Low T – High Profit

Cynthia Lopinto Feature Article Leave a comment 2,494 Views

By CYN LoPINTO
Editor-in-chief, gerontologist

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If you have turned on the television in the last six months, you’ve noticed that the media has found a new target audience to go after – the aging male. Adding to the many hair loss and erectile dysfunction commercials, ads for men suffering from low testosterone is the new medical problem that demands our attention. There is even a catchy phrase for this, low t. Now men can join women when it comes to negative attitudes towards aging and feel bad about themselves for no longer being in their twenties!

While low testosterone levels is a legitimate medical problem for some men, there is an easy-fix simplistic tone to these advertisements. These companies fail to suggest lifestyle changes for symptoms, and that drug therapy is the way to go. Treatment can be in patches, injections or topical gels. Like the commercials say, “Just ask your doctor for…….”

Testosterone levels are the highest in males during adolescence and early adulthood. At this time testosterone is responsible for strengthening bones, building muscle, lowering the voice, enlarging the size of the genitalia and increasing hair growth. There is also a significant rise in sex drive. According to the National Institute of Health, after the age of 30 testosterone levels begin to drop (1-2% a year). The normal range is 300 – 1000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), but levels can vary between men.

The major symptoms associated with low testosterone levels are fatigue, depression and a lower sex drive. This can be quite debilitating and greatly affect quality of life. Some medical reasons for a lower testosterone level might be from an injury to the testicles, testicular cancer and/or treatment, an infection, HIV, hormonal disorders, chronic liver and kidney diseases, smoking, genetics and some medications (ex. Corticosteroids). Major factors that greatly affect testosterone levels are high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, obesity, sleep deprivation and stress.

This is when lifestyle changes come into play. Excess weight is a primary component when talking about both obesity and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic Syndrome (or Syndrome X) which is a group of risk factors including glucose intolerance, high triglycerides, obesity and hypertension is a precursor for type 2 diabetes. According to Men’s Health, when your weight goes up, testosterone is converted to estrogen in both men and women. So when you are overweight or obese, testosterone levels are reduced. If you can get your weight and diabetes under control with lifestyle changes, you may be able to raise your testosterone level. Also, make sure you are eating a healthy diet and getting all the nutrients your need. This is important to achieve weight control.

Other ways to naturally combat low t, is to exercise. If you are a sedentary person and your brain is telling your muscles that you don’t need as much testosterone released since you aren’t doing anything, this is what will happen. If your exercise and your body needs more testosterone to work the muscles, more will be released.

Sleep problems become an issue for many of us as we age. Between late night bathroom trips, aches, pains and worries, getting a good night sleep is hard to come by. Make sure you are eating well and limiting alcohol, sugar and caffeine. Practicing a consistent exercise program will once again help with sleeping problems. Even if you work out 20 minutes a day a few times a week, you should see some improvements in sleeping. If could also help those aches and pains too. If worrying is keeping you up at night, try writing down your concerns before bed and tackle them in the morning. Usually when you look at the list the next day, isn’t that bad (especially after a good night’s sleep).

Stress is one of the most difficult lifestyle issues to change. So many of us are living such a fast-paced existence. When stress is causing problems affecting organs and systems in the body, the body tends to put less effort into testosterone production. Things can easily go out of balance when you remain in a constant state of turmoil. When cortisone is released during elevated stress, testosterone is lowered. Stress management is key to getting your levels to an optimal point.

So while low t is a problem for men (especially as they grow older), it is important to consider all these lifestyle issues first. The last crucial factor to look at is the idea that some of the symptoms may have to do with age-related changes and the way they are perceived. In the older male, sexual excitement during stimulation builds up more slowly and it may take longer to achieve an erection. However, the erection itself lasts longer. Men may see this as a decline in their sexual vitality, but is it really? Women often complain that younger partners “rush” through the process and things are over before they are satisfied. The sexes seem to catch up in older adulthood. Confidence due to changes in appearance can also affect sexual desire and result in performance anxiety and depression. Communication is really important. Looking older is a natural part of aging and often what one partner is worried about is not even noticed by the other partner. Talking things out and being honest with one another can help alleviate anxiety. It may not necessarily be lower testosterone affecting what is happening in the bedroom, but the inability to adapt to what is changing.

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Cynthia Lopinto

Cyn LoPinto, M.A. is a gerontologist focusing on significant issues affecting older adults and their families. Her areas of interest include lifestyle enrichment, family dynamics, and caregiver support. Cyn has worked in both the recreational and healthcare industries.