Home Health How Much Is Testosterone Therapy and Is It Worth It?

How Much Is Testosterone Therapy and Is It Worth It?

How Much Is Testosterone Therapy and Is It Worth It?
Image by Schäferle from Pixabay

Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, has become the most popular treatment for low testosterone levels. However, this therapy is also used by men looking to gain mass for bodybuilding or enhance their sexual performance. If you are thinking of getting testosterone replacement therapy, your first worry is probably the cost and whether the treatment is worth the hype. 

This article breaks down the cost of getting a testosterone replacement therapy and the best plan for you. 

What Is Testosterone Therapy?

Testosterone therapy is used to treat low testosterone, a condition known as hypogonadism. Hypogonadism can result from injury, disease, or an absence of testosterone in the testes. Besides, when a man hits age 30, his testosterone level decreases by one percent every year. Therefore, going through a testosterone test in the UK can help identify any deficiencies and provide valuable insights into one’s hormonal health. Hypogonadism often results in low sexual drive, erectile dysfunction, mood swings, decreased muscle mass, and depression. 

Testosterone replacement therapy is an approved method of treating hypogonadism in males. It involved supplying the body with testosterone over a prescribed period of time. The American Urological Association recommends that this treatment be prescribed to those who have below 300 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter in their blood. There are different TRT methods: topical, injectable, transdermal patches, pellets, oral and intranasal. 

How Much Is Testosterone Therapy?

Thankfully, TRT doesn’t have to be expensive. The cost is usually determined by how severe a person’s case is, the recommended dosage, the longevity of usage, and most importantly, the method of treatment adopted. There are other factors like the state you live in and discounts. If you have health insurance, you usually only need to worry about the co-pay. However, it’s best to confirm which form of treatment your insurance covers. 

Here’s a breakdown of the TRT cost below:

Tests

If you are yet to get a test, this is where you should start. The American Urological Association recommends that this treatment be prescribed to those who have below 300 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter in their blood. Also, the test is usually conducted multiple times to get an accurate result. There are self-test kits that typically cost between $100- $250.

Treatment Methods

Gels/Creams and Patches: Gels and patches are usually applied directly to the skin. The average price for both per month is $500. You can easily get popular brands like Androgel or Testim in your local drug stores. 

There are also intranasal gels like Nastesto. Nastiest is a pump applicator that applies testosterone gels into the nose. It’s typically used thrice daily. 

A tube costs about $320, and it’s not covered by insurance. 

Testosterone Shots: Shots, or depo-testosterones, are much cheaper than gels. They can cost anything between $25-$100 per month. However, it requires hospital visits to administer them.

Testosterone Pellets: Pellets are under-skin implants that supply the body with testosterone. A pellet ranges between $300-500, although medical services may bring it up to about $650. Unfortunately, pellets are rarely covered by insurance. However, they are a good choice because you will usually only need 3-4 implants per year. 

Capsules: Capsules are oral options to be taken daily. Jatenzo is the most popular option, and it typically costs between $850-$1,000 dollars for 60 capsules. You can cover a big part of this with your insurance and co-pay the rest.

Buccal: Buccal or mouth patch is a testosterone medication made to stick to your upper gums. It costs between $200-$500 per month. 

Is Testosterone Therapy Worth It? 

As you can see from the above, the costs vary widely based on the form of TRT you subscribe to. However, in total, there’s an average treatment cost of $2000-$6000 per year, depending on the clinic you work with and the treatments you get.

TRT is generally effective, and since your health comes first, it can be worth it. With this therapy, you will see improvements in your sexual life, temperament, bone health, and body mass. In a series of trials sponsored by the National Institute of Health, it was found that the treatment improved blood health, increased exercise tolerance, and also increased bone density in patients.

back muscles
Image by Łukasz Dyłka from Pixabay

Besides, most of the treatment methods are covered by insurance. You just need to choose the treatment type that works for you and your finances. You also need to consider your insurance policy and, more importantly, how direly you need TRT. For example, if you are simply looking to build body mass, perhaps, you should consider other muscle gain methods.

What Are The Known Risks of The Therapy? 

Some have said TRT can increase the chances of certain types of cancers. There’s also a general risk of liver cancer from using the capsule treatment. However, most of the studies that have been conducted to determine the risk of TRT have limitations.

Still, it is best to be careful. Before you begin your TRT journey, talk extensively with your doctor about the possible risks, especially as they relate to your other health conditions. For example, if you already suffer from sleep apnea, severe acne, or heart conditions, you should avoid undergoing TRT. 

Conclusion

Testosterone Replacement Therapy, or TRT, is an effective treatment for male hypogonadism. If you are considering this therapy, the cost is an important factor. TRT varies in price based on the specifics of your case and, more importantly, the type of treatment you choose. Thus, the price range can be between $25 -$1,000 per month. This therapy has been shown to significantly increase the quality of life of people with low testosterone levels and is, therefore, worth it. It is best to work with your doctor to choose the best plan for you. 

Featured Image by Schäferle from Pixabay