Low Testosterone (Male Hypogonadism): Prevention & Diagnosis
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice.
Prevention of Low Testosterone
Preventive measures of testosterone deficiency in healthy men do not require drug therapy. It usually depends on lifestyle.
- First of all, it includes the rejection of bad habits that lead to addiction to cigarettes, alcohol or drugs.
- It is recommended to avoid low-carb and low-fat diets.
- Another important factor in maintaining a normal level of testosterone is a healthy diet without overeating.
- Sport is also a useful method that helps you maintain hormonal health.
- Avoiding stress. In case of conflicts with colleagues or family members, you should seek psychological help in time.
When you're 40 years or older, you have to be more careful about your health. If you have complaints and suspect your testosterone levels are low, you should consult your doctor.
Low Testosterone Diagnosis
If you notice signs of low testosterone in time, you can avoid delayed puberty and its complications in adolescents. Early diagnosis and treatment in men provide better protection against osteoporosis and other complications.
Tests to Determine The Causes of Low Testosterone in Men
- Total testosterone.
- SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) is a protein that binds to testosterone.
- Vitamin D. Recent research has proven its great importance in the synthesis of testosterone.
- LH (luteinizing hormone) is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland, which also stimulates the production of testosterone.
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is the most important indicator of male fertility. Its main responsibility is to produce sperm capable of fertilization. The functioning of the male genitals is impossible without this hormone.
- Prolactin is mainly a female sex hormone. Prolactin levels may be checked in unclear cases of erectile dysfunction, breast enlargement, suspected pituitary adenoma. It affects the level of erection and the duration of intercourse. It also takes part in the synthesis of sperm.
- Estradiol is a female hormone derived from the conversion of testosterone and androstenedione. Men also produce estradiol. However, the amounts produced are much lower than in women. Its important functions: involvement in sperm synthesis and sexual intercourse, opposite-sex attraction.
- TSH, T3, T4 — indicators of the thyroid gland function (thyroid-stimulating hormone and others). They are closely linked to testosterone and other hormones.
- Blood sugar level, insulin level, glycated hemoglobin, C-peptide, leptin - indicators of carbohydrate metabolism, absorption of glucose and intermediate products.
- Blood lipid spectrum - the ratio of high, intermediate and low-density lipoproteins, which determines the level of atherosclerosis. It is also important in aging and obesity.
Additional Laboratory Tests may be Required to Figure out What is Causing Low Testosterone
- Scrotal ultrasound provides images of the contents of the scrotum.
- A Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow in the testis and spermatic cord.
- Measurement of bone mineral density (densitometry) can define minimal bone loss (up to 2%) using ultrasound or X-ray.
- Hand and wrist X-rays.
- Structural MRI anatomy of the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland.
- Spermogram.
- Karyotyping (chromosome analysis).
- Testicular biopsy.
- Low Testosterone Treatment.
- Hormone replacement therapy is used to treat low testosterone. Testosterone-containing medicines are used alone or in combination with other drugs.
- Intramuscular injections.
- Subdermal medicines (subcutaneous implants).
- Transdermal drug products (patches and gels).
- Medication in pill form.
- Buccal tablets (lozenges).
Life Prognosis for Men with Low Testosterone
The prognosis will be favorable if the condition is treated on time. Adolescents will have masculine bodies with secondary male sexual characteristics and a male type of behavior. Kallmann syndrome and other genetic diseases require continuous hormone therapy. It helps restore lost reproductive functions. However, it is necessary to start treatment before adolescence.
Age-related changes also require starting treatment on time. Medications are effective in raising and maintaining testosterone levels. An early start of treatment with testosterone preparations helps to avoid complications: osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, genitourinary disorders, sexual and reproductive health issues, endocrine diseases. Since testosterone deficiency affects metabolic processes in the body, eliminating the problem leads to improvement in these conditions.
If you experience decreased performance, problems with sexual function, and permanent tiredness, then you should visit a doctor. The specialist will prescribe the necessary tests and select the most suitable treatment.