Testosterone: How low is too low?

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Men with low levels of the male hormone testosterone have problems with erections, are weaker and more easily fatigued than men with normal levels of testosterone.  However, these symptoms are also part of the normal aging process.  So how do you know if your symptoms are due to low testosterone or are just related to getting older?

Many are unaware of this fact but, at the age of 35 men begin losing their testosterone about 1% every year, by the time you get to your 50’s you will start to have:

  1. Low libido
  2. Feeling tired
  3. Memory loss
  4. You don’t want to socialize

 

Bringing all these issues to the attention of your doctor he/she might prescribe any number of testosterone treatments which may come in the form of:

  1. Gel
  2. Injections
  3. Patch

However, prior to starting any testosterone therapy make sure you set an appointment to speak with a urologist. The urologist will test your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) to ensure you’re within normal levels, check your prostate size, and testosterone levels. Testosterone is typically checked early in the morning due to circadian rhythm which means, your testosterone is typically lower in the afternoon and higher in the morning. A normal testosterone level is anywhere between 300 – 1000 ng/dl.

 

What does this mean?

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, you should discuss this with your doctor.  He/she will likely do a blood test to see if your testosterone levels are the cause of the symptoms.  Even if your testosterone is normal, men with sexual difficulty have been found to have other problems, including heart disease.  So either way, it’s good to let your doctor know

Some of the possible causes of low testosterone, especially in younger men, include both chronic disease and different types of therapies.   Here are some of these most common causes:

•                          Type 2 diabetes

•                          Chronic illness such as: Liver, kidney disease or COPD/ lung disease

•                          Pituitary gland problems

•                          Testicle injuries

•                          Anabolic steroidshort

•                          Radiation therapy or chemotherapy

Many men are hesitant to see their doctor for symptoms of low testosterone. But it is important to see your doctor in order to get an accurate diagnosis.  Your decreased sex drive, or increased waistline may stem from a much more serious problem. Many men don’t want to go to the doctor because they are embarrassed, but the answer could be as simple as a lifestyle change.  Alternatively if low testosterone is stemming from a testicular or pituitary problem, then this too can be treated accordingly.