As men, we need a healthy amount of testosterone in our blood at any given time to provide energy, strength and vigor to complete a task and tackle obstacles in front of us. Testosterone is, without a doubt, one of the most important chemicals in the body that enable us to put on lean muscle, burn unwanted fat, increase our sex drive and give us the energy to get stuff done. In women, testosterone plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy sexual life and keeping a level head in dire moments where logic, quickness, and agility are required. Without this essential component in our biological makeup, our lives would be, quite literally, hard to maintain in both the long and short term. If you feel you are suffering with low testosterone, or the symptoms of low T, keep reading!
Low Testosterone Explained
When you hear individuals talk about testosterone and its production, essentially they’re talking about hormone regulation. Testosterone is a powerful hormone that promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle filled with excitement and athletic prowess. For men, the production of testosterone starts in the early stages of puberty when the male testes begin producing the compound to facilitate sperm secretion and sexual changes. This process will gradually change over the male’s life and begin to decrease around the age of 30 where testosterone production is reduced by roughly 1% every year.
However in patients that suffer with low testosterone, warning signs are rampant and side effects start to control behavioral patterns within their lives. A small list of symptoms associated with low testosterone levels are as follows:
- Irritability
- Lack of sleep
- Frequent bouts of depression
- Lack of sexual drive
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Increased fat storage
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Brittle bones
If you, or perhaps someone you know, has a combination of these symptoms, low testosterone may be the culprit. A simple blood test performed by a medical professional can gauge and measure the amount of testosterone freely available in the system at any given time. By checking the results of your blood test, your doctor can make a decision rather to start you on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Seeking Medical Guidance
Let’s face it: going to the doctor for a specific problem you’re suffering with can be scary and daunting. Although doctors and physicians are there to help patients, many of us postpone our visits from fear of a diagnosis or underlying issues we may be suffering with. Before consulting with your doctor about low testosterone levels, here are a list of questions to ask in order to gain clarity and confidence moving forward.
- What is low testosterone?
- Are there other medical problems that have the same symptoms?
- If I do have low T, how will I be treated?
- Is taking testosterone legal?
- Will I still be able to lead a normal life?
These questions will provide further insight into the world of testosterone and give you peace of mind after a diagnosis is made by your physician. But never have fear of low testosterone: New data tells us that 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 combats with symptoms of low testosterone. These patients have consulted with medical professionals to alleviate the side effects hey experience and put control back into their hands. Don’t let hormonal regulation and production ruin or control your lifestyle and the way you go about your day!