HEALTH RISKS OF LOW TESTOSTERONE
“Nearly 40% of men 45 years old and older are severely low in testosterone,”
“Even more surprising,”
Signs of Low Testosterone
Dr. Jones says that most men do not notice the initial drop in their testosterone levels. “The decline begins in the early twenties and happens so gradually that most men get used to it.
“The exact changes vary considerably from male to male. It rarely begins with erectile dysfunction. Partners often notice subtle signs,” says Dr. Jones. “Maybe he’s grumpy or not as playful. He’s just not himself. He gets irritated at small things that didn’t use to bother him.
“At work, co-workers may notice lower enthusiasm for challenges. He may seem to take them on with a sense of duty or worse--with boredom. He is less energetic, usually gaining weight around the middle and begins to look older.”
From His Perspective
Dr. Jones says, “To the man with dropping testosterone, other people may appear to be the problem. His partner makes unreasonable demands. Some subordinates may appear less competent. Others seem so competent that he wonders if he’s no longer needed.”
“Most men admit that they aren’t quite 100%,” says Dr. Jones, whose Institute provides medical solutions for men seeking to sustain optimal performance. “They are putting in more effort on their workouts and not getting the results they used to. It takes them longer to recover from a golf weekend with his buddies.”
“Most of these men have been told by their primary care doctor that they are ‘normal’ and ‘healthy,’
Therapy
“Most men feel their best with blood levels of total testosterone around 800 ng/dL,” says Dr. Jones, who was one of the initial physicians in the Midwest to aggressively correct testosterone deficiency. “The symptoms of low testosterone usually become noticeable as levels drift below 500, although replacement isn’t usually considered until levels are lower. Below 300 ng/dL, quality of life declines significantly and major disease risk begins to escalate.”
“Depending on the age of the man, we may begin treatment by stimulating the brain to send a message to the testes to make more testosterone,”
Safety
Says Dr. Jones, “The biggest questions surrounding testosterone replacement have been: Will it increase the risk of prostate cancer? What are its side effects? Will it make a man more aggressive?
“Extensive studies from both the United States and Europe confirm the long-term safety of using testosterone to correct a deficiency. For example, the February 2008 Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported the results of 18 studies done on over 10,000 men. They concluded that there is absolutely no association between prostate cancer risk and testosterone.
Aggressive behavior has not been an issue. Instead, studies of mood have shown consistent improvements from testosterone therapy.”
About Jones Institute for Advanced Medicine
The Jones Institute provides medical solutions to professionals seeking to maintain optimal performance into their 40, 50, 60s and beyond. It uses a multi-dimensional clinical process to address hormone balance, sleep, nutrition, fitness and brain function. The result is that clients have greater stamina, a sharper mind, and a more toned body. For more information call 630-734-8888 or visit www.jonesinstituteusa.com.
