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5 Signs of Low Testosterone and What You Can Do to Relieve Symptoms: Arlington Family Practice: Family Practice

Low Testosterone in Men Pioneer Valley Urology Springfield, MA Palmer, M

Produced by the pituitary gland, luteinizing hormone spurs testosterone production by the testes. If LH levels are abnormal, there could be a problem with pituitary gland function or a hormone disorder. In other words, men whose total testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL could be diagnosed with TD. When men reach their thirties, their bodies start producing less testosterone. The decline is gradual—about 1% each year—and might not be noticeable at all. Some people call this change andropause or male menopause, comparing the testosterone decline to the drops in estrogen production in women’s bodies during menopause. Men’s testosterone levels decline gradually, while women’s estrogen levels fall more quickly over time.

During treatment, your doctor may need to repeat blood tests to monitor your levels of testosterone, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. To diagnose low testosterone, your doctor will ask questions about your health history, give you a physical examination, and assess you for possible signs and symptoms of low testosterone. If low testosterone is suspected, a blood test measuring the level of testosterone in your blood can epididymal cyst affect testosterone (metabolomicssociety.org) verify the diagnosis. Also known as male hypogonadism, low testosterone levels affect about 5 percent of men nationwide.

Some men are born with conditions that cause low testosterone. 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. Completion of a controlled substance contract should be considered before prescribing.

“Once you hit age 60, the rate of muscle mass decline goes up, and you’ll lose even more muscle mass because you’re getting older, not producing as much testosterone, and you’re not as active,” he explains. At this time, it is unclear whether TRT increases the risk of prostate cancer or symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, based on inconclusive data, the FDA does warn of a possible increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Testosterone helps the body produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs).

Sometimes low-T is caused by medical conditions, such as genetic diseases or past chemotherapy or radiation therapy. More often, symptoms can be linked to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, anxiety, or depression. Testosterone is usually measured with a blood test done early in the morning, when levels are highest.

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. Diseases such as diabetes, smoking, varicocele, high blood pressure, or obesity are some situations that could result in low testosterone levels. This hormone is only released in the morning, so it is recommended that its measurement be ideally at eight in the morning and fasting, through a blood test.

Normal testosterone levels are necessary to provide an optimal environment within the testicles for normal sperm production. Testosterone levels also play a role in libido, erectile function, and ejaculatory function. If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms and think they could be due to low testosterone levels, it’s time to talk with a doctor. An experienced urologist can help identify if Low T is the cause of your symptoms and provide effective treatment options, including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

As noted above, only 30% of people experience an increase in testosterone levels when taking supplements containing common testosterone-boosting ingredients. Anyone taking testosterone replacement should have a medical checkup and blood tests several times during the first year of treatment and yearly after that. This is to see how well the treatment works and to watch for side effects.

Patients interested in learning more about what low testosterone is and how it’s treated by our dedicated medical professionals can contact us today or schedule an appointment. When considering treatments for TD, we first consider the cause. If we can pinpoint the reason a man’s testosterone levels are low, treating the underlying condition might be the first step toward improvement.