Hello, my name is Gregory. When I was a young lad, I had to enter the health care world in an unexpected way. I developed a serious disease out of the blue that took doctors by surprise. I went through so many different testing procedures before my doctors could diagnose the rare disease. Everyone around me reeled as they tried to understand the purpose and process of the diagnostic tests. I hope to help others understand these important tests better through this website. Please come by often to learn all you need to know about medical diagnostics and working closely with health care professionals.
Talking About Diagnostic Tests For Medical Care
What You Should Know About Low Testosterone
Nanja Bongers
Many men are aware of the low testosterone phenomenon but do not know much about it. It is important to get to know some of the basic facts about low testosterone and the ways to treat the condition. That way, if it ever affects you in your life, you will know the signs and know what to do about it.
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is most commonly known as the male sex hormone. It is important in sexual development, muscle and bone mass, and much more.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
There are numerous causes of low testosterone in men. These include kidney disease, cancer, weight gain, HIV, and other health disorders.
What Are the Consequences of Low Testosterone?
The consequences of low testosterone depend on the age of the man with the issue. However, as it is most common in older men, there are some common consequences and symptoms to consider.
One of the most common signs or symptoms of low testosterone is a low sex drive. A man may notice that he is no longer interested in sexual activities or is unable to achieve an erection when he is interested.
There are also other signs of low testosterone in men. These include fatigue and low energy, reduced strength, cognitive and memory issues, and a general reduction in well-being and liveliness. Weight gain (non-muscle) can also be an issue in men with low testosterone.
How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?
If you have the symptoms or signs of low testosterone, you should go see a testosterone doctor. They can run a series of blood tests to determine the cause of your symptoms, including one to read your testosterone levels. It is a relatively simple process, and you can have your results in a few hours to a few days.
Your doctor will also do a thorough physical exam when you go in with your symptoms. This may even involve a prostate exam, as prostate cancer can cause such symptoms and can be the cause of lowered testosterone levels in the body.
How Is Low Testosterone Treated?
The treatment for low testosterone will involve two steps. The first is to treat the underlying condition causing the low testosterone (if one can be found), and the other is to treat the low testosterone itself.
To treat the testosterone issue, doctors can prescribe hormone replacement therapy. Low testosterone medication treatments can involve oral medications, topical gels, skin patches, and injections. There is even an option to inject pellets under the skin that will slowly release testosterone into the bloodstream.
Now that you know more about low testosterone and how the condition can be treated, you can go to the doctor right away at the first sign of low testosterone symptoms and get the care you need.
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