• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Property
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Work & Finance
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • Transform borders Singapore immigration lawyer sulochanaTHE Singapore immigration lawyer to get your work permit
        • Driving in SingaporeDriving in Singapore – What you need to know
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do in SingpaoreWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • puzzles octoberPuzzle Pages – answers for October 2023!
        • horoscopes for julyMonthly Horoscopes – October 2023!
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • special needs education clinic TLCNeed special needs education support for your child?
        • Yellow Aliens mascotWhere to rent Halloween costumes & more!
        • White Room photography studio in SingaporePortrait photography in Singapore: here’s some top studios!
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Furniture & Décor
      • Real Homes
        • Looking for the best outdoor furniture in Singapore?
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • solo exhibition in singaporeAmazing 3D-style artwork by Zhuang Hong Yi
        • Where to buy antiques or vintage furniture – Reviews
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • migration to AustraliaIs migration to Australia or NZ on your wish list?
        • The Latest Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • what's on in sydney theatre wickedA Wickedly Good Time – Things to Do in Sydney!
        • stamp duty investing in property5 Reasons to Invest in Property in Sunny Spain!
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Oktoberfest 2023 singapore - the places for food and beerHow to celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 in Singapore
        • Deviate wine bar in Dempsey Hill - we chat to owner Joe Keats of Petersons WinesThis Dempsey bar is a best-kept secret!
        • Crossroads cafe at Orchard - where to eat in Orchard Road - alfresco dining SingaporeTry alfresco dining & happy hour at this café at Orchard Road
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • anti-frizz hair treatmentFrizzy hair? We review keratin treatments and more
        • hairdressers in singaporeBest Hair Salons in Singapore for Haircut, Colour & De-frizz!
        • Fashion News and Sales in Singapore!
        • sensitive skin moisturiser skincare steps productsTried & Tested: Sensitive skin moisturisers, serums & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • soccer school sports - SJI International studentsWhich school sports to choose?
        • dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singaporeA star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work
        • mould service in singaporeChoose the right mould removal service in Singapore
        • allergic rhinitis, allergy medication and insuranceFast facts on allergies, symptoms & insurance
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Is your man testosterone deficient?

16th June 2019 by Amy Greenburg 4 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/testosterone-deficiency-syndrome-treatment-dtap-clinic-mens-health/

Is the man in your life always tired and irritable? Don’t write off these symptoms as an inevitable transformation into middle-aged grump mode. His new persona could be an indication of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). Here’s what to know and how to treat it.

Why is testosterone important?

According to DR JULIAN NG of DTAP Clinic (Dr Tan and Partners), two in every 100 men have testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS). Also known as hypogonadism, it’s a condition in which a man’s body does not produce sufficient levels of testosterone, the primary male hormone.

Testosterone is important through the life of any male, says Dr Ng. It determines the development of male characteristics while in the womb, it’s required for males to develop secondary sexual characteristic during puberty (facial hair, pubic hair and the deepening of a man’s voice, for example) and it’s responsible for sperm production.

It’s also key to the development of bones and muscles. “Testosterone is needed to maintain good bone health directly and indirectly, as some testosterone is converted into oestrogen, which helps maintain good bone health. Testosterone also helps in maintain muscle mass, which indirectly improves body fat levels.”

Males normally have the highest level of testosterone when they are between age of 20 and 30. By the time they hit the age of 80, testosterone levels can drop by up to 30 percent. Unlike women, who experience a sudden drop in estrogen levels when they hit menopause, men experience a more gradual decrease of testosterone levels over time.

While TDS itself is not a life-threatening condition, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life for the man and his relationship,” says Dr Ng. “Testosterone can also affect mood and sex drive in males, and may also affect erection.”

Depressed man

And, TDS can do more than just threaten your partner’s patience both in and out of the bedroom. There is a growing body of evidence showing an association between low testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Research has also linked males with low testosterone levels to risk of high-grade prostate cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and obesity.

