What is Low T?
Although Low Testosterone has been seen as a natural part of aging for many years, there has been an increasing amount of research into why it has become such a widespread issue. Thanks to the additional interest that this research has provided, more and more men are coming forward about their issues with Low Testosterone. Now there are many tips and tricks that have reached the internet, meaning you don’t have to put up with low T anymore.
Symptoms:
Low Sex Drive
If you are experiencing low or absent sex drive, this can be a very clear indicator of low T. Although it is natural for your testosterone levels to decline with age, if you are young and have difficulty with your libido, you should consider talking with your doctor.
Erectile Dysfunction
Although there have been a multitude of medications to combat Erectile Dysfunction(also known as ED), the side effects of the medication can really take a toll on your body. The most common side effects of the most popular ED medications include: muscle pain, bloody nose, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, headaches and migraines, pain around the cheekbones and trouble sleeping. If you wish to avoid these possible side effects, you might want to consider discussing your Testosterone levels with your trusted medical care professional. More often than not, a simple blood test is all that is needed to diagnose low T.
Low Semen Volume
Semen plays a key role in aiding the movement of sperm, but significant decreases in volume can also be an indicator of Low Testosterone. More specifically, semen is the milky fluid contained inside the ejaculate fluid. If you notice a significant decrease in the production of semen, it might be worth mentioning to your doctor.
Hair Loss
Testosterone is a necessity for several normal bodily functions, including the production of hair. To many health care professionals, balding is seen as a natural process of aging. Primarily there are congenital factors that make some men more susceptible to balding than others. “Congenital” is just a technical term for genetic; meaning your likelihood to balding is often inherited from your parents.
Fatigue
Decreased energy levels are another common symptom of low T. Effects of fatigue attributed to low Testosterone can vary from being mild to very severe. If you feel tired all of the time, despite getting plenty of sleep and having a good diet, this is certainly something that your trusted medical care professional would want to know. It can be a sign of low T or a variety of more serious health concerns.
Loss of Muscle Mass
Numerous studies have shown that testosterone has a significant impact on building muscle mass. When referring to muscle mass, this specifically means the amount of muscle on the skeleton. As a result, this is primarily a symptom that one would most likely notice in the mirror. Because of this, there might not be a noticeable difference in the strength or function of your muscles. Significant loss of muscle mass should certainly be discussed with your doctor, as low T is one of the most minor causes for this symptom.
Gynecomastia and Increased Body Fat
Men who suffer from low T can sometimes develop increased body fat alongside the loss of muscle mass. In some cases low T can cause men to develop larger breasts. It is generally believed to occur when a man has a hormone imbalance between his testosterone levels and his estrogen levels.
Osteoporosis
Thinning of the bone mass, or osteoporosis, is a common condition that women experience as they get older. However, men with low T can experience this issue as well. This is because Testosterone helps produce and strengthen bone cells. It can be dangerous, having a decreased bone density, as it can make older patients more susceptible to bone fractures throughout the body.
Changes in Mood
When women go through menopause, they experience a quick drop in hormone levels. However, as men age, the levels of testosterone in their body decreases over time. As a result, changes in mood can be more difficult to detect in aging men. This can manifest itself in a variety of ways, either as becoming quick to anger or impatient, but it can also result in depression.
Testing
Blood Panel
Most medical care professionals use a blood test to determine whether an individual has low T or not. If you have access to your most recent blood test results, you can check to see if your Testosterone levels were included in the panel. Generally, the benchmark for individuals who are considered to have low T have levels below 300 ng/dL.
Treatment Options
There are a few lifestyle changes you can make to help your body return to your previous testosterone levels. Lifestyle changes are the most unpopular choices for treatment among patients, but they often provide the best results. Additionally, for severe cases where changes to the patients lifestyle are not enough, there are medications to supplement testosterone levels.
Lifestyle Changes:
Exercise
Testosterone production can be spurred on by losing weight. In terms of testosterone production, losing weight can be a game changer for individuals who are overweight. It doesn’t have to be a drastic change, as some medical professionals suggest that even losing just 10-15 pounds can cause noticeable results for the patient. Adding weight lifting to your exercise routine is particularly useful, as it encourages your body to produce more of the human growth hormone, which will also increase testosterone production.
Diet
If you have been diagnosed with low T, you probably have already had the talk about diet just as you have had the talk about exercise. Having a high-sugar diet can be a major factor in low T, as it relates to excess weight.
Sleep
Having a regular sleeping schedule is the last—and some argue the most important—lifestyle change. Testosterone production primarily occurs during sleep, which makes having a regular sleep schedule critical to your testosterone level.
Replacement Therapy:
Gels:
Testosterone replacement gels are becoming more widely used. This is often the primary form of treatment in men experiencing normal, age-induced low T. Although they can be rather expensive, they are occasionally covered by insurance through special recommendations by medical care professionals. It can be a rather lengthy process to apply these gels, but it is important to follow the steps given to you carefully. The steps are so particular, but very important as these steps will prevent you from accidentally exposing your family and friends to the medication.
Skin Patch:
Transdermal patches are similar to medium-sized bandages, and are applied once a day at home. This treatment option reduces the risk of accidental exposure, as compared to the gel. Usually they are placed somewhere on the arm or the upper body, similar to nicotine patches.
Oral Patch:
New treatments in the form of oral patches or tablets are available by prescription. These tablets stick to the upper gums, right above the incisor(commonly referred to as the canine tooth). Although they must be used twice a day, it offers a controlled or sustained stream of testosterone to the blood stream. This method of delivery is called a buccal system, referring to the buccal cavity or mouth.
Injections or Implants:
Testosterone injections are not recommended lightly by doctors. Testosterone injections(more commonly referred to as Testosterone replacement therapy) are usually only recommended in cases that have been verified when blood levels show an abnormal decrease in Testosterone production. Additionally, implants of testosterone pellets are becoming a more popular option in extreme cases of low T. These pellets are not noticeable to the naked eye, but are dissolved slowly in the patient’s fat tissues.
Outlook on Pill Form Testosterone
It is pretty rare that doctors prescribe testosterone pills, as they are believed to have negative effects on liver function. The more common methods for treating low T are the ones which we have covered above. All of these methods bypass the liver completely, by causing a direct flow to the bloodstream.
