what is considered to be a low testosterone level?

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is fabricated in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are of import to normal male sexual evolution and functions.

During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength. Men need testosterone to make sperm. Testosterone levels generally decrease with historic period, and so older men tend to have low blood testosterone levels.

Some men have low testosterone levels. This is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Depression Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency means that the torso does not have enough of a needed substance. Syndrome is a group of symptoms that, together, suggest a illness or health condition.

The American Urology Clan (AUA) identifies low blood testosterone (Low-T) every bit less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). These symptoms or conditions may accompany Low-T:

• Low sexual practice bulldoze
• Fatigue
• Reduced lean muscle mass
• Irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low
• In that location are many other possible reasons for these symptoms, such as: opioid employ, some congenital conditions (medical weather yous are born with), loss of or impairment to the testicles, diabetes, and obesity (being overweight). Come across your physician if yous have any of these symptoms.

Why Testosterone Therapy (TT)?

Y'all may need testosterone therapy (TT) if you have Low-T. Both the FDA and the AUA propose that TT be used to care for weather you are built-in with, such as Klinefelter syndrome.

Y'all as well may need TT if you impairment or lose your testicles. If your testicles are removed considering of a sickness such as cancer, you may need TT. Near men with Depression-T (no affair what the cause) will be treated if they accept both symptoms of Low-T and claret tests showing Low-T levels. Talk with your dr. if you experience that you may need TT.

TT may help y'all but it may have agin (harmful) results. (See discussion of these side effects below.) The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has said that testosterone drug labels should land that there is a risk for heart disease and stroke for some men using testosterone products. All men should be checked for heart disease and stroke before, and periodically while on, TT. The AUA however, on careful review of testify-based peer review literature, has stated that there is no strong evidence that TT either increases or decreases the take chances of cardiovascular events.

The FDA also was concerned when they found that men were being treated for Low-T due just to aging. There is ongoing research to determine more almost TT in aging men. Your doctor will talk with you well-nigh the benefits and risks of TT and carefully consider how to treat your symptoms.

How Common is Low Testosterone in Men?

It is hard to know how many men among the states have TD, although data suggest that overall about ii.one% (nigh ii men in every 100) may have TD. As few every bit 1% of younger men may have TD, while every bit many equally 50% of men over 80 years old may have TD. People who study the condition oftentimes utilise different cut-off points for the numbers, then y'all may hear different numbers existence stated.

TD is more common in men who have diabetes or who are overweight. In one research study, 30% of overweight men had Low-T, compared to only vi.iv% of those with normal weight. The same report found diabetes to be a chance factor for TD. In another study, 24.5% of men with diabetes had Low-T, compared to 12.six% of those without diabetes.

In that location are many signs and symptoms of Low Testosterone. Some are more closely related to Low-T levels (specific signs and symptoms). Others may not necessarily be linked (non-specific signs and symptoms). Your dr. will assist you brand sense of your own situation.

Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)

Specific symptoms are those more likely or directly linked to TD such every bit:

• Reduced sex drive
• Reduced erectile function
• Loss of body pilus
• Less bristles growth
• Loss of lean muscle mass
• Feeling very tired all the fourth dimension (fatigue)
• Obesity (being overweight)
• Symptoms of low

Not-specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)

Non-specific symptoms are those that may or may not exist linked to TD such as:

• Lower free energy level, endurance and physical strength
• Poor memory
• Difficulty with finding words to say
• Poor focus
• Not doing well at work

Having whatever one of the specific or non-specific symptoms may not mean that you have TD. But if you have a mix of symptoms, for instance, if y'all showtime to feel very tired and pitiful over a period of time and this is a change for you, yous may want to bank check for TD.

Low sexual desire lonely may not mean that y'all have TD. Only if you accept a combination of low sexual desire, reduced erectile office, and feelings of sadness and tiredness, you should talk to your physician.

Some persons are born with weather condition that crusade Testosterone Deficiency (TD) such equally:

• Klinefelter syndrome
• Noonan syndrome
• Ambiguous genitalia (when the sexual activity organs develop in means that are not typical looking)

Some men may develop Low-T because of conditions like these:

• Harm to testicles by accident
• Removal of testicles because of cancer
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Pituitary gland disease leading to hormone deficiency
• Infection
• Autoimmune disease (when the body makes antibodies that assail its ain cells)

Basically, if your testicles keep making less testosterone than normal, your blood levels of testosterone volition fall. Many men who develop TD have Low-T levels linked to:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome (high blood force per unit area, high claret saccharide, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and abdomen fatty)
• Use of medications such as antidepressants and narcotic pain medications

Men with sure health problems also tend to take low testosterone. Some of these are:

• HIV (about 30 out of 100 as well have low testosterone)
• AIDS (about 50 out of 100 likewise have low testosterone)

Although many symptoms may be tied to Low Testosterone (Low-T), total blood testosterone level is the about of import measure of testosterone deficiency. To make a diagnosis, your md will use other specific signs and symptoms in improver to your testosterone blood level.

