to already be at a higher risk for prostate cancer to use TRT. If you are over 40 and live in the UK, it is required that you undergo a prostate cancer exam before you begin TRT treatments.
Does TRT Cause Heart Attacks or Strokes?
Another rumor that has been circulating about TRT treatments in the UK is that they are linked to an increased chance for heart attacks and strokes. This has not been proven and there is no clear link between TRT treatments and heart attack or strokes. There have even been studies to suggest that the opposite is true–that men with higher testosterone are typically at a lower risk for heart attacks and strokes. So, if you have low testosterone and are undergoing TRT treatments, then you may be putting yourself at a decreased risk for heart attack and strokes.
Necessary Tests Before TRT
If you have decided that TRT is the right choice for you, then there are some tests that you will need to get before you utilize this proven treatment. This is to ensure that you are a good candidate for TRT and that the treatment can actually help you with your low testosterone. Here are some of the tests that you can expect to have to take if you are going to pursue TRT as a treatment method for low testosterone:
- SHBG Level Test
- Oestrogen Test
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test
- Lutenising Hormone Test
- Prolactin Test
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Test
- Full Blood Count
- Thyroid Hormones Test
These tests are conducted to ensure your safety during the treatment and to make sure that you are a suitable candidate for this type of treatment. Be sure to consult with a medical professional about these tests prior to beginning any possible treatment.
Places to Get TRT Treatment in the UK
If you are seeking TRT treatment in the UK, you should know that the NHS is not always the best option. There are many men that are refused this treatment in the UK when going through the NHS. If you are looking to get reliable treatment from a reputable clinic for TRT, then the best option for in-person treatment is a private clinic such as Balance My Hormones.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a quick and easy treatment that you can administer yourself, then you can explore online options, however we highly recommend dealing with a professional consultant from a private clinic first.