Testosterone Replacement Therapy vs. Nugenix® Total-T
Posted: April 8, 2022
Testosterone deficiencies are more common as we age. Low T can zap energy, decrease libido, and cause many other health changes. Because of these issues, many men use testosterone replacement therapy to help relieve their symptoms. However, with the increased awareness of low testosterone and its negative health effects, many supplement companies have started marketing so-called testosterone boosters. One common one you may have heard of is Nugenix® Total-T. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between testosterone therapy and Nugenix Total-T, as well as how effective Total-T supplements are.
Disadvantages of Nugenix Total-T vs. Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy is a studied treatment for low testosterone levels, while testosterone boosters are not.
Nugenix Total-T is a type of testosterone booster you can purchase over the counter. Because it is a supplement and not a medicine or therapy, it’s not FDA-approved. It’s also not meant to be a treatment for low testosterone because it doesn’t actually contain testosterone. Testosterone boosters are essentially just a type of multivitamin.
Many men who take testosterone boosters believe they can help them increase their testosterone levels. However, there’s little to no evidence to support these claims. We’ll get into why common ingredients likely won’t do anything for your testosterone levels in a later section. However, the key thing to remember is that testosterone boosters are not an alternative to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
What’s more, when you take these supplements, there’s no treatment monitoring to make sure it’s working. Instead, you simply take them and hope they make a difference, because there’s no tests or professional monitoring when you choose testosterone booster supplements.
Compare this to treatment with testosterone replacement therapy. When you begin a TRT regimen, you receive a tested medicine that is a bioidentical version the hormone you need. In addition, our medical team monitors not only your symptoms, but other things like blood testosterone levels, red blood cell counts, and other markers of health to determine if your treatment is working. Based on information from monitoring, our providers may change the dose to optimize it to your needs. Therefore, if you believe you have low testosterone levels, contact our providers to get your levels tested and begin a comprehensive treatment program with testosterone replacement therapy injections and ongoing treatment management from our team.
Financial Disadvantages of Nugenix Total-T
There are also financial disadvantages of using Nugenix Total-T. These supplements are quite pricy. The Nugenix website lists them at $69.99 for a 30-day supply. That price also doesn’t include tax or shipping fees. That means you would pay over $839.88 per year for these supplements.
Also, because these vitamins aren’t a treatment for any medical condition, the majority of insurance policies do not cover any of the costs for the supplements. By contrast, testosterone replacement therapy is a recognized medical treatment for people with low testosterone. This means that insurance policies typically cover some or all of the costs for TRT.
In review, taking Total-T supplements every day can cost you quite a lot out of pocket for vitamins that may not raise your testosterone levels. You also have no way of knowing if the supplements are working because no one is regularly testing your testosterone levels or other health markers.
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a treatment solution for men with low testosterone. It comes in many forms, including gels, creams, patches, and injections. The goal of using TRT is to increase your testosterone levels to healthy ranges by supplementing your natural testosterone levels with bioidentical testosterone. Our providers typically prescribe TRT injections for ease of use, dosage control, and mess-free treatment.
Why We May Prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy isn’t for everyone. As we age, testosterone levels naturally start to decline. This is a normal part of aging. However, many men experience more severe declines in testosterone, which can cause many symptoms and health risks. If you have symptoms of low testosterone and blood tests show that your testosterone levels are low (below 350 ng/dL), then we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to increase the testosterone levels in your body.
Some common symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Fatigue
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Unexplained weight gain
- Loss of muscle mass
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
If you experience these symptoms, our providers will conduct a thorough health assessment to look for underlying causes of your symptoms. If low testosterone is to blame, then we may recommend testosterone replacement therapy to help you feel your best and reduce health risks commonly associated with low T, like obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Are Testosterone Boosters like Nugenix Total-T the Same as Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Now, if you’ve seen the commercials or other marketing materials for Nugenix Total-T supplements, you might notice that they claim to help many of the symptoms of low testosterone and also claim to help you increase testosterone in your body. Therefore, many people wonder if Total-T supplements and other T-boosters are an alternative to testosterone replacement therapy. In fact, Total-T supplements are much different from TRT.
What is Nugenix Total-T?
