Always Tired After Starting a TRT Treatment? You May Need Additional Blood Test and Change in Protocol

You just experienced the breakthrough effects of a Testosterone treatment and after coasting through weeks of added energy and feeling like a million dollars, you are suddenly feeling tiredness, bad mood, maybe even loss of libido, and are wondering if you need more testosterone.

If you’re a Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) patient and are experiencing tiredness and Low-T symptoms, don’t be afraid. This is experienced by some patients of TRT even after months of being on a TRT program, and you may need a blood test to measure your estrogen and thyroid levels, among other key metrics.

If your levels show an irregularity, your doctor may change your protocol and dosage.

Initial TRT Experience: Benefits

TRT patients that begin a testosterone optimization program are usually prescribed testosterone to increase their Low-Testosterone levels to reach healthy levels after getting a thorough hormonal blood panel with Low-T testing and doctor diagnosis. After getting a hormonal blood panel and seeing the doctor which will review your medical history, current levels, and go over the benefits and risks of any treatments we offer, patients can begin a treatment that may include the following:

• Periodic testosterone shots (May consist of weekly Testosterone Cypionate, Enanthate, or Testosterone Cypionate / Propionate)
• Estrogen Blocker medication
• Other Prescription Medication to Promote Natural Testosterone Production
• Vitamins and Supplements to aid in heart health and improve your overall health

While patients have reported experiencing a placebo effect within a week or two, most patients will see drastic improvements in mood, energy, focus, libido, and endurance within 3-4 weeks. Testosterone can increase bone strength and density, inducing hematopoiesis, drive sexual function and libido, provide a cardioprotective effect and increase muscle strength. 1

Patients are recommended to supplement their TRT program with lifestyle changes that include:

• Better sleep (7-8 hours of sleep)
• Improved nutrition
• Limiting alcohol consumption and foods that lower testosterone
• Participating in regular exercise that includes moderate to heavy weight lifting or High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
• Periodic donating of whole blood to reduce the risk of elevated hemoglobin (red blood cell) levels and potential for blood clots (call us for more information)
• Adding additional medications or supplements as needed to the patient protocol

Symptoms You May Experience After Starting TRT

Once starting TRT, some patients may report a number of symptoms and side effects as soon as a week after beginning the testosterone program.

Some of the symptoms may include feeling tired after a week of experiencing benefits. This may require you to take a specific blood test that measures your estrogen levels. High estrogen levels may point to underlying conditions which may require a change to your protocol. It is important that a medical professional that specializes in hormone optimization review your condition and make recommendations.

For example, if you’re prescribed 1 cc (200 mg) of Testosterone once per week, and further blood tests show high levels of estrogen, this may be the cause of symptoms of fatigue you’re experiencing. In this case, a patient protocol may change to include 1/2 cc (100 mg) of Testosterone twice per week, or more days in between at a different dosage.

Your doctor may also review your thyroid levels, as deficiencies in your thyroid hormones may be causing tiredness, irritability, and other symptoms similar to Low-T. Your doctor will prescribe thyroid medication if this is the case.

We at Body RX may also recommend administering testosterone subcutaneously with a change in dosage and frequency depending on a case-by-case basis.

WARNING: Do not attempt to self-diagnose or change your testosterone protocol without first consulting a qualified medical professional and receiving a new protocol.

Get an In-Person or Telemedicine Consultation with Body RX

If you signed up for TRT at another clinic and are experiencing negative symptoms, call us today to discuss your diagnosis and monitoring. Our patient care advocates and doctors can help you identify your underlying conditions and prepare a protocol that fits you best.

Do you reside outside of South Florida and need a medical provider specializing in testosterone optimization you can trust? We at Body RX provide telemedicine services that bring you the same personalized treatment as our in-person visits. Through secure video conferencing, our doctor can consult with you and provide you with a form that allows you to get the complete hormonal blood panel necessary to review your levels.

So no matter if you are in South Florida, California, or anywhere within the United States, we can help you identify your underlying issues and help you feel your best!

One of the top specialists in hormone therapy, testosterone optimization, and wellness for men and women, Dr. George Herrera, M.D. has helped to empower countless patients with the knowledge and treatments they need to find success in their wellness journey.

1. Testosterone supplementation therapy for older men: potential benefits and risks. Gruenewald DA, Matsumoto AM – J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Jan; 51(1):101-15; discussion 115.