Medically known as hypogonadism, low testosterone in males is becoming more prevalent in primary care due to a number of reasons. Testosterone treatment over the past decade is thought to have tripled in the United States . Patients become concerned after being exposed to direct-consumer advertising as seen/heard on television, or on the radio. The ads discuss very vague symptoms (fatigue, memory problems, obesity) then patients present to their primary care stating they have low testosterone. Diagnosing hypogonadism and determining which patients meet the need for treatment is difficult because of vague symptoms patients often present with once they hear a low testosterone lab value. In some patients and situations, men that clearly need the medications clinicians are concerned about potential problems that can arise with the treatment of testosterone. All forms of low testosterone contribute to poor quality of life and can affect multiple organ systems.
Here at the Institute for Functional Health we will help you find the root cause of your low testosterone and help it increase based on each individual case. I have found that some medical studies indicate that diets high in bread, dairy, take out, and low in dark green vegetables were predictive of low testosterone. A diet approach to treatment would not be beneficial to people of whose primary meals are carbohydrate heavy.
Medical studies also have yet to define what levels of testosterone are goal and which patients are best to treat. It is unclear how long patients should receive treatment. Although when medically managing patients at IFFH our goals are clear to reduce symptoms and increase quality of life with the least harm from side effects. If treatment is required with hormone replacement forms come in creams and our favorite which is similar to your own body’s release called bio-identical pellets. Bio-identical meaning that the chemical composition is similar to that found in the human body. Feel free to schedule a consultation to discuss your current concerns with low testosterone, we are happy to help you improve your quality of life!
