There are many positive effects of testosterone when it comes to male well-being. The benefits of having our hormone levels under control.
What is the hormone testosterone?
Testosterone is the male sex hormone. In men, it is responsible for building the tissues of the male reproductive organs, such as the testicles, and for developing secondary sexual characteristics during puberty. For example, it is responsible for the growth of muscle mass, the appearance of facial hair, etc.
This hormone also plays an important role in overall health and well-being.
When testosterone levels drop abruptly after the age of forty, we consider that the patient suffers from late onset hypogonadism.
What is late-onset hypogonadism?
El late-onset hypogonadism It is a clinical and biochemical syndrome increasingly common among the adult male population. This condition is rarely diagnosed, so most affected men live with it without treatment.
The association between age-related testosterone deficiency and the diagnosis of hypogonadism remains controversial.
Its association with symptoms such as loss of muscle volume and strength, loss of libido and erectile function, as well as changes in the patient's emotional and intellectual state is insidious since sometimes the symptoms are attributed to the "normal" aging process, or to other comorbidities of the patient.
Often, The patient reports having lost the well-being he had when he was younger. It happens that often you don't know “what” exactly you have lost.
How is hypogonadism diagnosed?
The diagnosis of hypogonadism is based on the coexistence of low serum levels of total or free testosterone and symptom suggestive of hypogonadism.
Although they have been developed quizzes screening questionnaires for patients with clinical suspicion, these questionnaires have limited sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of hypogonadism.
Accurate and timely diagnosis, through determination of blood testosterone levels, is of crucial importance. Only in this way can these levels be restored through hormone replacement therapy.
Positive effects of hormone replacement therapy on male well-being
To understand the impact of the decrease in serum testosterone levels in the blood, one must be aware of the multiple physiological effects of this hormone in healthy males.
Positive effects of therapy:
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- Stimulates the synthesis of erythropoietin in the kidney
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- Maintains the frequency of the erections nocturnal
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- Favors the bone deposit and its mineralization
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- Stimulates protein synthesis at the hepatic level
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- Nitrogen retention to maintain normal muscle metabolism
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- Inhibits the inflammatory response in autoimmune diseases
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- Mood stabilization and sense of well-being
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- Decrease the depression,, irritability and loss of self-esteem
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- Increase the libido
- Maintains adequate performance of cognitive functions
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Negative effects of low testosterone (hypogonadism) on male well-being
Doctors can identify low testosterone levels by checking for symptoms in three areas: physical, psychological and sexual.
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- On psychological area There are fatigue, loss of energy and feeling of sadness.
- Decreased energy and stamina, as well as difficulty bending over or walking more than a mile, are physical signs.
- A lower frequency of morning erections, erectile dysfunction and decreased erotic thoughts are factors associated with sexual area.
All of these factors can be identified by patients as loss of general well-being that they had when they were younger and had normal testosterone levels. It is therefore important to consult a doctor and, if necessary, rule out hypogonadism with the appropriate analytical tests.
Treatment for hypogonadism
In this way, it can be indicated the right treatment and regain lost well-being through the positive effects of testosterone.
Approximately, 70% of patients report improvement in their symptoms. It improves libido, sexual appetite, erections, sexual fantasy, and additionally, it decreases episodes of depression and anxiety, increases muscle strength, increases bone mineralization, decreases abdominal circumference, and also benefits blood sugar and lipid control.
There is still controversy regarding androgenic treatment of symptoms accompanying decline in testicular function in advanced age, although there is agreement to treat patients with clear symptoms of hypogonadism and low circulating testosterone concentrations.
Low levels of testosterone in the blood, regardless of age, can produce a series of symptoms and signs that are interpreted by the patient as a loss of general well-being. It is up to the doctor to accurately define whether hypogonadism is present and to indicate the appropriate treatment to restore the patient's normal healthy state.
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