Low Testosterone Treatment in Boca Raton, FL

Low Testosterone – also commonly referred to as “Low T” – is generally diagnosed when testosterone levels fall below the normal range. While declining hormone levels are usually associated with aging, testosterone levels can drop due to any number of factors, including injuries, certain medications or even some medical conditions.

Low Testosterone, no matter the cause, is considered a medical condition that may require treatment, especially if you are experiencing problematic symptoms. While many men shrug it off as a normal part of the aging process, researchers increasingly believe that these symptoms should be addressed clinically for long-term health and wellness.

At Manhattan Integrative Medicine of South Florida, located in Boca Raton, we can help you easily address Low Testosterone. To schedule your consultation with Florida’s top integrative and functional medicine doctor who specializes in hormonal and sexual health issues like Low Testosterone, complete the form below or call us at (754) 247-0122 today!

What is Low Testosterone?

Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition where the male body is not producing or maintaining a normal level of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is essential for male development and plays a vital role in various male bodily functions, including:

• Muscle growth and the maintenance of muscle mass
• Red blood cell production and the transfer of oxygen
• Metabolism and energy
• Libido and erectile function
• Bone density

When the supply of testosterone diminishes, systemic health issues can develop.

How Do Low Testosterone and Andropause Differ?

You often hear terms like Low T, Andropause or even male menopause used interchangeably, but they are not the same condition. Andropause, which is inaccurately referred to as male menopause, refers to the natural, age-related decline in testosterone levels that affects 10-40 percent of males – and 90 percent of men over 80. The term male menopause is especially misleading because the testosterone decline men experience is not at all similar to what occurs to a woman’s body in menopause.

Low Testosterone, on the other hand, describes a medical condition where a man’s testosterone levels fall below the normal range – which can be caused by natural hormone decline similar to andropause - but it can also be caused by other factors. That is what makes it quite different and even more important to evaluate.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Hormone production in the testicles of a man decreases naturally with the progression of age. As men get older, their pituitary gland produces less luteinizing hormone (LH), which is necessary to stimulate testosterone production in the testes. There are, of course, other possible causes of Low Testosterone, including:

• Loss of testicular function or damage to testes due to diseases, accidents, or injuries
• Surgical/medical castration
• Genetic disorders
• Chronic medical conditions like diabetes
• Certain types of cancer
• Some medications
• Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., low Vitamin D or Zinc)
• Exposure to environmental toxins

Sometimes, certain medical interventions – like chemo or surgery - can temporarily lower testosterone levels. However, those effects will generally resolve over time. But when Low T doesn’t resolve itself, that’s when it’s time to take a closer look at the problem.

Men who are concerned about Low T, particularly in the younger age groups, should consult a physician and seek appropriate treatment. In younger men, Low Testosterone may indicate issues with the pituitary gland or the testicles.

Risk Factors for Low Testosterone

Low Testosterone can impact any man, regardless of health, and It can develop at any age, in any ethnicity. There is one primary risk factor that cuts across all the other factors, and that is age.

Between the age of 50 to 60, up to 40 percent of the male population can experience Low Testosterone and andropause. The chances of andropause keep growing with each passing year. In the age group of 80 and above, more than 90 percent of men experience andropause. This is a completely normal loss of testosterone, and it can be treated successfully.

Other common risk factors for Low Testosterone are some of the very same risk factors that contribute to the gradual development of andropause. They can include:

• Sleep disorders (especially sleep apnea)
• Anti-androgens (contained in many hair loss treatments)
• Family history
• Obesity
• Cancer treatment
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Drug use, especially opioids
• Poor diet
• Stress
• Lack of social connection
• Hypothyroidism

Because there are concerning issues that can cause Low Testosterone, it’s important to isolate what is causing your Low T and see that it gets treated.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Symptoms of Hypogonadism – which is the medical term for Low Testosterone – are similar to those of andropause and can include fatigue, loss of muscle mass, and mood changes. Similar to andropause, the impact that Low Testosterone can have on a man’s life can be negligible, mild or severe. As testosterone levels continue to drop, symptoms can increase in severity.

Depending on how far your testosterone levels drop – and how quickly - Low Testosterone is a signal that something is wrong, and your hormonal system is not functioning properly.

Common symptoms include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced sex drive
• Anger and other emotional issues
• Frequent change of mood
• Reduction in muscle mass
• Loss of body hair
• Decrease in bone density
• Excess fat around internal organs
• Diminishing intellectual activity
• Depression
• Poor spatial orientation

It’s important to address these symptoms, not only because the symptoms are problematic in and of themselves, but because you need to know what is causing your Low Testosterone. Some men experience no symptoms, and If they do, many simply point to the fact that they’re aging, or blame it on a chronic medical condition as the cause.

