MALE – How do I know if my testosterone levels are low, or out of balance?

Benefits of Testosterone in Men

 Check Your Hormone Levels!

Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone in men, meaning it plays an important role in maintaining both physical and mental health. Testosterone increases energy, prevents fatigue, increases strength of all structural tissues such as skin, bones, and muscles (including the heart – which is composed largely of muscle tissue). Testosterone also prevents depression and mental fatigue. Low testosterone levels can cause unpleasant physical and emotional symptoms such as decreased mental and physical ability, lower sex drive, a decreased level of motivation, and significant loss of muscle mass. A male with low testosterone levels often feels that he has lost his zest for living.

To check your hormone levels, click here to be redirected to my Medical Lab Test Kits where you can choose from a selection of lab kits, based on your specific health concerns.

Kathryn DeSantis, Nurse Practitioner 

As a Family Nurse Practitioner in private practice, I have spent much of my medical career focusing on endocrinology and the balancing of various hormones (including the steroidal ones, such as testosterone in men). I am a strong proponent of medically monitored hormone balancing through the use of physiologic dosing of natural (human-identical or bioidentical) hormones for both men and women.

If you are struggling with unpleasant symptoms, and have been wondering if your symptoms are due to low testosterone levels, the first thing I order for my patients is a lab test to check their hormone levels. In the typical doctor’s office, usually the only hormone that is checked in a male is his testosterone level. Most providers have not acquired education in the specialty field of Hormone Balancing (as it is not a part of required graduate studies). Medical providers with limited education in balancing hormones are not aware of the importance of checking other steroidal hormone levels as well, such as estradiol (one of several different estrogens produced by both men and women) progesterone, and DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone – produced largely in the adrenal glands). If a male has HIGH estrogen levels, his testicles will produce LOWER LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE. For this reason, it is extremely important to check a full hormone panel in order to determine the cause of the hormonal imbalance!

It’s important to understand that men produce exactly the same hormones that females produce. However, the important difference between men and women in regards to hormone levels, is that “normal” levels for a male varies drastically from “normal” levels for a female.

For a male experiencing symptoms of low testosterone who wants to find out if he is in need of Testosterone Restoration Therapy (TRT), the in-home test kit I recommend is the Comprehensive Male Profile I (saliva/blood spot combo). This lab kit includes testing male levels of Testosterone, Estradiol, Progesterone, DHEA and Cortisol, as well as PSA (for prostate health), and a full thyroid function panel. This is a good place to start to either rule out or to confirm the presence of low hormone levels and the need for Testosterone Restoration Therapy.

Hormonal Imbalances in Men

Men in their 40’s and 50’s (or younger for males who have had a vasectomy)

Symptoms of low testosterone in males:
High Stress
Increased Irritability
Weight Gain
Decreased Enthusiasm and Motivation
Memory Problems
Decreased Strength
Decreased Energy Level

Please take note that it’s very important to check your hormone levels before starting any new hormone treatment. Your lab results will show if there is an imbalance, and indicate if any of your hormones are either too high or too low. I have a website – which can be accessed if you CLICK HERE – dedicated to offering a wide selection of tests, based on your particular health concerns.

BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE BALANCING

Natural Hormone Balancing

For Men Experiencing Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Male Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

Put the zest back in your life and experience:
More Motivation
Physical
Increased Drive
Muscle Mass
More Energy

Check Your Hormone Levels!  (This link directs Male Patients to the Medical Lab Kit I recommend most to check baseline hormone levels.)

MALE REFERENCE BOOKS ON LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS

Titles and authors of reference books on Testosterone Replacement Therapy:
The Testosterone Syndrome, by Eugene Shippen, M.D. and William Fryer
Maximize Your Vitality, For Men over 40, by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D.
A bonus chapter on “Male Hormone Balance” in the book by Dr. George Gillson, M.D., PhD., You’ve Hit Menopause . . . Now What?
Hormone Balance for Men, What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Prostate Health and Natural Hormone Supplementation, by John R. Lee, M.D.