Low Testosterone Specialist

What is the role of testosterone in men?

Testosterone is generally well-known as the primary male sex hormone. This hormone triggers the growth of male reproductive organs during fetal development and causes physical changes in boys at puberty.

However, men need specific levels of testosterone throughout their lifetime to:

• Produce sperm
• Support their sex drive
• Maintain strong bones
• Build muscle mass and strength
• Produce red blood cells
• Grow facial and body hair
• Metabolize fat

When testosterone levels fall, it has a widespread impact on your health.

What causes low testosterone?

Low testosterone, called male hypogonadism, occurs when your testicles don't produce enough testosterone. Many health conditions can lead to low testosterone, including:

• Mumps during adolescence or adulthood
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Metabolic disorders
• Testicular injuries
• High blood levels of iron
• Cancer treatment
• Autoimmune diseases
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Obesity

As you get older, your testosterone levels naturally decline, dropping at the rate of up to 2% every year after the age of 30.

What symptoms indicate I have low testosterone?

Men with low testosterone experience symptoms such as:

• Low sex drive
• Low energy
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Decrease in beard and body hair
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Depression
• Fatigue

Low testosterone also increases your risk of developing chronic health conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.

Though low testosterone is often associated with erectile dysfunction, most men retain potency even with low testosterone levels.

How is low testosterone treated?

If your medical history, symptoms, and physical exam suggest low testosterone, your provider at Fort Wayne Endocrinology performs blood tests using their in-house lab. In addition to testing your testosterone levels, they check levels of other hormones that control testosterone production.

After determining your testosterone levels, he prescribes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical hormones have the same structure as the hormones your body produces. As a result, they function naturally inside your body and improve your health.

You can take testosterone in several different forms, including transdermal patches, injections, intranasal sprays, and implantable pellets. Though the best type differs for each person, pellets provide a steady amount of the hormone and last for several months.

If you have symptoms of low testosterone, don't wait to seek help and improve your health. Call Fort Wayne Endocrinology or book an appointment online today.