What Might Be the Medical and Health Value of TRT For Military Veterans

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) can offer significant medical and health benefits for military veterans. It can add to and help address many physical and psychological needs. Here are some key areas where TRT is most valuable for veterans:

Management of Hypogonadism

Diagnosis and Treatment: Many veterans may suffer from hypogonadism (low testosterone levels, or peri-andropause in mid-aged men, peri-menopause in mid-aged women, andropause and menopause in older men and women) which may be age related, or may well have been in many cases due to stress, injuries, or other service-related factors (see my article series on PTSD). TRT can, amd does help normalize testosterone levels, relieve and eliminate negative symptoms, slow down aging and return life to its best state of being possible hormonally.
Symptoms Relief: TRT can alleviate symptoms associated with hypogonadism, such as fatigue, depression, low libido, but it can also undo physical problems such help reduce, even eliminate, obesity and positively increase muscle mass, reduce central obesity and lower the individual risk for cardiovascular disease.

Immediate Positive Mental Health Benefits

Mood Regulation: TRT has been shown to improve mood and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are common among veterans and often make the successful living of life difficult.
Improved Cognitive Function: Improved testosterone levels can enhance cognitive functions, including memory, concentration and mental focus, as testosterone levels have been falling these can be problems that may keep the individual ability to function on a day-to-day basis considerably more difficult and which over time has likely compromised his ability to solve problems, even the problem of lowT which may have been due to service-related stress and/or injuries.
Treat and Manage PTSD Signs and Symptoms: There is now very clear evidence that men with lowT or testosterone deficiency 1) are more likely to suffer PTSD and 2) may have more physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual problems when they do suffer from PTSD. While lowT can increase the development of PTSD it is not in itself the primary cause and while it help treat it, it is not on its own either a cure nor the primary treatment for PTSD. PTSD is almost always triggered by some acute identifiable (real or imaginary) threat to the individuals life or well-being and it is this threat that must be: 1) dealt with, 2) resolved and 3) eliminated. (Once again, see my articles series on PTSD.)

Improved Physical Health

Increased Muscle Mass and Strength: TRT can help, when the individual either works out or returns to aggressive sports activities, improve muscle mass and strength,, It can also aid in the physical rehabilitation of veterans who may have suffered injuries to their back, neck, extremities, or other muscular or physical exercises and they are actively working on and doing physical therapy or exercise or sports at home.
Bone Density: Increased testosterone levels can improve bone density, reducing the individual’s risk of fractures and osteoporosis, this is particularly beneficial for aging veterans, especially if thy have already suffered prior fractures due to osteoporosis. TRT can also help resolve osteopenia and by doing the prevent future fractures.
Reduce Inflammation: TRT along with dietary changes, that is, eating a anti-inflammatory diet and living an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, can reduce inflammation and elp slow down and reverse inflammatory conditions such as pain, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, stroke, and many other inflammatory disorders.
Improve and Even Increase Energy Levels: Increased testosterone blood levels can boost overall energy levels, and this can help the veteran rebuild and then maintain a new more positive and more active lifestyle.

Improved Sexual Health

Improved Libido: Many veterans experience sexual dysfunction due to low or deficient testosterone. TRT can help improve libido which then can enhancing the vets quality of life and enrich his personal relationships.
Improved Erectile Function: Another sexual problem many vets encounter is inability to get erections, erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be due directly to low or deficient testosterone or they can be secondary to the depression, anxiety or the unresolved trauma which may also be triggering PTSD. Important is that many veterans experience sexual simply because they suffer from low or deficient testosterone. This can immediately be corrected by starting on TRT. TRT once again, can help improve libido and repair erectile dysfunction and in doing so once again, enhance the vets quality of life and personal relationships.
Fertility Considerations: While TRT can impact fertility, veterans who are concerned about fertility can discuss alternative treatments or adjunct therapies like hCG with their healthcare providers, hence protect their ability to create pregnancy when they are ready for a family or their next child.

Cardiovascular Health

Heart Health: There is more and more evidence, undoing the old myths that TRT causes cardiovascular problems, now suggesting that TRT, when properly used and monitored, can have the opposite effect, beneficial effects, on cardiovascular health. This area however, does require careful management and more research. It appears in several long term studies men using TRT actually have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome one of the progenitors of cardiovascular disease is improved by and reduced by TRT. TRT can help manage the various components of metabolic syndrome, such as insulin resistance, reducing total cholesterol and LDL and with some exercise lowing weight and eliminating central obesity all of which are prevalent among veterans.

