Low Testosterone
How To Diagnose Low T
Find Out If You Are Going Through Low T or not?
How Can You Tell When Your Testosterone Levels Are Declining?
“Low T“, male menopause and andropause are different ways of saying the same thing. They all relate to the aging male and the declining male hormone – testosterone. Decreases in testosterone (Low T) are often manifested by the following symptoms:
- Decreased Energy
- Increased body fat, particularly around the abdomen
- Decreased Muscle Tone
- Decreased Libido
Many men with low testosterone levels exhibit symptoms yet don’t truly recognize them. A clinical description of low testosterone would be defined as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood. In addition to the above symptoms other indicators of Low T would include erectile dysfunction, night sweats, sleeping disorders, mood swings and depression. In fact, many of those suffering from Low T experience a rather marked decrease in quality of life.
So how can you tell when your testosterone levels are declining? You will notice diminished energy levels, increased irritability, decline in mood, decline in cognitive performance and loss of early morning erections.
Many men who experience andropause do not even discuss it with their physicians. Unlike women’s late menopausal stage, which occurs rather abruptly and is therefore far more noticeable, testosterone levels start gradually declining (by about 1 – 2% per year) in the mid-twenties and continue over the years. In some men the effects are so gradual as to go unnoticed.
It should be noted that men who suffer from “low t” have an increased risk of death compared with men that have normal or higher levels of testosterone. Low testosterone also puts men at risk for other conditions due to declining bone density and muscle loss.
There are a number of methods for treatment of Low T including hormone replacement therapies such as gels, patches, injections, pellets, etc. Testosterone replacement prescriptions are dramatically on the rise. Many experts feel the increase is warranted while others caution that long term benefits (or risks) are not as yet known.
A recent article the New England Journal of Medicine related the following results regarding adverse affects of Testosterone Therapy. A clinical test was conducted with older men, 65 plus, who were suffering from very low levels of testosterone. One group was given testosterone replacement therapy and a control group received a placebo. The incidence of adverse cardiovascular events was so high in the group being supplemented with Testosterone that the test was suspended.
Other schools of thought advocate treatment of low testosterone levels more safely and naturally thereby avoiding potential negative side effects that can accompany hormone replacement therapy, such as supplementation. A scientifically developed testosterone support product should optimize your natural testosterone levels while reducing production of estrogen.
A comprehensive plan to address low testosterone would include diet and exercise in addition to either replacement therapy or supplementation.
Regardless of one’s approach, taking positive action to reverse declining testosterone levels has many health benefits, such as improving cardiac function, decreasing bad “LDL” cholesterol levels, improving cognitive powers, reducing risk of depression, anxiety and dementia and improving body composition.