Low Testosterone Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Low Testosterone Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Males may experience specific symptoms of low testosterone levels. Authors of an older study from 2012 found that testosterone implants supported hair regrowth in some women receiving treatment for symptoms of sex hormone deficiency. 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. Your provider will likely have you get a blood test to check your testosterone level. These include medicine side effects, thyroid problems, or depression.

However, continuous bouts of malaise may be due to low testosterone levels. Low-T clinics typically don’t screen for serious health conditions that can affect testosterone production. For example, patients may need bloodwork to measure prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland that, in high levels, can be a sign of a pituitary tumor.

Around the age of 30, men’s T levels start to dwindle by about 1 percent a year. But for some men, that drop is more of a cliff dive than a steady downhill. Declining levels of testosterone can bring on a host of symptoms that can make you feel downright lousy. Symptoms of low testosterone in men can range from weight gain and erectile dysfunction to mood shifts and cognitive problems.

Ambiguous genitalia, micropenis, and bilateral cryptorchidism are all signs of testosterone deficiency in pre-pubertal males. Karyotype testing should be performed in young adults to rule out conditions such as Turner and Klinefelter syndromes, which can result in testosterone deficiency. But we’re beginning to see more men in their 20s with low-T at the UT Southwestern male urology clinic. 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. Most men respond very favorably to testosterone replacement therapy and report feeling better all-round! We prescribe low doses of testosterone as a transdermal cream (which is more convenient than pellets or injections) to restore an individual’s physiological levels.

This broad picture sets the stage for understanding the effects of testosterone on the male body and the potential implications of its deficiency. Each professional should possess the necessary skills for assessing, diagnosing, and managing male hypogonadism. This includes competence fittest girl in the world (emotionsclinic.com) interpreting testosterone levels, recognizing symptoms, and understanding the complexities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. All interprofessional team members must understand the risks, benefits, and contraindications of testosterone therapy. Clinicians participating in this activity can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of male hypogonadism. Participants learn to recognize key symptoms and appreciate evaluation and management strategies, including patient selection for screening.

It’s also responsible for the development of the reproductive system and its function. We provide thorough guidance for self-administering HCG if it’s prescribed, ensuring men can confidently manage their treatment from home. Side effects are rare but may include mild headaches, irritability, or fatigue. It’s also essential to avoid HCG if you have certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or asthma. While hair loss can happen for many reasons, low T is sometimes a factor. A drop in testosterone can lead to thinning hair on your body, face, and scalp.

These changes are also linked to an increased risk of stigma, both real and perceived, particularly when hypogonadism occurs at an early age. In-home testosterone tests are available online and in many drugstores. But, they may be unreliable, especially when testosterone levels are low. By age 65, over 60% of men have testosterone levels well below those seen in men ages 30 to 35. Not only does this change in physical appearance cause low self esteem, weight gain and decreased fitness levels due to low testosterone, there are also physical repercussions.

With a proper diagnosis, you can explore ways to raise your testosterone levels, including lifestyle changes and hormone replacement therapy. Some patients have come to us from low-T clinics with testosterone levels as high as 3,000. That’s unnecessary, and so much chemical modification increases the risk of enlarged prostate or increases the risk of prostate cancer. Even safe and moderate testosterone therapy bears a slightly increased risk. Testosterone is a hormone that can affect appearance and sexual development, stimulate sperm production and sex drive, and help build muscle and bone mass.