Details About low testosterone About The Usa

There is a good reason men go girl-crazy in their teens and anonymous twenties: Their testosterone levels are at their peak. From that see page point, however, testosterone levels gradually decrease. additional hints

"After age 30, most men begin to experience a gradual decline in testosterone," states David Samadi, MD, chairman of the urology department at Lenox Hill Hospital in nyc.

Though testosterone levels never reach zero (as estrogen levels do in women during menopause), low testosterone levels men to experience symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and reduction of muscle mass.

While reduced testosterone is more prevalent in older men, it may occur in younger men as well. Luckily, all the causes of low testosterone in young men are treatable, so if you encounter these symptoms at any age, there is no reason to ignore it.


For younger men, a drop in testosterone levels may be brought on by some ailments, such as type 2 diabetes, diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease, COPD or other lung disorder, or adrenal gland problems, according to Dr. Samadi.

Genetic causes of low testosterone in men include the diseases Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Myotonic dystrophy. Another disorder that can result in low testosterone is hemochromatosis, which makes the body store too much iron.

"Low testosterone can also result when something happens, like trauma or steroid use, that prevents the testes from making the hormone," says Bruce Gilbert, MD, PhD, an adjunct clinical professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and director of reproductive and reproductive medicine at the Smith Institute for Urology of their North Shore-LIJ Health System.

Other causes of low testosterone in males younger than 50 contain adrenal gland tumors, HIV disease, and radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer.

Doctors categorize causes of low testosterone as primary or secondary.

"Primary hypogonadism stems from a problem in the testicles," Samadi states.

Is It Low Testosterone?

Regardless of the reason, low testosterone symptoms are the same.

"Symptoms include low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased mental acuity and moodiness," Dr. Gilbert states.

"Younger men with low testosterone usually come to me and say, ‘I can't work out like I used to, and I've lost interest in sex.' ”

If you suspect low testosterone, the first step is to see your primary care physician. Your doctor can diagnose low testosterone with a blood test.

If your blood test reveals low testosterone (usually defined as a level lower than 300 ng/dL), the doctor may treat you or refer you to a specialist, such as an urologist or endocrinologist.

Treatments for Low Testosterone in Younger Men

Not everyone with low testosterone needs treatment. "When it comes to treating low testosterone in older men, we usually reserve treatment for those who have symptoms, such as fatigue and low libido," Gilbert says.

Such testosterone supplements come in the form of a gel, injections, patches, long-acting pellets, or oral inserts.

In these circumstances,"therapies are often used only in the brief term, and when a physician has close observation and knowledge of the patient," Gilbert says.

An important consideration for younger men before getting treatment is fertility. "You don't wish to offer supplemental testosterone to guys who want to be fertile because it can turn off sperm production," Gilbert says.

Once a young man goes off testosterone supplementation, there's a chance his sperm count will never return to what it was before he started. "Hence, men of reproductive age should think about alternatives that might increase their testosterone in addition to maintain their sperm production," he states. One such alternative is a category of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Other treatments for low testosterone include weight loss and other lifestyle modifications, such as eating healthier and increasing exercise.

The bottom line, however, is that if you've got low testosterone symptoms, then it's important to see your physician. Then, your doctor can rule out more significant causes of your symptoms, such as high blood pressure or a thyroid problem, and offer treatment that can enhance your energy and high quality of life.

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