Testosterone Deficiency

What causes testosterone deficiency?

Testosterone deficiency is often a warning sign that something is off in your body. A low testosterone level could be a sign of:

• An undiagnosed infection
• Thyroid disease
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Hormonal disorders
• Testicular cancer
• Type II diabetes
• An autoimmune disorder

Sometimes, testosterone deficiency occurs because you’re overweight or obese. Dr. Leibowitz helps you get to a healthy weight if this is the cause. It is vital that the underlying cause of your testosterone deficiency is determined so Dr. Leibowitz can treat the reason for it.

How is testosterone deficiency diagnosed?

Testosterone deficiency is easy to diagnose through a quick blood draw. But because your testosterone fluctuates throughout the day, Dr. Leibowitz generally suggests having several blood draws done at various times. Usually, he wants you to have your blood drawn first thing in the morning since that’s when your testosterone is the highest. After that, Dr. Leibowitz lets you know if you need additional lab work, and when you should have it done.

Will I know if I have low testosterone?

Probably, yes. But some of the warning signs aren’t very obvious. Testosterone deficiency often leads to:

• A low sex drive
• Hair loss
• Fatigue or insomnia
• Erectile dysfunction
• Weight gain
• Loss of muscle mass
• Fragile bones
• Low semen production
• Mood swings or mental fogginess

Which treatments are best for testosterone deficiency?

It depends on the reason your testosterone is low. If you need to lose weight, for example, your treatment plan might start with diet and exercise. Once Dr. Leibowitz gets to the root of what’s causing your testosterone deficiency, he reviews your options and what you can do. Testosterone deficiency treatment plans may include:

• Gonadotropin injections
• Testosterone pellets
• Testosterone injections
• Testosterone patches
• Erectile dysfunction medication

Does my testosterone level drop as I get older?

Yes, though it’s different from what women go through. With menopause, women’s estrogen levels plummet quickly, causing unpleasant side effects. As a man, it’s normal for your testosterone level to drop, but it’s much more gradual. You probably won’t have any sudden symptoms or side effects. Instead, you might notice that you’re not as interested in sexual intercourse or occasionally have issues with erectile dysfunction.

These aren’t issues you have to live with. Even if the problems you’re having are only minor and happen once in awhile, make an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz. He can determine whether a testosterone replacement therapy plan is right for you, so you don’t have to live with any uncomfortable side effects.