More men than ever are on testosterone. But experts say boosting this sex hormone may not solve your woes.
“Signs and symptoms of low testosterone are often very generalizable and can be due to something else, either in addition to or separately from having low testosterone,” Dr. Justin Dubin told The Post.
Part of the reason so many people are on testosterone, or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), is because a script is easier than ever to get. There are a number of companies offering the hormone through a process that’s completely online.
That results in men getting on T without actually needing it. Only 12% of men who have a testosterone prescription actually had low testosterone levels, one study showed.
Dubin, a urologist and the director of men’s sexual health at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, explains why something might look like low T but is actually something else that shouldn’t go untreated.
#1: Low sex drive
Though low sex drive might seem to be the most obviously pointing to low T, Dubin said it could be caused by mental health issues like depression and anxiety, or even medication.
Depression, sex and anxiety can make it hard to be interested or have energy for things that used to make you happy, like sex. Medications like ones for high blood pressure, depression (like SSRI medications) and seizures can also decrease libido.
The only way to know if it’s low testosterone or something else is to see your doctor so they can assess the whole picture, he said.
“What men need to know is that sexual health is health. Sexual problems may be a warning sign of or a direct result of some other health issues that you may have,” he said. “We aren’t just looking at your testosterone levels, we are looking at your overall health. ”
#2: Low energy
“Low energy is another sign of low testosterone, but that can also be due to lack of sleep, sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, mental health issues, anemia and lifestyle, just to name a few,” Dubin said.
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep, and can result in loud snoring or waking up gasping or choking. Left untreated, this could result in serious heart issues like stroke or heart failure.
It’s hard to untangle what’s causing what, since low T is associated with many of these symptoms. Hypothyroidism is suppresses testosterone production. Testosterone naturally stimulates red blood cell production, and when there’s not enough testosterone, it can result in anemia.
“Many times, men can have more than one of these issues. Unfortunately, there remains a stigma in men’s health, and many men continue to suffer in silence instead of getting the help they need,” Dubin said.
An online survey from the Cleveland Clinic showed 72% of men would rather do chores like cleaning the bathroom than go to the doctor.
“I think it is important for any man who is struggling with health issues to go see a doctor because, yes, it may be low testosterone, it may be something else, or it could be a combination of things. We can’t know for sure unless you come in and get evaluated.”
#3: Erectile disfunction
Erectile dysfunction could be a result of low testosterone, but could also point to a number of other issues.
ED is one of the earliest signs of heart and vascular disease. The heart has a hard time pumping the blood needed for the erection. Untreated heart disease can rapidly progress to be life threatening, causing stroke or heart attack.
Seventy-five percent of men with diabetes also struggle with ED. High blood sugar damages the blood vessels needed for an erection. Left untreated, diabetes could cause heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.
Smoking also damages blood vessels, restricting blood flow. Those who’ve undergone pelvic treatments, like radiation or surgery for prostate cancer, might also struggle with ED, Dubin said.
Beweare coexisting medical issues
Men may suspect low T, but coexisting issues may make TRT less useful to treat the problem.
Having a history of cancer, or undergoing cancer treatment, dealing with chronic illness, and obesity, all put men at risk of having low testosterone, Dubin said.
“The signs and symptoms may be a combination of low testosterone and the other health issues you are struggling with.”
He says he’s seen many men coming to him to address low T but actually are dealing with another, stigmatized problem.
“I have seen many younger healthy men present in my office with low desire and erectile dysfunction … [some of] these men have normal testosterone levels and are actually struggling with mental health issues, life stressors, and relationship issues that can compromise their sexual desire and function,” he said.
