It is an androgen, which encourages the growth of male traits and characteristics. Testosterone is essential for reproduction and keeping bones and muscles strong. As men age, it’s not uncommon for them to experience signs of low testosterone. In fact, low testosterone, or low T, affects two out of 10 men over the age of 60. It’s important to work with a licensed healthcare provider, who can monitor your levels and discuss possible side effects. Many men with diagnosed testosterone deficiency notice a dramatic improvement in their mood after starting testosterone replacement treatment, says Calvert.
This may happen due to a congenital condition (something a man is born with), an injury, cancer treatment, or other reasons. In addition, men’s testosterone levels decline as they get older. A range of factors can influence your libido, including your testosterone levels. Believed to play a primary role in physical arousal, testosterone — or lack thereof — can influence your sexual desire in other ways, too. Generally, clomifene does not have adverse effects at the doses used for this purpose.
Dr. Joshua Calvert, M.D., is a urologist and member of The Edge’s medical advisory board. Specific areas of interest include vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, Peyronie’s disease, testosterone management, and male infertility. Low testosterone can be identified through a variety of symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following signs of LT, contact Alliance Urology to figure out the best treatment plan for you. For more than 130 years, Norton Healthcare’s faith heritage has guided its mission to provide quality health care to all those it serves.
I had to know how…visiting Your Wellness Center and Dr. Lovett blew my mind! He pointed out all the issues I had with my blood draw and told me that he will work to get me to optimum health! I stared with the HRT first, with Dr. Lovett telling me what to expect within the first weeks of treatment. I felt energy, motivation to "do" things, got my libido back and was able to sleep through the night, which was a huge benefit to my overall wellbeing.
Talk to us if you notice changes in your mental and emotional health, and we’ll check for a hormone issue. Men with hypogonadism often report persistent tiredness and a lack of energy, which can be alleviated with appropriate testosterone therapy. Lab results provided by our on-site lab allows our primary care team to monitor chronic medical conditions like thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. As you age, your chances of having low testosterone levels become more likely.
Whichever delivery method you choose, these treatments can stop the symptoms of low T and get your life back on track. Low testosterone often results in low semen volume, which may affect fertility because your sperm rely on this milky substance for maximum motility. Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. A male with low testosterone may notice a reduction in the size of their testicles that is not related to cold temperatures. Some people may also have something in their genetic makeup (their DNA) that interferes with their body’s ability to produce or process DHEA and DHEA-S. A small number of pellets, about the size of Tic Tacs, are inserted into the fat of the buttocks. The five-minute procedure is preferred by many patients because of the low side effects and strong outcomes.
You may be reading this article because you have recently found out that you have low testosterone in a blood test. Sometimes, men don’t experience symptoms and in this case, the condition might not present a problem for you. However, the majority of patients suffer from several of the above-mentioned issues related to Low T. There are several treatment options for low testosterone, and medications aren’t always necessary. Changing certain lifestyle factors, such as exercising, reducing stress, improving sleep and improving dietary habits, will help significantly. Many people benefit from losing weight or getting a sleep study and using a CPAP machine, which delivers steady air through a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece to help you sleep.
Fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen— and an imbalance in your testosterone and estrogen levels can increase body fat. High aromatase and estrogen activity reduces the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn reduces testosterone production. That’s because testosterone plays a starring role in the influence of fat distribution, bone density, and red blood cell production. It’s also a critical factor in building muscle and bone mass, producing sperm, and driving sexual desire and function. Some patients have come to us from low-T clinics with testosterone levels as high as 3,000.
Testosterone levels tend to decrease in men as they age, so low testosterone man is a fairly common condition. With a decrease in testosterone comes the possibility of weight gain. Fortunately, working out to lose excess weight can help to boost testosterone and lessen the effects of LT symptoms.
