Starting therapy is the beginning of a relationship, not the end of a transaction. Follow-up visits check whether symptoms actually improved, whether levels are where they should be, and whether anything unwanted has appeared.
Standard surveillance generally includes hematocrit or hemoglobin, because testosterone can raise red blood cell counts, and blood pressure, which FDA labeling now specifically highlights. Prostate-specific antigen and prostate examination are considered based on age, family history and shared decision-making.
If monitoring shows a problem, the response may be to adjust, pause or stop therapy. A physician who is unwilling to stop treatment is not monitoring it.
Risks and limitations
- Monitoring intervals vary by individual and by the formulation used.
- Laboratory surveillance reduces but does not eliminate risk.
- Skipping follow-up is a meaningful safety problem, not an administrative one.
- Some findings require stopping therapy or referral.