Low Testosterone in Men
The sex glands, or gonads, are responsible for the secretion of the many sex hormones that regulate things such as pubic hair growth, sperm development, libido, breast development, energy, and more.
Hypogonadism, or low testosterone in men, is a condition that primarily affects those over 40 and results in a drastic reduction of the production of hormones in the testes.
This condition is common in men over the age of 35 but is treatable with modern treatment methods that include Hormone Replacement Therapy.
There are two main types of Hypogonadism:
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Central Hypogonadism
Also known as secondary hypogonadism, this indirect process is a result of the hypothalamus not functioning properly.
The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain that initially triggers the release of chemicals by the gonads, and when the hypothalamus is not working properly, the gonads suffer. This type of hypogonadism can also be caused by the pituitary gland not functioning properly.
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Primary Hypogonadism
Primary is the most common form of hypogonadism resulting from the gonads not producing enough of the sex hormones as requested by the brain. This results in miscommunication within the body and leads to the body lacking hormonal stimulation where it is needed.
Symptoms of Hypogonadism
The symptoms of hypogonadism affect males and females differently. For males, symptoms include:
- Loss of body hair
- Muscle loss
- Abnormal breast growth
- Reduced penis and testicles growth
- Erectile dysfunction
- Osteoporosis (bone mass decrease)
- Low sex drive
- Infertility
- Fatigue
These symptoms can vary in severity, and if you experience them, you should contact your physician or a hormonal specialist as soon as possible.
What causes Hypogonadism?
Primary and secondary hypogonadism each has its own set of unique causes and risk factors. The primary condition is caused by:
- Severe infections
- Liver and kidney diseases
- Undescended testes
- Radiation exposure
- Surgery
- Genetic and autoimmune disorders
Secondary hypogonadism can be caused by similar factors, but since it is a process that occurs in the brain, it is negatively affected as the pituitary and hypothalamus are negatively affected. Rapid weight loss, tumors, and infections such as HIV are known to lead to this secondary condition.
Managing Hypogonadism
If you suspect you may have hypogonadism, your physician can conduct tests that can help you determine if you really are low on testosterone. This process involves blood tests to check your levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are reproductive hormones produced by the pituitary gland.
Males will begin testing by having testosterone levels tested. These tests are usually drawn in the morning, which is when your hormone levels are highest. For men, your doctor may also order a semen analysis to check your sperm count, as a lower-than-average sperm count is also a sign of hypogonadism.
In addition, higher iron levels can also hurt sex hormone function. For this reason, your doctor may test for anemia or iron deficiency. The most common route is for doctors to test multiple hormonal levels. Based on which hormones are reduced and which glands produce them, either primary or secondary hypogonadism can be identified as the culprit.
How Do Doctors Treat Low Testosterone?
You deserve to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle at any age! That includes both your physical as well as your mental health. But unfortunately, as men age, their levels of critical hormones like testosterone drop, which harm their ability to enjoy life.
Testosterone replacement therapy is the key to treating the symptoms of andropause and getting back what time and nature take away.
Hormone Logics has been successfully treating patients with age-related hormone loss with our unique hormone replacement therapies for men and women for many years.
Medical research has shown that testosterone replacement and/or HGH replacement therapy are extremely effective ways to treat age-related hormone decline. Hormone Logics’ HRT treatments for men and women have been proven to offer individuals between the ages of 35 and 65 a greatly improved quality of life.
Our medical director is Mazyar Rouhani, MD. Dr. Rouhani has long been a medical innovator. He is a co-founder of Symptify, an online symptom checker to better educate patients about their conditions. Recently, Dr. Rouhani has focused his endeavors on improving patients’ health using IV fluid hydration.
Using his medical expertise combined with his passion for optimizing each individual’s health and vitality, Dr. Rouhani combines his knowledge and expertise to provide an integrated approach to antiaging medicine to help his patients look and feel their best.
Before I came to hormone logics, my kids called me a ‘grumpy old man.’ But it was true. I just felt angry and irritable all the time, I hated it, but I just couldn’t do anything to snap myself out of it. Then I started feeling depressed on top of that, which was just making everything worse. A friend of mine who went through something similar suggested I contact Hormone Logics and get checked for Low-T. Man, am I glad I did! I have been on testosterone therapy for a few months now, and my kids say they’ve got their ‘fun dad’ back again, and my wife couldn’t be happier!”
Pauly R., Wellington, FL
Once you have been diagnosed or found to have a reduction in normal hormone levels/production, your doctor may opt to start you on a Hormone Replacement Therapy regimen. These therapies use bioidentical hormones
Hypogonadism is a disorder that can throw off your entire mood and motivation. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above and would like to learn a little bit more about the many life-changing benefits of testosterone therapy, schedule an appointment with one of our hormonal specialists today by calling (561) 640-3333!
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