Men: Are You Struggling With Low Testosterone?
If you're a man in middle age or older, are you feeling tired during the day? Do you notice that spare tire around your middle growing? Is your sex drive dropping? You may assume these are inevitable signs of aging -- or, if you're a thyroid patient, you may assume these are related to your thyroid disease. But what most men over 40 don't know is that all of these symptoms could also indicate an often treatable clinical deficiency defined by abnormally low levels of testosterone. Find out what low testosterone could mean for you, and how to treat it.
"Low testosterone is potentially the hidden link between men's health and serious medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and depression," says Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research. "Millions of American men experience it, but most don't realize the difference between a natural decline in testosterone production and low testosterone, which constitutes a genuine medical concern."
Highlights from the latest national study on low testosterone sponsored by the Alliance for Aging Research are alarming. One-third of American men over the age of 39 report two or more symptoms of low testosterone, including decreased energy, low libido, reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, weaker bones and mood swings.
Low testosterone can be diagnosed with a blood test, but according to this latest study by Harris Interactive, 77 percent of American men over the age of 39 have not been tested by their doctors for low testosterone and 95 percent of men with multiple symptoms said their doctors did not mention low testosterone as a possible cause.
This year's study supports findings from a 1998 survey of 1,000 men by Roper Starch Worldwide that found 68 percent of participants could not name a symptom or condition associated with low testosterone.
"Men should be aware that symptoms of diminished sex drive, erectile dysfunction, increased fatigue, depressed mood and diminished strength or muscle bulk may be due to low testosterone and may be treatable," said Dr. Abraham Morgentaler of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "An important step is for men to discuss this possibility with their doctor, get tested and consider treatment if their testosterone levels turn out to be low."
It is estimated that 4 to 5 million American men have abnormally low levels of testosterone, but only 5 percent of those men are currently receiving treatment, such as testosterone replacement therapy.
Note: Some experts suggest that men with thyroid conditions, especially hypothyroidism, are at greater risk of low testosterone.
Source: NAPSI
Comments
It’s great to see some attention to male health issues on this site! Please keep it up!
This article really spoke to me. I’m a 44-year-old male with hypothyroidism. A year ago, I was *greatly* helped by the move from Synthroid to Armour Thyroid. But I wasn’t 100%. It’s when my low testosterone was treated that I felt I was All There. Thanks for the attention to this issue. Get your Testosterone checked!
In our society, Testosterone replacements were meant only for sissys and are taken on the sly or by men wanting bulging muscles. The average family man was never prescribed it saying the ’symptoms were in the head,. I am glad you have brought it into the open.
I found this enlightening, and hope to find out more – it’s a cause I’ve never given thought to, since I’d assumed my celibacy had induced a low libido. Perhaps not, after all! I’d be interested to know what treatments are available, including alternative/complementary treatments – can testosterone be boosted naturally and not through conventional medicine and drugs?
At 68, I was pleased to see the article on testosterone but given no answers except getting it tested? How about sugestions on raising it ourselves? Oft times MDs are the last to know. I am moving forward in spite of my Dr’s slowness. My thyroid and diabetic tests are good.
Getting a testosterone test showed my levels were low. My energy is back and I feel much better. I have a good Doc who suggested this test that I had never even heard of.
This is all fine, but if the medical moron, attests to you, that you are within ‘parameters’; despite years of telling them that ‘blue moves’ a nice leg or body does nothing for you and you are a severe hypothyroid. First get the moron to admit you are Hypothyroid – blood test are expletetive deletive useless in the wrong wrong hands they provide and excuse for doing b**ger all.
The N.H.S is manned by such as above, I do not think the ‘private’ medicine of the U.S. or other realms is much better.
If a mechanic/grease monkey does not repair your vehicle correctly you can take legal action – try that with a ‘Human Mechanic’ friends.
Jud
It’s also true that women can be low in testosterone and need replacement. It’s extremely difficult to find a doctor who knows anything about this. It has to be compounded at a tiny dose compared to men, but that tiny dose also gives us back our sex drive, energy level, etc., and by the way, guys, it works GREAT! Please do be tested-it can mean the world to you!!! And of course that makes us women much happier too!!
OK my testosterone is very very low. But my drive is ok. My energy is low and even when I work out the muscle mass stays for a short time. I think that I would like to have my enertgy and concentration back. But Im worried about the side effects.
I am 61 years old. My sex drive was always rampant until 18 months ago. I asked my MD, who sent me for testosterone testing. Results showed I was in the very low end of “so-called” normal range. Yet my MD refuses to prescribe testosterone or the testosterone patch because my thyroid levels do not indicate hypothyroid. He thinks that since 175mcg of Synthroid keeps me in “normal” range, that such should also be enough to handle any sex drive issues. Now, after begging for some help 3 times, I’m ready to change doctors. Or better yet…does anyone have ideas of alternative (meaning, other-than-MDs) types of practitioners for help with low testosterone and low sex drive? Honestly, I feel like half the male I was 2 years ago. The drop of sex drive to a male is often devastating to self esteem. And I am also worried about… what kind of side effects are there to deal with if taking testosterone replacement?
Good advice and artlicle BUT where’s the solution. There has to be a holistic action course one can use to help with this condition. Beyond the obvious losing watch and some sensible exercise, this article falls short in the followup department.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. They gave me Synthroid and later Cytomel to try and control it. It brought my TSH down from 34 to 5. Still didn’t feel great. When I started taking Testosterone my TSH level fell to
I am a 37 yrs male and was diagnoised hypothyroid about 6 months ago. I am on Synthroid .5mcg. After starting Synthroid with in 3 – 4 months I started to feel low libido. So I went back to my Endocrinologist and the blood test showed low Testosterone. My doctor put me on Synthroid .75mcg now and I am still waiting to find out if my Testosteone levels are back up or not yet. You always need to have a second opinion with another doctor before you see things starting to go wrong.
I’m 45 years old and was just diagnosed with low T. I hate life, sad and depressed all the time and can barely get out of bed in the morning. My wonderful girlfriend was a bother and annoying not to mention I could care less about her problems. The sweating, all of it was horrible. Debilatating in fact. I started Andrgel and it felt like taking your first Percocet! Life is worth living now. I love to wake up in the morning now, my sex drive is on turbo and you can’t stop me. Men, get your T levels checked if your having ANY problems. If you don’t, you’ll lose everything.