Doc sounds testosterone warning

May 13, 2025

A hormone therapy specialist is advising men who notice weaker or less frequent morning erections to consider getting tested, as suffering for low levels of testosterone.

The specialist, Dr Jodine Jackto-Tafari, noted that testosterone is crucial for reproductive health, mental clarity, energy, and overall vitality.

Beyond sexual health, low testosterone can trigger a cascade of issues, including sleep problems, irritability, reduced body and facial hair, decreased bone density, and contributes to mood swings.

Jackto-Tafar said testosterone levels naturally start to dip after age 30, and by 45, up to 40 per cent of men could be affected.

"If you're not waking up with strong erections like you used to, that's a big sign your testosterone might be low," said Jackto-Tafar, a family physician of 13 years.

"If you notice a change, you should get tested."

Jackto-Tafari, through her AccuLab, is currently offering free testosterone testing throughout May as part of a new health initiative. The free testing comes at a time when concerns are rising about declining testosterone levels among Jamaican men.

According to Jackto-Tafari, many men are quietly battling symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, low libido, and stubborn muscle loss despite rigorous exercise.

"We're finding lots of men that have low libido and brain fog. They're in the gym pumping hard and not gaining muscle, and when we test them, their testosterone levels are often low," she said.

Low testosterone has been linked to chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, compounded by poor lifestyle habits like excessive drinking, lack of exercise, and inadequate sleep.

AccuLab, which also operates in Mandeville, Manchester and Falmouth, Trelawny, has reported a sharp increase in interest since launching the campaign. Demand has been especially high in Kingston, prompting the early opening of the Windsor Wellness location.

"Some days we're seeing 10 to 15 men coming in across our locations, and many more are calling. It's surprising how many want to know more," she said.

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