Decreased Testosterone

There appears to be an epidemic of low testosterone. I have been seeing more and more male individuals with decreased testosterone levels, a condition called male hypogonadism. When testosterone levels are low, males are able to have indicators such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased libido, hot flashes as well as depression. Many men, nevertheless, have very no symptoms or subtle symptoms at all. Many men with lower testosterone feel fatigued and depressed but don’t have erectile dysfunction, hence they’re never checked for low testosterone.

Even in case you have normal erectile function, you are able to still have hypogonadism. In truth, I have seen that several of the patients of mine don’t complain of erectile dysfunction, but have deep fatigue or perhaps depression which is the result of lower testosterone. Whenever they carry testosterone replacement, the signs often get much better.

There’s a lot of causes for hypogonadism, and locating the cause is as essential as getting treated. The hypothalamus (part of the brain) as well as the pituitary gland control testosterone production from by the testicles, thus issues with pituitary gland or the brain is usually the principle source of issues.

In order to get an exact diagnosis, doctors commonly perform two rounds of testing. The first test is going to be to measure your testosterone level, that ought to be performed in the morning. Testosterone levels obviously fall in the afternoon, thus a quality which is reported as “low” may in fact be regular if it had been taken in the afternoon. Pituitary stress hormones, FSH and LH are measured in the second round of testing to determine if the cause is central (meaning main nervous system, pituitary gland) or hypothalamus or primary (meaning testicular failure). A second morning testosterone level must in addition be taken away to confirm the diagnosis. Some other tests also are done like the hormone prolactin as well as ferritin, an exam for excess iron. Iron overload, a disorder known as hemochromatosis happens in just one in 500 males and is a standard explanation for lower testosterone.

obesity and Excess fat is a source of low testosterone and is among the main reasons why there is a growing epidemic. Unwanted weight produces hormones as leptin and inflammation chemicals, referred to as cytokines, which try to lower testosterone levels. Having diabetes is as well a chances for having minimal testosterone, but very careful studies have shown that the link is through fat, not via elevated sugar levels. Inflammation chemicals have a suppressive effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, muting the hormones they produce, subsequently lowering testosterone levels. Many men with declining testosterone who are obese complain of swelling of the breasts, called gynecomastia. The issue is the fact that testosterone treatment is able to also cause breast swelling, so it will often be a no win scenario. But, not every person with hypogonadism from excess weight needs to take testosterone. In reality, being healthier and slimming down can help naturally boost testosterone without the demand for hormone replacement therapy.

You will find many additional triggers of declining testosterone, including testicular disaster or other testicular issues as well as contact with harmful substances. Alcohol is a known toxin on the testicle. BPA, a compound present in plastic can lead to low testosterone because it’s an endocrine disruptor that imitates the female hormone estrogen.

In case you’ve symptoms of hypogonadism, see the doctor of yours right away to get tested.