T-Time
Erections, ejections, elections, infections, all make life a bit more complicated, and all, at the least, can be annoying, when they appear or disappear without notice. Problems with the first of the list, however, strike terror in the hearts and minds of once virile, middle-aged men, confronted today with a potpourri of blatant and subliminal signals that decapitate former breadwinners and break links at the top of the food chain. When all else fails and when significant others earn more and enter more socially laudable professions, well-serviced “plumbing” and a functional set of pipes provide safe haven and a level playing field in the minds of the economically, educationally, and emotionally castrated.
Dethroned heads of households currently have to contend with an adversary that threatens to undermine the very essence of masculinity. It’s now “t-time” for testosterone, as its gradual, age-related loss is about 1 to 1.5% per year beginning at age 40, leaving the former dominant sex less energetic, less self-assured, and, in short, less manly. The progressive transformation from sexual tyrannosaurus to puppy dog is quite telling, not only on the performance side of the coin, but also on the long and unexpected road to other health problems. It has been shown, in fact, that low testosterone (low-T) decreases bone density leading to osteoporosis, affects the ability to concentrate, as well as mood, resulting in bouts of irritability and depression, and increases mid-section abdominal fat and the consequent risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. So, whenever “whatever” doesn’t go up, the general health of Homo sapiens goes down.
There has been a great deal of misinformation and bad press on the attributes and functionality of testosterone. The latter, indeed, can be compared to a fuel that keeps a man’s motor running. In that regard, the record needs to be set straight. As stated above, when a man’s machine is running on empty, mental drive, clarity, and motivation all suffer. In short, a run-down feeling prevails that can take its toll on significant others and marital bliss. Why is testosterone so important? What can a hormone so neglected in the past and below radar screens possibly do in the sacristy of a man’s body? Frankly speaking, there is nothing mysterious here, as it has been known for decades, if not centuries, that testosterone is responsible for puberty. It deepens a man’s voice, helps muscles develop, grows pubic hair, regulates those mustaches and beards that go in and out of fashion, controls sperm production, and makes the “hot-blooded” boil, increasing the appetite for sex. No testosterone, no fun, and therein lies the beginning of the long road to infidelity, low self-esteem, and long hours in front of the television instead of engaged in bedroom calisthenics contributing to sound mind, body, and spouse.
While low-T may be a normal part of aging and quite common, something sinister may lurk beneath its apparent expiration date. Sometimes just getting old is not sufficient to explain its decline, and professional eyes must be turned to the possibility of testicular cancer, the chemo and radiation therapy used to treat it, injury to the testes, pituitary maladies, and thyroid diseases. Once those harbingers of gloom are excluded, remedies to raise testosterone back to normal levels of 300 to 500 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) can be implemented. T-boosters should be discussed with the physician, and run the gamut from painful and expensive deep muscle injections every three weeks and daily skin patches and gels to slow-release, 12-hour buccal tablets placed between the gums and upper lip and subcutaneous implants that work continuously for six months. The latter are the latest in a procession of treatments, but don’t come without a price, as infections, bleeding, and bruising can occur at the implant insertion point. Furthermore, long-term use of testosterone boosters may increase blood cell count, thicken blood, increase risk of blood clots, and accelerate age-related enlargement of the prostate, but not prostate cancer. Other potential adverse effects of low-T remedies include acne, reduced sperm count, worsening of sleep apnea, and breast tenderness in some cases. So, as usual, shades of gray prevail, and damnation may win the day whether action to correct low-T is taken or not. Consultation with a health care provider is, again, of paramount importance.
Finally, staying fit goes a long way to enhancing the treatment of low testosterone, as fat increases the speed with which the hormone is metabolized. Exercise, eating right, and keeping weight in check will help get the most mileage out of the fuel running manly engines.
While tea time conjures up memories of a shedding of the shackles and oppression of our cousins across the great sea, this 4th of July Independence Day can also signal the start of an American “t-time.”
ã 2010, Albert M. Balesh, M.D. All rights reserved.
posted by Dr. Al at
7/05/2010 08:27:00 AM
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