In the United States, millions of men suffer from low testosterone. Low Testosterone (Luteinizing hormone) production is responsible for a variety of male characteristics. It plays a key role in maintaining muscle mass, promoting sperm production, maintaining sexual health and assisting with the aging process. For men, it has been known for centuries that low levels of Testosterone are related to an increased risk of male pattern baldness.
How can you tell if you have a low testosterone level? There are many symptoms associated with this hormone, but only a few that will help you determine your condition. To start with, let’s look at some of the more obvious signs. Symptoms and signs of low testosterone usually include:
Change in sleep patterns – decreased sleep quality or interrupted sleep. If you notice decreased sleep or interrupted sleep, this is one of the first symptoms to manifest because of low testosterone levels. Also, the lack of sleep affects your hormone levels. As it is, Testosterone levels are crucial in maintaining healthy, functional levels of sperm production. A lessened ability to produce sperm cells will likely result in low testosterone levels as well.
Muscle weakness – When it comes to Testosterone levels, muscle strength and muscle size play an important role in a man’s overall health. Muscle strength helps maintain proper bone density and healthy joints. Muscle size also helps attract the opposite sex. It is no wonder then that a decreased testosterone level can result in decreased sexual drive and interest in sexual activities.
Mood Swings and Depression – Along with other symptoms, low testosterone levels can often lead to depression and mood swings. When your testosterone hormone levels are decreased, your mood will likely swing downward. There are other symptoms as well such as irritability, fatigue, loss of energy, depression, and decreased appetite. It is not uncommon for those with decreased testosterone levels to experience low energy levels which can cause one to feel uncomfortably tired.
A sexual dysfunction clinic in Cleveland treating ED, Low-T and PE in men may be the team to diagnose low testosterone or Hypogonadism if you have any of these symptoms. It is not uncommon for a physician to refer you to a sleep specialist to help treat your particular symptoms. In addition to treatment, your doctor may also prescribe testosterone injections to help restore your sex drive once it has declined. Be sure to discuss any and all of your treatment options with your doctor to make sure that you are getting the best treatment plan for your situation. Although testosterone replacement therapy is popular, it is not a cure for Hypogonadism and should be considered merely a part of your treatment regimen.
Many men suffer from low testosterone levels, which causes them to experience everything from lack of energy to erectile dysfunction. Fortunately, there are several treatments for low testosterone that are available these days. Read on to learn more about some of them.
Low testosterone production is usually treated using testosterone replacement therapy, which is given in a variety of ways: Intrauterine injections (into a particular muscle), usually every 12 to 18 months; topical creams that contain a mix of estrogen and progestin, usually on the buttocks, hips, and chest; testosterone patches, which must be applied to specific parts of the body every day; and oral supplements that contain both testosterone and iodine, infused into the body through the digestive system. Sometimes, however, the problem is more severe and medication needs to be taken beyond these treatment regimens. In such cases, a doctor might prescribe synthetic hormone hormones. These are much stronger than the regular forms and may lead to serious side effects, so that they should only be prescribed by experts if other methods have failed.
Another way to treat low testosterone levels is to use a medication called gonadotropin-releasing hormone or GnRH. This compound is released into the bloodstream after it is mixed with an enzyme that’s produced in the pituitary gland. After it enters the bloodstream, it triggers a release of testosterone, stimulating production of egg cells and the growth of muscles in the testicles.
Low testosterone helps bone mass because it helps bone cells produce the amount of osteocalcin, necessary for bone formation. Low testosterone also has a direct effect on the levels of vitamin D in your body. Deficiency in this vitamin can lead to weak bones and frequent fractures. Low testosterone helps you build new bone mass faster than a man whose estrogen levels are normal. It can even help you avoid the risk of developing osteoporosis.
Low levels of testosterone may also be linked to low levels of energy. This is likely to be one of the most common symptoms of low levels of testosterone. Men with insufficient testosterone often lack the energy to engage in physical activities. This can have serious implications both in the workplace and in your personal life. Energy levels depend not just on testosterone but on the other hormones produced by the testes as well as your pituitary gland.
Low levels of testosterone are strongly linked to body fat levels. When you have reduced levels of testosterone, your body fat is likely to increase. This is a very undesirable effect because increased body fat can lead not only to high body fat levels but also to decreased energy levels and even heart attack and stroke. Low levels of testosterone are strongly associated with many common diseases that plague men such as prostate cancer, heart disease and diabetes. As soon as your doctor finds out that your testosterone level is low you need to start exercising regularly, eating healthy foods and getting regular tests done to ensure that your hormone levels are always optimum.