Low testosterone
What is Low testosterone?
Low testosterone, or hypogonadism, is very common in men as they age. Testosterone is the male sex hormone created in the testicles, and is essential for puberty. As men age, testosterone influences libido (sex drive), erectile function, energy and moods. Advanced age and obesity are known risks for hypogonadism, and it can be caused by treatments for cancer and side effects of medications.
Symptoms
- Low testosterone lead to symptoms including erectile dysfunction, an increase in abdominal fat, depressed moods, loss of sex drive and many other symptoms.
Treatments
- If your testosterone levels are low, replacement can improve many of these symptoms. We will need to monitor your blood count and your PSA (prostate specific antigen) routinely.
Symptoms
- Low testosterone lead to symptoms including erectile dysfunction, an increase in abdominal fat, depressed moods, loss of sex drive and many other symptoms.
Treatments
- If your testosterone levels are low, replacement can improve many of these symptoms. We will need to monitor your blood count and your PSA (prostate specific antigen) routinely.
Risks of Treatment
- Although testosterone therapy is not thought to cause cancer, it can cause a pre-existing prostate cancer to grow, and we will need to monitor your labs closely.
- It can also cause an increase in your red blood cell count, and for some patients can worsen sleep apnea.
- There is mixed data on the effect of testosterone replacement on the heart. Please let us know if you have any conditions such as prostate cancer, sleep apnea, or heart disease.
- Testosterone therapy can lead to infertility which in some men may be permanent and it is important to let us know if you are planning to have children in the future.
