Low Testosterone: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Visual Guide to Low Testosterone

The recommendation is to treat or not treat based on sometimes very small differences in a test that doesn’t reflect what foods build your testosterone (www.ananzi.co.za) we’re dealing with at all. Kevin M. Pantalone, DO, ECNU, FACE, is a staff endocrinologist and director of clinical research in the department of endocrinology at Cleveland Clinic. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. If you’ve already been diagnosed with low testosterone, simply email us at [email protected]. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! If you are worried about low testosterone, consult an expert.

Females may also have low testosterone, especially as they age. However, there are no conclusive guidelines on what should be considered “low” testosterone levels in females. I’d encourage all men to a see a doctor if they think they may have low T symptoms. This is a real medical issue that can safely be helped by a primary care physician, an endocrinologist or a urology provider to improve quality of life.

They may also recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions. Studies show that low testosterone levels in males have an association with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes. Testosterone production generally begins to decrease after the age of 30 and after menopause. However, younger people may also have low testosterone levels. Studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can improve erectile function in people with mild erectile dysfunction. Doctors may have difficulty detecting low testosterone levels in women because their hormone levels constantly fluctuate on a daily basis. If a woman still has her period, she should ideally take the blood testosterone test about 8 to 20 days after her menstrual period starts.

Fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland combine with sperm to make semen. A better combination in terms of T production is combining anastrazole with either SERMs or HCG. Since anastrazole works in a completely different manner than SERMs or HCG, it can complement their effect on testosterone production while also keeping estradiol levels from getting too high.

Although there is no universal laboratory definition of hypogonadism, in most laboratory reference ranges, the lower limit of normal is between 250 and 350 ng per dL (8.7 to 12.2 nmol per L). Low testosterone, otherwise known as hypogonadism, is a condition which affects many men as they age. Testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and testes of males. The release of testosterone is regulated by the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary glands). Testosterone is a sex hormone essential for boys during puberty for development. Testosterone allows for the development of male physical features and sexual function.

Regaining fertility is not guaranteed, but it is possible for some patients depending on their age and duration of testosterone use. The first step is to end any testosterone therapy and get baseline lab tests to know where your levels truly are. Often, we find that the patient’s LH production has been suppressed. If you have low blood levels of testosterone AND symptoms that affect your daily life, your doctor may suggest taking supplemental testosterone. You may want to see a specialist to discuss the risks and possible benefits of treatment. Look for a urologist or an endocrinologist, a doctor who treats hormone problems. The body requires testosterone to develop the penis and testicles.

LH stimulates testosterone production from the interstitial Leydig cells of the testes. This is required for male internal and external reproductive organ development and later differentiation of secondary human sexual characteristics. FSH, in turn, sustains testicular function via Sertoli cells through spermatogenesis (12). Your doctor will also use a blood test to check your PSA levels.

Many men experience symptoms of low testosterone, but it is easy to pass these symptoms off as another health condition or even just blame them on the natural process of aging. But the truth is low testosterone levels can result in symptoms that just shouldn’t be ignored. While the precise correlation isn’t understood, low testosterone is linked with causing and worsening depression, anxiety, and irritability. Other effects of low testosterone levels, such as sexual dysfunction and tiredness, can worsen these issues. Currently, there is no evidence that testosterone levels increase when women exercise.