Grumpy Old Man Syndrome
Grumpy old man syndrome refers to the stereotype that an older man is irritable, grouchy, and generally just difficult to be around. It is often a humorous way of describing someone who complains a lot (especially about the younger generation) and is perceived as difficult to please.
There is no medical condition known as "grumpy old man syndrome” but there should be. Many older men experience changes in their mood or temperament as a result of physical health problems, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and hormonal changes. These changes can sometimes manifest as increased irritability or a general negative outlook on life. Hence, the “Grumpy Old Man Syndrome”. We all know someone like this.
Whereas it is important to approach all individuals with kindness and understanding, regardless of their age, it is equally important to try and determine if there might be an underlying cause for these symptoms. At Transform Men’s Health we are often presented with these symptoms when people first come to our clinic. Low testosterone, especially in aging men, is an extremely frequent cause of this “Grumpy Old Man” cluster of symptoms.
Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, is a medical condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough testosterone, the male sex hormone. Testosterone plays a role in the development of male characteristics, such as facial hair, a deep voice, and muscle mass. It also plays a role in the production of sperm and the maintenance of sex drive, bone density, and red blood cells. For aging men, testosterone drops about 1.6% per year after the mid 30’s. So, by the time men reach their 50’s and 60’s, many have some of the symptoms of low testosterone.
The symptoms of low testosterone can vary but may include:
Low sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Decreased muscle mass, strength and/or endurance
Decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures
Generalized fatigue and physical exhaustion
Depressed mood and/or anxiety
Deterioration in work performance
A general “brain fog”
Hot flashes and sweating
Changes in sleep patterns (fall asleep in the day, can’t sleep at night)
A diminished enjoyment of life
Breast tissue growth (man breasts)
Weight gain, especially around the middle
Generalized bone, muscle and joint pain
Reduction in sporting ability
Decrease in beard growth
Irritable and cranky
If you think you may be experiencing low testosterone, it is important to speak to a healthcare provider. They can provide a questionnaire, do a physical examination, and order blood tests to measure your testosterone levels, in order to determine the best course of action based on your individual situation.
Testosterone treatment is not needed for every aging male. Some men with low testosterone cope well with no or few symptoms. Others are profoundly affected by their lower testosterone levels.
Like everything else in medicine, you treat the patient and not the blood test results.
At Transform Men’s Health we try to optimize the testosterone levels for those men who are severely affected by low testosterone. What does this mean? It means that if we choose to address this issue, we will want to use a bioidentical testosterone. This means the exact same type of testosterone that you used to produce in abundance in your body. We then try to elevate one’s testosterone level to the level achieved in one’s mid to late 30’s. In Canada that means trying to get your total testosterone to about 25 to 35 nmol/L.
There are few things in medicine as rewarding as treating a man who comes in feeling sluggish and tired, irritable, not coping well at work or home, falling asleep when they don’t want to and having trouble sleeping when they do want to, not attending the gym or working out and who feels a pervasive brain fog, lack of motivation and loss of interest in having sex. They feel past their prime and have a diminished joy of life. Once treated with testosterone and male specific supplements I have witnessed many patients transform within 8 to 12 weeks back to how they felt mentally and physically in their 30s.
That is a rewarding achievement for both doctor and patient!
