TD is characterised by low levels of testosterone, and is an under-diagnosed medical condition commonly found in men over 40. It is estimated that TD may occur in 8% of men in their 40's, rising to 12% in their 50's and 19% in their 60's1. TD can cause a variety of changes to your health – both physical and emotional.
The symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency include:
• Fatigue / Tiredness
• Weight Gain
• Loss of Libido
• Feeling down
• Sleep disturbance
• Inability to concentrate
• Loss of erections
• Joint or muscle pain
• Memory Loss
• Excessive sweating
The long term implications of Testosterone Deficiency include:
• Decreased bone mass that may lead to osteoporosis
• Decreased muscle size and strength, and increased weight gain
• Decreased virility
• Decreased facial hair/the need for regular shaving decreases
• Sparse or absent pubic hair
• Smaller/softer testes
• An increase in breast size
Recent studies reveal that Irish men are reluctant to visit their GP as they don’t believe their symptoms are serious enough to warrant treatment2. If your Doctor diagnoses testosterone deficiency he or she may recommend testosterone replacement therapy in certain cases. Testosterone replacement therapy will return testosterone levels to the bodies normal range and may reduce the symptoms of testosterone deficiency.
References:
1. Harman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001:86 724 - 731
2. Men’s Health in Ireland, A Report from the Men’s Health Forum, January 2004, www.mhfi.org.
