{"id":35263,"date":"2024-11-01T07:00:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T07:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=35263"},"modified":"2024-10-15T23:26:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T23:26:24","slug":"low-testosterone-do-you-need-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/low-testosterone-do-you-need-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Low testosterone: Do you need testing?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

From spotting the warning signs to correctly testing, understanding your testosterone levels is more complicated than social media may lead you to believe.<\/p>\n

Not everyone needs testing at the slightest change in muscle mass or libido, and ensuring you\u2019re testing accurately is key to avoiding a misdiagnosis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re swimming against the tide with social media and advertisements that would seem to indicate that this is a test you need, when in reality most men don\u2019t,\u201d explains Clinton Hauxwell, MD,<\/a> family medicine provider at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic.<\/p>\n

In decades past, men avoided the topic of testosterone deficiency (TD), also known as male hypogonadism. That mindset has slowly shifted. While it\u2019s now discussed more commonly, especially on social media, it\u2019s unfortunately not always accurate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe never want to discourage the conversation, and if you see information that you have questions about it, talk to your physician,\u201d Dr. Hauxwell says. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of media suggesting that all men need to get their testosterone checked, but that\u2019s not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who needs testing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Decreasing testosterone levels, muscle mass and libido can be associated with aging, and may not indicate TD, Dr. Hauxwell explains. However, if these changes are sudden or excessive, it\u2019s worth asking your primary care provider.<\/p>\n

Other signs that may warrant asking your provider about testosterone deficiency:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Significant changes in libido<\/li>\n
  • Unexplained and ongoing fatigue or lack of energy<\/li>\n
  • A diagnosis of diabetes, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pituitary diseases<\/li>\n
  • A history of high-dose steroid use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \u201cAs men age, it\u2019s more difficult to maintain muscle mass,\u201d Dr. Hauxwell adds. \u201cA lot of this will come down to what you\u2019ve been doing throughout your life to care for yourself, especially as you get into those later years.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Simply put, if you\u2019re not showing signs of TD that would otherwise be associated with age, you likely don\u2019t need to be tested, he says. If you have symptoms outside of age-related changes, your primary care provider can determine if a test is warranted.<\/p>\n

    Accurate testing is key<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \u201cI\u2019ve seen multiple examples of men who come to me with abnormal test results, but it\u2019s because testing was done incorrectly,\u201d Dr. Hauxwell says.<\/p>\n

    For accurate testing, a blood draw must be completed in the morning after a 12-hour fasting period, he says. The normal range for testosterone is based on morning levels because of how they vary throughout the day.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s also important to know that a diagnosis of TD should never be made based on one abnormal result. If a first test comes back abnormal, it should be repeated to confirm.<\/p>\n

    From there, your doctor or other health care provider will determine the type of TD, either primary or secondary. Primary TD is a condition directly related to testicular function, while secondary TD is related to a problem somewhere else in the body, such as the brain not properly signaling the testicles to produce testosterone as it should.<\/p>\n

    There are several ways to treat testosterone deficiency, Dr. Hauxwell explains. But men should also know there are circumstances where treatment would not be safe, even with a TD diagnosis \u2014 for example, if you a history of heart attack, prostate cancer or untreated sleep apnea.<\/p>\n

    Stay educated<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    \u201cThe key for all of us, physicians and patients alike, is education,\u201d Dr. Hauxwell says. \u201cMany men have symptoms that warrant testing for TD, but it\u2019s not appropriate to test everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Start by bringing your questions or concerns to your primary care provider, he adds. If your provider isn\u2019t comfortable discussing TD, they can refer you to the appropriate specialist.<\/p>\n

    Dr. Hauxwell also warns to be careful using online consultation and testing services, especially if they\u2019re not following established testing guidelines.<\/p>\n

    In the end, though, keep the conversation going and don\u2019t be nervous to ask your trusted provider.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    From spotting the warning signs to correctly testing, understanding your testosterone levels is more complicated than social media may lead you to believe. Not everyone needs testing at the slightest change in muscle mass or libido, and ensuring you\u2019re testing accurately is key to avoiding a misdiagnosis. \u201cWe\u2019re swimming against the tide with social media […]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":115,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,99],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mens-health","category-primary-care"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLow testosterone: Do you need testing? - MultiCare Vitals<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re not showing signs of testosterone deficiency that would otherwise be associated with age, you likely don\u2019t need to be tested.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/low-testosterone-do-you-need-testing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Low testosterone: Do you need testing? 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