That's what we were told is the cause of hubby's bone issues.. His testosterone levels were less than half of what they should be and his Calcium was also low. According to the doctor, testosterone helps with calcium absorption and when it's low calcium isn't absorbed. Possible explanation of the osteoporosis that my hubby was diagnosed with at the age of 33.. His thyroid levels were fine not low like we were told they were originally. I was so nervous going into the appointment. I didn't know what that doctor would be telling us and if our lives were about to drastically change for the worse. Praising God for the doctor. We've found out more in the last few months than we have in the last 5 years!!!!
That is both both wonderful news and not so good news, but at least it appears you have an explanation at last! Hoping that he will get whatever treatment he needs and that this doctor will know how to help him!
OK, now you have something to work with! (When I saw the title of the thread, the first thing I thought was our Homeschool Spot troll had struck again!)
Good news that you have an answer. Be careful however, testosterone supplementation is not always a cake walk. There can be mood issues and other issues. If your DH (I am not asking just giving info) takes any psychotropic meds, they can work a lot differently after testosterone supplementation, some are not needed, others are less effective. Keep an eye out for potential interactions with any other meds also. There are many ways to get testosterone into the body, read up, some can cause undesired side effects. If I recall, injection to the thigh muscle was at one time the best way, with the fewest side effects. This can be done at home. There may be better ways also. Information is your friend. Potassium, Magnesium and zinc also inter play with calcium absorption and Thyroid health.
No psychotropic meds here I'm hoping that we get into the endocrinologist soon and get this going. He has NO energy. It's all he can do to go to work. I've offered to find a job to help with the stress of making ends meet, but he refuses. Says I have enough to do without adding that into the mix. ((sigh)) As far as magnesium goes, I am going to start giving him supplements because he has horrible leg and foot cramps. The doctor said it was fine. He didn't mention that his magnesium levels were low, but I'm sure we will find out more once we get into the endocrinologist. He did say NOT to mess with potassium at this point. He said that there's no need to add in anymore. Too much can cause all sorts of issues including heart failure.. We do not need that! I'm doing research and learning all I can. We have a friend whose husband has been on testosterone for 7 months and they haven't had an issue with it. They do the gel under the arm. I would really rather find a natural way to increase testosterone instead of doing it this way :/ I know, I'm weird.. It just makes me nervous.
testosterone supplementation is as natural as taking insulin, or other thyroid meds or other things the body is no longer making enough of.
Thanks, Vantage. I've done a lot of reading up on it and I'm understanding that it HAS to happen since his body is no longer producing enough..
OK, here's my question. (And realize I really know nothing about this!) Is lower testosterone a normal thing in older gentlemen? I'm thinking like estrogen in women. Menopause is a normal phase of life, and lower estrogen levels is part of that. So it would seem counterproductive to give hormones when your body is slowing down the production in that case. (My friend is fussing with this right now!). Now with men, it may be that lowering the levels isn't a natural process, I don't know. It may not be the same at all; it's just a thought.
The thing with it being low is that it affects the ability for the body to absorb certain vitamins and minerals and it's the same with estrogen. My MIL said that she is at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. So she takes hormone suppliments. The doctor said that low testosterone is the reason behind my husband having osteoporosis at the age of 33.. Not to mention that men who are lower on testosterone are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.. I wonder if it's the same for women and breast cancer... It's really scary.
