5 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS

WHAT IS LOW TESTOSTERONE OR TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY?

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It helps maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass, muscle strength, red blood cell production, and sex drive. Testosterone begins a slow decline after the age of 30 in most males and by age 60, many males have lost up to 50% of their testosterone. More than a third of men over the age of 45 may suffer from testosterone deficiency; however, it can occur at any stage in a man’s life.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE LOW TESTOSTERONE OR TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY?

A deficiency in testosterone can result in low libido, impotence, loss of muscle mass and strength, increase in abdominal fat, loss of energy and drive, and depression. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone exists in both a free and bound form within the blood. The free form is the metabolically active component, which is measured in addition to the total testosterone level. A simple blood test is used to measure the testosterone level, and it takes 3-7 days to receive the results. If the results reveal a low testosterone level and you are experiencing any of these symptoms, this indicates a testosterone deficiency. Luckily, treatment is available. If you are diagnosed with a deficiency in testosterone, Cody Smith, our clinic coordinator, will discuss the best course of therapy with you.

SYMPTOMS OF LOW TESTOSTERONE

LOW LIBIDO (LOW IMPOTENCE)

Testosterone is one of the major hormones contributing to a man’s sex drive and ability to perform sexually. Factors, such as stress and poor health can effect a man’s sex drive, but it is commonly a result of low testosterone. You should not ignore these symptoms because you may be a candidate for treatment.

LOSS OF MUSCLE MASS

Testosterone is a necessary component in gaining and retaining lean muscle mass. Some decrease in strength can be attributed to age. Studies show that a relatively inactive man will lose one-half percent of muscle strength each year between the ages of 25 and 60. After 60, the rate of muscle loss doubles every 10 years. However, if you notice a significant change in your strength and endurance, it may be a result of a decrease in testosterone.

LOSS OF ENERGY

Feeling constantly tired with prolonged fatigue may be an indication of low testosterone, not just a part of growing older. If you have testosterone deficiency, treatment can help improve your energy, mental focus, clarity of thought, and concentration.

POOR SLEEP

It is known that prolonged sleep loss can negatively affect a man’s overall health, but did you know that it can also have consequences on testosterone levels? In a 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, testosterone levels in a week of normal sleep were compared to a week of sleep loss. The participants had 8 hours of sleep each night at home for the first week. The second week, they had 3 nights of 10-hour sleep and 8 nights of 5-hour sleep in a sleep laboratory. There was a 15% decrease in levels of testosterone in just one week of sleep loss. Improved testosterone levels can lead to improved quality of sleep.

DEPRESSION

Los testosterone can affect your mood - leading to irritability, nervousness, and depression. Higher levels of cortisol (found in men with depression) can lead to lower levels of testosterone.

TREATMENTS FOR LOW TESTOSTERONE

Approximately 10 million men in the U.S. are living with symptoms, such as loss of energy, sex drive, and muscle mass, that are often attributed to aging. If these symptoms are negatively impacting your relationships with friends and family, your ability to perform at work, and how you enjoy your life, you may be a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is one of the major hormones contributing to a man’s sex drive and ability to perform sexually. Factors, such as stress and poor health can effect a man’s sex drive, but it is commonly a result of low testosterone. You should not ignore these symptoms because you may be a candidate for treatment.

LOW TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT PROCEDURE

Testosterone replacement therapy is relatively painless and can be accomplished using gels, injections or pellets. Gels are prescribed for daily use. Testosterone pellets are implanted every 4 - 6 months just below the skin in the hip area. The procedure only takes about 15 minutes and a local anesthetic is provided. Our clinic coordinator will help you decide the best means of testosterone delivery based on your individual needs. Many men begin seeing an improvement in their symptoms within the first 3 weeks of treatment. The benefits may include: increased sex drive, energy level and mental focus,an improvement in memory, and an increase in muscle weight, size and strength.