TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY - WHEN IS SUPPLEMENTATION WORTHWHILE?
Testosterone is one of the most important hormones in every man's body. It is popularly identified with
Hormonal erectile dysfunction
At Vedi Clinic, we take a comprehensive approach to male health and sexual function, which is why our offer could not exclude the treatment of erectile dysfunction of hormonal origin. As part of the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders, we ensure that the patient is guided by an endocrinology specialist, access to appropriate laboratory tests and testosterone replacement therapy.
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| mon.: | 8 am - 8 pm |
| tue.: | 8 am - 8 pm |
| wed.: | 8 am - 8 pm |
| thu.: | 8 am - 8 pm |
| fri.: | 8 am - 8 pm |
| sat.: | Closed |
| sun.: | Closed |
Treatment of hormonal erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction associated with endocrine disorders results from abnormalities in the production, regulation or action of hormones, especially testosterone. Hormones play a key role in controlling the erectile process, so endocrine disorders can lead to difficulties in achieving or maintaining a sufficiently strong erection.
The diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction related to endocrine disorders requires the cooperation of an endocrinologist. This specialist can carry out blood tests to assess the levels of hormones such as testosterone, prolactin or thyroid hormones. Based on the test results, the endocrinologist may recommend appropriate treatment, which may include hormone therapy, dietary changes, physical activity or treatment of other endocrine conditions if present. It is also important to understand that erectile dysfunction can have a variety of causes, and the endocrinologist will help rule out or treat those related to hormonal abnormalities.
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Dr Elżbieta Deptuła-Krawczyk
endocrinologist
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Hormonal erectile dysfunction
One of the most significant and common endocrine disorders that translates into difficulties in obtaining an erection is testosterone deficiency. Testosterone is the main male hormone that influences genital development and function and regulates libido and erection quality. Testosterone deficiency can lead to decreased interest in sex, reduced erection quality and difficulty achieving a full erection.
Another potential cause of erectile dysfunction is chronic stress. Long-term stress can affect the endocrine system by increasing cortisol (the stress hormone) and decreasing testosterone levels. This can lead to erectile dysfunction, as stress can interfere with the body's ability to relax and function properly sexually.
Endocrine diseases should not be underestimated. Endocrine disorders, such as over- or under-activity of the thyroid, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, can affect the body's hormonal balance. Abnormalities in these glands can interfere with the production and function of sex hormones, which can lead to erectile dysfunction.
In addition, obesity can have a negative impact on our hormonal balance. Excess body weight can affect hormone levels, including testosterone. Obesity can lead to lower testosterone, which in turn can cause erectile dysfunction.
Certain medications, including antidepressants, blood pressure lowering drugs and drugs used to treat prostate cancer, can affect hormone levels and lead to erection problems.
The influence of the brain on our hormones should not be ruled out. Problems with the pituitary gland may be responsible for erectile problems. The pituitary gland produces hormones that control testicular function and testosterone production. Disorders in this part of the brain can affect the production of sex hormones and contribute to erectile dysfunction.
What is the course of treatment at the Vedi Clinic?
At VEDI CLINIC, we first take the appropriate diagnostic measures to correctly identify the levels of individual hormones in a given patient. We pay attention to:
- Total testosterone - this tells us how much testosterone is produced by a man's testicles,
- Free testosterone - this allows you to look at how much of the testosterone produced is actually active,
- SHBG - a globulin that binds sex hormones,
- prolactin - this is a hormone produced in the pituitary gland, associated more with women and pregnancy, but just as important in men: it is responsible, among other things, for hairiness; patients, however, are much more likely to suffer from excess of prolactin, which is associated with reduced dopamine levels - which in turn is responsible, in 30-40% cases, for depression.
- Oestradiol - is formed from testosterone during the process of aromatase and is much more needed in the female body than in the male, so care should be taken if it is in excess or 'hitting' the upper limit of normal.
The levels of hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands, the glands responsible for stress reactions, are also not insignificant. When it comes to men's hormone management, two in particular are worth paying attention to. The first is DAS - too little of it negatively affects, among other things, the amount of testosterone. The second is cortisol, produced mainly in response to stress and stressful situations. Nowadays, due to our lifestyles, stressful work and many responsibilities, we produce it in a great many situations, and in some patients even 24/7. As a result, cortisol has a very negative effect on the endocrine system. Most often, an increase in cortisol is associated with a decrease in testosterone levels in the body, so it is worth testing the levels of this hormone as well, in order to have a holistic picture of the situation in a patient's body.
