How to Get Tested for Low Testosterone in the UK

As we see an increasingly aging population in an increasingly health aware world, men are becoming more conscious of symptoms like erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, mood swings, low libido, and uneven fat distribution – and how to prevent them. 

These symptoms are signs of testosterone deficiency, a male deficiency which is prevalent in society, impacting between 10-40% of men and known to increase with age. The sharpest rises in testosterone deficiencies hit men between the ages of 45 and 50. 

Testosterone deficiency is also known as hypogonadism, or low testosterone, but all of them mean that the amount of testosterone hormone being produced in the male sexual organs have reduced significantly, meaning regular physical functions far beyond sex are negatively impacted. 

Unfortunately, due to the lack of public awareness and minimal avenues for diagnosis, cases of low testosterone can go untreated and unrecognised. 

But if as much as 40% of men over the age of 45 are experiencing symptoms that signify a drop in testosterone production, shouldn’t there be a way to test that?

Well, here at Bodyline, we are experts in testing, treating, and supporting patients experiencing hormonal imbalances, and we’d like to help you understand how you can get tested for low testosterone in the UK, and how you can be treated. But first, let’s understand what’s actually going on in the body when there’s a testosterone deficiency.

What Causes Low Testosterone in Men?

Testosterone is known as the ‘male hormone’ and plays an important role in the everyday health of men. Testosterone stimulates men’s muscles, bones, skin, and sex organs, and is responsible for the development of masculine physical features.

There are a few reasons why men can experience a hormonal imbalance in their testosterone levels. Most commonly, testosterone is impacted by age, as levels do decrease gradually as men grow older. 

As men age, their levels of testosterone decrease – there can be a loss of 2% every year after a man reaches 40. That means that by the age of 50, a fifth of his testosterone is gone. 

However, stress levels, obesity, and some medical conditions can impact a man’s ability to produce testosterone. Plus, any trauma to the man’s sexual organs, the gonads, can also impact testosterone numbers.

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent cause of low testosterone in men. Physiologically, it decreases total testosterone because obesity leads to insulin resistance, which in turn is associated with reductions in the proteins required for sex hormone production.

But what makes it worse is that low testosterone by itself leads to increased body fat distribution, which creates a self-perpetuating cycle of complications: obesity leads to low testosterone, and low testosterone leads to weight gain, leading to obesity – so how do we break that cycle?

Contact our specialist low testosterone team to find out more about our personalised treatments.

How does Low Testosterone Impact Men?

When levels of testosterone drop below 300ng, it can be known as ‘andropause’ or the ‘male menopause’. While physiologically different to the female menopause due to its slow and progressive nature, andropause can still be life altering for men and difficult to live with.

Loss of testosterone can therefore lead to problems that can significantly impact the quality of a man’s life, affecting the body, the mind, and the sex life. 

Bernie Murphy, registered nurse manager and the Clinical Lead at Bodyline explains the common misconceptions associated with low testosterone and how it manifests in men:

“I think predominantly the general public would always associate low testosterone with lack of libido and lack of sexual function, but in fact there’s a whole lot more to it.

“Testosterone is directly responsible for things like muscle growth, aches and painful joints, energy levels, and motivation. People don’t understand that it is responsible for lots and lots of things, which is why men are quick to pin it on their age – a bit like women with the menopause. 

“In the same respect, a lot of men are unwilling to approach that topic or discuss their problems with their GP, particularly when it is the sexual function that’s impacted, which makes the cause even harder to identify.” 

The following health and wellness problems are all symptoms associated with low testosterone in men:

• Reduced libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Low mood
• Weight gain
• Night sweats
• Short term memory loss
• Irritability
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Breast development
• Increased body fat
• Reduced bone mass
• Hair loss
• Low motivation
• Loss of body hair
• Reduced self confidence
• Lack of clarity
• Brain fog
• Sleep issues
• Depression
• General sense of feeling unwell

Each of these symptoms can have a real impact on a man’s quality of life, which is why it is important to test for their causes, seek help, and choose to treat the cause at the root. 

Just as women replace their hormones in menopausal hormone imbalances, men should feel empowered to target their hormone deficiencies with the help of Testosterone Replacement Treatment (TRT) available at Bodyline.

Testing for Low Testosterone

Bodyline’s process to identify whether you are deficient in testosterone is created to be as smooth as possible with the help of our experienced HRT nurses and clinical staff. 

Once a patient has got in touch with us, we organise two blood tests to measure their hormone levels. That’s because testosterone levels in men can vary drastically from day to day depending on their diet, what exercise they’ve done, their hydration, and any recent stress. 

The two blood screenings can be cross referenced and analysed together, painting a wider picture of the patient’s testosterone and hormone profile, cross referenced with medical history, lifestyle, any contraindications in their medications, alongside cholesterol levels and prostate function. 

We also test for other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. All this information is vital to understanding the patient’s baseline level of health and allows us to move forward with advising them on any treatment plans our clinical team feel is best.

If this analysis confirms hormone deficiencies, we prescribe a medical treatment programme to target their low testosterone levels, namely TRT.

What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)?

Although testosterone deficiency is highly prevalent, its symptoms can be successfully alleviated with the help of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). 

TRT is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) treatment which involves actively replacing the missing hormones that are throwing your body off balance. TRT is administered in various ways, with the options of creams, gels, patches, or injections available. 

The TRT treatments for men are testosterone and DHEA. DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone, which is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands and the brain to aid in the production of sex hormones in the testes. 

I think I have Low Testosterone, what now?

If you feel that you are suffering from low testosterone symptoms and wondering whether testosterone therapy is right for you, our specialist low testosterone nurses can support you through the process.  

Bodyline’s holistic approach to low testosterone treatment means we understand your health needs and risk factors, so that we can provide you with choice on how to resolve and maintain your testosterone at optimum levels.  

Our supportive plans will ensure that you embrace aging and thrive through this stage of life.   

We prescribe testosterone replacement therapy treatments, if necessary, to treat low testosterone and your prescription could include testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) as well as Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.  

Your individual prescription can be easily modified and fine-tuned according to your changing symptoms and your future blood screening results.  

If obesity may be the cause of your hormone deficiency, we can also offer medical weight loss treatments for men that guarantees healthy, sustainable weight loss with the help of our supportive team of nurses. 

We can help you break out of that never-ending cycle. Let us help you by getting in touch with us today.  Call Bodyline today on 0800 995 6036 or complete a contact form for a call back . 

Bodyline works, and Bodyline cares.