Professor Mike Kirby FRCP
Editor, Trends in Urology & Men’s Health
This article is part of a disease awareness campaign fully funded and sponsored by Besins Healthcare UK Ltd.
The hormone testosterone conjures up negative images linked to body builders, sports doping and male machismo, but it shouldn’t be forgotten as it plays a vital role in men’s wellbeing, making it important to identify men with low levels.
Testosterone is a hormone produced naturally by the body that has an essential role in the development of male sexual characteristics, it also affects most major organs including the brain, skin, muscle, bone, heart and kidneys,” says Professor Mike Kirby, an expert in men’s health.
Testosterone deficiency occurs when, either the testes are unable to produce sufficient testosterone for normal function, or the pituitary gland’s ability to produce luteinizing hormone (which stimulates testosterone production) is diminished.
“We know chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity and chronic anaemia are all associated with men having testosterone deficiency,” explains Professor Kirby.
The most common symptoms for testosterone deficiency are erectile dysfunction, loss of early morning erections and low sexual desire.
Most men maintain adequate testosterone into old age
The most common symptoms for testosterone deficiency are erectile dysfunction, loss of early morning erections and low sexual desire. Other tell-tale signs include fatigue, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, loss of body and facial hair, anaemia and mood changes. “Men often attribute these symptoms to ageing, but it’s important to realise they’re not a normal part of ageing and should be investigated,” says Professor Kirby.
The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS), which evaluated the biochemistry and symptoms of a random sample of 3,369 European men aged 40 to 79, found around 1 in 50 had testosterone deficiency. Although levels decrease with age (falling by about 1.5% per year after 30), the good news, says Professor Kirby, is that three-quarters of men maintain adequate levels into old age.
Men suspected of having testosterone deficiency, because of symptoms such as those described, should have blood tests. If these tests confirm testosterone deficiency, there are many treatments available.
Impact on relationships
Although men may feel there is a stigma attached to being diagnosed with testosterone deficiency, there needs to be an understanding that it can be associated with other serious conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
“Testosterone deficiency is also important to address because it impairs quality of life. For many of the reasons outlined above” says Professor Kirby.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article or want more information, please talk to your doctor.
This content was originally published on 30th November 2021
BHUK/2022/226 | December 2022
