How to Overcome the Condition of Low Testosterone

 

Testosterone is the main androgen (male hormone) secreted by the testes in men and by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone (derived from a sterol), secreted in males by Leydig's testicular cells, upon stimulation by a pituitary hormone, the luteinizing hormone (LH). The male testosterone secretion begins during life in the uterus. After birth, the secretion of testosterone stops completely, only to resume during puberty.

Testosterone is necessary for spermatogenesis (production of sperm) and for the development of genital organs. Testosterone has an anabolic role in protein metabolism (promotes muscle growth) and also interferes with the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. It is responsible for the appearance and maintenance of male secondary sexual characteristics (muscle distribution, hair loss, change of voice and libido).

Symptoms of low testosterone

Male hypogonadism, which is term used for describing the condition of low testosterone, may be present at birth or may develop later in life as a result of injury or infection.

In infants, symptoms of hypogonadism include:

•    Ambiguous genital organs

•    Female genital organs (a male genetic gene)

•    Under-developed male genitalia

In boys around puberty, symptoms include:

•    Lack of muscle mass development

•    No deepening of the voice

•    Lack of facial hair and body hair

•    Slow growth of penis size and testicles

•    The arms and legs, which grow disproportionately with the rest of the body

In men, symptoms of hypogonadism include:

•    Infertility

•    Low sex drive

•    Erectile dysfunction (ED)

•    Lack of facial or body hair

•    Breast augmentation

Causes of low testosterone

Low testosterone can have two major causes: either there is a problem on a testicular level, or a problem of the gland which controls hormonal secretion of testosterone.

This being said, we can distinguish two main causes of low testosterone: primary cause (testicular), or secondary cause (there is a problem with the gland which controls the secretion of testosterone).

1.  Primary hypogonadism is caused by– lack of development of testes during pregnancy, complications due to the mumps disease, genetic syndromes (Klinefelter syndrome, Noonan syndrome, enzymatic defects of the androgenic receptor), radiotherapy and chemotherapy, autoimmune diseases, a syndrome in which only Sertoli cells exist (Sertoli-cell-only syndrome).

2.  Secondary hypogonadism is caused by – hypophyseal adenoma, pituitary abscess, sarcoidosis, genetic syndromes (Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome), traumatism, steroid medication, Cushing syndrome.

Diagnosing low testosterone in patients

Male hypogonadism is diagnosed based on symptoms, blood tests of testosterone levels, and other laboratory tests as needed. Testosterone level testing is done early in the morning when it reaches maximum level. The normal testosterone level varies between 300 and 1,000 nanograms / deciliter, although some laboratories may consider the inferior limit of 200 ng / dl

 

If a man has low testosterone symptoms and the tests confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend a form of hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy for testosterone takes several forms:

- Skin patches (transdermal) are worn on the arm or upper trunk;

- Testosterone gels which are absorbed directly into the skin once the gel is applied once a day.

- Patch for the oral cavity. A tablet sticks to the upper gum, above the incisor tooth, releasing testosterone into the bloodstream through oral tissue;

- Testosterone injections and implants can be injected directly into the muscle or implanted into the soft tissues of the body;

Testosterone administered by oral pills can affect the liver, so doctors recommend therapies that allow the absorption of the hormone directly into the bloodstream.

Three coordinated trials during which 790 men were the subjects of testosterone treatments have concluded that during the year of treatment, sexual function, mood, depressive symptoms and walking distance were improved. The men in cause were all at least 65 years old.

Tips on low testosterone prevention and treatment

1. Limit your beer consumption. Although advertisements often present beer as a real man's drink, it is actually very damaging to masculinity. The body recognizes certain substances in beer as estrogen (feminine hormones), and ultimately, men who consume beer can begin to "turn into a woman" - the hips expand, the chest develops and the sexual function decreases. It is important to realize that all types of alcohol, especially if consumed over long periods of time, can have a negative effect on testosterone levels in the body.

2. Get rid of excess weight. The more fat accumulated in the body, the more likely you are to suffer from hormonal imbalance. Many studies indicate that excess weight is one of the main reasons for low testosterone levels, while weight loss can lead to increased testosterone levels. Between testosterone and weight is an inversely proportional relationship because the decrease in testosterone levels in the body leads to fat accumulation. Therefore, in order to escape from this vicious circle, it is necessary to get rid of excess weight, otherwise increasing the level of testosterone becomes much more complicated.

3. Rest well at night. The concentration of testosterone in the body varies throughout the day. During the day production ceases, so the concentration begins to decrease and reaches a minimum point in the evening. However, at night, the body starts intensive testosterone production, and its concentration rises sharply, reaching the peak at about 8 o'clock in the morning. This process depends on sleep, and therefore, lack of sleep at night can reduce the testosterone concentration.

4. Exercise. Although running and other cardio exercises are effective in weight loss, if done too often, they can extenuate the body and reduce the amount of testosterone. Therefore, it is recommended to lift weights several times a week and exercise the whole body. This will not only help you lose unwanted fat and build muscle, but will also increase testosterone levels.

5. Eat enough fat. Testosterone is produced from cholesterol, so if you do not include enough fat in your diet, the amount of this hormone will inevitably reduce. Recommended sources of healthy fats include fish, eggs, nuts, olive oil, avocados.

6. Avoid stress. Stress releases cortisol (a stress hormone). Increased amounts of cortisol stop testosterone production and lead to fat accumulation in the body. Although it is almost impossible to avoid stress in modern lifestyle, try not to turn it into a constant.

The consequences of low testosterone

• Bone tissue damage. You may think that osteoporosis is a condition that only affects women, but it can also occur in males. One of the causes is low levels of testosterone. When these values ​​are reduced, the bones may become thinner, weaker and more prone to tearing.

• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A number of recent scientific studies have shown that lower testosterone levels are related to the development of heart disease later in life. Until more research was done, testosterone was thought to have adverse effects on heart health. In fact, it was confirmed that testosterone present in normal amounts in the body could be a powerful protector of the heart.

• Sexual maturation. Sexual maturation in men depends on testosterone. Low levels of testosterone during or before the onset of puberty may result in the lack of, or slowing of sexual maturation.

• Infertility. Testosterone is involved in sperm production. When hormone levels are low, the quality and quantity of sperm are diminished, and this leads to the man's inability to procreate.

• Sleeping disorders. Research shows that testosterone deficiency affects the quality of sleep.

• Adipose tissue. One of the effects of testosterone deficiency is the presence of adipose tissue. Studies have confirmed that the body needs testosterone to burn fat around the abdomen.

• Increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Low levels of testosterone are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's. Several recent studies have shown a strong correlation between testosterone deficiency and dementia.