20 Sep Hypogonadism is low testosterone. Do you have low-T?

Some men have a true testosterone deficiency, called male hypogonadism. This is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. It may be caused by problems in the:

testicles
hypothalamus
pituitary gland

Men who are at risk include those who have had an injury to the testicles and have HIV/AIDS. If you’ve gone through chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or had undescended testicles as an infant you are also considered at risk for hypogonadism.

Symptoms of male hypogonadism in adulthood include:

erectile dysfunction
decrease in muscle mass
infertility
loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)
decrease in beard and body hair growth
development of breast tissue
fatigue
difficulty concentrating
decreased sex drive

Treatments for male hypogonadism

Doctors can determine if you have male hypogonadism through physical exams and blood tests. If low testosterone levels are detected, your doctors may perform additional tests to determine the cause.

Treatment typically includes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in the form of:

injections
patches
gels

Who is it for?

TRT for healthy men?

Many men experience changes as they age that are similar to the symptoms of hypogonadism. But their symptoms may not be related to any disease or injury. Some are considered a normal part of aging, such as:

changes in sleep patterns and sexual function
increased body fat
reduced muscle
decreased motivation or self-confidence

The Mayo Clinic reports that TRT can help men with hypogonadism. The results are not as clear with men who have normal levels of testosterone or older men with decreasing testosterone levels, which is a normal part of aging. More rigorous studies are needed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

One study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that testosterone combined with Viagra in otherwise healthy men worked no better than a placebo in improving erectile dysfunction.

Risk factors

While there may be some risks to TRT, there are risks to low testosterone levels as well. These include a higher risk of:

stroke
heart attack
hip fracture

If you have male hypogonadism or a low testosterone level, talk with the NPs/Doctors at VIP Quick Care about whether TRT may be a good option for you. Discuss the risks and benefits of TRT in your case. Make the decision you feel is best for you. VIP Quick Care can help you make a more informed decision. There is no appointment neccessary and ussually only a 10-15 minute waiting room time. VIP Live Better, Look Better, Feel Better.