Testosterone plays an important role in maintaining both physical and mental health in men. It increases energy, prevents fatigue, improves sex drive, increases strength of all structural tissues such as skin/bone/muscles (including the heart), prevents depression and mental fatigue. Testosterone deficiency is often associated with symptoms such as night sweats, insulin resistance, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, decreased mental and physical ability, lower ambition, loss of muscle mass and weight gain in the waist.

Stress increases the body’s demand for adrenal hormones and often results in hormonal dysregulation. A man’s growth hormones fall approximately 14 percent each decade. By age 40, he’s lost approximately half the growth hormones he had as a young adult. By age 80, he’s left with just 5 percent of his original growth hormones. These imbalances can happen at any age and are often mistaken as signs of aging. Many of the symptoms of male hormonal imbalances come on very gradually. They may not be noticed at first, but as more symptoms appear and become worse over time, they do become apparent.

When measuring testosterone levels, it is critical to determine the levels of both free and total testosterone to understand the cause of any observed symptoms of deficiency. Blood levels of both free and total testosterones vary widely, making it difficult to establish a general baseline on which to prescribe a standardized treatment protocol. However, levels are quite consistent within individuals, so men should have multiple tests over time to determine trends and individual thresholds for treatment.

Stress management, exercise, proper nutrition, dietary supplements and hormone replacement therapy (controversial in prostate cancer) have all been shown to raise testosterone levels in men. There is no evidence that testosterone increases the risk of prostate gland cancer, however, if cancer has already developed, testosterone may accelerate its growth.

Zachary Saber LMP/ MFR BS MA is the co-owner of WellnessFirst!, an established alternative health and addiction rehab center, and has been in practice over 20 years. Connect at 520-209-1755, [email protected] or 3861WellnessFirst.com. See ad, page 3.