Sex hormone could save your life

By Victoria Hansen vhansen@abcnews4.com

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Chances are you've seen the commercials.

"Do you have low energy?"

"Has your belly gotten bigger?"

"What about your sex life? Has it all but disappeared?"

Men, you probably remember these words more vividly. The advertisements promise relief. They say you may have low testosterone, the hormone that puts hair on your chest and stokes your sex drive. They say there is a cure for what ails you. Of course, the symptoms are often the common maladies of middle age.

"Many men focus on the benefits of increasing testosterone levels related to libido and energy," said Dr. Bright McConnell. "But in reality, correcting low testosterone can protect male patients from heart failure and stroke."

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for men.

"Low testosterone can be easily screened and treated," said McConnell. "I believe it to be probably the most significant risk factor in middle aged and older males."

McConnell is a well-known orthopaedic surgeon who has specialized in sports medicine and human performance. In recent years, he has become immersed in age management medicine as the founder of FitMed Partners on Daniel Island.

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Sex hormone could save your life

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