- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
- A medically supervised treatment that restores testosterone to a healthy range in men whose levels have dropped too low, prescribed after blood testing confirms a deficiency.
- Low-T (Low Testosterone)
- Clinically low testosterone, often flagged below roughly 300 ng/dL, accompanied by symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, low mood, and loss of muscle. Diagnosis combines bloodwork with symptoms.
- Hypogonadism
- The medical term for the body producing too little testosterone. It can stem from problems in the testes (primary) or in the brain's signaling (secondary).
- Total Testosterone
- The total amount of testosterone in your blood, including the portion bound to proteins. It's the standard first measure but doesn't tell the whole story on its own.
- Free Testosterone
- The fraction of testosterone not bound to proteins and therefore available to your tissues. A man can have normal total testosterone but low free testosterone if SHBG is high.
- SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)
- A protein that binds testosterone in the blood. High SHBG lowers the amount of free, usable testosterone; clinics check it to interpret your levels accurately.
- Estradiol (E2)
- The main form of estrogen in men. Testosterone naturally converts to estradiol, and keeping it balanced is part of safe TRT — both too high and too low cause symptoms.
- Aromatization
- The process by which the body converts testosterone into estradiol via the aromatase enzyme. Excess aromatization can raise estrogen and is monitored during TRT.
- Aromatase Inhibitor (AI)
- A medication (such as anastrozole) that reduces conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Used selectively and carefully, since over-suppressing estrogen causes its own problems.
- Hematocrit
- The percentage of your blood made up of red blood cells. TRT can raise it, so clinics monitor hematocrit with periodic labs to keep your blood from thickening too much.
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
- A blood marker used to monitor prostate health. Clinics typically establish a PSA baseline before TRT and track it, especially in older men.
- HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)
- A medication that mimics the body's LH signal, helping maintain the testes' own testosterone production and fertility while on TRT.
- LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
- A hormone from the brain that signals the testes to produce testosterone. External testosterone suppresses LH, which is why natural production drops on TRT.
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
- A brain hormone that drives sperm production. Like LH, it's suppressed by TRT, which is the main reason TRT can reduce fertility.
- Testosterone Cypionate / Enanthate
- The two most common injectable testosterone esters used in TRT. Both are long-acting and typically injected weekly or more frequently for steadier levels.
- Trough
- The lowest point your testosterone reaches between doses. Clinics often time bloodwork around the trough and may dose more frequently to reduce peak-to-trough swings.
- Pellets
- Small testosterone implants placed under the skin every few months that release the hormone steadily. Convenient and stable, but the dose can't be changed until the next insertion.
- Transdermal (Gels & Creams)
- Testosterone applied to the skin daily. Easy to adjust and needle-free, but absorption varies and the medication can transfer to others through skin contact.
- Compounded Testosterone
- Testosterone prepared by a compounding pharmacy rather than a standard FDA-approved product. Often lower cost; ask each clinic which form it uses and why.
- Telehealth TRT
- TRT delivered remotely — intake, video consults, and shipped medication — by a clinician licensed in your state, with bloodwork done at a local or at-home lab.
- Membership Model
- A flat monthly fee (commonly around $100–$250/mo) that bundles medication, labs, and follow-ups. Predictable pricing common with telehealth and modern clinics.
- Baseline Panel
- The set of blood tests a quality clinic runs before starting TRT — including total and free testosterone, estradiol, hematocrit, PSA, and metabolic markers — to treat you safely.
- Titration
- The process of gradually adjusting your dose based on follow-up labs and how you feel, until your levels and symptoms are well-managed.
- Hormone Optimization
- A broader men's-health approach that addresses testosterone alongside related hormones and lifestyle factors, rather than treating testosterone in isolation.
