Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone for normal body function. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as a blood test result of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) being slightly above the normal range but below the range of a hypothyroid diagnosis. only is hypothyroidism in men possible, it’s actually more common than expected. Often mistaken as a health problem that only women experience, hypothyroidism in men can develop into a serious problem that negatively impacts men’s quality of life unless treated. The diagnosis and possible treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism as it relates to low testosterone levels remains a controversial subject in medicine. While some doctors debate how to treat this problem, and further, if to treat it at all, some doctors are publishing research to suggest a connection between the thyroid and testosterone levels and the impact on aging men’s health. “Androgen deficiency (low testosterone) negatively affects the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in men with hypothyroidism.”
Symptoms of hypothyroidism in men
You can think of the thyroid like your body’s power plant — critical hormones produced in the thyroid send signals that activate and energize many of the body’s systems. When the thyroid underperforms, the literal meaning of the term hypothyroidism, your body begins to slow down significantly. That slow-down results in an overall lag in many of your body’s systems, like: Energy, Cognitive functions, Sexual performance, Digestive processes and Cardiovascular function.
Some of the typical symptoms of low thyroid that men experience may include:
- Fatigue — Especially during the mid-day
- Inability to concentrate and remember
- Reduced decision-making capacity
- Decreased capacity for processing stress
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Elevated cholesterol and weight gain
- Dry skin
- Low blood pressure
- Arrhythmias
- Feeling cold
- Constipation
The association between hypothyroidism and low testosterone levels
When examining the distinct relationship between the thyroid and low testosterone, researchers have observed a chain reaction that can take place starting in the thyroid gland. Proper production of thyroid hormone stimulates the hypothalamus, resulting in production of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). GnRH then signals the pituitary gland to produce LH (luteinizing hormone). LH signals the testes to produce — you guessed it — testosterone. If this system starts off with poor production of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), a normal level of GnRH won’t be produced, the pituitary gland then won’t get the proper message, causing low production of LH. Poor LH production means the testes won’t be signalled to produce enough testosterone.
It’s interesting to note that some of these symptoms overlap those we typically identify as symptoms of low testosterone, particularly the ones related to sexual function, energy levels, concentration, hair loss, and weight fluctuation.
Diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in men
One way to diagnose hypothyroidism in men is to check the patient’s history and blood tests and to check the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). Increase TSH levels and decreased T3 and T4 hormones indicate hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroid replacement therapy is commonly treated with a synthetic version of T4 that’s called Synthroid (Levothyroxine).
References
https://tctmed.com/testosterone-low-t-replacement-therapy-services/hypothyroidism-in-men/
https://tctmed.com/thyroid-and-low-testosterone/
