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Low T and Me: How Low Testosterone Levels Are Affecting Men
by Matthew Dello Russo
According to recent research, one out of four men over 30 are experiencing low testosterone levels. Low T is defined as 300ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) of total (bound and unbound) testosterone and less than 5 ng/dL of free (unbound) testosterone. While total testosterone is important to diagnose low T levels, free testosterone is more widely analyzed as it is readily bioavailable in the body.
Often times, low testosterone is linked to an androgen deficiency and may be accompanied by a diminishing sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lethargy, and a decrease in muscle mass or physical strength. With the recent media exposure low testosterone and available treatments have been garnering, men nationwide are ramping up the search for ways to stop the natural decline of T levels – about 1 percent per year after the age of 30.
"Low levels of testosterone impact many aspects of male physiology," stated lead author Andre B. Araujo, a research scientist at the New England Research Institutes in Watertown, Mass. "This is particularly significant because the ongoing aging of the U.S. male population is likely to cause the number of men suffering from androgen deficiency to increase appreciably."
While most men reach peak testosterone production during their adolescence, some men start to experience symptoms that are often confused for low test levels well before the age of 30. Erectile dysfunction and lack of interest in sexual activity, often times caused by stress or lifestyle changes, generally cause individuals to questions whether their testosterone levels are where they’re supposed to be. Those affected will ask, is it possible to be this young and already experiencing low testosterone?
In an effort to combat the age-induced decline of testosterone levels, individuals are turning to HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy. HRT has continued to gain popularity in the mainstream for its tendency to improve sex drive and energy levels in both men and women patients.
Although HRT has been shown to have a variety of health benefits, Dr. Alan Bauman - a leading international hair restoration researcher - is advising patients to take preventative measures to combat potential hair loss during treatment.
"I would encourage all patients and the healthcare providers offering HRT to be aware of the potential side-effect and take the appropriate steps ahead of time to prevent it. There are a wide array of preventive treatments available that can ensure men will have the best chance at maintaining a healthy head of hair throughout the course of low-T treatment, even if they are more genetically predisposed to hair loss,” Bauman stated.
After a recent Boston Area Community Health Survey, New England Research Institute scientists predicted a massive spike in symptomatic androgen deficiency in American men by 2025. If the figures are accurate, there may be as many as 6.5 million cases present in the United States – a staggering 38 percent increase from the year 2000.
Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is a hair transplant surgeon and researcher who has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures since starting his hair loss practice, Bauman Medical Group, in Boca Raton, FL.
If you or someone you know would like more information about hair loss and how to treat it, please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact one of our representatives today!
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