Testosterone deficiency - Restorative Health Center

What is Testosterone Deficiency?

Testosterone deficiency, also known as low T, is a condition where the body does not produce enough of the hormone testosterone. This is a common issue that affects millions of men worldwide. Some key signs and symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Decreased sex drive - Men may experience a lack of interest in sex or have difficulty getting or maintaining erections.
• Fatigue - Low energy and exhaustion are common with testosterone deficiency. Daily tasks may become more challenging.
• Loss of muscle mass - Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass. Low levels can lead to decreases in strength and muscle tone.
• Increased body fat - Particularly around the waist and midsection. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are common complaints.
• Hair loss - Testosterone plays a role in hair growth on the scalp and body. Men may notice thinning hair or baldness.
• Mood changes - Irritability, depression, and lack of focus can occur with low testosterone. There may be difficulty concentrating.
• Low sex drive - Reduced sexual desire, fewer spontaneous erections, and erectile dysfunction are symptoms.
• Sleep disturbances - Poor sleep quality and insomnia tend to accompany low T. Men may wake frequently during the night.
• Reduced bone density - Low levels are linked to osteopenia and osteoporosis. This raises fracture risk.

What Causes Testosterone Deficiency?

There are several potential causes of low testosterone:

Cause	Description
Aging	Testosterone production peaks in early adulthood then gradually declines with age. Deficiency is common in older men.
Injury or infection	Trauma, surgery, or diseases affecting the testes can impair testosterone synthesis.
Medications	Opioid pain medicines, steroids, and treatments for prostate cancer block testosterone.
Obesity	Being significantly overweight has been associated with low testosterone.
Chronic illness	Certain diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and HIV/AIDS are linked to hypogonadism.
Congenital defects	Genetic abnormalities present at birth involving the testes may affect testosterone levels.

How is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?

If you are experiencing potential symptoms, see your doctor. They can do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. A simple blood test can measure your total testosterone levels. Normal range is generally 300-1000 ng/dL for adult males, but optimal levels are between 500-800 ng/dL. Your doctor may examine related hormones like estradiol too. Further testing can help pinpoint the root cause in cases of secondary hypogonadism.

What are the Treatment Options?

The good news is that testosterone deficiency is highly treatable! Treatment aims to relieve symptoms by restoring testosterone levels. Options may include:

Treatment	Description
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)	This involves prescribing testosterone directly, via injections, gels, patches or pellets. It is an effective treatment for most men.
Lifestyle changes	Losing weight, exercising, minimizing stress, and improving sleep hygiene may help boost natural testosterone.
Treating underlying health conditions	Managing illnesses or reducing medications causing low T can improve levels.
Restorative Health Center	Our experienced physicians specialize in precision testosterone therapies to get your levels optimized and symptoms relieved.

Conclusion

The good news is testosterone deficiency is treatable. If you're experiencing potential symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting tested. There are various treatment options available to help restore your testosterone levels and vitality! Don't continue suffering in silence - seeking treatment can truly help you feel like yourself again.