Potential Causes of Hormonal Imbalances in Men

Causes of Hormonal Imbalances in Men

Age Related Hormonal Imbalance is Common

There are multiple causes of hormonal imbalances in men. Symptoms of hormonal imbalances in men become gradually noticeable over time. Although many of us do not notice the symptoms at first, they become more apparent and increase in severity over time. Adequate levels of testosterone are vital and there is greater risk of disease associated with low testosterone levels in men. Recent estimates by the scientific community suggest that between 10 and 30 million men in the United States experience symptoms related to low testosterone and hormone deficiency.

The most common cause of hormonal imbalances in men is Andropause — often called The Male Menopause or “Low T”. Other potential causes of hormonal imbalances in men that impact vitality at any age are related to problems with thyroid health.

Andropause – The Male Menopause

Andropause — also known as The Male Menopause and “Low T” — is experienced as men grow older and testosterone levels decline. Andropause symptoms are usually mistaken as signs of aging and go untreated. Andropause is one of the most common causes of hormonal imbalances in men. The traditional view of male aging is that as we grow older, our hormone levels naturally decline. Contemporary medical research now suggests that we age because our hormone levels decline. Andropause is the most common cause of the negative symptoms of aging. Andropause results in a decline of testosterone and growth hormones.

A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice showed that nearly 40 percent of men over age 45 experience the uncomfortable symptoms of low testosterone. Testosterone production decline begins in our late 20s. Testosterone continues to decline as we age, dropping an average of 2% per year. By the time we’re 40-years-old, we’ve lost almost half the growth hormones we had at 20-years-old. By the time we reach age 80, we’re left with just 5 percent of our original growth hormones. When it comes to uncomfortable symptoms, the drop in testosterone becomes very noticeable at middle age.

Adequate levels of testosterone are vital to a man’s health and wellbeing. Multiple scientific studies and position statements have been published confirming that men who fail to treat low levels of testosterone are at greater risk of disease and experience uncomfortable symptoms of aging.

A panel of experts at the 2015 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists conference released a position statement in which testosterone replacement therapy should be regarded as a low risk and high reward treatment option. The panel reviewed mounting clinical evidence that low testosterone levels play a role in male health issues — including obesity and type 2 diabetes — among men in all age groups. Hormone replacement therapy is cited as a viable solution.

Causes of hormonal imbalances in men have been shown to respond to treatment with reduction in all-cause mortality. In August 2014, the results of a long-term Veteran Affairs Database study were published in the European Heart Journal. Data collected on 83,000+ male veterans with low testosterone levels was analyzed. The findings demonstrated that men treated with hormone replacement therapy to restore testosterone to normal levels were at a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke. The study concluded: “In this large observational cohort with extended follow-up, normalization of TT levels after TRT was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, MI, and stroke.” Men who did not receive hormone replacement therapy for testosterone experienced a 56 percent increase in all-cause mortality.

Subsequent to the Veteran Affair Database study, the results of a meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Endocrinology was published. The meta-analysis examined more than 59 trials and 5,000 male subjects. Testosterone therapy was demonstrated to improve body composition and glucose metabolism in men with low testosterone. Beneficial effects were seen in subjects suffering from obesity and metabolic disorders.

The drop in hormone levels caused by Andropause causes hormonal imbalances in men and serious symptoms that impact our quality of life. Hormonal imbalances can happen at any age due to other causes, including Thyroid Disease. Fortunately, medical science has developed treatments to combat the uncomfortable impacts of aging.

Next: Solution – Integrated Age Management Program for Men

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Radiance Age Management offers an  Integrated Age Management Program for Men. Review our age management services to see how we can help you maintain your quality of life as you age:

Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men

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Nutraceuticals for Men

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More information:

Overview: Anti-Aging for Men

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Thyroid Health

There are two other potential causes of the symptoms we experience as a result of hormonal imbalances. Both are the result of problems with thyroid health. Problems with the thyroid gland typically result in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce necessary levels of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is more common (up 1 in 7 adults) than Hyperthyroidism. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, constipation and intolerance to cold temperatures. Hypothyroidism was under-diagnosed in men prior to 2002 due to inaccuracies in the standard range of testing levels considered healthy. Hypothyroidism symptoms overlap with some of the “normal symptoms” of aging and thyroid hormone levels are tested to rule out thyroid health issues before hormone replacement therapy begins.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is produces greater than necessary levels of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is less common than Hypothyroidism. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: muscle weakness, anxiety, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, breathlessness, heart palpitations, hair loss, trembling hands, insomnia, intolerance to heat, increased bowel movements and in severe cases Osteoporosis. Some hyperthyroidism symptoms overlap with the “normal symptoms” of aging and thyroid hormone levels are tested to rule out thyroid health issues before hormone replacement therapy begins.