Is It Important To Treat Low Testosterone?

Testosterone is the hormone that makes men grow hair, have a deeper voice, and have a muscular build. It is produced by the testicles and peaks in early adulthood only to begin dropping 1 to 2% starting at about age 40. Is it important to treat low testosterone? In most cases, yes, but not always.

Advantages Of Testosterone

An appropriate level of testosterone builds strong bones, boosts mood and thinking ability, plus helps produce red blood cells. Many tout

that it promotes longevity by helping to avoid the metabolic syndrome of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar,

Man with gray hair looking in the mirror.

and obesity.

The opposite is known as low T.

Levels of testosterone decline with age and from other conditions including the following:

  • Trauma
  • Liver and kidney disease
  • A stroke
  • Illness
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications
  • Heart attack

Symptoms Of Low Testosterone

There are some specific and obvious signs of low T like lack of sexual desire or erectile dysfunction. At the same time, there can be

more subtle signs including fatigue, decreased muscle mass and bodily hair, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

If you have symptoms of low T and the tests indicate the same, Dr. Siddiq may recommend therapy.

For others, if there are no symptoms and the low T is only due to aging, no treatment is currently recommended. Some studies show that older men can suffer from suppressed immune function with treatment, and it can shorten their lives.

It is critical to discuss all this with Dr. Siddiq in Sulphur, LA.

Treatments For Low Testosterone

If Dr. Siddiq recommends treatment for low T, there are several available methods.

Skin Patch

Applied every 24 hours it releases small amounts of hormone into the skin.

Gels

Topical gels are spread on the skin once a day on both upper arms, shoulders, or thighs.

Oral Therapy

Also called mouth patches, a capsule or tablet is placed on your gums or inner cheek twice daily.

Pellets

These are implanted under the skin around the hip or buttocks area. They are replaced every 3 to 6 months.

Injections

Every 7 to 14 days.

Improvements are usually noticed within 4 to 6 weeks.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

There are risks as well as benefits from taking testosterone treatments so weigh out the pros and cons with Dr. Siddiq.

Contact Dr. Siddiq at (337) 480-7499 if you think you might need treatment for low testosterone. Find out if it’s right for you.