In addition, the hormone’s potential side effects could outweigh its benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that stimulates male sexual and reproductive development. Essentially, it is the hormone responsible for making men “male,” although women have it in small amounts as well. Testosterone is the chemical messenger that helps develop the male sex organs in the womb and the sex characteristics at puberty such as voice deepening and facial and body hair growth.

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What if you could take a powerful synthetic hormone that could boost your libido and your energy level and make you feel younger? If you think that sounds too good to be true, you may be right.

The hormone in question is testosterone, and it’s being prescribed in record numbers for men with hypogonadism or low testosterone. The problem is that low testosterone may not be a health threat in need of treatment.

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Low Testosterone: Health Problem or Fad?

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What Is Testosterone?

After age 30, a man’s testosterone level starts to drop slowly. It’s not like menopause, where women lose their estrogen all at once. With testosterone, men may lose about 1 percent a year. Testosterone levels also may be affected by sleep, the time of day, and conditions like obesity or type 2 diabetes.

When Does Testosterone Start to Disappear?

Between 2 and 4 million men in the U.S. have a testosterone level that is below normal. Only a small percentage of men develop symptoms, which may include the following:

What Are the Symptoms of Low Testosterone?

Most important, low testosterone can mimic the symptoms of other diseases, including diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. A blood test is used to diagnose “low T.”

There are conditions that warrant testosterone treatment and others that may not. Generally, testosterone replacement is used in cases of injuries to the testes when the body cannot make its own testosterone.

When you take testosterone as a supplement, your body stops the production of it. That requires you to supplement it indefinitely. Imagine the expense, not to mention the potential health-related side effects of long-term use.

In the case of testosterone, studies have shown that it can thicken the blood and reduce sperm count. Prostate enlargement also may be a side effect of treatment. On the flip side, men with low testosterone are at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. The truth is that we don’t know enough about the long-term effects of low testosterone—yet.

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By Carmine Mazzella, D.O.

Dr. Carmine Mazzella is a graduate of Manhattan College and the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He did a rotating internship at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York and his residency at Mountainside Hospital. He is board certified in Family Practice.

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Curious About Low Treatment? Talk to Us

We’ll fill you in on the latest research and discuss your specific condition to find the best course of treatment to keep you healthy. Call us at any of our locations.

The Natural Way to Boost Testosterone

The good news is that you can boost your testosterone levels naturally by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep. While not a miracle cure, making these lifestyle changes will go a long way toward giving you more energy and helping you feel better.

• Low sex drive• Erectile dysfunction• Low semen volume• Fatigue and lack of energy

• Loss of muscle mass• Increase in body fat• Decrease in bone mass• Mood changes