Low testosterone, or low T, is one of the common men’s health issues. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that produces biological characteristics in men, such as muscularity, body hair, and a low voice.
As age progresses, men experience a decline in testosterone levels, affecting their health and quality of life. The normal range for total testosterone levels in men is 270 to 1070 ng/dL. Testosterone levels are considered “low” when the value is anywhere between 230 and 300 ng/dL.
In the United States, nearly 40% of men aged 45 and 50% of men aged 80 and above have low T levels. Low testosterone is not only seen in older men but in young men and even adolescents. In fact, more and more young men are seeking help for low T attributed to a higher incidence of childhood obesity, diabetes, and drug abuse.
Some of the classic symptoms of low testosterone include loss of libido (low sex drive), low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, declining ejaculate volume, hot flashes, and loss of underarm, pubic, and body hair.
Generic Drugs for Low Testosterone
Low T treatment usually focuses on treating the underlying medical condition with medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes. For most men with low testosterone, doctors advise testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
TRT is the first line of treatment for low testosterone in men, especially when they fail to produce enough testosterone in the testes or the pituitary gland. It does increase serum testosterone levels, but the therapy does not always improve all symptoms.
Generic medicines for low T levels may include testosterone, estrogen blockers, and aromatase inhibitors.
- Testosterone
Testosterone products come in patches, topical gels, nasal gel, intramuscular injections, and oral pills. Of those, testosterone gel and transdermal patches are the most widely used. Some of the common generic products for low testosterone include Androgel, Depo-Testosterone, Fortesta, Testim, Vogelxo, Androderm, Natesto, among others.
- Estrogen Blockers
Estrogen, which is a female sex hormone, naturally occurs in men but is secreted in a very negligible amount. The hormone works in the brain to inhibit the production of testosterone. Estrogen blockers help prevent this from happening, allowing the brain to produce testosterone. Doctors may prescribe estrogen blockers such as clomiphene off-label to younger men with low testosterone.
- Aromatase Inhibitors
Aromatase is an enzyme in the body fat that converts testosterone into estrogen. And high estrogen could inhibit the secretion of testosterone. Aromatase inhibitors, which are typically used to treat breast cancer, are used off-label to prevent the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Physiologically, in men, testosterone levels decrease a little naturally with age. However, in some men, the levels are too low and may cause unwanted symptoms. Generic drugs are available, but it’s important for your doctor to confirm whether your testosterone levels is too low to prescribe a medicine.
