Download Do you have low testosterone? Why does it

Testosterone
Do you have low testosterone? Why does it matter?
Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in both men and women. Testosterone is a steroid
hormone, or androgen, that is produced mainly in the testicles of men and a small amount in the adrenal
glands. In females, testosterone is produced in the ovaries with a small amount coming from the adrenal
glands. Testosterone is the principal male sex hormone.
In males, testosterone is the main hormone in the development of male reproductive tissues as well as
promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as muscle mass, bone density and body hair. In addition,
testosterone is important for overall health, well being and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Testosterone has many health effects including:
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Sexual arousal, performance and sperm development.
Regulation of cognitive and physical energy
Maintenance of muscle mass
Testosterone regulates platelet aggregation in humans.
Recent studies have shown conflicting results concerning the importance of testosterone in maintaining
cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, maintaining normal testosterone levels in elderly men has been
shown to improve many parameters that are thought to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, such as
increased lean body mass, decreased visceral fat mass, decreased total cholesterol, and blood sugar
control.
Men whose testosterone levels are slightly above average are less likely to have high blood pressure,
less likely to experience a heart attack, less likely to be obese, and less likely to rate their own health as
fair or poor. However, high testosterone men are more likely to report one or more injuries, more likely
to consume five or more alcoholic drinks in a day, more likely to have had a sexually transmitted
infection, and more likely to smoke.
The literature suggests that attention, memory, and spatial ability are key cognitive functions affected
by testosterone in humans. Preliminary evidence suggests that low testosterone levels may be a risk
factor for cognitive decline and possibly for dementia of the Alzheimer's type, a key argument in life
extension medicine for the use of testosterone in anti-aging therapies.
The literature suggests that testosterone may have a positive effect on mood and depression.
High androgen levels are associated with menstrual cycle irregularities in both clinical populations and
healthy women.
Testosterone may increase the spread of prostate cancer. In people who have undergone testosterone
deprivation therapy, testosterone increases beyond the castrate level have been shown to increase the
rate of spread of an existing prostate cancer.
Testosterone supplementation may increase hematocrit, red blood cell count, and may require
venipuncture to lower hematocrit to normal levels.
Testosterone decline in men
In some men, testosterone will decline as they age. Some believe this is part of the normal aging process.
Some believe it is not. Those that believe it is not point to the health benefits of testosterone and the
population of men that do not have declining testosterone. It is my personal opinion that declining
testosterone levels are NOT normal. Testosterone plays too big a role in the health of men. Without
testosterone, men can have any, some or all of the following health problems:
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Fatigue
Low energy
Sleep issues
Decreased concentration
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Depression
Irritability
Weakness
Low stamina
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased libido
Decreased height
Obesity
Thyroid issues
Diabetes
Low ejaculate volumes
Decreased testicular size
If you are experiencing any of these problems, please make an appointment with Dr. Ohling to discuss your
concerns.