Low Testosterone Male Hypogonadism UNC Mens Health Program
Low Testosterone Male Hypogonadism UNC Mens Health Program
Your post is very important due to the high relevance of the problem in the science and practice. Like you, I have been working on this issue for many years - as a practitioner and lecturer, and have a lot of developments, which I regularly put into practice. One major problem - the use of replacement therapy in patients with prostate cancer, but also in this area there has been some success. Besides sexual functions, testosterone is also responsible for regulating higher mental functions such as concentration and focus. Therefore, hypogonadal men often report difficulty in concentrating while taking care of important tasks or work, problem-solving, multi-tasking and memory related issues (4). Treatment for low testosterone can be controversial because low testosterone in females hasn’t been well-studied.
Some of the symptoms of low testosterone in a man are subtle, while others are more obvious. And many of the symptoms of low testosterone mirror symptoms of other illnesses and conditions, making it even harder to ID the cause. If you’re wondering whether you have symptoms of low testosterone, talk to your primary care provider about testing and next steps.
DHEA is available without a prescription but isn’t regulated by the FDA. Testing can be done to determine if you have a problem and what is a low testosterone level for a man steps you can take to fix it. According to the AUA, 7 in 10 people receiving treatment for low T are using TRT skin gels.
A doctor will typically only prescribe TRT if the person has several symptoms of low testosterone and blood test results that indicate a deficiency. The most common treatment is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). For example, a bone density test can show diminished bone mass, one result of low testosterone. To diagnose low testosterone, a doctor will often perform a physical evaluation and review the person’s symptoms. The doctor may also request testing to look for additional signs. Testosterone production can slow as a person ages, and many older people experience symptoms of low testosterone.
Low levels of testosterone, a natural hormone produced in the body, can lead to hair loss, weight gain, a decrease in sex drive, and many other unwanted side effects. Testosterone can be restored with prescribed treatments, starting with a simple physical exam. Using testosterone therapy to treat normal aging is not a good idea.
Testosterone helps stimulate the production of semen, and reduced semen levels can indicate a reduction in testosterone. Testosterone stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection. If levels of the hormone are too low, a man may not be able to get an erection. Low testosterone can lead to reduced levels of energy and fatigue.
Lower testosterone levels can reduce the density of bones, leading to osteoporosis and other bone-related problems in hypogonadal men (5). Your blood test results can vary depending on when the test is taken. This is because hormone levels fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and even between morning and evening. If you’re still getting a period, there’s a specific window in your cycle that’s best for measuring testosterone in your blood. Talk to a healthcare provider if you struggle with any of these symptoms. They can evaluate you and assess if testosterone levels may be responsible. Low testosterone may affect different body systems, resulting in symptoms that affect memory, mood, bone, muscle, sex drive, and the ability to get or maintain an erection.
Studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can improve erectile function in people with mild erectile dysfunction. Depression is one of the most important and common symptom of low testosterone levels (4). This is mainly because the accumulation of fat cells alter the normal hormonal metabolism. Contact a healthcare provider if you think you have symptoms of low testosterone. While the causes and effects of low testosterone aren’t completely known, your healthcare provider can run tests to help figure out what’s causing your symptoms. Testosterone is a type of androgen hormone (or sex hormone) in your body.
A simple blood test can confirm your testosterone level and help determine if low testosterone is the cause of your symptoms. Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy to boost testosterone or other treatments to help improve your symptoms and overall health. If a person notices these symptoms, they should speak with a doctor. A doctor can then come up with a treatment plan to increase their testosterone levels. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of hypogonadism is delayed in most cases since most symptoms are non-specific, such as loss of sexual drive, lethargy and difficulty in concentrating at work.
