Low testosterone is a condition that is common among men, and affects millions of men. Men need testosterone, and even women need small amount of testosterone. Testosterone is essential for muscle development, energy levels and of course a healthy sex drive. Testosterone can give you confidence and make you feel more masculine. It can even even help with the health of your bones and heart – testosterone is an essential hormone for men.
There are so many symptoms associated with low testosterone, but we want to go over seven of the most common signs.
There are many issues that can lead to low testosterone. One of these is called hypogonadism, which is where there is a male sex hormone deficiency. It can be caused by problems in the testes or issues in the part of the brain that controls hormone production. These part of the body control testosterone production, so when there are issues – even minor ones – it is very noticable for men, and can cause lower testosterone levels.
Lifestyle and diet also factor into testosterone. If you don’t have a good source of nutrients and vitamins in your diet it could affect your ability to create testosterone. Stress and lack of sleep can also contribute to low testosterone levels.
Before you begin treatment for low testosterone, you will first want to check and see where your levels are at. Doctors who specialize in low testosterone will usually do a blood test to check your total testosterone and free testosterone. Normal ranges in is 280 – 1,100 ng/dl. Doctors will look at total testosterone that is below or at the bottom of the normal range to show low testosterone. If your free or total testosterone level is below normal, doctors will work with you to get a plan to restore your testosterone to a healthy level.
Testosterone has many functions, so when levels are low it can lead to multiple symptoms. If you have been noticing any of these symptoms then feel free to call us and schedule a free consultation.
Testosterone is responsible for giving you energy and motivation. So when it’s low, it is common to feel tired and even lethargic. Men who suffer from chronic fatigue often suffer low testosterone. If you feel tired even after drinking coffee or energy enriched food, it could mean you have low levels of testosterone.
Testosterone affects your ability to gain weight, increase muscle mass and build strength because it is a powerful steroid. Many men see a decrease in their strength and may even notice their muscle shrinking when they suffer from low testosterone. Without testosterone it makes it very challenging to gain back the strength and muscle mass that you lost. The most testosterone that your body produces, the easier it is to develop muscle mass.
So if you are noticing you have less strength and your losing muscle mass it could be a sign that you have low testosterone.
Studies have shown that low body fat is closely connected with testosterone. So when people have high testosterone they tend to be skinnier while people with low testosterone tend to be overweight. This fat particularly gathers around the abdomen.
Low testosterone can cause weight gain around your midsection. Your chances of developing heart disease can also increase. When you combine this with muscle loss, it can greatly impact your physical appearance. If you’ve noticed a change in your body for the worse, you may have low testosterone.
A low sex drive is one of the more common symptoms of low testosterone. Your sex drive is responsible and greatly affects sexual intercourse and masturbation. Having low libido can even mean that you aren’t even thinking about sex. Losing your sex drive can really affect your relationships and life. Usually and thankfully for those who are suffering from low libido, this is one of the first things to return to normal when you testosterone levels are increased.
Nitric oxide is responsible for creating and keeping an erection. Testosterone is in charge of releasing this into the body. So when testosterone levels are low, it is difficult to keep an erection. Erectile dysfunction on its own can occur for a number of reasons, so you shouldn’t assume you have low testosterone unless it is combined with any of the above symptoms.
While most think testosterone just affects you physically, most do not know it controls a large part of the brain functions – one of these being memory. A decline in memory and focus will be noticeable for those suffering from low testosterone. While being forgetful isn’t a sure sign that you have low testosterone, it could be a good indicator that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Low testosterone can high affect men’s mood and confidence level – when these are lacking it can affect their life quality. Increasing your testosterone levels can improve mood significant and can decrease anger, irritability and anxiousness.
Once again, poor mood alone isn’t an immediate cause for concern or a sign that you have low testosterone. But combined with any of the above symptoms it could all be pointing to low testosterone levels.
Anyone of those symptoms alone could be due to any number of reasons. But as a rule of thumb, you should keep track of how often each symptom is happening and if they are happening with any other symptoms.
If you feel a combination of these symptoms it is a good to go get checked out and have your testosterone levels tested. Revive MD’s testosterone replacement therapy for men can help you feel better. Call us today for your free consultation at (720) 507-2814.