Low Testosterone Low T Low T Therapy Low T Treatment

Treatments

Researchers have suggested that low testosterone may make you more susceptible to anemia. Studies have shown testosterone affects muscle mass, but not necessarily strength or function. While there is a genetic component to balding, males with low testosterone may experience a loss of body and facial hair, too. Other symptoms may include insomnia, weight gain, reduced muscle mass and strength, heart problems, osteoporosis and difficulty concentrating. The problem is that many of these same symptoms can also be signs of other health issues. Our entire team is committed to providing advanced and compassionate care.

Healthy hormonal levels also help ensure that your body can effectively turn food into energy. A testosterone deficiency can interfere with this function and lead to weight gain. 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. So the lower your levels, the less likely you’ll be to get or keep an erection.

Testosterone helps to produce bone tissue and maintain bone volume. Low do testosterone pills really work can lead to a reduction in this volume, which can make the bones more susceptible to fractures. You should always talk to your doctor before starting any testosterone or related medications and supplements. They’ll be able to provide tests and make sure that there are no interactions with other medications you take. Doctors may prescribe a medication called Estratest in post-menopausal women.

See “Exogenous Androgens/Anabolic Steroids” section for more detailed information. While testosterone is necessary for producing sperm, Dr. Rogers says, external testosterone replacement will lower sperm counts. Low T affects 2 to 4 million men in the U.S., or 60% of men over age 65.

This might include additional blood tests, and sometimes imaging such as a pituitary MRI. Testosterone is a hormone responsible for many important functions, including bone and muscle development, emotional regulation, red blood cell production, sex drive, and sperm production. In people with testes, testosterone levels increase dramatically during puberty but gradually decrease in mid-adulthood as a part of the aging process. Testosterone levels decline on average about 1% a year after age 30.

However, a man’s PSA levels might increase during testosterone therapy, so it is important to monitor them. A urologist may also conduct a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test to check for signs of prostate cancer. He/she may also measure the red blood cells in the body (hematocrit) to keep a baseline record of red blood cell counts, because they can go up after taking testosterone.

Men are encouraged to discuss any heart concerns with their doctor. Depending on the cause of TD, there might be other medications a man can take to raise his testosterone levels. Some examples are aromatase inhibitors (AI), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM). Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a substance that brings oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Hemocrit refers to the percentage of red blood cells found in the blood. High levels of hemocrit could signal polycythemia – an increase in red blood cells that can lead to blood clots.

As such, identifying modifiable risk factors that may lead to hypogonadism should be an early step in patient evaluation as correction of many of the aforementioned conditions may mitigate the need for TRT. Patients with obesity, poorly controlled diabetes, or opioid usage should be counseled on weight loss, diet, exercise, and drug abuse before starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). While there is evidence that T may reduce HbA1C, lower BMI, and reduce waist circumference other studies have not shown any change in HbA1C with testosterone compared to placebo (39). Failure to recognise and treat men with hypogonadism may predispose them to long-term health problems, such as anaemia, osteoporosis, depression, or sexual dysfunction.