When you hear “testosterone”, do you think of strong muscles, facial hair, and a healthy sex drive? Testosterone is an essential hormone for all of those things, as well as the less obvious effects on improving bone density, producing new red blood cells, and maintaining your general sense of equilibrium. As a result, it can be uncomfortable and confusing to experience rapid declines in your baseline testosterone, which typically happens with age.
According to studies, testosterone levels may drop by as much as 2% per year beyond the age of 30. Further research has revealed that the frequency of low testosterone is as high as 38.7% in men aged 45 and up.
Low Testosterone, or “low T”, can definitely impact quality of life, but luckily, testosterone replacement therapy – TRT, for short – has been effective in balancing out hormonal levels and potentially making you feel more like yourself.
Today, we review Peter MD, a leading digital health clinic offering affordable TRT online for men. With their cost-effective pricing and a simple sign-up process, Peter MD offers very legitimate hormone therapies to men with low T. They can help decide if you’re a good candidate for testosterone, administer the treatment regularly, and offer ongoing doctor consultation to help adjust as necessary.
Source: Peter MD
But don’t just take our word for it! Keep reading to find out what exactly they offer, how they compare to other online TRT clinics, and how effective Peter MD has been for men with low T, relative to other testosterone treatment options on the market.
How to know if you’re experiencing low testosterone
The typical range of testosterone in males is approximately 264 to 916 ng/dL (nanograms per decilitre, if you were wondering), but there is some lab-to-lab variation on the exact reference range. A typical male testosterone level peaks around the age of 20, then gradually drops thereafter. A general rule of thumb for the ‘healthiest men’ is testosterone levels ranging from 400 to 700 ng/dL, and It’s generally inferred that testosterone levels above or below the typical range are out of balance.
A blood test before receiving TRT is frequently used to determine the level of these hormones:
- Free testosterone: Testosterone that’s not attached to proteins (“free”)
- Total testosterone: The total amount of testosterone that’s in the blood (free and bound)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): A hormone that stimulates testosterone production in the testes
- Estradiol: One of three estrogen hormones
- Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG): A liver protein that binds to three sex hormones
- Albumin: A liver protein that carries hormones, vitamins, enzymes, and more through the body
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): A liver enzyme
While lab work is typically the first step in getting prescribed testosterone therapy, if you’re not quite ready to get jabbed, you can also take an at-home testosterone kit from LetsGetChecked for just $69. It’s a smart way to see if testosterone levels may be a potential cause of your discomfort and start to evaluate TRT as a viable option to feel more like yourself again. Of course, you’ll still need to chat with a doctor and get full lab work done before moving forward with treatment, but LetsGetChecked’s male hormone test is highly recommended to collect initial data.
Common symptoms of low T
Low T (or hypogonadism, as it’s officially called) can lead to a broad range of unfortunate symptoms including:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low sex drive
- Low energy levels/chronic fatigue
- Mood changes and irritability
- Weakened muscle strength
- Poor internal regulation (high cholesterol, hot flashes, etc.)
- Lowered sense of wellbeing or vitality
What causes testosterone levels to decline?
The aging process naturally causes testosterone levels to fall, making aging one of the most common causes of low T. But, there are other possible reasons why you could be experiencing low testosterone levels, including:
- Obesity
- Extreme weight loss
- An injury or infection of the testes
- The use of certain medications (steroids, hormones used in prostate cancer treatment, and opioids)
- Chemotherapy for cancer treatment
- High prolactin levels
- Pituitary gland dysfunction
- Medical conditions (HIV/AIDS, chronic renal failure, kidney damage, liver cirrhosis, and thyroid disorders, among others)
What is TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy)?
Source: Peter MD
TRT is akin to the use of insulin in type I diabetics, where the body lacks natural production of an essential hormone and must be replaced with an external source. If your body can’t make enough testosterone on its own, your health will suffer until the problem is resolved, hence the need for TRT to treat these low levels. This would reduce symptoms of low T in order for men to regain their libido, energy levels, muscle mass, and sexual function.
How does TRT work?
There are a few different ways to receive TRT, but it usually comes in the form of a weekly, biweekly, or monthly injections. Injections deliver the testosterone directly to your bloodstream, ensuring that your body quickly absorbs the full dose.
If you’re not into the idea of a testosterone injection, you can also find TRT in gel form. Gel TRT formulations will spare you the pain or fear of needles, but can rub off before you receive the full dose, affecting the desired results. You’ll need to apply it to specific parts of the body like the shoulders, upper arms, and thighs.
You can also get TRT in skin patch, mouth patch (applied onto your upper gums), or supplement form. Skin and mouth patches are both easy to apply, but can be uncomfortable. Supplements are convenient, but some medical professionals believe that they can negatively impact the liver.
