Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age
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.
This hormone also helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, and bone health. The brain and pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) control the production of testosterone by the testes. Testosterone (the male sex hormone) decreases naturally with age. However, in some cases, testosterone can decrease to a point where it is outside of the normal range and cause a variety of health problems. For the average adult male, testosterone levels are considered normal between the range of 300 – 1,000 ng /dL (with an average around 680 ng / dL).
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.
Find out what's known — and not known — about testosterone therapy for normal aging. But there are a lot of misconceptions about what the treatment can and can't do for you. Men who are no longer interested in conceiving may benefit from safe, monitored testosterone replacement therapy. Some patients with genetic issues that cause subfertility, such as Klinefelter's syndrome, may also benefit. Often, we find that anxiety or depression – not hormonal imbalances – are the root cause of low-T-like symptoms.
Experiencing one or two of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have low T. But if you’re noticing multiple changes that are affecting your quality of life, it’s time to talk to one of our specialists. While testosterone isn’t the only factor involved in achieving an erection, low T can significantly affect your sexual functioning.
We also consider other possible causes, such as thyroid issues, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors. Low testosterone, often referred to as "Low-T," is a condition where the body produces lower levels of testosterone, a hormone important in male development and health. Think of it as a battery gradually losing its charge; as testosterone levels decrease, so can a man's overall function and well-being. Reduced energy levels happen even after a good night’s rest or a nap. For men, testosterone plays a part in energy production, including converting food to energy.
Low levels of testosterone, a natural hormone produced in the body, can testosterone levels be tested 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.
Many doctors prefer to have the blood tests performed in the morning, as this is when a patient’s testosterone levels are usually the highest. Your physician can check your testosterone levels with a simple blood test. If you do have low testosterone it can be easily treated by your physician. There are several treatment options available such as gels, patches or injections that increase the amount of testosterone in your body.
Weight loss and exercise can often increase testosterone levels naturally. Testosterone production generally begins to decrease after the age of 30 and after menopause. Low testosterone levels may lead to an increase in body fat mass.
