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Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Low testosterone is also called testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism. Regular exercise reduces your risk of an abundance of health conditions and diseases. It could even help control sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It plays a significant role in the male body, and if levels drop below average, men can experience a wide variety of symptoms. Our urology team offers safe and effective treatments to help men with low testosterone levels. Our urologists can prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) through pills, shots, creams, or patches to increase the levels of testosterone in your body. Because testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, you may need several tests to get an accurate diagnosis.

Some people may also have something in their genetic makeup (their DNA) that interferes with their body’s ability to produce or process DHEA and DHEA-S. A carefully formulated TRT treatment plan should avoid many of these undesirable side effects. The two basic types of hypogonadism are primary and secondary hypogonadism.

Testosterone supplements are nutritional aids designed to support testosterone levels, whereas Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a medically supervised treatment for men diagnosed with low testosterone. TRT involves administering testosterone to restore healthy levels of the hormone and alleviate the symptoms of hypogonadism and is often necessary for those who have significantly low testosterone. Our physicians are experienced in treating the complete range of urologic conditions and diseases, from kidney stones and sexual dysfunction to prostate cancer, incontinence and infertility. What is normal for a 20-year-old is not the same normal as for a 60-year-old. Although low testosterone (“low T”) is a diagnosis being promoted by the makers of testosterone medications, it is not as simple as just prescribing hormone replacement. A clinician must also take care not to add testosterone too quickly without exploring other therapies first, because once external testosterone is given, it inhibits the body’s natural production of testosterone.

The effects — and what you can do about them — depend on the cause and at what point in your life male hypogonadism occurs. Some types of male hypogonadism can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy. In this screening thyroid binding globulin test, the doctor places a gloved finger in the rectum to palpate the prostate gland for any nodules or other abnormalities.

A variety of factors – from injury to obesity – can lead to low testosterone. Although testosterone therapy helps with hypogonadism, whether it helps in the reversal or slowing of normal effects of aging and lower testosterone levels is unclear. Several published research articles have conflicting results and more research is needed to make a final determination about the use of testosterone for healthy aging males. Testosterone preparations can reduce a man’s levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which triggers sperm production. Men who are hoping to become a father need to carefully consider the risks testosterone replacement therapy may present to fertility.

Low testosterone is diagnosed with a blood test to measure the amount of testosterone in the blood. It may take several measurements to determine if a patient has low testosterone as levels normally fluctuate throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning, near 8 a.m.

Read about our history and how we continue to serve the endocrine community. The AUA recommends that men who have had a cardiovascular event wait 3 to 6 months before starting TRT. Men should always have TRT under the care of a qualified medical professional. If necessary, estradiol and PSA levels will also be assessed periodically. Administered by a doctor, pellets are placed under the skin and gradually dissolve. Testosterone circulates in the bloodstream, and it is classified in two different ways. Free testosterone circulates on its own, not attached to another substance.

The method of administration will depend on the individual’s health profile and lifestyle, as well as the preference and guidance of the healthcare provider. Regular monitoring by a healthcare professional is essential to adjust dosages and ensure the therapy’s effectiveness while minimising side effects. If you suspect you’re dealing with such symptoms, the team at Arlington Family Practice in Arlington, Massachusetts, can test your testosterone levels and treat your symptoms. Read on to learn some of the common symptoms of low testosterone, which can improve significantly with proper treatment. It is important to distinguish between a normal decline of testosterone levels and hypogonadism. There have been concerns about testosterone therapy and cardiovascular events, like strokes, blood clots, and heart disease. However, it is not definitely known whether TRT raises or lowers risk of cardiovascular problems.

Some doctors may prescribe testosterone off-label to females to improve libido, but this use has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. In people with fertility problems, low testosterone may be a symptom of a testicular function issue causing infertility rather than a cause of infertility itself. A reduction in testosterone can lead to an increase in body fat.

Testosterone deficiency alone is generally not the cause of primary erectile dysfunction. However, low T levels and what it does to your sex drive can affect your ability to have or sustain an erection. Low testosterone (low T) occurs when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).