KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Testosterone is vital for maintaining bone density, muscle mass, and libido; low testosterone can lead to various adverse side effects.
- Consultation with endocrinologists or urologists, like Dr. Edward King, is crucial for the proper diagnosis and treatment of low testosterone.
- Testosterone therapy requires careful monitoring by a specialist to ensure patient safety and optimal results.
Understanding Testosterone and Its Importance
Testosterone, a naturally occurring anabolic steroid, is produced by the testicles and plays a vital role in the human body. According to Dr. Edward D. King, a renowned urologist in Oxford, FL, testosterone is responsible for increasing bone density and muscle mass. It also influences libido, or sex drive, and contributes to overall well-being.
Recognizing the Signs of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone levels can result in several adverse side effects. Dr. King explains that diminished libido, weakness, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and an increase in weight gain (specifically fat instead of lean muscle mass) can all be indicators of low testosterone.
Seeking Professional Help for Low Testosterone
When faced with symptoms of low testosterone, it is crucial to consult with specialists such as endocrinologists or urologists. Dr. King emphasizes the importance of seeking care from professionals like himself who specialize in managing diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, and hypogonadism (the medical term for low testosterone).
Testosterone Therapy: Close Monitoring is Key
Testosterone therapy can be an effective treatment for low testosterone, but it requires careful monitoring by a qualified specialist. Dr. King highlights the potential risks associated with testosterone therapy, such as polycythemia (a significant rise in red blood cell count), which can lead to stroke if not closely monitored. Testosterone therapy can also cause an elevation in liver enzymes, necessitating regular liver function tests. It is essential to ensure that the patient’s testosterone level remains within the normal range – not too low and not too high.
Advanced Urology Institute: Leading the Way in Urological Care
The Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, is committed to providing exceptional care for patients with urological conditions, including low testosterone. Dr. Edward King and his team of expert urologists offer state-of-the-art treatments to help patients regain their quality of life and enjoy improved overall well-being.
TRANSCRIPTION:
My name is Dr. Edward King, I’m a urologist at the Advanced Urology Institute.
Testosterone is an anabolic steroid, so it occurs naturally in the body, it’s produced by the testicles, and it’s involved in increasing bone density and also muscle mass. When your testosterone is low, some of the side effects can include diminished libido or sex drive, weakness, fatigue, also loss in muscle mass, and increase in weight gain, that is fat as opposed to lean muscle mass.
Low testosterone should be managed by specialists such as endocrinologists or urologists, because we are the specialists in dealing with diminished libido erectile dysfunction and low testosterone, or the medical term is hypogonadism.
Testosterone therapy should be monitored closely because it can cause a pretty significant rise in the red blood cell count, that’s a condition called polycythemia, and it can lead to stroke, if not monitored closely.
It can also cause an elevation in liver enzymes too, so those need to be checked as well. And plus, we need to ensure that the patient’s testosterone level remains within the normal range, that is not too low, and certainly not too high.
REFERENCES:
- “Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/l/low-testosterone.
- “Low Testosterone: 12 Signs in Men – Healthline.” https://www.healthline.com/health/low-testosterone/warning-signs.
- “Polycythemia vera – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 11 Feb. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polycythemia-vera/symptoms-causes/syc-20355850.