FOR MEN
Low T Clinic in Westminster & Wheat Ridge

You have to understand what testosterone does before you can understand what happens when it’s low. Testosterone is a hormone made by your body. It is responsible for many sexual characteristics, like:

• Growth and maturation of the prostate and other male sex organs
• Development and distribution of male hair, such as facial hair
• Sex drive and sexual function

But testosterone plays many other roles as well. Some additional effects of testosterone may include:

• Changes in body muscle mass and strength
• Changes in fat distribution
• Changes in mood and energy level

Where does all this testosterone come from? In men, testosterone is made in the testes, the reproductive glands that also make sperm. And the amount of testosterone made by the testes is controlled in the brain by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

This is probably the question that brought you here. So let’s get down to the facts. Low Testosterone, or Low T, is a real medical condition known as hypogonadism.

Low T occurs when a man’s testosterone levels (T levels) have fallen below a level of approximately 300 ng/dL.

T levels between 300 ng/dL and 1000 ng/dL are generally considered in the normal range. The brain and the testes work together to keep testosterone in this range. When levels of testosterone are below the normal range, the brain signals the testes to make more. When there is enough testosterone, the brain signals the testes to make less.

The good news is that today men with Low Testosterone can receive support customized to their needs based on their blood test results from our Westminster & Wheat Ridge Low T clinic.

Low Testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism, is a real medical condition that can occur for a number of reasons. For example, there could be a signaling problem between your brain and testes that is causing the production of testosterone to drop too low. Low Testosterone can also occur when your body can’t make normal levels of testosterone.

Low Testosterone, or hypogonadism, has many symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Decreased energy
• Reduced sexual desire
• Depressed mood
• Loss of body hair (reduced shaving)

Now, if this sounds like you, you’re not alone. It is estimated that Low Testosterone (T) affects millions of men in the United States.

It’s important to remember hypogonadism is a medical condition that usually requires ongoing treatment. Your doctor can diagnose Low Testosterone, or hypogonadism, by taking a medical history and performing an exam, assessing your signs and symptoms, and doing some blood tests. The good news is there are ways to replace testosterone in men diagnosed with Low T, such as hormone replacement therapy for men.

Other Medical Conditions Associated With Low Testosterone

The Endocrine Society has identified several conditions commonly associated with Low Testosterone.

• End-stage renal disease
• Moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis
• Type 2 diabetes

If you have any of these separate conditions, you may be at higher risk for also having Low Testosterone. The Endocrine Society suggests men with type 2 diabetes experiencing symptoms should ask their doctors to have their testosterone levels checked.

Understanding the symptoms of Low T is a good place to start. Take a look at the following list and see if any apply to you. Then talk to your doctor about what you have noticed.

Some symptoms of Low Testosterone include:

• Fatigue or decreased energy
• Reduced sex drive (libido)
• Sexual dysfunction (weak erections, fewer erections)
• Depressed mood
• Increased body fat
• Reduced muscle mass and strength
• Decreased bone strength
• Loss of body hair (reduced shaving)
• Hot flashes, sweats

It’s important to remember that these symptoms may be a sign of Low T or other health conditions and should not be ignored. If these symptoms sound familiar, talk to your doctor about them and ask about the blood tests. Keep in mind that you may not have all of these symptoms, but should discuss the ones you do have with your doctor.

Testosterone replacement offers excellent results for men experiencing symptoms associated with low levels of the hormone. Fit MD’s Low T clinic in Westminster & Wheat Ridge designs therapy programs to restore testosterone levels to what they were when you were in optimal health, for most people this was around age 25.

Potential benefits of Low T therapy include:

• Improved Sexual Performance
• Improved Sexual Drive
• Improved Sexual Function
• Reduction in Body Fat
• Reduction of Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
• Improved Bone Density
• Improved Memory
• Improved Strength
• Greater Ability to Add Lean Muscle Mass
• Improved Mood
• Increased Energy

There is a lot of confusion about Low T. And it can keep men from discussing it with their doctor. So we’ve compiled some myths and facts to help you understand what’s true. Read each statement below and its accompanying explanation to get a better sense of what Low Testosterone is and isn’t.

Low T is a rare condition…

Myth. In the US millions of men may have Low T. It’s a real medical condition, and if you have signs and symptoms, you should discuss it with your doctor today.

Every man with low T has the same symptoms…

Myth. All men experience Low T differently. Symptoms of Low T include decreased energy, decreased sex drive, and depressed mood, among others.

Testosterone affects only sex drive…

Myth. Yes, testosterone has an impact on sex drive, but it is also necessary for developing male hair distribution such as facial hair and maintaining muscle mass and bone strength.

Low T is treatable…

Fact. Low Testosterone is a treatable condition. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms to see if you should be tested and if a treatment is right for you.

Low T is a real medical condition…

Fact. Low Testosterone, or Low T, is a real medical condition, known as hypogonadism that may affect a man’s mood, energy level, sex drive, and more.

Low T is the same condition as erectile dysfunction…

Myth. Although men with Low Testosterone can have erectile dysfunction, Low T may also affect a man’s mood and energy level, as well as sex drive. Low T and erectile dysfunction are two separate conditions with different treatment options.

Low Testosterone is a normal part of aging…

Myth. It is normal for a man’s testosterone levels to decrease as he ages. But his testosterone levels should still remain in the normal range. Testosterone replacement therapy is for men diagnosed with Low Testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism.

Low Testosterone can be diagnosed with standard blood tests…

Fact. Once you have discussed your symptoms with your doctor, he or she can determine your T levels with standard blood tests.

Doctors routinely check for Low T…

Myth. Doctors do not administer testosterone blood tests with routine screenings when high cholesterol and other conditions are looked for. To know if you could have Low T, you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor and ask about the blood tests.

Diabetes causes Low T…

Myth. Diabetes does not cause Low T in men experiencing both conditions. They are separate conditions with their own separate treatments. However, Low T has been associated with men with diabetes.

Testosterone affects only muscles in young men…

Myth. Testosterone can affect muscle mass, strength, and fat distribution in men of all ages. It can also affect sex drive and bone strength.

Testosterone can affect your mood..

Fact. Men with Low Testosterone may have a depressed mood, be irritable, or have decreased motivation.

Importance of Learning the Facts

The more you know, the easier it is to see that Low Testosterone is a real, treatable condition that affects millions of men. It is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, if you think you could have Low T, you should discuss it with your doctor today and book your consultation at our Low T clinic in Westminster & Wheat Ridge.