Nugenix Total-T is a type of supplement that claims to “boost free and total testosterone, increase lean muscle mass, and support stronger sex drive,” according to the bottle. However, it’s also important to note that these claims also come with a notice that explains that these claims haven’t been evaluated by the FDA and that Total-T is “not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
Essentially, Nugenix Total-T is a type of supplement that contains many ingredients, none of which are testosterone. Remember, testosterone is a controlled substance, so it is prescription-only. Instead, Total-T claims to support testosterone production through various ingredients. However, there is little to no scientific evidence that the ingredients actually increase testosterone.
How does Nugenix Total-T Differ from Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Total-T supplements contain vitamins and minerals, while testosterone replacement therapy contains bioidentical testosterone to help increase your testosterone levels. TRT is a common medication that doctors prescribe to treat hypogonadism (low testosterone). By contrast, Total-T supplements are over the counter and have not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for low T. Also, while testosterone therapy has been rigorously studied over the past several decades, Total-T is new on the market and has not been thoroughly studied. Total-T is not a clinical treatment option for men suffering from low testosterone.
What’s in Nugenix Total-T?
You might be wondering how Nugenix Total-T claims to increase testosterone levels if it doesn’t contain any testosterone. Total-T supplements contain several ingredients, with the bottle identifying eight key ingredients:
Vitamin B6 and B12
The label for Nugenix Total-T lists both vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, which are certainly important vitamins for your health. Vitamins B6 and B12 help support brain health and red blood cell production. Low vitamin B can also cause fatigue, so many people notice an uptick in their energy levels when taking vitamin B supplements. However, there is little to no evidence that these vitamins help increase testosterone production in your body.
Zinc
Zinc is another listed ingredient for Nugenix Total-T supplements. This mineral is found in several types of meat and in fortified foods like breakfast cereals. Zinc can help your health in many ways, such as helping your immune system and metabolism. Some small studies show that having a zinc deficiency can lead to low testosterone levels. If you have zinc-related low testosterone levels, increasing zinc to healthy ranges may improve hormone levels in your body. However, studies show that taking extra zinc over and above suggested levels does not affect testosterone levels.
L-Citrulline Malate
L-citrulline malate is a non-essential amino acid found in watermelons and other foods. Your body produces this amino acid on its own and it can help increase blood flow in the body by opening up the blood vessels. Due to this, it may improve endurance during workouts. However, there’s no scientific studies showing that it increases testosterone production in your body.
Fenugreek Herb Extract
Fenugreek extract is another ingredient in Total-T supplements. It also goes by the brand name Testofen®. Fenugreek is an herb that some believe can help your body produce more testosterone. There are some small studies showing some increase in testosterone levels after taking fenugreek extract. However, it’s important to note that most results were only slight increases in testosterone. Scientists are still studying the effects of fenugreek extract and whether there is solid evidence of an association between fenugreek and testosterone levels. There have been lawsuits that question whether these claims are true. In either case, the evidence is slim and needs more research.
Ancient Peat and Apple Fruit Extract
The ingredient listed as elevATP® is a blend of ancient peat extract and apple fruit extract. These ingredients contain trace minerals that small studies have found may help improve strength and athletic performance. However, once again, studies are small and need more evidence to confirm the claims. There is no evidence that these ingredients increase testosterone levels.
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eurycoma longifolia is a shrub found in Southeast Asia and has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac. Some believe it may also improve athletic performance. However, there is little evidence of this. Studies on eurycoma longifolia and testosterone levels have produced mixed results.
Boron
Another ingredient listed for Nugenix Total-T includes boron. Boron is a mineral that assists with bone health and metabolizing many other vitamins and minerals. It may also affect how your body uses testosterone, estrogen, and vitamin D. Some rat studies show that boron may stop an enzyme in the body that converts testosterone into estrogen. However, the evidence is inconclusive because other studies have even found boron is associated with lower testosterone levels. Therefore, given the little scientific evidence behind many of the ingredients in Total-T supplements, testosterone replacement therapy is still the standard treatment for men with hypogonadism.
Total Men’s Health Management from Low T Center
Our team at Low T Center cares about your health. We offer comprehensive men’s health management solutions to help you feel your best. Whether you’re struggling with low testosterone or another condition, our providers are here to provide customized treatment for your lifestyle. Whether you need help increasing energy, getting better sleep, or improving your sex life, we are here for you. Our goal is to provide convenient, affordable, and simple healthcare for men. Make an appointment today to discuss your symptoms with our team.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.