Jakarta, ThedailyID — Fatigue, declining stamina, weight gain and changes in sexual function often seem like normal signs of aging. However, they can also point to hormonal or metabolic changes that deserve medical attention.
Primaya Hospital highlighted the issue during the Primaya Metabolic Endocrine 2026 seminar in July. The event focused on practical approaches to endocrinology and metabolic health.
For men, testosterone levels naturally decline with age. Data from the European Male Ageing Study shows that the decline becomes more noticeable after age 50.
However, persistent symptoms should not always be dismissed as part of getting older. One condition doctors may consider is late-onset hypogonadism, or testosterone deficiency in men.
The condition affects an estimated 2.1% of men overall. Its prevalence rises from 0.1% among men aged 40–49 to 5.1% among those aged 70–79. Obesity and metabolic syndrome can also increase the risk.
Dr. Marshell Tendean, a specialist in internal medicine at UKRIDA Primaya Hospital, urged men to pay attention when physical changes begin affecting daily life.
“Changes such as persistent fatigue, declining stamina or sexual dysfunction need further evaluation when they affect quality of life,” Marshell said.
Meanwhile, metabolic disorders such as diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms. As a result, some people only discover the condition after complications appear.
Materials presented at Primaya Endocrine 2026 noted that more than 250 million adults worldwide may have undiagnosed metabolic disorders.
In Indonesia, the International Diabetes Federation’s 2025 Diabetes Atlas ranks the country fifth globally for diabetes prevalence among people aged 20–79. Indonesia also ranks third for the number of undiagnosed cases.
Dr. Khomimah, an internal medicine specialist at Primaya Hospital Bekasi Barat, said diabetes involves far more than blood sugar levels.
“Diabetes is not only about blood sugar. Its management must also consider the patient’s overall risks, including heart and kidney health,” she said.
Type 2 diabetes involves multiple organs and systems. These include the pancreas, liver, fat tissue, muscles, kidneys, brain, digestive system and immune system.
Therefore, doctors increasingly assess diabetes management beyond a single laboratory result. They also consider organ health, body weight, complications, existing conditions and individual patient needs.
Ultimately, the goal goes beyond improving hormone levels, blood sugar or body weight. Early detection can help prevent complications, protect organ function and maintain quality of life.
Primaya Hospital therefore encourages people to pay closer attention to persistent changes in their bodies. What seems like normal aging may sometimes signal a health problem that requires evaluation.