At your medical visit, your health history volition be taken, and the doctor will do an test and look for some of the signs and symptoms mentioned in this article.

Wellness History

Your doctor may ask you most:

• Headache, visual field change (possible symptoms of brain mass such as a pituitary tumor)
• How you adult at puberty
• History of head trauma
• Cranial (caput) surgery/brain tumor or cranial irradiation
• Anosmia (loss of ability to smell)
• History of infection in your testicles
• Injury to your testicles
• Mumps after puberty
• By or present use of anabolic steroids
• Use of opiates
• Use of glucocorticoids (medicines, such every bit cortisone, used to care for inflammation)
• History of chemotherapy or irradiation
• Family history of diseases linked to Low-T
• History of stroke or heart assault
• History of unexplained anemia

Physical Examination

Your doctor volition check for the following:

• BMI or waist circumference for obesity
• Metabolic syndrome. These are symptoms (seen together) of increased blood pressure, high claret sugar, excess torso fat effectually the waist, and aberrant cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Hair design, amount, and location
• Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts)
• Whether testicles are present and their size
• Prostate size and any abnormalities

Testing

Your doctor may guild these blood tests:

• Total testosterone level. This test should be done at two different times on samples taken before noon. Testosterone levels are lower after in the mean solar day. If you are ill, the doctor will wait until you are non sick because your illness may cause a false upshot.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH). This examination is done to help notice the cause of a Depression-T level. This hormone controls how you brand testosterone. Abnormal levels may hateful a pituitary gland problem.
• Blood prolactin level. If your prolactin level is loftier, your doctor may repeat the claret test to brand certain there is no mistake. Loftier prolactin levels besides may exist a sign of pituitary problems or tumors.
• Claret hemoglobin or Hgb. Before doing this test, your doctor will wait for other reasons for depression Hgb such as climate level (similar climate altitude), sleep apnea, or tobacco smoking.

The post-obit also may be washed to assistance with farther diagnosis:

• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This test is to check for sperm-making office if y'all want to accept children. You may too need to have semen tests. These tests will exist washed before whatever hormone therapy.
• Estradiol hormone test is done if in that location are breast symptoms.
• HbA1C claret test may be done for diabetes.
• MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging) of the pituitary gland
• Bone density tests.
• Karyotype (Chromosome tests).

Yous may hear nigh gratuitous testosterone or bioavailable tests for testosterone. These are not the same as total testosterone level tests. Inquire your doctor virtually the differences and if yous need these tests.

In recent years, the media has reported more about Testosterone Therpy (TT), and more than men between the ages of twoscore and 64 take been tested and given TT. Some men with certain symptoms may even want TT without existence tested. This action may non be safety or helpful for them. Total testosterone level should ever be tested before whatever TT.

The AUA recommends that TT be prescribed but to men who meet the clinical and laboratory definition of testosterone deficiency (Testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL). Hither are some of the things y'all will need to know nearly TT:

• Your doctor will probable measure your testosterone level if you have these conditions:
  • Unexplained anemia
  • Diabetes
  • Bone density loss
  • Low-trauma bone fracture
  • Radiation to your testicles
  • HIV/AIDS positive examination results
  • Chronic narcotic utilize
  • History of infertility
  • Pituitary gland disorders
• Even if you do not have specific signs and symptoms, your doctor may test your full testosterone level for these atmospheric condition:
  • Insulin resistance
  • History of chemotherapy
  • History of using corticosteroid medicines
• Health changes such equally losing weight and getting more concrete activity will probable raise your testosterone levels.
• Your doctor will want to check your hemoglobin/hematocrit (Hgb/Hct) levels while you are on TT. This blood test will help bank check for thickening of the blood.
• Blood thickening may cause blood clots. Your doctor may exercise Hgb/Hct levels two to 6 weeks later you showtime TT and every six to twelve months subsequently that examination.
• If you are at risk for centre disease, your doctor will follow you more closely when yous are on TT. Information technology too is important to brand health changes to decrease the chances for eye and blood vessel illness.
• Your doctor will care for your Low-T level to enhance it above 300ng/dl but the verbal level may vary.
• Your doctor will lookout man you for signs and symptoms of comeback. Any changes will likely appear within three to six months of handling.
• If your total testosterone blood level returns to normal and yous withal take symptoms, it is likely that in that location are other reasons for your symptoms. Your doctor may stop TT and try to find out what else might be the problem.

How Exercise I Take Testosterone?

There are generally five dissimilar ways to have testosterone. They are: transdermal (through the skin), injection, oral/buccal (by rima oris), intranasal (through the nose), and by pellets under the pare. No method is better than another. While you lot are taking TT, your physician volition test your blood to determine testosterone levels.

