What Are HRT and TRT?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the process of supplementing hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. It can be administered systemically to affect the whole body or locally to target specific areas *1. On the other hand, it is used to restore testosterone levels in individuals diagnosed with hypogonadism, a condition characterized by low testosterone. TRT aims to improve symptoms such as fatigue, reduced libido, and decreased muscle mass *2.
How Many People Are on HRT/TRT?
The use of TRT is becoming increasingly widespread. Out of an estimated 13 million men in the United States, approximately one in four males over the age of 30 are affected by low testosterone, with the TRT market projected to grow from $1.98 billion in 2023 to $2.93 billion by 2033 *2. HRT remains a common therapeutic choice for millions of women, particularly during and after menopause, although exact figures fluctuate depending on geography and health trends *1.
Benefits and Side Effects
HRT offers significant benefits, including the reduction of menopausal symptoms, improved bone density, and an enhanced overall quality of life *1. TRT has been shown to improve libido, energy levels, mood, bone mineral density, and lean muscle mass (Liu et al.). However, both therapies come with potential risks.
Side effects of HRT may include an increased risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and blood clots, particularly for older women ("Hormone Replacement Therapy: What You Should Know," Verywell Health). TRT, meanwhile, can cause erythrocytosis (a condition marked by an increase in red blood cells), liver abnormalities, gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in men), and potential cardiovascular events (Cunningham and Toma).
How Biomarker Monitoring Keeps You Healthy on HRT/TRT
Monitoring biomarkers is essential for optimizing therapy and minimizing the risks associated with HRT and TRT. Hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone must be regularly checked to ensure proper dosage and therapeutic balance. In TRT patients, hematocrit levels should be closely monitored to prevent erythrocytosis, a potentially dangerous increase in red blood cells that can lead to blood clots or a stroke. *3 Liver function panels and lipid profiles are also crucial for detecting early signs of liver stress and managing cardiovascular risks. For individuals on TRT, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is essential to screen for prostate abnormalities *4.
This is where imaware comes in. As an end-to-end lab testing and clinical enablement platform, imaware helps healthcare providers, telehealth companies, and wellness brands deliver safe, scalable HRT and TRT programs through streamlined access to high-quality biomarker testing.
imaware’s capabilities include:
- At-home sample collection with clinician-validated results: Making it easier for patients to stay compliant with routine monitoring from the comfort of home.
- Nationwide lab integration with Quest Diagnostics: Enabling flexible draw site access or physician-ordered phlebotomy services - our lab or yours.
- Custom biomarker panels: Tailored to HRT/TRT use cases including testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, DHEA, PSA, hematocrit, and more.
- Automated clinical workflows: From lab orders to physician review and results delivery, reducing operational overhead for growing wellness brands.
- Actionable, personalized lab reports: Improve adherence and retention by helping patients see progress and stay informed.
By embedding continuous biomarker monitoring into every HRT/TRT protocol, businesses can deliver safer, more effective programs while building trust and improving outcomes across their patient populations.
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