Should men with symptoms of low testosterone but without hypogonadism be prescribed testosterone therapy?

Treatments

Sometimes multiple medications to increase endogenous testosterone production are used in combination. Of course, any time you combine medications you have higher costs, as well as increased potential for side effects. HCG has a mechanism of action similar to that of luteinizing hormone (LH). Like LH, HCG directly stimulates the Leydig cells of the testicles to make more testosterone. HCG is also more expensive and needs to be given by injection but has an advantage in men whose pituitary glands are not responding adequately to SERMs. The use of HCG is reviewed in detail in the “HCG” section of this website. Pellets and long-lasting injections may provide more stable testosterone levels over the long term, Dr. Rogers says, and can be more convenient than daily self-treatments.

Females may also experience specific low testosterone symptoms, such as the following. Testosterone helps stimulate the production of semen, and reduced semen levels can indicate a reduction in testosterone. Testosterone stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection. If levels of the hormone are too low, a man may not be able to get an erection. Low testosterone can lead to reduced levels of energy and fatigue.

Testosterone readings below the reference range on at least two different occasions, at least 4 weeks apart, are consistent with hypogonadism, but the underlying cause should then also be ascertained. In rare cases when neither therapy works, we can consider increasing the FSH level as well with injections of the FSH substitute hMG. According to the AUA, 7 in 10 people receiving treatment for low T are using TRT skin gels.

It stimulates the development of male characteristics and is using testosterone legal essential for sperm production (spermatogenesis). Levels of testosterone are naturally much higher in men than women. According to a study published in Clinical Endocrinology, the testosterone-level goal for men over 65 is approximately 350–450 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). If they do, lower testosterone levels may not be the only cause. For each year over age 30, the level of testosterone in men starts to slowly dip at a rate of around 1 percent per year.

The risks and benefits of taking testosterone for many years are not known, because large studies haven’t been completed, yet. Some researchers suggest there might be a higher risk of heart disease. A drop in testosterone doesn’t always interfere with sex, but it can make it more difficult for your brain and body to get aroused. Some men may notice a drop in libido, while others may lose interest in sex completely. Low testosterone can also make it tougher to get or keep an erection.

Additionally, the variability of sex hormone-binding globulin among men varies widely, and this influences total testosterone — but not free testosterone levels — greatly. Sometimes, men don’t produce enough testosterone (this is called hypogonadism or “low testosterone”). This may happen due to a congenital condition (something a man is born with), an injury, cancer treatment, or other reasons. In addition, men’s testosterone levels decline as they get older. If you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone such as low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, and fatigue, speak to your healthcare provider. Symptoms of low testosterone can impact people differently across their lifespan.

According to the American Urological Association (AUA), 4 in 10 males ages 45 years and older have low testosterone. The American Urology Association reports that low testosterone affects around 2 in every 100 men. The risk increases with age, though most people naturally lose testosterone as they get older. Rare genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, where males have an extra X chromosome, may also affect testosterone production. A doctor will typically only prescribe TRT if the person has several symptoms of low testosterone and blood test results that indicate a deficiency. Many people experience hair loss as a natural part of aging, and age-related hair loss can also affect anyone. Testosterone production can slow as a person ages, and many older people experience symptoms of low testosterone.

Feeling better starts with a conversation about your needs, goals, and lifestyle. Personalized care from a board-certified urologist or male fertility expert is the healthiest way to get there. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means you can’t verify what they’re made with or whether they’re safe, even if they come with a celebrity endorsement. Some testosterone supplements have been shown to cause health conditions such as erectile dysfunction and kidney failure. But we’re beginning to see more men in their 20s with low-T at the UT Southwestern male urology clinic. Sometimes low-T is caused by medical conditions, such as genetic diseases or past chemotherapy or radiation therapy. More often, symptoms can be linked to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, anxiety, or depression.