Here are some details about the 5 different methods:

• Transdermal (Topical). In that location are topical gels, creams, liquids and patches. Topical medicines well-nigh often last for well-nigh four days. They absorb ameliorate if covered with an air- or water- tight dressing.
  • Employ liquids and gels, creams or patches to skin that is dry and without cuts or scratches.
  • Do not wash the area until it is fourth dimension for the next dose.
  • Launder your hands after y'all apply liquids, gels or creams.
  • Make sure that other people, especially women and children, do non touch the medicines.

A topical patch is like a rough-and-tumble with medicine on it. You put it on and leave it until the next dose is due. The medicine on the patch is less likely than liquids, gels and creams to transfer to others.

• Injection. At that place are short-interim and long-interim forms of testosterone injection. The short-acting medicine may be given nether the pare or in the musculus. The long-acting i is unremarkably given in the muscle. Injections are commonly given either weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.
• Oral/buccal (past oral fissure). The buccal dose comes in a patch that you place above your incisor (canine or "eyetooth"). The medication looks similar a tablet but you should not chew or swallow it. The drug is released over 12 hours. This method has fewer harmful side effects on the liver than if the drug is swallowed, only it may cause headaches or cause irritation where yous place information technology.
• Intranasal. This course of testosterone comes in a gel. You pump the dose into each nostril, as directed. It is normally taken three times daily.
• Pellets. Your doc will place the testosterone pellets nether the skin of your upper hip or buttocks. Your doctor will give a shot of local anesthesia to numb your skin, then make a small cutting and identify the pellets inside the fat tissues underneath your pare. This medication dissolves slowly and is released over about 3-six months, depending on the number of pellets.

You may want to choose how you take your testosterone based on what is all-time or near useful for you. In some cases, your insurance provider may decide the order in which testosterone therapies are provided. Talk virtually the choices with your medico.

Are In that location Side Effects of TT?

There are some side effects of TT. Some side effects are mild while others are more serious. You should ask your medico or chemist nearly these side effects and watch for them while you lot are taking TT. Some of the side effects are equally follows:

• For gels and liquids, there may be some redness at the pare site. With patches, you lot may have itching and a rash around the area. A very small number of patients report back pain.
• For short-acting injections, you may have some reaction at the injection site. Some persons accept had serious allergic reactions to the long-acting injection. Because of this, when you lot get the long-acting injection they will sentry you closely for a while subsequently in the medical function.
• For testosterone pellets, possible agin effects include swelling, pain, bruising and, rarely, hematoma (clotted blood under the skin).
• During TT, at that place is increased risk of erythrocytosis (aberrant raising of claret hemoglobin and hematocrit).
• TT may interrupt normal sperm production. You should not have TT if you program on having children soon. If you are being treated for Low-T your dr. may suggest added treatment for sperm product.
• Topical testosterone, specifically gels, creams and liquids, may transfer to others. Women and children are almost at chance of harmful effects from contact with them. Y'all should take care to cover the area and wash your hands well subsequently putting on the medication. Exist conscientious not to allow the site with the topical TT bear upon others because that could transfer the drug.
• The FDA suggests watching for signs and symptoms of early puberty in a kid you alive with or take contact with if you use topical testosterone. Exercise not let children touch on the unwashed or unclothed area where you put the drug.

Hither are some things you should know:

• There is no bear witness linking TT to prostate cancer.
• There is no strong evidence linking TT to increase in vein clots.
• At this time, at that place is no stiff evidence that TT either increases or decreases the adventure of cardiovascular events. However, while you are on TT, yous should call your doctor right abroad if you have signs or symptoms of stroke or heart attack.

Remember that each person is unique, and each body responds differently to handling. TT may help erectile function, low sex drive, os marrow density, anemia, lean body mass, and/or symptoms of low. All the same, there is no stiff evidence that TT will assistance memory recall, measures of diabetes, energy, tiredness, lipid profiles, or quality of life.

You lot will need routine checkups to see that your testosterone level stays normal. In patients who are stable on TT, total testosterone and certain other lab tests should be checked every 6-12 months.

If yous are overweight, try to piece of work on keeping your weight within recommended ranges. Increasing physical activity may help you lose weight and as well may help increase testosterone levels.

Some Questions You Might Ask Your Health Care Provider about Depression Testosterone

When you go to meet your medico, y'all may be a chip nervous. Information technology volition help if y'all brand a list of the most important things on your heed. Hither are some ideas:

• What tests volition I need to find out if I demand Testosterone Therapy (TT)?
• Will I accept to echo these tests? If so, how ofttimes?
• Does a Low-T level make it hard for me to brand sperm?
• Will TT assistance me to be more fertile?
• What methods of TT are there? Which 1 would you lot advise for me? Why?
• I have diabetes. Does this mean I will need TT?
• I have problem getting an erection. Will TT assist with sexual function?
• During or after treatment, are at that place whatsoever changes I can brand to my life and routine to help continue my testosterone level normal?
• My son was built-in with low testosterone. Volition he need TT all his life?
• Are at that place back up groups to help my son cope with his TD?
• Heart disease is in my family unit. Is information technology safe for me to accept TT?

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Source: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/l/low-testosterone

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