Hypogonadism Wikipedia

Low Testosterone Treatment

Reduced testosterone levels are quite common, with over a third of men over age 45 having levels below what is considered normal for their age. Men may notice symptoms of fatigue, depression or loss of facial and body hair. Beyond the decrease in muscle mass, lower levels of testosterone can also cause brittle bones, which increases the risk of fractures.

As men age, their bodies often produce less testosterone and in some cases not enough (male hypogonadism). Low testosterone is also known as “low T,” hypogonadism, and hypoandrogenism. Beginning around the age of 30, testosterone levels in men often start to decline. This can result in a variety of symptoms ranging from fatigue, difficulty with exercising and gaining muscle, weight gain, decreased sex drive, and erectile problems. Testosterone, in spite of its popular image as the sex hormone, is more complicated than we think. It is essential for normal functioning and development of the male body.

It is important for a man to be checked when he is showing signs of testosterone deficiency. If Low T is left untreated, men often experience a sense of impending doom, poor health, and fear. Men may also experience increased weight gain in the mid-section, have difficulties with focus and concentration, poor motivation, reduced memory, and perhaps difficulty engaging with others. The first is due to reduced production of testosterone from the testes, known as classical, or primary hypogonadism. This often appears in younger men, from conditions such as testicular cancer, testicular trauma or torsion (strangulation), or a congenital condition. Healthy male testosterone levels range between 450 and 600 ng/dL. Low testosterone is when testosterone levels fall below 300 ng/dL.

Patients with kidney, liver, or heart problems may increase their risk of edema (fluid retention) by taking testosterone. Though used as a fertility treatment in the short term, the long-term use of testosterone may interfere with fertility. Testosterone treatments are not usually recommended for men who have been treated for prostate or breast cancer.

Once the decrease in this hormone has been determined through tests, the cause should be sought and, if there are risk factors that may affect it, they should be treated for the levels to normalize. Both tests are done in the early morning because a man’s testosterone booster for 20 year old levels fluctuate throughout the day. The protocol of testing in the morning keeps measurements consistent. For instance, your chronic fatigue and lack of energy could be caused by depression instead of low testosterone levels.

Eating foods rich in vitamin D and zinc may help the body produce more male hormones. This could include beans, egg yolks, low-fat milk, oysters, shellfish, and tuna. On the other hand, testosterone is involved in many metabolic functions such as hemoglobin production, metabolic control, sugar, fat, and lipid metabolism; as well as bone mineral density. Energy in men is related to the quality of sleep, mood, and muscle mass. If a man has one or both testicles surgically removed, his body will produce less testosterone. Chemotherapy and radiation can affect testosterone production, too. If there is a problem with the pituitary gland, the testicles might not get the “message” to produce.

If necessary, estradiol and PSA levels will also be assessed periodically. Administered by a doctor, pellets are placed under the skin and gradually dissolve. Testosterone circulates in the bloodstream, and it is classified in two different ways. Free testosterone circulates on its own, not attached to another substance. Whichever delivery method you choose, these treatments can stop the symptoms of low T and get your life back on track.

This is why testing for low T should always involve a thorough physical exam and medical history to rule out other explanations for your symptoms. We will also make sure you are up to date on other age-appropriate screenings, like prostate or colorectal screening. Many testosterone formulations are available (Table 459,60 ), and no formulation has superior clinical effects. The selection of formulation requires discussion about administration route, adverse effects, and cost. Testosterone preparations are FDA Schedule III controlled substances that are subject to diversion and misuse.

The main one is that this treatment can cause cancer, but it has been proven that this does not happen, although if there is prostate cancer and treatment is started, it will result in it spreading more quickly. As a result of this, it is optimal that before starting any replacement treatment, specific prostate antigen tests and physical examinations are also performed to rule out the presence of cancer. Since different situations can result in low testosterone levels, Dr. Ortiz recommends that all men should see a doctor from the age of 40, at which time they can begin to lower this hormone to levels from 0.4% to 4% annually. Because of this, every man should perform a testosterone test and a prostate check. Age is the main cause of testosterone decrease, as you get older you can experience this situation. But also their general health will have repercussions on this.