Low-T Clinic in Nashville, TN

Otherwise known as male hypogonadism, low testosterone is a condition in which the testes – the male reproductive glands – do not produce enough testosterone. In males, testosterone helps with the maintenance and development of sexual features, muscle mass, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone density, an overall sense of well-being, and sexual and reproductive functions.

Typically, low testosterone affects men over or at the age of forty-five, affecting approximately 40% of men in that age range.

As men age, the amount of testosterone in the body that is produced gradually tapers off. The decline usually starts around the age of thirty and continues as men age. There are also other potential causes of low testosterone, which may include but are not limited to:

• Injury or infection of the testes
• Chemotherapy treatments for cancer
• Metabolic disorders (i.e., hemochromatosis)
• Dysfunction or tumors in the pituitary gland
• Medications or hormone treatments
• Acute or chronic illnesses
• Chronic renal failure
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• HIV/AIDS

Aging is a primary cause of low testosterone but is not the only one and may also occur in conjunction with another cause. It is important that you seek treatment if you suspect that you have low testosterone. American Male Medical’s professional Dr’s will speak with you about treating and managing your condition.

The symptoms experienced by men who have low testosterone vary and frequently depend on the man’s age, but may include: low sex drive; erectile dysfunction; a decreased sense of overall well-being; depression; difficulties with concentration and memory; fatigue; moodiness and irritability; and a loss of muscular strength. These are not the only symptoms that you may experience if you have low testosterone. Other symptoms or changes that you might notice include: mild anemia and a decrease in hemoglobin; a decrease of body hair; thinning of the bones (known as osteoporosis); increased body fat; the development of breasts (known as gynecomastia); and even infertility.

The usual treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy, which can be done in several ways:

• Through intramuscular injections, which usually happen every ten to fourteen days.
• The use of testosterone patches, which are used daily and applied to different parts of the body.
• Testosterone gels which are applied daily to the skin of the upper back and arms (the gels require certain care in making certain that the hormone is not accidentally transferred to another).
• Through pellets, which are implanted under the skin every two months.

It is important that you seek treatment and management for low testosterone, to avoid any long-term affects and to get you back to feeling and being your best. Testosterone replacement therapy comes with many benefits, such as a loss of fat, increased bone density, improved mood and a better sense of well-being, improved sexual function, improved mental capacities, and greater muscle strength.

It is important that you if you undergo testosterone replacement therapy, that you meet with your physician frequently and make certain that you book follow-up appointments to make sure that your condition is well-managed and that there are no negative side-effects.

If you are suffering from low testosterone and are in need of specialist treatment, visit our low-t clinic at American Male Medical. We are conveniently located at 1900 Patterson Street Suite 202 in the Nashville, TN area. Please call us or visit our website online to book your appointment now.