Male Symptoms
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Are you 30+ and suffering from one or more of the following?
- Depression
- Lack of Energy & Fatigue
- Loss of Concentration or Memory
- Muscle Loss
- Fat Gain
- Weight Gain
- Gynecomastia
- Hot Flashes
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Low Libido/Lower Sex Drive
- Hair Loss
- Urinary Problems
- Insomnia
- Decreased Stamina
- Irritability, Anxiety, or Depression
- Night Sweats
- Hypogonadism
- Adrenal Fatigue
- Thyroid Health
The biggest symptom of Low T for men is that they simply do not feel right. They might be run down, tired, loss of energy. They might have lost interest in sex or experienced the inability to perform. They may believe they still have interest in sex but are reminded by their wives that they used to want it all the time and hardly ever express interest any more. Someone with Low T might become more irritable to their family or coworkers, and may have lost some of their mental clarity and interest in work. They may experience other physical symptoms like weight gain, breast development, urinary problems, hair loss or hot flashes. Or, they may simply feel like they have not gotten a good night’s sleep in years and miss the energy they felt a few years ago to tackle their day to day life.
Understanding Male Hormones
Testosterone in Men
Testosterone is the life source for the male body which is filled with testosterone receptors. If testosterone levels dip, these receptors won’t receive enough testosterone and results in Low T symptoms. Since many healthcare professionals consider men from age 18-70 to have the same range of what is considered “normal” testosterone, many men begin seeing deficiencies as early as their 30’s but do not have access to therapy through their primary care physician. HRT Wellness doctors don’t think in terms of normal levels—we think in terms of optimal levels. Optimal is where a man feels and functions at his best, without unpleasant symptoms.
Estrogen in Men
Small amounts of estrogen improve cardiovascular health, enhance brain function, and prevent osteoporosis. But many men have too much which can result in symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, and belly fat as well as an increased risk for prostate cancer.
Elevated estrogen usually occurs as testosterone declines, because as testosterone declines, most men will accumulate fat–primarily belly fat. Fat contains an enzyme called aromatase, and aromatase converts testosterone to estrogen. In other words, as men age, their bodies often exchange testosterone for estrogen at an increased rate. Estrogen, in turn, causes belly fat. It becomes a vicious circle. This is why raising testosterone levels without controlling estrogen is counterproductive, and why losing weight if your hormones are out of whack will be nearly impossible.
Unlike testosterone, we don’t think of estrogen as being a hormone that needs to be replaced. Instead, it needs to be controlled. Estrogen in men should be kept within a tight window. If it’s too high or too low, there can be symptoms.
Our doctors control estrogen as part of our treatment programs by placing men on an estrogen blocker as needed. Estrogen blockers effectively suppress estrogen conversion at the same time as we’re increasing testosterone levels, thereby eliminating existing symptoms, and preventing future ones.