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What is TRT?

Let us help you with the what, why, is it safe and is it right for me

tell me more

What is TRT?

Let us help you with the what, why, is it safe and is it right for me

tell me more

What is TRT?

Let us help you with the what, why, is it safe and is it right for me

TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) is a medically supervised treatment for men (and in some cases women) whose bodies do not produce sufficient testosterone naturally. When testosterone levels are clinically low, often due to a condition called hypogonadism, TRT restores them to a healthy physiological range.

Testosterone is a key hormone in male health: it supports sexual function, energy, mood, muscle mass, fat distribution, and more.

Why do people Use TRT?

Men choose TRT because low testosterone (low T) can lead to a range of troublesome symptoms:

  • Low libido or sexual dysfunction. Reduced sex drive and difficulty maintaining erections are common.
  • Fatigue and low energy. Even with rest, men may feel drained, less motivated, or struggle with concentration.
  • Mood issues. Low testosterone may contribute to irritability, low mood, or “flat” emotions.
  • Reduced muscle, strength & increased body fat. Testosterone supports muscle protein synthesis — when it’s low, muscle mass declines and fat, especially around the belly, can go up.
  • Weight gain and metabolic impacts. Low T may slow metabolism, making fat loss more difficult.

By restoring testosterone, TRT aims to help alleviate these symptoms and improve quality of life.

How does TRT work & what does the IGML treatment program involve?

  1. Medical Assessment & Testing

    • Our doctor checks your symptoms and medical history.
    • Before prescribing TRT, blood tests must confirm low testosterone (often both total & free testosterone) and evaluate other hormone markers.
    • Other baseline tests include red blood cell counts (hematocrit), prostate markers (e.g. PSA), and sometimes LH/FSH.

  2. Personalised Treatment Plan

    • Based on your results, our doctor designs a TRT plan. This includes dose, administration method, and monitoring schedule.
    • We use compounding pharmacies for our Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) because they can create customised medications that standard commercial products cannot always provide.
    • While many men use TGA-approved commercial testosterone products (injections, gels, patches), compounding pharmacies offer additional flexibility that can improve treatment outcomes, comfort, and affordability.

  3. Ongoing Monitoring

    • After starting TRT, regular blood tests are essential. These are included in the IGML program.
    • Testing timeline often looks like this: first check 2–4 weeks after beginning, then at 3–6 months, then every 6–12 months once stable.
    • Key markers to monitor: testosterone, hematocrit/hemoglobin, PSA (if applicable), and sometimes estradiol (estrogen) levels.

  4. Dose Adjustment

    • Your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency based on lab results + how you feel.
    • Goal: keep testosterone in a healthy (physiological) range, not push to super-high levels.

  5. Customised Dosing and Strengths

    • Compounded Testosterone

The IGML difference:

Commercial testosterone gels and creams come in fixed concentrations. Ours are tailored to you!

Why it matters:

Compounding pharmacies used in the IGML program can make individualised strengths, such as:

  • 50 mg/mL
  • 100 mg/mL
  • 150 mg/mL
  • 200 mg/mL
  • or any personalised dose your doctor prescribes

Hormone therapy is rarely one-size-fits-all. Individualised dosing helps avoid symptoms caused by under-treatment or overtreatment.

This allows doctors to “fine-tune” treatment, especially during the early stabilisation phase or for men needing smaller adjustments.

Is TRT Safe? — What you should know

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can be a safe and effective medical treatment for men with clinically diagnosed low testosterone (hypogonadism). But like any therapy, safety depends on appropriate medical care, correct diagnosis, and ongoing monitoring.

Below we explore when TRT is safe, what the risks are, and how to tell whether it’s right for you.

Why TRT can be safe (when done right)

Why TRT is Considered Safe (When Properly Managed)

Because TRT is legal and regulated in Australia as long as it’s prescribed by a registered medical practitioner and meets strict diagnostic criteria. It is a legitimate medical therapy.

Many Australian men receiving TRT report improved energy, mood, libido, muscle mass, strength, and overall wellbeing when therapy is appropriately prescribed and maintained.

  • Prescribed only after confirmatory blood tests and clinical assessment
  • Uses natural testosterone, not synthetic or high-dose anabolic
  • Treatment aims to restore physiological (normal) testosterone levels, not “supra-natural” doses
  • Ongoing monitoring (blood tests, red blood cell counts, PSA, general health) helps detect and manage risks early

What are the risks & what makes TRT unsafe (if misused)

If TRT is used incorrectly without proper diagnosis, over-prescribed, or without monitoring, it can pose significant health risks. Some potential issues:

  • Polycythemia (increased red blood cell count): Testosterone can stimulate red blood cell production, which may thicken blood, raising the risk of clots, heart attack or stroke.
  • Cardiovascular concerns: Some studies link supra-physiological testosterone levels to increased cardiovascular risk though evidence remains mixed, and risk seems greatest when treatment is not clinically justified.
  • Fertility suppression: TRT lowers natural testosterone production and can reduce sperm production / fertility, which may be problematic for men planning children.
  • Legal and regulatory issues: Testosterone is a Schedule 4 (prescription-only) medication in Australia. Acquiring it without prescription or through unregulated channels is illegal and unsafe.

What Australian medical experts & guidelines recommend

  • The Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) and recent clinical reviews emphasise that TRT should only be started after a full diagnostic work-up including blood hormone tests and clinical evaluation, and only for pathological hypogonadism, not for general age-related testosterone decline. Endocrine Society of Australia
  • Oral 17-alkylated androgenic steroids (synthetic “bodybuilding” type steroids) are discouraged; if used, they carry higher risks (like liver toxicity) and are not the standard for TRT.
  • The goal of TRT is to restore testosterone levels to the normal physiological range seen in healthy men — not to push for supra-normal levels.
  • Regular monitoring (blood tests every few months, periodic screening for prostate and cardiovascular health, haematocrit checks) is essential to maintain safety.

So is TRT safe? The short answer

Yes, TRT can be safe, effective and legal in Australia when it is:

  • Prescribed by a qualified, registered medical practitioner;
  • Based on confirmed low testosterone (hypogonadism) via robust lab work;
  • Administered using natural testosterone (not dangerous synthetic steroids);
  • Accompanied by ongoing monitoring (blood tests, haematocrit, PSA, overall health);
  • Used only for therapeutic, medically justified reasons, not for casual performance boosting or anti-ageing.

Conversely, TRT becomes risky when it’s mis-prescribed, poorly monitored, used without clear medical indication, or acquired illicitly.

Common Myths & Misconceptions About TRT

  • Reality: While testosterone is technically a steroid hormone, TRT uses medically prescribed, regulated doses to restore normal levels, not the massive doses used in anabolic steroid abuse.
  • Reality: Current research does not show that doctor-supervised TRT causes prostate cancer in men without pre-existing disease.
  • Still, men on TRT should have regular PSA checks.
  • Reality: Low testosterone (hypogonadism) can affect men of different ages, not just older men. It depends on individual health, hormone levels, and cause.
  • Reality: Lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, sleep) are always worthwhile but for men with clinically diagnosed low T, TRT is the most reliable way to restore testosterone to healthy levels.

Discover if TRT is right for you

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