“It’s found on average that very obese men have testosterone levels 25 percent lower than non-obese men,” says Dr Ng.

What are the signs of testosterone deficiency?

Common symptoms of low testosterone are low energy levels, mood swings or irritability, poor concentration, reduced muscle strength, low libido and erection issues – either difficulty getting an erection or maintaining one.

“As some of the symptoms are non-specific like tiredness or mood swings, or an increase in weight, they can be misdiagnosed as stress-related or simply not doing exercise,” says Dr Ng. “Some may even be told by their doctor that they are depressed.”

DTAP Clinic suggests using the following questionnaire as a tool to assess the possibility of being testosterone deficient:

  1. Do you have a decrease in libido (sex drive)?
  2. Do you have a lack of energy?
  3. Do you have a decrease in strength and/or endurance?
  4. Have you lost height?
  5. Have you noticed a decreased “enjoyment of life”?
  6. Are you sad and/or grumpy?
  7. Are your erections less strong?
  8. Have you noted a recent deterioration in your ability to play sports?
  9. Are you falling asleep after dinner?
  10. Has there been a recent deterioration in your work performance?

“If you answer ‘yes’ to questions #1 and #7 and any other three questions, then you may want to see your doctor to discuss testosterone deficiency,” says Dr Ng.

He notes that a man can have low testosterone levels but, as long as he has no symptoms attributable to testosterone, he does not have testosterone deficiency syndrome. And, while low testosterone could be the reason behind certain symptoms, there are other medical conditions that could be at play; in fact, there are some conditions (Type 2 Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis, among others) that mimic the symptoms of TDS, so it’s best to speak with your doctor about getting tested.

A blood test called a serum testosterone test is used to determine a man’s level of circulating testosterone. This is used to diagnose TDS and subsequently, determine the most appropriate treatment option for the patient.

Man discussing treatments with his doctor

How is testosterone deficiency treated?

Testosterone replacement therapy is a widely used treatment for men with symptomatic TDS, and there are various options for testosterone replacement available here in Singapore.

Testosterone injection
“This is an option for those who do not wish to take medication on a daily basis,” says Dr Ng. The injection is generally given once every eight to 12 weeks depending on the individual. There are also short-term injections but they require the patient to be comfortable with self-injection, he says.

Testosterone Capsules
“This is an option for those who do not like needles and prefer the oral route,” says Dr Ng. “Absorption is dependent on diet, and is better with high fat meals.”

Testosterone gel
“This option provides the best absorption and most stable levels compared to the other two routes of administration,” says Dr Ng. “It’s also the easiest option for most people, as it only requires you to apply the gel on your skin. However, some people find it inconvenient to use, as you need to wait for the gel to dry; there is also the risk of accidental transfer of testosterone to one’s female partner or children.”

Diagnosis and treatment for TDS is available at all DTAP Clinic Men’s Clinics at Holland Village, Novena, Somerset, Siglap (914 East Coast Road) and Raffles Place.

To find out more about (TDS) or hypogonadism, to to schedule an appointment, call 6397 2095 or email hello@dtapclinic.com.

dtapclinic.com/mens-clinic

 

Like this? Read more in our Health & Fitness section.

Physio, chiropractic, osteopathy and more

What do you know about erectile dysfunction?

Categories: Health & Fitness Medical Tags: DTAP Clinic Hypogonadism Men's health TDS testosterone testosterone deficiency syndrome

Amy Greenburg

Originally from Los Angeles, Amy is passionate about Netflix, sipping rosé at rooftop bars, travelling, and all things health and wellness-related. She enjoys learning about different health topics through her writing, particularly critical health conditions, food allergies, alternative therapies, and pregnancy and postpartum-related issues

You May Also Like

dental facial orthopaedic and clear aligners orthodontics in singapore

A star in alignment – orthodontics and charity work

mould service in singapore

Choose the right mould removal service in Singapore

Plantar Fasciitis and knee injuries from running

How to avoid these 6 common running injuries

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.