Too Many Men Treating for Low T

Ads make it sound like a fountain of youth...

In the same way women use hormones to replace what's lost in the aging process, a rising number of men are taking testosterone.

"Testosterone is a hormone made in the testicles and when you are young you have high levels and as you age those levels gradually decrease. But it can lead to a lot of symptoms and side effects," says Dr. James Borden, urologist on Lee Memorial Health System's medical staff.

Low T is characterized by: weakness, fatigue, depression, weight gain, and bone loss, which can often be reversed with proper supplementation.

"If the testosterone is low, less than 300, if we supplement that testosterone with either gel or injectables, those patients do very, very well," says Dr. Meir Daller, urologist on Lee Memorial Health System's medical staff.

The results are so good, doctors worry men who don't need it are getting on testosterone to boost energy and muscle mass. Over a 10-year period, the number of prescriptions tripled. Used improperly it could be harmful.

"You do have to monitor someone's blood count to make sure the red blood cell count does not go up. You should monitor someone for prostate cancer. Although testosterone replacement doesn't cause prostate cancer you want to make sure you don't stimulate something that was not visible before. It also can cause liver disease," says Dr. Borden.

The New England Journal of Medicine warns only 2 percent of men over 40 should be treating for Low T. While some young men may experience a loss of hormone, it is uncommon.

"Most men that are in their 20s really don't need testosterone replacement therapy. Those are not the right patients, I'm talking about older men in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s," says Dr. Daller.

Under the right conditions, doctors can use testosterone to restore what time took away.


Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

[thedawghouse]

I was on antidepressants since 32. Moved to a new town..got a new doctor. She said that my symptoms were similar to low t and she tested me. Bingo. I have been on T and off that antidepressants crap for 24 months. I lost 100 lbs. My bp is now low normal. My cholesterol is excellent. My depression...gone. T saved my life...antidepressant nearly cost me my life

[jeremypeterson]

Every man should be on testosterone! No doctor freaks out about giving women like my 15 year old daughter estrogen. 99% of doctors know next to nothing about the real benefits of testosterone and how to use it for optimum benefits. Forget about numbers. Treat the symptoms to feel better not to reach a certain number. 10 years ago upper level lab values were 1500, today they're 900. Thats because the values only reflect the health of the men drawn from. We as human males are meant to have more testosterone than we have. The sickness of the current environment is sabotaging mens health. Men are supposed to be men. Aggressive risk takers, not the feminized versions the fearful and weak want us to be. If you were born with balls then use them. Man Up!

[davidcunningham]

I have literally had low t since I was 23 and came back with a 302ng. I was literally in the best shape of my life and I still felt the symptoms. This is probsbly because of the food now a days.

[samuelaurora]

if doctors feel that TRT is getting out of hand, there is a simple solution - test your patients' Luteinizing Hormone levels. if their LH is elevated above regular standards (corresponding with their age) then continue with a testosterone test to determine which levels of testosterone may be lacking. upon discovery, compensate accordingly.

instead we have men like former UFC champion Vitor Belfort receiving TRT.

Belfort: i want to win my matches
Doctor: yes

[andrewmorris]

It is like a fountain of youth if you are active and workout. I am 54 and take a very low dose after a loading phase the first month. My blood is fine. The good doctor saying it can be hard on your liver. Well yeah, if you are dosing like a competitive bodybuilder. Two Advil a day are far worse for your liver and kidneys. I feel more focused, way more sex drive, my workouts are better. It is a fountain of youth for me. My hair even starting getting thicker and healthier looking.

[jigginjohnson]

Tested 251 at 35. I’m now on TRT. You will find that older docs >50 are against it. Younger docs with a more open mind are very open to it. My doc was 80 and he was extremely closed minded. Switched to a doc that’s my same age and what a great difference.

[arielrodriguez]

You see that is the problem. Dr. Daller mentioned men who have levels of low T less then 300 can benefit from TRT. Not so. That is just a range and he needs to go by symptoms and not by numbers. Some people feel terrible at 300-400. Remember during your youth if you were overall healthy those levels would have been much higher. So why not restore them?

[SpiritualScience]

Question. Do these doctors take their own medicine? 🤭

[Bushcraft]

Age 62 low testosterone bone loss lobito energy recovery from gym hair turning grey good liver normal cholesterol

[jj]

This coming up when you look up hrt is rly funny

[darranlabrooy]

Testosterone is not important hormone for men they can live and survive without it there are another ways of building up performance energy