Hypogonadism Wikipedia

Low T Symptoms in Men Rebalance with TRT

Hypogonadism hampers the ability to produce normal amounts of testosterone due to a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland that controls the testicles. Testosterone replacement therapy, in the form of injections, pellets, patches or gels, can improve the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in these men. Testosterone levels generally peak during adolescence and early adulthood. As you age, your testosterone level gradually declines — typically about 1% a year after age 30 or 40. For older men, it’s important to determine if a low testosterone level is due to normal aging or if it is due to a disease (hypogonadism). But we’re beginning to see more men in their 20s with low-T at the UT Southwestern male urology clinic.

Millions of men use testosterone replacement therapy to restore low levels and feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional. For instance, being overweight, having diabetes or thyroid problems, and taking certain medications, such as glucocorticoids and other steroids, can affect levels. Therefore, simply having low-t levels does not always call for taking extra testosterone. Testosterone helps the body produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs). Low testosterone levels could lead to anemia, a blood disorder that may occur due to the decrease of RBCs. Inadequate serum levels of testosterone also interfere with the normal quality of sleep. For example, sleep apnea is a common disorder that is not directly related to hypogonadism but has been reported more frequently in obese or overweight individuals (2, 3).

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. There are many symptoms of low testosterone in men, including flagging energy levels, low libido, weight gain, and hair loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consider getting your testosterone levels tested.

Hypogonadism is when your sex glands don’t make enough or any sex hormones. However, most cases of this disease get better with proper medical care. Low sex drive, also known as low libido, is common in men with low T. While a reduced sex drive may also be due to age, low testosterone is known to cause a significant decrease in a man’s desire to have sex. Occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection is also normal, but if it happens frequently, this is considered erectile dysfunction. Testosterone stimulates the production of nitric oxide in penile tissue, which makes erections possible.

As boys exit puberty and enter adulthood, testosterone maintains muscle strength and mass, hair growth, bone density, sexual functions, energy and mood levels. Generally, testosterone levels are highest in the morning and lowest in the evening but fluctuation does occur with age. Testosterone is important to male sexual development and overall health. During puberty, it is responsible for developing secondary sexual characteristics, such as increased muscle mass, voice deepening, and facial and body hair growth.

In addition to a decrease in sex drive, having trouble getting or maintaining an erection is one of the signs of low testosterone. Testosterone is responsible for sending signals to the brain to produce an erection, so if a man has lower levels of the hormone, the signal may not be strong enough. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors and conditions, so it’s a good idea to consult your urologist to get a proper diagnosis. Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is produced in the testicles. For men experiencing low levels of testosterone, it is common to have a reduced sex drive.

The risk increases with age, though most people naturally lose testosterone as they get older. Rare genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, where males have an extra X chromosome, may also affect testosterone production. About 15% of men with fertility problems have low testosterone levels. It is important to remember that males typically lose testosterone as they age, and the potential benefits of lifestyle changes also decrease over time.

Instead, when hair sheds, it is typically due to a genetic predisposition, known as androgenic alopecia. A healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, exercise, weight management, and that avoids excessive use of alcohol and drugs can help keep testosterone levels normal. It plays a significant role in the male body, and if levels drop below average, men can experience a wide variety of symptoms. Because testosterone is involved in mood regulation, men with low testosterone levels may experience mood changes, including depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. These shifts can significantly impact your mental health, work, relationships, and well-being. Feeling tired or fatigued after mild work or feeling less motivated to engage in day-to-day activities can also be a sign of low testosterone levels (2, 3). This is mainly because testosterone is an anabolic hormone i.e. it increases basal metabolic rate (or energy generation via degradation of dietary nutrients).

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 too much testosterone turn into estrogen 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.

(Most men have an injection every 2 weeks.) Shots may be placed just under the skin or directly into a muscle. Treatment may relieve symptoms and help keep bones and muscles strong, however, there is no cure for low T. If you are looking for a natural solution to feeling and looking better, we believe we can help and would love to take care of you. The first step is to set up a consultation with us – click the button below to get started. Again, all of these are symptoms of low testosterone and they won’t always jump out at you one day to the next. So keep in the practice of actively listening to how your body is reacting to the world around you and how things are changing.