Low Testosterone

Up to 25% of men have low levels of testosterone. At the Endocrine and Psychiatry Center, the experienced team of hormone specialists led by Rakesh Patel, DO, can quickly find the cause of your symptoms and provide effective solutions in two offices in Houston and Katy, Texas. To learn more about the treatments for low testosterone, call the office nearest you or book your consultation through online scheduling now. 

What is low testosterone?

Low testosterone means having too little of the male hormone that’s crucial for many aspects of sexual and whole-person health. Testosterone has many functions within the body, including: 

• Producing sperm
• Producing red blood cells
• Regulating libido
• Maintaining bone mass
• Building muscle mass
• Burning body fat
• Growing hair

Low testosterone is clinically defined as having less than 300 nanograms of testosterone per deciliter (ng/dL) in blood tests.

What causes low testosterone? 

Testosterone naturally declines about 1-3% per year after age 40. However, natural age-related testosterone loss isn’t necessarily low testosterone unless it plummets to lower-than-normal levels for your age group. 

Low testosterone can happen for many reasons, including testicular damage, poor diabetes management, extra weight, and congenital conditions. 

What are the symptoms of low testosterone? 

Low testosterone often causes a range of disruptive issues such as: 

• Reduced sex drive
• Weight gain
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• Loss of lean muscle mass
• Mood swings
• Chronic tiredness

Some men also experience memory problems, poor focus, and other issues that cause problems in their daily life. 

Additionally, low testosterone can cause bone thinning (osteoporosis). Up to one-quarter of men over 50 experience bone fractures due to osteoporosis. 

How does low testosterone diagnosis work?

To diagnose low testosterone, you’ll typically have a blood testosterone level test in the on-site lab.

Although blood testing is the main aspect of low testosterone diagnosis, the team also discusses your symptoms and performs a comprehensive physical exam, medical history review, and lifestyle review to determine whether you have low testosterone. 

How is low testosterone treated?

Treatment of low testosterone depends on multiple factors, including its root cause, your symptoms, and your blood testosterone levels. 

The Endocrine and Psychiatry Center team can customize a testosterone replacement plan that suits your needs. There are many methods of hormone replacement, including patches, creams, injections, nasal sprays, and pellets implanted under the skin. 

Additionally, the team can help with weight loss, diabetes management, and other health factors connected to your low testosterone levels. 

Making some lifestyle changes, like eating nutritious foods and exercising regularly, can support testosterone replacement therapy and may help your body produce more natural testosterone. 

The Endocrine and Psychiatry Center team has extensive expertise in hormone management, so they’re the best providers to help with low testosterone. To learn how they can help you, call the office nearest you or book your appointment online today.