The Link Between Low Testosterone and Cognitive Decline

When most people think about low testosterone (low T), they picture symptoms like diminished libido or the loss of muscle mass. A growing body of evidence says that decreasing testosterone levels can have an impact on the way you think as much as the way you look and feel. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to sit idly by as your testosterone levels drop 1–2% each year.  Ashok Kadambi, MD, FACE, specializes in diagnosing and treating low testosterone. At Fort Wayne Endocrinology, he and our team can evaluate your hormone levels and determine if you would benefit from increased testosterone through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. 

The link between testosterone and your brain

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, studies began to reveal the link between testosterone levels and cognitive function. A general trend emerged: Higher testosterone levels often correlated with better cognitive performance, and low testosterone was linked to brain issues, like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Ongoing research continues to validate these findings. 

It makes sense because your brain has androgen receptors, and testosterone is an androgen. Researchers now acknowledge that testosterone may protect your brain, supporting nerve cell health. 

In understanding this, you can be aware of changes in the way you think as you age. If you’re dealing with brain fog or memory problems, don’t dismiss them as a typical part of aging. It could be a sign of low testosterone. 

Other signs of low testosterone

To help you determine if your testosterone levels are to blame for your cognitive changes, it’s beneficial to know what else low T can cause. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Low libido
• Loss of muscle mass
• A decreasing amount of body and facial hair
• Weight gain
• Low mood

If these symptoms sound familiar, do not hesitate to discuss them with Dr. Kadambi. He can help replenish your testosterone levels to minimize these unwanted changes.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for low T

At our office, Dr. Kadambi uses diagnostic tools like a physical exam, blood tests, and a review of your medical history to determine if you have low testosterone levels. 

If you do, he tailors bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to meet your needs, which introduces testosterone that’s chemically identical to what your body makes. The delivery method could be:

• An intranasal spray
• Injections
• Tiny implantable pellets
• Transdermal patches

Dr. Kadambi helps you determine the correct amount and application of testosterone for your specific body. 

If you want to offset the unwelcome mental and physical symptoms that come with decreasing testosterone levels, make an appointment with our team. Book your visit online or call our office in Fort Wayne, Indiana, today.