Weight Management

Body Fat Reduction: TRT can help and assist you in reducing unnecessary body fat. This is beneficial for veterans struggling with weight management, health issues such as diabetes, joint or back pain, mobility, as well as, improving your self image.
Metabolic Rate: Improved testosterone levels will enhance your metabolic rate, aiding in weight control, elimination of central obesity, helping your energy levels improve, and of course, your overall metabolic health.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): While, once again, not a direct treatment for PTSD, improving testosterone levels can help veteran’s better manage stress and anxiety, relieve and reduce depression, increase your energy levels all of which can help reduce the frequency of PTSD episodes as well as help you feel better between so that you look for, find and resolve the cause and or causes of your PTSD. You will feel better and have less exacerbations of PTSD.
Injury Recovery: Along with feeling better and willing to exercise more TRT can enhance muscle mass and strength and therefore aid in any physical rehabilitation process you are going through while recovering from injuries and regaining your strength and vitality.

Quality of Life Enhancements

Significantly Increased Overall Well-Being: Enhanced testosterone levels will lead to an overall improvement in quality of life, multiple studies looking at TRT and quality of life tell us that men and TRT often report a 20% to 30% increased quality of life. Few men report that their quality of life is or was reduced after starting on TRT. This improved quality of life often includes: improved overall physical performance, increased mental clarity, improvement in cognitive function, improved sex life, and improved emotional stability. Is that not just like winning the lottery?
Improved Social Interaction: Improved mood and energy levels can help veterans engage more actively in social and community activities. Marriages rebound, vets start dating, work relationships improve, relationships with their children get better, even return to normal or more. Vets feel less lonely, less alone, and more involved in living their life. Commitments become more meaningful.

Pain Management

Reduction of Chronic Pain: Studies suggest, and vets tell us, TRT helps reduce chronic pain. Chronic pain is one of the most common issue among veterans due to service-related injuries. PT and other forms of therapy become more effective and hence more valuable. Tolerance to pain increases, for when you feel better pain become less of a problem. Stamina increases, so PT helps more.
Reduction and Prevention of Acute Pain: Just as chronic pain is reduced physical stamina, balance and function ability return, the vet becomes more secure and hence is considerably less likely to injure himself and then suffer from acute pain. Less accidents occur, less falls, less loss of grip, less problems with balance and stability.

Support for Aging Veterans

Age-Related Decline: As veterans age, they may experience a natural decline in testosterone levels. TRT can help mitigate the effects of aging, such as decreased muscle mass, increased fat mass, and reduced energy levels.
TRT increases stability, stamina, self-image, hence self value. Age seems like much less of a problem.
TRT prevents sacropenia hence loss of muscle, loss for balance and hence increased risk of falling and injuring himself.

Adjunct to Other Treatments

Complementary Therapy: TRT can be used alongside other treatments such as physical therapy, mental health counseling, and lifestyle interventions to provide a holistic approach to veterans’ health care.
Cognitive Therapies: It is a key element of virtually every form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Training.

Research and Development

Ongoing Studies: Continued research into the effects of TRT on veterans can lead to better understanding and improved protocols, ensuring that veterans receive the most effective and safe treatments.
New Research: As more vets finally learn about and start on TRT more benefits will be found and TRT can be studied in relationship to more problems vets and non-vets, men and women and how TRT can benefit in the prevention and/or treatment of these problems.

Implementation and Considerations

One just doesn’t start TRT. There are many steps to define if it is necessary, if the vet will benefit, will it worsen other issues or problems the vet is dealing with and what type and dosage of testosterone will be required. This is all of what we at Advanced Wellness Medical do. What we do is based not only what works but what is safest and best for the individual vet. We do it in the following way:

Individualized Treatment Plans: Each vet is an individual who need what he needs. His needs are totally unique to him, each vet requires and is given a personalized treatment plan and close monitoring to follow him, make sure he is getting only what is best for him and that he is experiencing no negative side effects and all of the positive benefits he requires.
We Chose Patients Appropriately: Our practitioners take a comprehensive medical, family and social history so that we know our patients needs. We do comprehensive lab and diagnostic testing to make sure there will be no negative surprises and that we miss nothing.
We Start with a Trail Dose of TRT: Since we know that you need TRT we must next determine the exact right dosage for of TRT and other hormones needed for your specific need. We start with the lowest, but most appropriate, dosage of TRT (and when needed other hormones) to begin with and we then adjust this dosage either up or down until we get the exact right dosage for your individual and unique needs. There is no guess work here.
We Monitor for Side Effects: Regular follow-ups and blood testing is essential in order to monitor and prevent potential negative side effects and adjust therapy as needed to attain optimal results.
Education and Support: As we do everything we do, you, the vet, will be intimately involved. We do nothing without making sure you know exactly why we are doing whatever it is that we do. We will always provide veterans with education about TRT, its benefits, and its risks ensures informed decision-making and adherence to treatment plans. This article, if you haven’t missed it is your first educational offering from us to you.

TRT can offer substantial benefits for military veterans, for helping them whether natural aging to healing from wounds. What we do addresses a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional health issues. With careful management and individualized treatment plans, TRT can significantly improve the quality of life for veterans, helping them to become well again and lead healthier, more active post-service lives.

Article by Dr. Allen Lawrence, M.A., M.D., Ph.D.

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What Might Be the Medical and Health Value, Need and Uses for TRT For Military Veterans