Do I Have Low Testosterone?
The testicles create the hormone known as testosterone. Testosterone helps grow muscle and bone mass, increases sex drive and sperm production, and improves your physical attractiveness and sexual maturation.
As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decline. Forty percent of men aged 45 and over have low testosterone. A reduction in testosterone production can have a wide range of symptoms. Low testosterone can manifest itself in various ways, and some of these signs include:
1. Lacking Sex Desire
Testosterone is an essential component in sex desire, which is often referred to as libido. As people get older, it is possible that they could suffer a decrease in their sex drive; however, those who have low testosterone levels would most likely see a more significant loss.
2. Erection Problems
Having an erection and keeping it going is made easier by testosterone. In the brain, it communicates with receptors to make nitric oxide, a substance that sets off a cascade of events leading to an erection. If your testosterone levels were low, you can have trouble getting an erection before you have sex or experiencing spontaneous erections, like while you are sleeping. This is because testosterone helps maintain blood flow to the penile erector muscle.
3. Hair Loss
The hormone testosterone is involved in a number of different bodily processes, one of which is the formation of hair. For many men, going bald is an inevitable consequence of aging. While male pattern baldness can be inherited, men who have low testosterone levels are also more likely to experience loss of body and facial hair.
4. Frequent Fatigue
Extreme weariness and a lack of energy are common complaints among males who have low testosterone levels. There is a possibility that you can have low testosterone if you experience persistent fatigue despite receiving an adequate amount of sleep or if you have a more difficult time motivating yourself to engage in physical activity.
5. Hot flashes
The occurrence of hot flashes is often an indicator that testosterone levels are too low. A sudden feeling of heat may come over you as a result of this. You may also have night sweats, intense sweating, and skin reddening as a side effect of this condition.
6. Low Muscle Mass
Because testosterone plays a role in the development of muscle, men who have low testosterone levels may see a reduction in their overall muscle mass. According to the findings of a review published in 2016, testosterone influences muscle mass but just not always strength or function.
7. High Body Fat
In men, a lack of testosterone can lead to an increase in body fat as well as the development of gynecomastia, which is an enlargement of the breast tissue. Gynecomastia is a condition that can develop in men if there is an estrogen and testosterone level imbalance in the body.
8. Low bone density
Osteoporosis is a condition that many people commonly connect with females, however bone loss can also occur in males who have testosterone levels. Because testosterone plays a role in the production of bone as well as its strength, men who have low levels of testosterone, bone fractures are more common, who may have decreased bone volume.
9. Mood Swings
Men who have low testosterone levels may notice shifts in their mood. Because testosterone is involved in so many of the body’s physiological functions, it can also affect a person’s state of mind and their ability to think.
10. Low Blood Count
Low testosterone levels are associated with an increased danger of developing anemia, according to medical experts. Men with low testosterone levels and anemia had their blood count improve after using testosterone gel, compared to when they used a placebo.
Diagnosis
Testosterone levels are usually between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL (ng/dL = nanograms per deciliter). In men, low testosterone is defined as a serum testosterone level of 300 ng/dL or less. The serum testosterone test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of testosterone in your blood.
The reason for low testosterone levels may be identified with further testing. The following diagnostic procedures help determine the cause of low testosterone: serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, blood prolactin level.
Treatment
- Testosterone replacement therapy: If low testosterone levels are affecting your quality of life, it may be time to discuss testosterone replacement therapy with your doctor. Medication in the form of pills, patches, pellets inserted under the skin, or a gel applied topically.
- Testosterone booster Supplements: Although the fact that the majority of vitamins and supplements sold under the pretext of increasing testosterone levels are little more than marketing hype, there are a few vitamins and supplements like Rise & Shine that might help to raise your testosterone levels and might be worth adding to your regimen.
Wrapping Up
Throughout a man’s life, testosterone levels tend to decline. Low testosterone levels are more common as people age. Low testosterone can be brought on by a number of different things. Testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL in men have been linked to a variety of potential symptoms. A blood test is all your doctor needs to determine your testosterone level. Testosterone replacement therapy and Testosterone booster Supplements are a typical treatment for low testosterone if the symptoms are severe.
