Testosterone is key for men to build muscle and maintain a vigorous sex drive. It’s also an essential hormone for men to retain bone mass, producing red blood cells and fighting off fatigue. Typically, testosterone production decreases with age starting in our mid to late twenty’s. By age 45 about 40% of men have low testosterone according to the American Urological Association.
Low testosterone or ‘low T,’ expands beyond the gym and the bedroom. It can stress relationships, marriages, family, and work. It can affect hair loss, increase body fat, cause fatigue, decrease muscle mass, affect memory, changes in mood and many other issues. To test for low T you’ll need a blood test performed, and if it’s truly a low T then often times it can be treated with testosterone therapy.
Low or no sex drive
Testosterone plays a key role in your sex drive or libido. Some men may experience a ‘natural’ decline as they get older, but with low T the drive will decline sharply. Also, most men with low T have reported a decrease desire to masturbate as well.
Time to party but your little buddy isn’t up for it
Testosterone helps in achieving and maintaining an erection. It pretty much tells your brain that is it’s time to party. Low T may make it more difficult to achieving an erection before sex however, some men with low T don’t have any trouble getting an erection. Be sure to get blood work done because erectile dysfunction can be a sign of other health issues.
Not as strong as you use to be
Testosterone helps maintain muscle mass by putting your body in an anabolic state. You might be noticing it’s getting harder to push as much weight around in the gym. With low T, after weeks you may notice a loss of muscle mass. This is because as your testosterone levels drop your body will start to turn catabolic, the opposite of anabolic.
Low red blood count
Low T may increase the risk for anemia. Although one of the least common side effects of low T it is worth having your physician do a blood count test. Some signs could include dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, and chest pain. If you exhibit any of these signs you better get your ass to the hospital, it could be signs of something worst.
Your little buddy is getting smaller
With out a healthy stream of testosterone your testicles and penis can atrophy or shrivel. Treatment won’t bring back the size of your nuts but it has be shown to restore the size of your little buddy. ‘Use it or lose it,’ guys.
Only thing growing is you belly
Low T levels may cause an increase in body fat, and the more serious visceral fat. Visceral fat forms around your organs and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. The larger your waist size, the lower your free testosterone is likely. Research indicates that raising testosterone levels aids in reducing fat production.
I don’t remember that
Feeling hazy and memory retention can be a sign of low T. This because your brain needs testosterone to aid receptors in your brain to help cells and function well. Research has found that men with low T are more prone to dementia compared to men with mid-range of testosterone levels.
Oh no, your moody again
Low T can lead to drastic mood changes. Men’s health research has made great strides over the last decade. Your brain has testosterone receptors that help regulate your moods. These receptors are responsible for anxiety and depression. For men, depression can be a doubled edged sword, depression can squash your testicles’ ability to make testosterone, exacerbating the issue.
Just can’t get moving
Decreased energy levels and constant fatigue can be a sign of low T. The activities you use to do wears you out quicker than usual and recovery time is longer. Even if you get plenty of sleep you may feel unmotivated to exercise or any other physical activity. Research has shown that testosterone treatment can improve energy levels with men.
Getting thinner on top
For most men, as they get older, typically experience thinning hair. Of course, genetics plays a role, however low T can affect hair loss. Testosterone aids in the production of hair. Low T hair loss doesn’t just affect your flowing locks of hair it can affect facial and body hair as well.
What Can Cause Low Testosterone
As we age testosterone levels naturally decline. Although, some circumstances could speed up or cause low T. These may include:
- Stress
- Alcohol abuse
- Cancer treatments
- Autoimmune disease
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Organ diseases
- Testicle injuries
When to see a physician
Talk to your physician if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. They could be signs of low T or indications of something else serious. To test your level a blood test, call a serum testosterone test can determine your testosterone level. If the test comes back ‘low’ then your physician may need to do other blood work to determine a cause.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.