What laboratory tests should be performed when endocrine-related erectile dysfunction is suspected? Our endocrinology specialists recommend testing the levels of indicators such as:
- Glucose OS-F
- ALT
- AST
- TSH
- LH
- Estradiol
- Prolactin
- SHBG
- DHEA-SO4
- Testosterone
- Cortisol
- Insulin
Depending on the results, the doctor advises the patient on an individual basis on the appropriate form of treatment, e.g. through supplementation of the missing hormone to make up for its deficiency in the body. For example, testosterone can be supplemented in the form of orally administered tablets, a special transdermal gel or by intramuscular injections. In either case, it is necessary to undergo laboratory and clinical follow-up after a few weeks to check the difference in testosterone levels in the body and to prevent a possible overdose. During the treatment process through testosterone supplementation, our patients undergo periodic monitoring of parameters such as PSA levels and blood counts.
It is worth emphasising that testosterone supplementation should only take place under the care of a doctor. Inappropriate and uncontrolled supplementation, often present in bodybuilding circles, can seriously affect the long-term health of the body. Too high levels of testosterone, sustained over a long period of time, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. An additional unpleasant side effect is increased sebum production by the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and the formation of acne lesions. Read more about hormone replacement therapy.
Price-list
| Endocrinologist consultation with thyroid ultrasound | 300 zł |
Patients' opinions
Q&A
Testosterone is a so-called androgen, a sex hormone of steroidal structure. In addition to the Leydig cells found in the male testes, the female ovaries, placenta or adrenal cortex are also responsible for its production. Not only testosterone, but all androgens play an essential role in reproductive functions and in the context of male fertility. They are responsible for the formation and normal development of the male genitalia, as well as the process of sexual maturation in men. In addition, androgens account for typically male secondary sexual characteristics such as voice, body hair, musculature and physique, as well as the body composition and physique of the individual patient.
Testosterone itself is primarily responsible for sexual desire, in addition to influencing the human body's metabolism and psychophysical condition. Both its excess and deficiency can lead to harmful effects on the body. In the meantime, as men age, the production of androgens declines, which can result in testosterone deficiency.
There are a number of effects to which a deficiency of testosterone in the body leads. First of all, its reduced amount negatively affects the functioning of many organs and systems. The most common symptoms of testosterone deficiency include decreased sexual desire and activity, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle strength and body mass, decreased bone mass, or less frequent and weaker morning erections. In addition, testosterone deficiency manifests itself through hypertrophy of the mammary gland in men (i.e. gynaecomastia), reduced body hair in the individual patient, deterioration of intellectual performance, obesity, metabolic disorders, sleep disorders, depression, mood swings, hot flashes and decreased energy. In young patients, symptoms of testosterone deficiency may include failure to develop secondary sexual characteristics, delayed sexual maturation or fertility problems.
Reduced testosterone levels in the body, if coupled with increased levels of the gonadotropins folitropin (FSH) and lutropin (LH), may be indicative of primary testicular dysfunction in the patient in question. However, there are a number of other causes that need to be considered. These include:
- abnormal testicular development or descent,
- testicular inflammation,
- testicular tumours,
- idiopathic testicular atrophy,
- Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disease, one of the most common causes of testicular failure),
- disorders affecting the pituitary or hypothalamus, such as insufficiency, adenomas or Kallmann syndrome (a genetic disease characterised by gonadal dysfunction),
- decrease in the number of Leydig cells,
- unhealthy lifestyle,
- addictions,
- obesity or chronic diseases.
If the patient detects symptoms in himself that may indicate a lowering of testosterone, he should go for a diagnostic visit. With the help of a physical examination - including testicular size analysis, BMI assessment, waist-to-hip ratio, hair analysis or penile evaluation - and a history of the patient's symptoms, the doctor is able to order further detailed diagnostic tests. These may, for example, involve measuring serum testosterone levels, checking lutropin (LH) levels or SHBG globulin, which binds sex hormones. Only after a series of tests or additional consultations with specialists is it possible to correctly find the cause of the testosterone deficiency and thus find the right treatment for the patient.
Why is it worth to sign up for a consultation at Vedi Clinic?
- We offer comprehensive diagnostics to detect all symptoms.
- We pay attention to a number of hormones in the patient's body, not only testosterone, but also cortisol, oestradiol, prolactin or SHBG levels.
- The specialists available in one place are able to provide comprehensive, holistic care for a given patient.
- The specialists working at the Vedi Clinic select the appropriate form of treatment for the hormone deficiency or excess, appropriate to the individual case.