Low Testosterone Symptoms

If you’re a human being, and if you’re reading this it is assumed you are, then low testosterone may be a concern for you. In the U.S. alone more than 20million men suffer from low testosterone, and while women can suffer too it is men who most commonly fall prey to the problem. The low testosterone symptoms can be very easy to spot; however, as the often gradually occur many men become accustomed before they realize they have a problem. Fortunately, while this is a condition that is beyond bothersome there is a remedy for the problem, and it is quite simple. Such a remedy will not alter your life, it will not be inconvenient, and regardless of anything else it will greatly improve your overall quality of life.

The Low Testosterone Symptoms

There are several low testosterone symptoms that may point to you having a problem. In most cases, you will display at least two symptoms, and in most cases one of the sexually related will occur. As the problem is left ignored, other symptoms will begin to show, and each one will get worse the longer the problem is left unattended to. It is true, low testosterone symptoms are not life-threatening, but not only are they very problematic they can be an open door to many far more serious complications. The following chart displays the low testosterone symptoms, the gateway effects that can occur if the condition is ignored, as well as the possible severity of the initial low testosterone symptoms:


 

Low Testosterone Symptoms	Possible Severity	Gateway Effects
Loss of Libido	Severe	Diabetes
Erectile Dysfunction	Moderate to Severe	Osteoporosis
Loss of Muscle Mass	High Moderate	Alzheimer’s
Loss of Strength	Moderate to Severe	Anxiety
Increased Body-Fat	Moderate to Sever	High Cholesterol
Inability to lose Fat	Severe	Infertility
Loss of Energy	Severe	Polyuria
Loss of Concentration	Moderate	Constant Soreness & Aches
Depression	Moderate to Severe
Insomnia	Low to Moderate
Decreased Sense of Well-Being	Severe

  

   
Combating Low Testosterone Symptoms

There is only one thing on this earth that will combat the low testosterone symptoms, and that is testosterone. For some reason, by the manner in-which testosterone has been demonized in popular culture due to it being an anabolic steroid this surprises many people. This should not be a surprise; for example, if you’re hungry you need food, if you’re lacking in food the only thing that will fix it is more food. The same can be said of testosterone, if you’re lacking in testosterone the only thing you can do is provide your body more of the hormone. This isn’t brain surgery, although it’s often treated as such. In the U.S. to combat low testosterone symptoms there are many options regarding the type of testosterone therapy you receive. There is the most efficient injectable testosterone, topical solutions, implant pellets and even somewhat indirect measures through Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s). AI’s and SERM’s work by stimulating the release of LH and FSH into the body, thereby stimulating natural testosterone production; they can work, but often they are not enough. There is also a peptide hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) that is sometimes used for early initial stimulation. In any case, to combat the low testosterone symptoms, we have listed all possible common measures, the type of measure or form, and its ability to remedy on a 1-10 scale:

Treatment	Form	Recovery Rating
Androderm	Topical Testosterone Patch	5
AndroGel	Topical Testosterone Gel	6
Arimidex	AI	4
Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid)	SERM	3
hCG	Peptide	5
Letrozole	AI	4
Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex)	SERM	3
Testopel	Subcutaneous Implant Pellet	8-10
Sustanon 250	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Cypionate	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Enanthate	Injectable Testosterone	10
Testosterone-Propionate	Injectable Testosterone	10

What is the role of testosterone in men’s health ?

Testosterone is the most important sex hormone that men have. It is responsible for the typical male characteristics, such as facial, pubic, and body hair as well as muscle. This hormone also helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, and bone health. The brain and pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) control the production of testosterone by the testes. In the short term, low testosterone (also called hypogonadism) can cause
•     A drop in sex drive
•     Poor erections
•     Low sperm count
•     Enlarged breasts

What causes low testosterone?
Low testosterone can result from
•     Testicular injury (trauma, castration) or infection
•     Radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer
•     Some medications, such as opiate painkillers
•     Hormone disorders (pituitary tumors or diseases, high levels of prolactin)
•     Chronic diseases, such as liver and kidney disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and HIV/AIDS
•     A genetic condition (Klinefelter syndrome, hemochromatosis, Kallmann syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, myatonic dystrophy)

How is low testosterone treated?
Testosterone replacement therapy can improve sexual interest, erections, mood and energy, body hair growth, bone density, and muscle mass. There are several ways to replace testosterone:
•     Gel or patches that you put on your skin
•     Anabolic Steroids Injections (shots)
•     Tablets that stick to the gums
•     Pellets inserted under the skin or pills (in some countries outside the United States)
The best method will depend on your preference and tolerance, and the cost.
There are risks with long-term use of testosterone. The most serious possible risk is prostate cancer. African American men, men over 40 years of age who have close relatives with prostate cancer, and all men over 50 years of age need monitoring for prostate cancer during testosterone treatment. Men with known or suspected prostate cancer, or with breast cancer, should not receive testosterone treatment.

