Men’s Health Management: Hypothyroidism and Low Testosterone

Posted: November 9, 2023

Many men do not realize that a large number of common health issues can be linked to low testosterone and should be addressed as part of an overall men’s health management program. This includes hypothyroidism, or low thyroid. Low thyroid disrupts your hormonal balance, causing testosterone to drop. 

Understanding the link between hypothyroidism and low testosterone is crucial to taking charge of your health. Today, we will discuss how managing both of these conditions is essential to improving your energy levels and overall well-being. 

At our clinic, we help our testosterone patients by customizing an all-encompassing men’s health management program to target and treat interconnected health issues. This can include issues such as low thyroid, erectile dysfunction, or sleep apnea, on top of low testosterone treatment. Get started today with an initial health assessment and testosterone level check.

Your Thyroid Gland Helps Keep Hormones Balanced

The thyroid gland may be small in size, but it plays a crucial role in keeping your body functioning normally. This gland is responsible for producing important hormones that help regulate many functions, including:

• Metabolism
• Body temperature
• Heartbeat
• Muscle function
• Digestive function
• Brain development
• Bone maintenance

When the thyroid gland is functioning properly, it produces just the right amount of hormones to keep your body balanced. However, when it becomes overactive or underactive, it can lead to a multitude of health issues. These issues come with a range of challenging symptoms that can profoundly impact your quality of life.

Your Thyroid Has a Significant Impact on Testosterone Levels

Comprehensive men’s health management can help restore balance in thyroid levels while treating low testosterone.

It is common knowledge that thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism, but less known is the fact that your thyroid can directly impact testosterone. Low thyroid hormone levels are linked to decreased testosterone production as it causes a hormonal domino effect in the body. 

Proper functioning of the thyroid is required to stimulate the hypothalamus to produce GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). GnRH is a crucial hormone released by the hypothalamus that plays a pivotal role in regulating the production of testosterone and other sex hormones by signaling the pituitary gland to produce LH (luteinizing hormone). LH works by signaling the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone.

In addition, low thyroid hormone levels can impact the production of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) in the liver. This can lead to a reduced capacity of the body to transport testosterone efficiently, as SHBG serves as the primary carrier of this hormone in the bloodstream. An inadequacy in thyroid hormone levels can thus result in decreased SHBG levels, potentially disrupting the normal functioning and distribution of testosterone in the body.

By understanding the relationship between these hormones, you can optimize your men’s health management program to target the root of the problem—hypothyroidism.

Low Thyroid Symptoms Can Mimic Other Health Conditions

Have you ever wondered why some days you feel more energized and ready to tackle the day ahead, while other days you struggle to even get out of bed? The answer could lie in your thyroid hormones and related testosterone levels. 

The symptoms of hypothyroidism can be easily overlooked because they can resemble other health issues. Some common symptoms include:

• Tiredness
• Slow movements
• Difficulty thinking clearly or quickly
• Depression
• Joint aches
• Muscle aches, cramps, or weakness
• Cold sensitivity
• Weight gain
• Constipation

Unfortunately, since these symptoms are relatively subtle or are similar to some low testosterone symptoms, many men do not realize that they are experiencing them until the condition has progressed. This is why it is important to get your thyroid checked during a scheduled health assessment. When you can catch low thyroid hormone levels early, you can get the treatment you need to feel like yourself again.

Common Causes of Low Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While there are several likely culprits that contribute to an underactive thyroid, one of the most common causes is autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases trigger a malfunction in the body’s immune system where it mistakenly identifies healthy cells as foreign invaders, leading to a self-destructive attack.

One of the most common autoimmune diseases that affects the thyroid is Hashimoto’s disease. Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, this disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism. It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and reduced hormone production.

Other causes include a lack of iodine in the diet, certain medications, previous radiation or surgery to the thyroid, or even certain types of cancer. If you have any of these risk factors in your personal health history, it is vitally important to know the signs and symptoms to watch out for. 

Hypothyroidism Can Be Easily Treated with Medication

Hypothyroidism is very treatable with thyroid hormone medications. These medications work by replacing the hormones that the thyroid gland is not producing. With consistent treatment, symptoms such as fatigue and joint or muscle pain can be alleviated, and patients can begin to feel more like themselves again. 

If needed, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can work together with your thyroid treatment to help bring your testosterone levels back up to a healthy range. These supplemental testosterone injections can make a significant impact, especially if your body is simply not producing the amount of testosterone you need. 

If you have low testosterone and this condition is being exacerbated by low thyroid levels, we can help. Our healthcare providers can create personalized men’s health management plans for our testosterone patients to address some of the most common interconnected health issues men face.

Custom Men’s Health Plans for Our Low T Patients

It is never too late to take control of your health and begin treating low testosterone and thyroid issues. At Low T Center, we deliver individualized care that meets the specific needs of each testosterone patient. Contact us now to schedule an appointment for the best in personalized medical care.

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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.