A Review of Testosterone Replacement Therapy for the Healthcare Team
Target Audience: Pharmacy Tech
Course Overview
Men can experience low testosterone levels for many reasons, including a natural decline occurring as they age. In this context, ‘men’ refers to individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB), though TRT is also used within the transgender and gender-diverse communities among those seeking masculinization. Some patients experience a more pronounced deficiency that can negatively affect their quality of life. Testosterone replacement therapy may be used to correct the symptoms of testosterone deficiency as well as maintain secondary sex characteristics. Testosterone replacement therapy is also a fundamental component of medical care for transgender men and other nonbinary individuals seeking masculinization, helping them achieve serum testosterone levels within the typical male reference range. There are benefits to testosterone replacement therapy, but these therapies are not without risk. Healthcare team members, including pharmacists and physicians, may overcome uncertainties and variations in diagnosis and management by being more knowledgeable about testosterone replacement therapy. Team members must be able to identify candidates for therapy, educate patients on proper use and risks, monitor adverse effects, and optimize therapeutic outcomes. This continuing education activity will explore the clinical applications of testosterone replacement therapy, including its benefits, risks, and considerations for safe and effective use, focusing on the roles of care team members.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) formulations, including administration methods
- Evaluate the benefits and risks of TRT
- Counsel patients on administration, storage, and side effects of TRT
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Testing Testosterone Levels
III. Testosterone Replacement Therapy
IV. Testosterone Replacement Therapy in the Transgender Community
V. Testosterone Replacement Therapy Formulations
A. Oral Testosterone
B. Buccal Testosterone
C. Nasal Testosterone
D. Subdermal Testosterone Implants
E. Transdermal Testosterone (Patches)
F. Testosterone Gels and Solutions
G. Intramuscular (IM) Testosterone Injections
VI. Benefits and Risks of TRT
A. Benefits of TRT
B. Risks of TRT
VII. Contraindications to TRT
VIII. TRT Monitoring
IX. Patient Counseling and Education
X. Roles of Care Team Members
A. Physicians
B. Pharmacists
C. Pharmacy Technicians
XI. Additional Resources
XII. Summary
From November 30, 2024 through November 30, 2027, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. Pamela Sardo, L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP, and Liz Fredrickson, PharmD, BCPS, have no conflicts of interest or financial relationships regarding the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".