Treating low testosterone levels

Low Testosterone Male Hypogonadism UNC Mens Health Program

While changes to the lifestyle and diet alone may not raise levels sufficiently, they can often help. However, anyone who experiences one or more of the above symptoms should seek medical attention. A male with low testosterone may notice a reduction in the size of their testicles that is not related to cold temperatures.

However, the Testosterone Trials were designed to assess only effectiveness and not the risks of testosterone therapy, including prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease. TRT can significantly improve quality of life by alleviating symptoms of low testosterone. Benefits often include increased energy levels, improved mood, heightened libido, better erectile function, increased muscle mass, and decreased body fat. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to discuss the potential benefits and risks based on your specific health condition.

Any issue with your testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland can cause low testosterone (male hypogonadism). This could result from a combination of the irritability, decreased sex drive, and fatigue that can come with low testosterone. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not commonly caused by low testosterone production. In cases where ED accompanies lower testosterone production, hormone replacement therapy may help your ED. Production increases during puberty and starts to decrease after age 30.

Symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If any of these symptoms are bothering you, talk with your provider. Either type of hypogonadism can be caused by an inherited (congenital) trait or something that happens later in life (acquired), such as an injury or an infection.

TRT seems to be more effective in young men with very low testosterone levels. 1) Baseline hematocrit should be performed at the time of repeat blood work after a medication for increased endogenous testosterone replacement has been started (such as SERMs, anastrazole, or HCG). If it is normal at that time, then it is rechecked every six to twelve months while the patient is on the medication. Elevated testosterone levels can cause enlargement of the prostate in some men, especially as they get older.

For example, it is normal to feel less interested in sex as you get older. For couples who would like to keep their fertility options open, I do not recommend switching to exogenous androgen replacement. There is evidence that sperm quality does low tesostrone play a hole in sex drive not always rebound completely when men are on alternating cycles of exogenous and endogenous androgen replacement. Taking hormonal medication for just one or two months is not going to have a significant long-term impact on sperm quality.

However, a 2017 study on testosterone supplementation did not find memory improvements in 493 men with low testosterone levels who took testosterone or a placebo. Genetic variants that affect the Y chromosome and the sex hormone-binding globulin may result in a higher risk for low testosterone. SHBG is a protein that helps deliver testosterone to the body’s tissues. About 15% of men with fertility problems have low testosterone levels. The most common treatment is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In males, hypogonadism, a condition where the testicles produce little or no testosterone, may occur at any age. If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider are important.

If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with your physician are important. Low testosterone affects almost 40% of men over the age of 45. With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes. Younger women with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to go through menopause earlier in life. You can also ask about a referral to visit an endocrinologist or urologist who specializes in treating conditions like low testosterone.