Most men are intimidated by the prospect of starting testosterone treatment. But typically, the real work sets in after the first prescription is dispensed.
Follow-up visits are safe, stable, and are worth the visit because they keep your treatment safe and stable. Once these visits prove to be somewhat better for many men, it is their tendency to skip the next ones.
This is an error since your body continues to shift throughout the course of therapy. Blood tests, problems, and side effects are reviewed at every check.
Having an idea of what to anticipate can help ease worries and ensure you ask the right questions. Here are the steps that typically occur at a follow-up visit if you’re taking Hormone Therapy.
What Does a Hormone Therapy Follow-Up Appointment Include?
You should expect blood tests, a thorough discussion, and a few quick checks.
Reviewing Symptoms and Treatment Progress
Your doctor will begin by asking you how you’re feeling. Be ready for inquiries regarding your energy, mood, sleep, and sex drive. Small variations in libido and sleep occur in most males within four to six weeks. Bigger muscles and body fat take longer, which means 2-6 months.
So don’t think that you will see a miracle on your first visit. If you have notes, take them! It helps to make a quick journal of good days and rough days. In addition, report to your physician if you have a subsequent drop in energy level prior to taking your next dose.
This detail may indicate that the problem is not the dosage of the medicine, but when it is given. You may feel better or worse at times.
The complete picture underpins all the considerations. The aim is to determine if the treatment is effective. Being honest here will save you time, money and a lot of shots in the dark.
Checking Testosterone Levels Regularly Through Blood Tests
Almost all subsequent visits are dependent on blood work. Initial levels are monitored every 3 to 6 months, most of the time. After things go back to normal, many men require labs once or twice a year. The draw is timed and typically takes place in the morning.
For injections, a test might be performed almost immediately before each injection. This is where your lowest point happens which is usually when symptoms reappear. In addition to total testosterone levels, the lab may examine levels of free testosterone and estrogen.
Your doctor will also monitor hematocrit, which is the percentage of red cells in your blood. Treatment can drive that number higher and thicker blood increases the risk of clots. PSA screening might be recommended, particularly for men over 40 years of age.
Monitoring Side Effects and Safety Concerns
During follow-up visits, a significant portion of the time is spent on safety checks. Your doctor will ask about acne, oily skin and fresh acne breakouts. Swollen ankles, headaches and breast tenderness are also included.
Tell your doctor that your partner has complained about loud snoring. Your blood pressure is monitored at every visit and your weight is monitored as well. Any mood changes are also signs, such as becoming irritated or getting unusually wound up.
There are not many serious warning signs, but if you see any of them, don’t ignore them. If the person has chest pain or trouble breathing or one leg is swollen and painful, they need emergency treatment. If so, don’t delay, even if the next scheduled appointment is coming up.
Also, report on the beginning of any new drugs or supplements taken since your last checkup. Side effects are generally benign and can be corrected with a simple modification, however. This is why it is important to act early even on small matters.
Adjusting Testosterone Dosage or Treatment Methods
Combined with lab numbers, the symptoms are what determine whether or not anything needs to change. If testosterone levels are too high, dose may be reduced slightly. If it continues to be low and you still feel flat, it could be increased. It may not be about quantity but about schedule!
Some men experience many weekly injections, which can ride them high and low. Dividing the dose into smaller, more frequent doses can make things easier. There are other men, however, who dislike needles and prefer another way.
Gels, patches, and pellets are all to be considered. There are pros and cons with each that relate to cost, convenience and skin irritation. However, gels can easily rub off onto kids or partners if you aren’t very careful.
Assessing Fertility and Reproductive Health
This is a subject a lot of men overlook. Treatment with testosterone may reduce sperm count, and in some cases, it may become zero. This is because when there is testosterone, your brain tells you to relax. Your brain tells the testicles to make less sperm.
Be sure to be asked if you want children now or later. Be straightforward and state the answer because it can alter your strategy. Semen analysis is a simple test done in the lab by some men.
It must also be mentioned that testicle size reduction may be indicative of reduced sperm production. Sometimes, however, this effect can be temporary, but it can take months to recover. Furthermore, a few doctors combine treatment with drugs that preserve sperm production.
Some others might recommend freezing a sperm sample before you even start. Just remember that testosterone cannot be used as a “safe” form of birth control. This discussion is repeated at subsequent visits as this plan may change.
Reviewing Overall Health and Related Conditions
Your doctor takes into account other factors besides testosterone. There’s a tendency for weight, waist circumference and cholesterol levels to be checked first. Often, low T is accompanied by diabetes, obesity and weak bones.
You might have a bone density scan or blood sugar tests. Heart issues are also covered, particularly if heart disease is in the family. Studies of testosterone and heart risk are inconclusive, and so caution should be taken.
Lifestyle is also important, with sleep, drinks, exercise and more. This will help your treatment to be more effective thanks to a few changes to your daily habits. But low mood or brain fog may actually be due to thyroid issues or depression.
Conclusion
Hormone therapy follow-ups are not intimidating, but are rather a means of staying on track. The goal of each check is for your doctor to see how your body responds to treatment. Talk with your doctor, draw blood and report any side effects.
