Low Testosterone in Men

Low Testosterone in Men

I couldn’t get sound sleep anymore, had insomnia, and had night sweats. I didn’t know what andropause was at the time. All of my joints ached. I lost my stamina. I had trained all my life, had been something of an athlete, and suddenly I just had no strength…have you seen the movie “Grumpy Old Men”?

I feel great. In fact, I’m 57 years old. I can do as many push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups as when I was a senior in high school.

                                                                       -Tom S.

Importance of Testosterone for Male Health
There’s a reason why you’re seeing all the TV commercials and ads about “Low T” – it’s because healthy testosterone levels and testosterone replacement are so important to a man’s overall health and well-being.

Testosterone is one of the androgen hormones produced by the testes. It is the principle male hormone and is responsible for the development of the male sex characteristics. Testosterone is also the hormone of desire. Men produce testosterone primarily from the testes and also from the adrenal glands, while women produce smaller amounts of testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands.

Testosterone has a well-documented role in cardiovascular health and bone density. Research shows that testosterone has been associated with lowering the risk of a heart attack and high blood pressure. Optimal testosterone levels positively affect muscle tone, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, the immune system, weight, moods, bone health, skin, libido, sperm production, sleep, as well as heart, liver and brain health.

Andropause
Andropause is what is the term used to describe the slow decline of male hormones or ‘male menopause’. Low testosterone is very common in andropause. Thankfully, just as with women in menopause, bioidentical hormones for men is the answer many men are seeking. As with any biological change that occurs gradually rather than abruptly, the age-related decline in testosterone often goes unnoticed until a critical point is reached usually in your forties or fifties.

Suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, you may begin feeling depressed, fatigued, irritable, or uninterested in the things that used to give you pleasure. Your self-confidence and zest for life seem to have diminished. Have you noticed that you have been developing a “spare tire” around your middle and that your muscles have lost their strength or tone? You may have lost interest in sex, have difficulty making decisions, or experience any number of other problems related to declining levels of testosterone.

Low Testosterone Symptoms

Causes of Hormonal Decline in Men
Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism (low hormone production by the reproductive gland) occurs when the testicles do not produce sufficient levels of testosterone.
Age-Related Decline
As men age, they move from a state of optimal testosterone status to one of low testosterone as their testosterone levels naturally decline. This stage of their life can be referred to as andropause, or male menopause. This downward slide begins in a man’s thirties and continues inexorably until the day he dies, although it is beginning to occur more commonly in younger men.
Xenoestrogens
Exposure to xenohormones is a risk factor for low testosterone. Xenoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen in our bodies and interfere with normal hormone function. This is a disaster for men, for not only do xenoestrogens disrupt the production of testosterone, they also antagonize the effects of testosterone in the body.
Other Causes
Some other causes of low testosterone levels are: injury or infection to the testicles, chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer, genetic abnormalities such as Klinefelter’s Syndrome (extra x chromosome); hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body); dysfunction of the pituitary gland, medications, chronic illness, cirrhosis of the liver, chronic renal (kidney) failure, AIDS, inflammatory disease such as sarcoidosis (a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs and other organs), stress, alcoholism, and congenital conditions.

Traditional Medicine’s Approach to Treating Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Have you gone to your physician only to have blood work done, told your cholesterol is high, your testosterone levels are normal and left the office with a prescription for a cholesterol-lowering drug and the recommendation to get some exercise? Maybe you have tried to remedy the situation by going to the gym only to find that you are showing little improvement in muscle strength and stamina. What gives?

Most traditional doctors will check your free testosterone level if you ask, but the problem lies in how they measure the lab tests. The lab ranges are age-adjusted so they are often compared to the testosterone levels of a male in your age range. Maybe the level isn’t low for someone who is 55, but who wants the levels of a 55-year-old? You want the testosterone levels that you had when you were in your prime.

Our Approach to Treating Symptoms of Low Testosterone
If the symptoms above sound familiar, then there is a possibility that you are experiencing the effects of low testosterone. Like women, men experience a decline in their hormones during midlife as well, however the decline is more gradual. The key is to replenish your hormones and put back in what is missing. For this, we turn to bioidentical hormones for men such as testosterone and DHEA.

Click here to watch Harriss share his testimonial of how he got his energy and vitality back. He feels 25 again! 

Please note that we are not advocating abnormally high doses of testosterone to achieve superhuman strength or aggressiveness; instad, we are recommending low-dose therapy to achieve a blood level of testosterone that is associated with optimal health and wellness. However, blood tests are not the be-all and end-all of diagnosis. We consider clinical symptoms to be equally if not more important, both for identifying testosterone deficiency and for evaluating the effects of treatment using bioidentical hormones for men. After all, the goal is optimal health and wellness, not specific levels on a lab test.

Doctors’ Corner
Hear what our doctors have to say in our educational series for men’s bioidentical hormone replacement therapy:

Men’s Bioidentical Hormone Therapy – Part 1
Men’s Bioidentical Hormone Therapy – Part 2

Other Symptoms Helped by Our Treatment Program
Wondering if Hotze can help you? Since 1989, we’ve helped over 33,000 men and women using our comprehensive, 8-point treatment program. Click here to see  some of the symptoms we’ve successfully treated.

To find out if Hotze Health & Wellness Center is a good fit for you, call 877-698-8698 or click here to speak with a wellness consultant today!