No matter the form, most men feel an improvement in their energy levels, vitality, and quality of life after establishing a consistent baseline dose of testosterone on TRT. However, it’s not always a quick fix and some men won’t experience positive improvements for 1-2 months.
Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy safe?
TRT has been proven successful in treating men with hypogonadism. A clinical trial found that TRT produced a 73% success rate of restoring patients’ normal hormonal range in a 12-week period.
As with most other prescription medications, TRT presents risks and side effects. Some of the potential side effects include skin changes (acne, increased oil production), increased breast tissue (gynecomastia), breast tenderness, increased frequency of urination, and swelling of the ankles.
The more severe risks associated with TRT include a heightened risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, as well as erythrocytosis (when red blood cell levels exceed the normal range). That said, multiple studies contradict the connection between TRT and cardiovascular conditions:
- A 2015 study published by the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that, in 1,472 men aged 52 to 63 with no history of heart disease, TRT didn’t lead to a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, or death.
- A study published in the August 2015 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that among 30,000 men, there was no connection between TRT and blood clots in veins.
More research on the link between TRT and cardiovascular disease is needed, but unfortunately, TRT can be difficult to discontinue, because a decline in hormone levels is likely to bring your symptoms back. For these reasons, it’s critical to consult with your doctor before beginning TRT to make sure it’s the right choice. Before you can begin TRT treatment, Peter MD demands a physical evaluation, along with nearly all other online TRT clinics.
Review of Peter MD TRT: is it legit?
Peter MD is a proudly faith-centered online TRT clinic. It’s named after the Apostle Peter and a parable in scripture that “represents freeing yourself to live a happier, healthier, and more prosperous life”, according to the company’s website.
Peter MD’s mission is to give men a new lease on life by eliminating the unwanted symptoms that come with the natural declines in testosterone. The clinic has a sizable network of physicians across 48 states in the U.S. and boasts extremely affordable rates. That’s especially important given that testosterone therapy requires ongoing treatment indefinitely.
What treatments does Peter MD offer?
Source: Peter MD
Peter MD offers the following selection of men’s health services:
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
- Erectile dysfunction treatment (Sildenafil 100mg or Tadalafil 20mg)
- Peptide therapy
Is TRT from Peter MD legit?
Peter MD is a trustworthy telemedicine provider that’s helped thousands of men suffering from low testosterone. At the time of publishing, they currently have a 4.9 rating out of 5 on TrustPilot from over 1200 reviews:
The company is licensed to prescribe TRT in 48 states. This treatment from Peter MD involves self-administering testosterone cypionate and aromatase inhibitor injections at home. Cypionate is an injectable form of testosterone, while aromatase inhibitor prevents estrogen production. As a member, you’ll get all the necessary medications and supplies delivered directly to your doorstep.
Peter MD offers three different TRT subscriptions:
- a 6-month subscription paid monthly
- 6-month subscription paid in full upfront
- 10-week subscription paid upfront
Here’s what each of these plans includes:
Peter TRT Subscription Plans |
6-month subscription | 10-week subscription, paid upfront | 6-month subscription, paid upfront |
| Testosterone Cypionate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Aromatase inhibitor | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Supplies | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shipping | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| All physician consults | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free month of B12 OR 100mg Sildenafil | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price | $79/month for 6 months ($474 total) | $269 upfront for 10 weeks | $594 upfront for 6 months |
You can choose to add gonadorelin/HCG to any of these subscriptions for an extra $19 per month. Gonadorelin and HCG stimulate testosterone production, boost libido, thwart testicular atrophy, and enhance fertility.
All patients are required to have bloodwork before starting TRT with Peter MD, which is crucial to personalizing your treatment and ensuring that you receive a safe, effective testosterone dosage for your needs.
This initial lab work costs $215 $129, which may seem like a steep one-time investment, but the ongoing cost of testosterone treatment from Peter MD is very affordable relative to other options. Check out the chart below which maps out cost over time to see for yourself.
How much does Peter MD cost?
At just $99 per month (membership fee included) with free unlimited physician consults and free shipping, Peter MD claims that it’s the most affordable testosterone therapy telemedicine clinic. They are so confident in this claim that if you find a TRT clinic cheaper than them, they’ll offer you a 20% discount to beat their price 🤯 Here’s a cost comparison to show how Peter MD’s prices compare to other online TRT players:
Online TRT Cost Comparison |
Month 1 | Month 6 | Month 12 | Month 18 | Month 24 |
| Peter MD | $129 | $624 | $1,347 | $1,812 | $2,662 |
| Hone Health | $45 | $870 | $1,860 | $2,850 | $3,840 |
| Blokes | $49 | $774 | $1,788 | $2,682 | $3,576 |
If you choose to purchase the required initial lab work directly from Peter MD, rather than externally on your own from LabCorp, the price is $259 $129 (they offer 50% off to all patients). These results include free and total testosterone, Lh an