But more severe medical complications can develop if Low T is left undiagnosed and untreated. It can not only lead to physical health complications, but it often leads to severe depression in men. When sexual function is impacted, many men begin to isolate socially, and that is never good for any man’s mental or physical health.

Diagnosing Low Testosterone

An accurate diagnosis is required for effective treatment – so finding out what specifically may be causing your Low Testosterone is the next step in addressing Low T. How do we do that? Low Testosterone is diagnosed through blood tests that measure testosterone levels.

A complete medical history, medical testing, and a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms can be effective tools that can be used to accurately diagnose Low Testosterone or any underlying issues that may be causing your Low Testosterone.

Many other medical conditions – or a combination of chronic disease and medications - can mimic the symptoms of Low Testosterone, so it is important to accurately diagnose your particular condition. Any number of factors, alone or in concert, can impact a man’s hormone levels. But it could also be caused by something that is serious and requires treatment. Low T might be the canary in the coal mine.

Even if it’s not a serious disease causing your Low T, hormone imbalances or decline can also sometimes lead to serious medical conditions if left untreated – conditions like heart disease and bone loss.

That’s why a full medical evaluation and thorough testing are necessary.

It may have nothing to do with your health, of course, and be a natural result of aging. It could be a combination of excessive alcohol use, sleep apnea and hair loss treatments. The bottom line is: it’s better to know.

If you are experiencing symptoms of Low Testosterone, our goal is to uncover the source of your symptoms, so that we can effectively diagnose and treat your condition. At Manhattan Integrative Medicine of South Florida, located in Boca Raton, FL, we have a great deal of experience in diagnosing Low Testosterone and have had great success in treating it.

Treatment Options for Low Testosterone

As we’ve discussed, not everyone seeks help for Low Testosterone or the symptoms that come with it. Men generally don’t like discussing sexual health issues – even with their doctor. It’s a shame because the treatment regimen might require no more than simple testosterone replacement.

Most men don’t even realize their symptoms can be treated. They can also be hesitant to admit they are experiencing many of them. As with andropause, there can sometimes be a shame factor associated with Low Testosterone. Dr. Borenstein has been able to successfully treat most of his patients who suffer with Low Testosterone. There’s no need to endure the symptoms.

Using hormone replacement therapy to treat Low Testosterone can be performed in any number of ways. Depending on the patient’s condition, the therapy can be done in the form of capsules or tablets, injections, slow-release pellets with long-lasting action, and transdermal treatment through gels and patches. Therapy performed through the skin is usually considered to be the most effective, and also the safest with minimal risk of side effects. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a natural step to take if your tests show that you are deficient in testosterone.

As one of the top functional medicine doctors in Florida, Dr. Borenstein offers the most effective treatment options for Low Testosterone. Lifestyle changes, like incorporating more movement into your life and changing what you eat are always a good place to start. Medical weight loss using Tirzepatide or Semaglutide can also address excess weight, which is a significant contributing risk factor for Low Testosterone.

Testing and treating thyroid dysfunction can also in some cases help resolve hormonal issues – or at the very least reduce them. That’s just one example – and there are so many effective treatment options available for Low Testosterone and other hormonal and sexual health issues. So, don’t wait. Schedule your consultation today.

What to Expect from a Hormonal and Sexual Health Consultation

Our approach always involves seeing the human body as a single entity rather than as individual organs or metabolic processes. Since every part of the body is interconnected with every other part, any illness that affects one specific part of the body has a profound impact on the rest.

At Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton, FL, we offer the most up-to-date testing and diagnostics, along with a cutting-edge functional and integrative medicine approach and a powerful focus on prevention, so you can avoid illness, injury and disease and maintain renewed health and freedom from troublesome symptoms that come with conditions like Low Testosterone.

We recommend that you prepare a list of current symptoms – whether or not they are related to your Low Testosterone - prior to your first consultation. On your first visit, Dr. Borenstein will discuss your family medical history, personal medical history, lifestyle, daily stressors, diet, exercise habits, and current medications. He may also conduct blood, saliva or urine tests, as necessary.

Request Your Consultation Today!

Dr. David Borenstein is a top functional medicine practitioner in Florida who recognizes that each individual patient requires a prevention and treatment regimen tailored to an individual health profile and specific medical and family history. Dr. Borenstein has an established history of helping his patients heal from illness and restore overall health and longevity.

Call Manhattan Integrative Medicine in Boca Raton FL at (754) 247-0122 for an initial phone consultation or complete our quick online form.

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Serving patients in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Parkland, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Miami and the surrounding Palm Beach, Broward and Dade County, Florida communities.