Why Get Tested for Low Testosterone? – the Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance and Health Consideration

man from Denver responding to male hormone replacement therapy

Testosterone is the male hormone responsible for the health and the proper functioning of numerous organs in the body, including the reproductive organs and for the development of numerous primary and secondary sexual characteristics – if you suspect that your health issues can be caused by the low level of testosterone in your body, but you would like to find out more about the symptoms before you contact a specialist  in low T Denver, here are a few details to tell you why get tested for low testosterone.

The Role of Testosterone in the Male Body

Testosterone is secreted by the testicles and it plays an essential role in the development of the male sexual organs. It is also the hormone that is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as strong body hair, increased muscle mass, bone density and muscle strength. In adulthood, testosterone is responsible for normal sperm count and sperm development and the healthy functioning of the prostate.

Symptoms that Indicate Testosterone Deficiency

While fluctuations in testosterone levels throughout life are considered to be normal (according to medical statistics, the level of testosterone in the male body decreases by 1% each year after the age of 40), there are numerous symptoms that, if they persist, can indicate underactive testicles and testosterone levels that are too low:

  • Erectile problems,
  • Decreased libido,
  • Loss of facial hair, of body hair,
  • Loss of body height,
  • Low sperm count or reduced sperm motility that can lead to the inability to conceive a child,
  • Fatigue and weakness,
  • Sudden, often unjustified mood changes that are not related to stressful situations or to the events that take place during the day,
  • Unjustified weight changes – weight gain or weight loss that are not related to changes in lifestyle and diet,
  • Male gynecomastia – the abnormal increase in the size of the breast tissue.

Low testosterone levels are also linked to the risk of developing heart diseases and they are known to influence male longevity as well – men with consistently low levels of testosterone have a shorter life expectancy than men with normal levels of the hormone.

Testing and Treatment Options for Low Testosterone

Testosterone levels are measured from the blood. If the results show a testosterone deficiency, the doctor will determine the best course of testosterone supplementation treatment. The most efficient options are the ones that deliver the active ingredient directly into the blood stream, such as the administration of testosterone in the form of external gels or creams, treatment with injections, skin patches or mouth patches that deliver testosterone. Oral testosterone, administered in the form of capsules or tablets is also available, but when ingested, the hormone supplement passes through the digestive tract, where it becomes partially decomposed – a process that decreases the efficiency of the treatment and burdens the liver.

Healthy testosterone levels are directly connected to the health of many organs in the male body, so the best answer to why get tested for low testosterone is this: because testing can help your doctor identify the cause to your problems and restoring the hormonal balance in your body is the way to restore your overall health and well-being