Endocrinology, Diabetes, Thyroid, Hormone & Weight Loss Specialists located in McAllen, TX
Would you be surprised to learn that low testosterone affects nearly 40% of men ages 45 or older? If you frequently feel tired, you don’t have a sex drive, or you’ve lost your competitive edge, it’s time to seek exceptional care at RGV Endocrine Center in McAllen, Texas. Gloria Ortiz, MD, FACE, ECNU, and Amanda Cantu, MD, ABIM, have years of experience helping men with low testosterone restore their strength and vitality. To schedule an appointment, call the office today.
Low testosterone, also called male hypogonadism, occurs when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. Health conditions that cause low testosterone include:
Mumps
Pituitary gland problems
Metabolic disorders
Testicular injuries
High blood levels of iron
Cancer treatment
Autoimmune diseases
Uncontrolled diabetes
Testosterone levels also naturally decline as you get older. After the age of 30, men’s testosterone levels gradually drop by up to 2% every year.
Your risk of developing low testosterone also increases if you’re overweight. The medical experts estimate that every one-point increase in your BMI results in a 2% drop in testosterone.
If you’re older and gain weight, the total decrease in testosterone can start to make a big difference in your health.
What symptoms develop in men with low testosterone?
Testosterone is a male hormone (androgen) that’s essential for male development, muscle size and strength, bone strength, sex drive, healthy red blood cells, and sperm production.
If you have low testosterone, you may experience:
A low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Loss of muscle mass
Loss of muscle strength
Decrease in body hair
Difficulty concentrating
Memory problems
Weight gain
Depression
Fatigue
Low testosterone can also lead to the loss of body and beard hair.
Does low testosterone cause infertility?
Your ability to have children can be affected by hypogonadism. Low testosterone isn’t the most common cause of male factor infertility, but it’s diagnosed in 2-5% of men who can’t get their partner pregnant. Blood tests to check testosterone levels are a routine part of your infertility assessment.
How is low testosterone treated?
At your first appointment, your RGV Endocrine Center provider reviews your medical history and performs a physical exam. Then they run blood tests to determine your testosterone levels.
Treating underlying conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome may restore hormonal balance. If not, your provider treats low testosterone with hormone replacement therapy.
You can choose to have testosterone delivered by:
Injections, typically needed every 10-14 days
Patches, applied to your skin every day
Gels, rubbed into your skin every day
Pellets, implanted under your skin every few months
Your symptoms improve as your medication restores normal blood levels of testosterone. Taking testosterone also prevents chronic diseases associated with low testosterone, such as osteoporosis.
To learn more about low testosterone, call RGV Endocrine Center today.
