Low Testosterone

For men, testosterone levels typically begin to drop after the age of 40 (sometimes referred to as ‘Andropause’ or ‘Male Menopause’), however, for some men hormonal changes will occur sooner.

Male hormones are called androgens and they include the most dominant hormone, testosterone, which is responsible for the structure of all body proteins.  While it is recognised that men do not undergo the same sudden changes that women do in menopause, there is an agreement that production of testosterone in the male does undergo age related decline.

Some symptoms men may experience when testosterone levels drop include:

• decline in sexual function 
• decrease in muscle strength 
• loss of bone mass 
• aging of the face and neck 
• loss of hair on arms and legs

Other symptoms include:

• fatigue 
• depression 
• irritability

Besides lack of sex drive, there is often loss of drive and competitive edge in professional or business life. Physically, there may be stiffness and pain in the muscles and joints, and a falling level of fitness.  There may also be signs of the accelerated ageing of the heart and circulatory system, which may result in circulatory problems.

Aside from the general effects of aging, low testosterone can also be caused by:

• stress 
• excess alcohol 
• overweight 
• infections 
• lack of exercise 
• vasectomy

Sometimes there may also be an absolute low level of total testosterone, but more often a relative deficiency of 'free active testosterone' due to a range of factors stopping it working effectively.

TREATMENT

Treatment of low testosterone will vary from person to person and may include an exercise program, healthy eating, nutritional supplementation, and/or 'natural' hormone replacement therapy.

QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire has been devised by a group of experts at the St Louis VA Medical Centre in the USA which identifies the typical features of low testosterone/Andropause.

1. Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)? 
2. Do you have a lack of energy? 
3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance? 
4. Have you lost height? 
5. Have you noticed a decreased enjoyment of life? 
6. Are you sad and/or grumpy? 
7. Are your erections less strong? 
8. Have you noted a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports? 
9. Are you falling asleep? 
10. Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

If you answer yes to questions 1 and 7 and to yes to three other questions, then it is highly likely that your testosterone levels are low and you should see you doctor for clarification.

References:

Andrology Australia

Better Health Channel

Eternal Health
Michael Elstein