Testosterone is the key hormone in the development of many and masculine traits. The hormone is produced in the testicles, and lower levels can lead to the following problems.
- Reducing sexual function
- Slowing metabolism
- Hampering mental processes
- Harming the development of the body
Patients suffering from low testosterone levels or low-T have a blood level lower than normal, thanks to the hormone not being produced in sufficient amounts in the testicles.
This reduced hormone production is known as hypogonadism and is a problem that can occur at any time throughout a man’s life. The symptoms of this affliction can vary depending on the stage in the man’s life that the condition occurs. It can happen as a result of injury or infection to the area where this hormone is produced.
There are also other causes of hypogonadism. This includes issues with the pituitary gland, preventing signals from being sent around the body to stimulate the production of testosterone.
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Influence Testosterone has on Vitality and Development
It is normally expected that testosterone levels start to rise during puberty. Increasing to of peak at around the age of 30, with testosterone levels gradually declining from there. Sometimes this can mean that by the time a man reaches 70 or above, their testosterone levels can drop below the normal range expected.
In the womb, testosterone has a lot of influence on the development of the fetus and the sex organs. Low testosterone during this stage of development can lead to the underdevelopment of male genitalia or to the development of female genitalia. Low levels of testosterone during puberty can halt the process of development in this important stage.
In adult males, low levels of testosterone negatively affect fertility, reduce energy levels, bone strength, and also impacts sex drive. Sometimes, however, a patient with low levels of testosterone might not notice any significant symptoms.
Other Potential Reasons for Low Testosterone
There are a few more additional reasons that can cause low testosterone. These include imbalances in hormone levels, cancer, cancer treatments, infections, diabetes, chronic alcohol use, liver disease, HIV and AIDS, and injuries to the testicles.
On top of these causes, drug treatments can also reduce testosterone levels. Steroids can do this as can drugs like digoxin and spironolactone.
To prevent a delay in puberty, it is important to detect hypogonadism early on. Correctly diagnosing and then successfully treating lower levels of testosterone can prevent serious conditions developing later on like osteoporosis. Successful treatment also helps reduce loss of strength in men in later life.
In patients that have symptoms that could indicate low levels of testosterone, testing is straight forwards. The problem can be discovered using common blood tests several times to indicate a pattern.
Testosterone Treatment Options
If low testosterone is diagnosed, the underlying cause of the problem needs to be found and addressed. Whether this is obesity, infection, or some other cause, steps need to be taken to treat the underlying issue.
Along with treating the cause, testosterone replacement therapy can be used to increase hormone levels. Though, since testosterone replacement therapy can have an adverse effect on sperm production, they shouldn’t be prescribed to a patient who is trying to conceive.
New testosterone medications have been developed and are now approved by the FDA for particular conditions that cause lower levels of testosterone. These oral medications are available for people suffering from pituitary tumors or Klinefelter syndrome.
However, these treatments are not suitable for low testosterone sufferers where it has been caused by the aging process. Though there are many other treatment options available for people who fall into that category.
Testosterone can be given to the patient every couple of weeks via injection. Skin patches, gels, and solutions are also available that can be applied to the skin every day as prescribed.
Testosterone can be administered using tablets. One such type of treatment is known as a buccal tablet. This tablet is pushed under the lip next to the gum and releases testosterone gradually over a 12 hour period. Under skin implants can also slowly release testosterone over a period of between 3 and 6 months.
If you are looking to purchase testosterone replacement therapy treatments online, there are many options available to get cheaper meds. However, some of these sources might not be reputable and might not sell you what you expect. To ensure that you get a safe and reliable service, you should always check online pharmacy reviews 2021. The results you get from this should protect you from making a costly mistake, and we’re not only talking financially.
Benefits and Side Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
There are a few recognized side effects of testosterone replacement therapy. This can include things like acne, increased red blood cell creation, an enlarged prostate, and enlarged breasts. For these reasons, men suffering from breast cancer should not receive testosterone replacement therapy. The same applies to men suffering from prostate cancer, as it could worsen their cancer diagnosis.
While there is no clinical evidence that testosterone replacement therapies produce benefits for men with normal testosterone levels, there are certainly many anecdotal examples and proponents of this treatment.
If you are choosing to take this path when you have normal testosterone levels, you need to understand the risks involved. But if you still decide to go ahead, you should make sure that you check pharmacy reviews 2021 for the latest information on which online sources of medication you can trust.
There is also the option of herbal testosterone supplements and other similar stimulants that have found their way onto the market in recent years. Though these types of products have not been studied and so the effects are not fully understood. They might work as described or they might not, and there could be other problems with these types of treatments.
If the cause of hormone decline is advancing years, the decision to boost hormone levels using testosterone replacement therapy or other treatments has to be taken on an individual basis. Despite the side effects, increasing testosterone levels to within normal ranges will boost energy and help the other problems associated with this condition.
