Testosterone in men are highest post-puberty and normally declines 1 percent per year starting in middle age. This normal decline is not always associated with clinical symptoms. A combination of low testosterone and at least three clinical symptoms associated with this deficiency should be present for such a diagnosis. Testosterone deficiency in older men may be from aging or other medical problems such as obesity, diabetes or cardiovascular disease symptoms.
Loss of Libido and/or Erectile Dysfunction
Testosterone regulates the sexual function in men including the desire for sexual activity (libido) and ability to have or maintain an erection. Insufficient testosterone levels can cause lack of desire and function. These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the absence of androgen deficiency.
Psychological Symptoms
Psychological symptoms associated with androgen deficiency include depression, lethargy, trouble concentrating, sleep disorders and general irritability. Like estrogen in women, testosterone is the "feel good" hormone in men and normal levels of testosterone are associated with a general feeling of well-being. You should know that these generalized depressive symptoms may be caused by other factors unrelated to testosterone levels and may not be helped by androgen replacement.
Decreased Bone Density
Osteoporosis or low bone density is not just a women's disease. The osteoporetic fractures in men study (MrOS Study) surveyed almost 1,500 men aged 65 and older to determine if men had a greater risk of having bone fractures if they had low levels of some hormones. This study showed that men were at greater risk of frailty if they had low levels of testosterone.
Loss of Muscle
The loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and the increase of fatty tissue has been associated with declining testosterone levels and aging. In some patients testosterone therapy can be beneficial in reversing these conditions, if low testosterone levels are shown to the be the cause.
Treatment of Symptoms
Because the symptoms associated with declining testosterone levels can also be symptoms of other medical conditions, it is important that you see a doctor for a full check up to rule out other causes. In addition, testosterone therapy is not recommended for men with breast cancer, prostate cancer or cardiovascular disease. Do not take testosterone supplements on your own because they may be ineffective and dangerous to your health. Testosterone therapy can be useful for treating specific medical conditions, but is often misused and abused, due to misleading claims that testosterone therapy is a cure-all for every male medical condition.
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