The Symptoms of Low Testosterone | Tennessee Valley Urology Center
You may have heard about low testosterone and wonder how it might affect you. The friendly physicians at Tennessee Valley Urology Center would like to help you better understand this condition and its symptoms.
Normal total testosterone in men ranges between 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) and 800ng/dL. A man’s blood test may show a sub-optimal level of total testosterone due to many conditions including an injury to the testicles, testicular cancer or treatment, hormonal disorders, infection, chronic liver or kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Aging can contribute to a lower score, as well as certain medicines and genetic conditions. However, the cause for low testosterone is not always known.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
- Reduced sex drive
- Erectile difficulties
- Low semen volume
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Decreased bone mass
- Mood changes
It’s important to note that a man can have a low testosterone score without noticing any symptoms. It may still be a good idea to have hormone levels checked as one ages, since low testosterone often leads to low bone density. When bone density is low, a patient becomes more prone to broken bones. But a man can have bone density damage without even knowing that there is a problem.
What is the treatment for low testosterone?
Treatment for low testosterone is usually considered for men experiencing symptoms related to the condition.There are a variety of methods which might be used depending on the individual needs of the patient. For men trying to conceive a child with their spouse, gonadotropin injections may be a treatment option to tell the body to produce more testosterone and in turn increase the sperm count. Testosterone injections and nasal gels are effective treatment options for some men. There are also implantable testosterone pellets which can be placed under the skin, and which release testosterone over the span of three to four months.
If you are wondering whether or not testosterone treatment is right for you, please contact Tennessee Valley Urology Center. Your good health and comfort are the priority at our clinic. Visit our website to learn more about our services today.