If you watch television, chances are you’ve seen commercials for the treatment of “Low T.” Although you may know the term “Low T” stands for “low testosterone,” what is Low T exactly? What are the symptoms? And, what can you do about it?
Testosterone has several functions in the male body.
Overview of Low Testosterone
Testosterone (androgen) is the male hormone, produced primarily in the testes. Testosterone has numerous functions in the body, including:
- Promoting your sex drive
- Stimulating sperm production
- Increasing muscle mass and strength
- Maintaining bone strength
- Regulating your moods
Your brain works in conjunction with your testicles to keep your testosterone levels within a normal range. When these levels dip below normal, the brain tells your testicles to make more testosterone. It’s normal for a man’s testosterone levels to decrease as they age. Known as andropause or male menopause, most men aren’t negatively affected by this slight drop in testosterone levels. However, for some Low T can result in significant problems.
Low testosterone can result in a loss of sex drive.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
There are a variety of symptoms of Low T, and these symptoms can vary in intensity among men. These can include:
- Hot flashes
- Irritability
- Loss of sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased fertility
- Hair loss
- Decreased muscle mass
- Decreased bone density (osteoporosis)
- Decreased energy/sluggishness
Causes of Low Testosterone
Other than the slight natural decline in testosterone most mean experience as they age, there are several other reasons why men experience a drop in their testosterone levels. These include:
- Testicular injury
- Certain medications
- Hypogonadism
- Hormonal imbalance
- Testicular cancer
- Infection
- Chronic liver or kidney disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- HIV/AIDS
Sometimes the cause of Low T simply is unknown.
Buccal tablets are placed on the gum and dissolve over 12 hours.
Treatments for Low Testosterone
Diagnosis for Low T begins with a blood test, to confirm your testosterone level and may include tests to rule out other possible conditions. Once Low T has been confirmed you have several treatment options to choose from.
- Testosterone gels or solutions – These are applied to the skin daily, to provide a continuous delivery of testosterone. With gels or solutions, you have to be careful others do not come into contact to the application area of your skin.
- Testosterone patches – Testosterone patches are also applied daily, to allow for continuous delivery of testosterone throughout the day.
- Testosterone injections – Injections for Low T treatment are usually given in the buttocks, once every one to two weeks, by your physician.
- Testosterone pellets – This relatively new form of treatment, has pellets surgically implanted under your skin of the buttocks or the hip area. There they dissolve and release testosterone slowly over the period of three to four months. This treatment must be performed by your physician.
- Buccal tablet – Buccal tablets are placed in the mouth, to the gum. The testosterone is then released over a 12-hour period.