Many men have lowered testosterone levels as they age, and these low levels can start to cause a variety of symptoms. Although many people think of testosterone as a sex hormone, it is a more complicated molecule than that.
Testosterone Function
Besides sex drive and assisting erections, normal testosterone helps do the following as well:
- Preserve muscle mass
- Maintain energy levels
- Maintain strong bones
- Support heart health
- Support brain/mental health
- Sustain normal mood
If you suspect you may have low testosterone, schedule an appointment with our expert, reconstructive urologists.
Diagnosis
Low testosterone is typically diagnosed through a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests. A good first screening test is the
ADAM questionnaire. If there is a suspicion of low testosterone, you will have a blood test. This may need to be repeated.
Treatment for Low Testosterone
Many treatments are available to get testosterone back to normal levels. It is important to monitor your levels as well as some related blood tests, as it can be dangerous to have testosterone levels that are too high. Treatments include the following:
- Intramuscular injections
- Patches
- Absorbable tablets
- Creams
- Gels
- Long-acting depots
It is important to remember that having a level of testosterone that is too high is dangerous. We do not recommend additional testosterone treatment if the testosterone is at an appropriate level.
Testosterone & Prostate Cancer
There has been a fear that taking extra testosterone may cause prostate cancer. A number of studies have shown that having low testosterone may be related to having more aggressive prostate cancer. Normal testosterone levels do not cause prostate cancer, although it is important to look for evidence of prostate cancer when starting testosterone treatment. Even if a man has been treated for prostate cancer with surgery, it is safe (and even beneficial) to treat low testosterone.
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