Why Do a Lot of Men Need TRT?
As people age, it’s natural for their bodies to produce lower levels of certain hormones. This is especially problematic for the 2.1% of men who suffer from low testosterone. A low level of this hormone can result in a variety of health issues beyond adversely affecting the libido. Learning about the causes and symptoms of low testosterone can help you determine if TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) will benefit you.
What Are the Main Causes of a Testosterone Deficiency?
A variety of circumstances can cause a testosterone deficiency in adult men. Some medical conditions can interfere with hormone production. If you do suffer from a medical condition, the medication that treats the condition can also inhibit testosterone production as a side effect. Discuss your concerns with your doctor if you suspect a medical condition or treatment is affecting your body’s ability to produce testosterone.
Even if you’re generally healthy, your body might require TRT as you reach your senior years. That’s because the body produces fewer hormones as you age. In some cases, the lower production of hormones might lead to a deficiency.
Your lifestyle can also affect your need for TRT. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity lead to lower testosterone levels. The high amount of fat cells causes men’s bodies to produce higher estrogen levels. In addition, the testosterone present in the body gets converted into estrogen. This process is known as aromatase conversion and ultimately leads to hypogonadism among men who practice poor lifestyle habits.
A nutritious diet and moderate to high-intensity exercise stimulate testosterone production in men. When you eat a primarily plant-based diet, your body will use the nutrients in those foods to produce higher hormone levels. Similarly, regular exercise leads to higher testosterone levels while helping the body develop stronger bone density and a healthier muscle-to-fat ratio.
A variety of environmental factors can disrupt the body’s ability to produce testosterone. These causes include compounds that interfere with the endocrine system’s functions. Plastics, personal hygiene products, and pesticides all fall into this category.
Chronic stress will result in high levels of cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. The presence of cortisol counteracts the body’s ability to produce testosterone and other essential hormones. If regular stress-reduction activities don’t alleviate your condition, you may need medical treatment to lower your cortisol levels.
How Can You Tell When You Suffer From Low Testosterone?
A medical evaluation will determine your need for TRT. Your doctor can conduct blood screenings to determine if you have lost bone density or lean muscle mass. While consulting your doctor is the best way to confirm a testosterone deficiency, there are many symptoms that you can recognize on your own.
Here are the most common signs of low testosterone in men:
- Poor libido/erectile dysfunction
- Depression and poor mood balance
- Cognitive changes or impairment
- Insomnia and sleep disturbances
- Weight gain
- Low energy/fatigue
These symptoms can seem insignificant when your testosterone levels start to dip. As you develop a more serious deficiency, you’ll experience more frequent or more severe symptoms. Starting TRT with your doctor’s help will alleviate these signs of the deficiency.
Medical Conditions That Can Cause Low Testosterone Production
Even when a medical condition causes a testosterone deficiency, TRT can help alleviate the hormone imbalance. In particular, testosterone cypionate injections help restore the proper testosterone levels. It’s not always true that treating the underlying medical condition will restore hormone production. You may need testosterone replacement therapy in addition to treatment for the following conditions:
- Andropause
- Metabolic syndrome
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Post-steroid use
- Hypogonadism
Any condition that affects your pituitary gland can also disrupt the production of testosterone. The gland is responsible for regulating hormone production and the release of hormones to the rest of the body. Many medical problems disrupt this process. For example, a tumor can interfere with hormone production even when the growth is benign.
It’s rare for teens and young men to develop a testosterone deficiency, but it is a possibility. Often, the cause of this issue is a pituitary adenoma. This is a genetic condition in which there’s a disruption of normal hormone synthesis. Alternatively, the hormone receptors may not function properly, keeping testosterone from binding to the cells. Testosterone replacement therapy can counteract these types of genetic conditions.
Hypopituitarism is a condition in which the gland might fail to produce up to eight essential hormones. This condition can result from an autoimmune disease, a genetic disorder, or a tumor in the pituitary gland. It can also result from an infection or as a side effect of radiation therapy.
Other conditions that affect the pituitary gland’s ability to produce testosterone and other hormones include:
- Acromegaly
- Cushing’s disease
- Diabetes insipidus
- Hypothyroidism
- Empty sella syndrome
- Craniopharyngioma
Three conditions are rare, but they can affect the levels of a variety of hormones. Your doctor can alleviate some conditions with TRT. The removal of tumors will require surgery. Cancerous growths might require radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other treatments to eliminate the cancer. After treating the tumor or cancer, your doctor can provide testosterone replacement therapy as a part of your recovery process.
Restore Your Hormone Levels for Healthier Living
If you suspect that a testosterone deficiency is affecting your health, avoid self-medicating for the condition. You may not understand the significance of the deficiency or how to properly treat it. A medical professional can accurately assess your testosterone levels and offer the proper hormone replacement therapy to treat your condition.
