Prescription Testosterone Pills — Why We Prefer Testosterone Injections
There’s a reason why we prefer testosterone injections over prescription testosterone pills, but why is that? Here’s why you should be choosing injections.
When we think about testosterone, we link it to sex drive. But did you know that it affects other factors in men’s health? These include body fat, muscle mass, red blood cell count, and mood.
A comparison study shows that the testosterone drug industry in the US has grown from 2.4 to 3.8 billion. Men all over the country have begun taking advantage of new technology to ensure that their bodies are in tip-top shape.
There are several testosterone supplements on the market that can help boost your testosterone levels. Prescription testosterone pills and testosterone injections are two popular options.
While you may be tempted to try testosterone pills because it seems much easier, you may want to rethink your options. Although prescription pills are widely available, medical professionals do not recommend this option.
Read on to learn about why testosterone injections are much better than prescription testosterone pills.
Low T Levels
Let’s begin with why you are considering testosterone supplements in the first place. New research suggests that as many as 1 out of 4 men over 30 have low testosterone levels.
Testosterone is a sex hormone. Doctors can test your testosterone levels by giving you a blood test. Through your results, they can determine whether or not you have low testosterone or low T levels.
Symptoms
Some symptoms of Low T include: Fatigue, poor sleep, poor concentration, decreased strength, reduced energy levels, maintaining bone density, and loss of muscle mass. It also is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics of a man: Achieving normal erectile and cognitive functions, sexual energy levels, and libido.
When you have low T, all of these normal functions can begin to wane or disappear. While this may seem concerning, the good news is that low T is readily treatable.
Total T vs Free T
One thing to keep in mind is that there are various forms of testosterone. Through a blood test, your doctor can determine whether or not there is free testosterone in your body. This free testosterone is already in your body, it is exactly what the name suggests, it is free for your body to use.
Many men will test only for the total testosterone levels in their body. While this number may come back completely normal, the free testosterone levels in their body may be very low. This low level of free testosterone is what is causing low T.
Testosterone supplements are used to increase that free T. By increasing the free T number, it will hopefully address several if not all of your low T symptoms.
Prescription Testosterone Pills
Let’s talk about pills.
Prescription testosterone pills are readily available and can be prescribed to you by a doctor. You may be tempted to choose this option since the idea is that you will be able to fix the problem simply by orally taking a pill.
Side-effects of T Pills
For years, medically prescribed testosterone pills have been associated with undesirable side-effects. When you take a testosterone pill, the testosterone hormone becomes quickly metabolized and is unable to achieve sufficient blood levels to be beneficial.
Testosterone pills have also been linked to being toxic to the liver. Seems like a terrible trade-off, getting your hormone levels in check but damaging your liver in the process. Some studies have even shown that T pills have been linked to benign and malignant tumors.
Others have reported: Itchy skin, skin irritation, tenderness in the chest area, swelling, acne, and increase of body hair. More serious side effects of T pills include: Development of sleep apnea, reduction of testicular size, and reduction of sperm count. The latter of these effects leads medical professionals to recommend other options besides pills to men who are concerned about fertility.
Why T Pills are Ineffective
Furthermore, testosterone pills for men are poorly absorbed by the human body. When administering the hormone orally, the drug does not dissolve completely. That leads to some of the hormone simply moving through the body but not being absorbed. That means that you are paying more for a lower effect.
Testosterone Injections
Testosterone injections are often times the number one recommendation given by doctors and medical professionals. Testosterone injections are injected into the bloodstream, where it begins its work right away.
Often times, the injections are given to you by your doctor. The injection site is typically in the buttocks. There are also many cases where your doctor will allow you to self-administer the injections at home. When self-administering the injection, the injection site would be in an easier to reach area for you, such as the thigh muscles.
Why T Injections are Effective
This is what makes testosterone injections a superior form of therapy. Because you are injecting the medication directly into the bloodstream, very little medication is lost. Your body absorbs the hormones almost completely, making it very effective.
After your doctor takes blood tests, they can identify what dosage of testosterone you will need to balance out your hormones. From your tests, they will be able to specifically test how much free testosterone is in your system, and how much more you will need.
The effects of injections will differ from one man to another, as each person absorbs new medicine differently. The injections are usually given once every one to two weeks depending on how the body reacts to the treatment.
Studies have shown that injections can be very effective in achieving and maintaining a good level of testosterone in the body. Coupled with a healthy diet and conscious eating choices, you can counteract low testosterone and start feeling great.
Ready to Feel Great?
Having low testosterone can significantly impact your life, both professionally and personally. You want to be in the best possible shape to deliver results that will keep both you and your loved ones happy.
While there are many different forms of supplements and prescription testosterone pills out there, testosterone injections have proven to be the safer and more effective option.
Check us out for more information on how to keep your body in tip-top shape!