Men, Do You Have Low T and High Estrogen?
Low Testosterone Is Very Common and Often Ignored

Low testosterone is becoming a modern-day epidemic for men! It is now estimated that over 25 million American men have been diagnosed with having low testosterone or what’s referred to as “hypogonadism”. Surprisingly, less than 20% have received any form of treatment. This may partially be due to the emergence and popularity of ED medications like Viagra and Cialis which partially treat the low testosterone symptom of “erectile dysfunction” but do nothing to correct the greater underlying issue.

Not only is low testosterone known for causing erectile dysfunction and lower sex drive it may also be responsible for a number of other risk factors and chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cognitive decline, depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and heart disease. 

Symptoms of Low testosterone

Testosterone normally is at its highest through a man’s later teens and early 20s. After that, this hormone declines on average 1.5% per year. At Vitality Health SFL in Naples, Fort Myers, and Bonita Beach, Florida, we often consult with men in their 30s who are already experiencing the symptoms of Low T, and in many cases their lab work confirms it.

• Brain fog
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Increase in abdominal fat
• Elevated cholesterol
• Anxiety and irritability
• Increased risk of insulin resistance
• Osteopenia/osteoporosis
• Depression
• Decreased stamina
• Decreased muscle mass
• Decreased cognitive function
• Decreased erectile performance
• Decreased urine flow

Low Testosterone is not the only hormone to be aware of!

Have you ever found yourself standing in the dairy isle debating with your wife on which brand of butter to buy? If so, you may have high estrogen!

Too much or high estrogen can also play a large role in men’s health, libido, and sexual function! Men with low testosterone and high estrogen is not uncommon and we see plenty of male patients at Vitality Health SFL with just this type of hormone balance.

As men age, testosterone levels decline, and estrogen (estradiol) tends to increase. As scary as it sounds, we see many male patients that have higher estrogen levels than their female counterparts. Think about that for a moment!

Where does estrogen that’s affecting men come from?

There are several factors. This is what we know…

First, there is an increasing number of estrogen-mimicking disrupters found in our environment, food supply, and beauty products. These same disruptors are also known to disrupt testosterone production in the same men presenting a double-edged sword that raises estrogen and lowers testosterone at the same time!

Second, obesity has become another epidemic in American society. The issue here, the more body fat a man accumulates the more estrogen is stored and the more the body will convert the existing testosterone supply into estrogen through what is called an “aromatase enzyme”. These enzymes are found in fat tissues and the more body fat a man has the more fat is stored and testosterone converted into estrogen. Think about that for a moment!

Third, research indicates that chronic alcohol, opiate, and marijuana use can alter men’s hormone levels and decrease natural testosterone production and elevate estrogen.

Low testosterone, High Estrogen, Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease

To reiterate the previous point, aromatase enzymes are found in the fat tissue. Therefore, men suffering from obesity are more likely to have low testosterone and high estrogen which in turn can only make them become more obese.

The American Urological Association has shown there are many linkages between weight-related diseases and low testosterone. Men with certain health problems tend to have low testosterone (it is not necessarily causal, but they are very established links)[vi]:

• Men with obesity – about 50 out of 100 also have low testosterone
• Men with high blood pressure – about 40 out of 100 also have low testosterone
• Men with high cholesterol – about 40 out of 100 also have low testosterone
• Men having diabetes – about 50 out of 100 also have low testosterone

How can I find out what my testosterone and estrogen levels are?

Blood serum testing is the most accurate way to test these hormones. If you suspect that either your testosterone is low or that your estrogen may be high, contact Vitality Health SFL in Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Beach, Florida. We will be happy to help. We can contract lab work in all 50 states for less than $50.00 and with results in 3-5 business days. Additional hormone-related and health testing is also available and is just as easy to set up.

Visit www.vitalityhealthsfl.com to learn more about the practice and the services we offer. Give us a call at 1-833-4LOWTEE to schedule your consultation with Dr. Zughbi.

Have you already been a patient of Vitality Health SFL? We Would Love a Review!

Sources:

[ii] https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-lookup/doi/10.1210/jc.2006-1375

[iii] Diabetes Care. 2013 Sep; 36(9): 2591–2596.

[iv] J Cell Biochem. 2007 Nov 1;102(4):899-911.

[v] http://drmasley.com/heart-health/does-testosterone-decrease-or-increase-heart-disease-in-men/

[vi] http://urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/low-testosterone-(hypogonadism)

[vii] Purohit V. Can alcohol promote aromatization of androgens to estrogens?   A review. Alcohol. 2000 Nov;22(3):123-7.Colantoni A, Emanuele MA, Kovacs EJ, Villa E, Van Thiel DH. Hepatic estrogen receptors and alcohol intake. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002 Jul 31;193(1-2):101-4.

Cohen PG. The hypogonadal-obesity cycle: role of aromatase in modulating the testosterone-estradiol shunt–a major factor in the genesis of morbid obesity. Med Hypotheses. 1999 Jan;52(1):49-51.

Rebuffé-Scrive M, Mårin P, Björntorp P. Effect of testosterone on abdominal adipose tissue in men. Int J Obes. 1991 Nov;15(11):791-5.