March 7th, 2016
Testosterone is the key sex hormone that is responsible for primary and secondary sexual characteristics in males. According to careful estimates, approximately one-third men are believed to have low testosterone levels that may or may not be symptomatic. The clinical diagnosis of low testosterone levels is made if your serum levels drops below the normal T-concentration i.e. 300- 1000 ng/dL (1).
As discussed previously, low testosterone levels are not always symptomatic, which often delays the diagnosis. Most men seek medical help when low testosterone levels impair libido or sex drive. However, it is imperative to mention that chronic low testosterone levels impact almost all the biological tissues (from muscles to brain). Some notable symptoms include:
Low testosterone levels are not always due to physiological aging. Other notable causes include:
It is always a good idea to speak to a primary care provider in order to learn what is causing your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe and testosterone levels are significantly low, your doctor may consider hormone replacement therapy to address your symptoms. According to an observational study conducted by Molly M. Shores (4) and associates, it was concluded that testosterone replacement in men with clinically low T-levels can significantly reduce the mortality risk besides improving the quality of life.
In addition, you should consider the following to restore optimal hormonal balance:
1. Kenny, A. M., Prestwood, K. M., Gruman, C. A., Marcello, K. M., & Raisz, L. G. (2001). Effects of transdermal testosterone on bone and muscle in older men with low bioavailable testosterone levels. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 56(5), M266-M272.
2. Grossmann, M., Thomas, M. C., Panagiotopoulos, S., Sharpe, K., MacIsaac, R. J., Clarke, S., … & Jerums, G. (2008). Low testosterone levels are common and associated with insulin resistance in men with diabetes. The journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 93(5), 1834-1840.
3. Shores, M. M., Moceri, V. M., Sloan, K. L., & Kivlahan, D. R. (2005). Low testosterone levels predict incident depressive illness in older men: effects of age and medical morbidity. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 66(1), 1-478.
4. Shores, M. M., Smith, N. L., Forsberg, C. W., Anawalt, B. D., & Matsumoto, A. M. (2012). Testosterone treatment and mortality in men with low testosterone levels. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 97(6), 2050-2058.
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