Other possible risks of testosterone treatment include
•     A high red blood cell count
•     Acne
•     Breast enlargement
•     An increase in prostate enlargement
•     Sleep apnea—the occasional stopping of breathing during sleep (rarely)
•     Fluid buildup (edema) in ankles, feet and legs (rarely)

Low Testosterone Treatment

Determining if you have Low Testosterone:

If you suffer from low testosterone, the first step is examining the general low testosterone symptoms listed above. You do not have to suffer from the entire list; if left ignored you more than likely will at some point but initially most physicians will want to examine you if you show two or more. Most commonly one of the two will be sexually related; erectile dysfunction or decreased libido plus another from the list; in any case, to determine your condition blood work will need to be done, and your testosterone levels will be checked via this route. In truth, if you suffer from any of the low testosterone symptoms, especially those of a sexually related nature the odds are strong you suffer from low testosterone but the blood work is still necessary to make an absolute determination.

Low Testosterone Treatment:

There are several options available to treat low testosterone. Some physicians will begin by prescribing SERM's or AI's that greatly stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH). Both LH and FSH, two pituitary derived hormones, are essential to testosterone production with a strong emphasis on LH. Without LH and FSH, there is no testosterone. If it is determined that your LH levels are low there is a chance your doctor may take the SERM or AI route, but in most cases this will be inefficient.

There is truly only one definite way to treat low testosterone, and that is with anabolic steroids; specifically the anabolic steroid testosterone. While this may surprise you it shouldn't; after all, if you're deficient in testosterone it only makes sense to give your body what it needs. The reason many physicians take alternate routes to begin with is due to a misplaced fear revolving around anabolic steroids. Most general practitioners know very little about anabolic steroids, as until recent years it has been something that was rarely discussed in medical school, but times are changing. You've seen the commercials talking about "Low-T" and treatment of the condition. Low-T refers to low testosterone, and the treatment they're speaking of is the anabolic steroid testosterone. To get the best help you can get, you are encouraged to seek out hormone specialist such as an endocrinologist but the best option of all is seeking out a Hormone Replacement Clinic (HRT). HRT clinics specialize in conditions of this nature, and you will get the best advice and treatment.

To treat your low testosterone symptoms most effectively, as mentioned you're going to need testosterone. Most commonly you have four options for treatment of this nature:

    Transdermal Patches (AndroDerm)
    Transdermal Gels (AndroGel)
    Subcutaneous Implant Pellets (Testopel)
    Injectable Testosterone

Of the four forms, we have listed them in order of effectiveness and efficiency in treating a low testosterone condition. All four forms may work, but in many cases, only the last two will do with the final injectable testosterone method being absolutely assured.

    Transdermal Patches: A patch you place directly on your skin that absorbs testosterone into the body. This is the mildest form of treatment and will not fully recover most men. Many men may also find the patch leaves skin irritation behind.
    Transdermal Gels: You simply massage the gel onto your skin; generally on the shoulders or upper-arms. Slightly more effective than transdermal patches, transdermal gels can be extremely irritating to the skin leaving rashes and even burns.
    Subcutaneous Implant Pellets: Rapidly becoming one of the more popular low testosterone treatments, subcutaneous implant pellets are small rice sized pellets comprised of pure testosterone. The pellet is placed under the skin, generally in the upper thigh/hip region and the needed hormone is absorbed into the body. This is a fast and relatively painless procedure that only takes a few moments and can be enough treatment to last the individual as long as 6 months.
    Injectable Testosterone: The only absolutely guaranteed remedy for low testosterone. Injectable testosterone is simply that; pure testosterone that is injected directly into the body, absorbed and used immediately. In most cases, application will be required once every week to once every 2 weeks depending on the specific injectable testosterone form used and the desired dosing prescribed by your doctor. Although injections may seem like a pain, when done properly they are painless and take only a few seconds.