Recognize These Signs of Low T
By now, you may have heard the cold hard facts: 1 in every 4 men over the age of 30 have low testosterone.
This sounds pretty scary, especially if you aren’t even certain what causes low testosterone. It can affect your mood, your energy levels, your sex drive and your focus.
The scarier part is that most men don’t realize that low testosterone is the culprit.
So it’s a good idea to learn about what causes low testosterone, and how to detect it so that you can fix it as early as possible.
Keep reading to learn more or visit one of our low t Nashville clinics.
What is Low-T?
Low-T, or hypogonadism, is a common health condition that affects men. You can be born with it, or it can be the result of an injury, but it also becomes more common in men as they age.
Keeping your testosterone level is important, as testosterone plays a role in a whole list of things, including sustaining a healthy libido, regulating moods, and keeping your muscles and bones healthy.
Low testosterone levels often go hand-in-hand with other medical conditions as well, such as depression and high blood pressure.
This makes it even more important that you learn about the symptoms and causes so that you can recognize the problem and seek treatment.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
Age
The most common cause for low-t is age. As we grow older, our bodies begin to produce less testosterone, and so the older you are the higher the chances that you will be hindered by low testosterone.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Because alcohol can block the messages your brain sends to your testicles to produce more testosterone, your testosterone level can go down as a result.
Alcohol damages the liver, which also affects testosterone production.
Inherited Conditions
Sometimes you’re born with pre-existing conditions that cause you to have low-t. Klinefelter Syndrome and Hemochromatosis are typical culprits.
If you suffer from either of them, then chances are that your testosterone levels are affected.
Other Medical Conditions
Certain medicines that you take for other health reasons could be a contributing factor to low testosterone.
HIV and AIDS can affect your brain and liver, which in turn can interrupt testosterone production.
Obesity and diabetes have also been connected to low-t, as well as numerous other health risks.
A General Decrease Of Testosterone In The Population
A recent study has shown that, overall, American men have been showing a decrease in testosterone levels over the last twenty years.
How Do I Know If I Have Low-T?
Now that you have a general idea about what causes low testosterone, it’s time to learn how to detect it so you’re fully prepared to bring those levels back up.
Decreased Sex Drive
Age, as well as other conditions, can be part of the problem, but low-t can also cause you to feel less of that sexual urge you once enjoyed when you were younger.
Testosterone is an influential part of your libido, and if your levels are low, it can lead to an unsatisfactory time in the bedroom.
Less Energy
We all have those days where we want to just lay on the couch all day. It happens to the best of us, no matter our age.
However, if you feel as though this feeling lasts for more than the occasional lazy day, keeping you from being as active as you want, then it could indicate that you’re being affected by low testosterone.
Less Strength
If you feel as though your muscles give out more quickly than they used to, or that you’re left feeling weak more easily, it could be because of low testosterone.
Testosterone is a big component of sustaining muscle mass and health, and if your levels are low, it could be why you are feeling a decrease in your strength and endurance. Aches and pains can also be a result from this.
Body Hair Loss
Testosterone helps with hair growth, and if you’re experiencing hair loss, it could indicate low-t.
Keep more of an eye on facial and body hair. Hair loss on the scalp is a common result of aging, whereas loss of hair on your face and body more clearly points toward low-t levels.
Depression
It has been shown that men with lower levels of testosterone are more likely to be affected by depression. As we learned earlier, low-t affects our moods and can be the cause of grumpiness and dissatisfaction in life.
If you’ve recently felt depressed, or have been diagnosed with depression, there is a chance that part of it is because of low-t.
Chest Growth
Low-t causes the testosterone and estrogen levels in your body to become unbalanced. Due to this, sometimes men can be effected by a condition called gynecomastia, which is the growth of breast tissue.
Any sort of change in your upper chest could be a clear indicator that your levels of testosterone are far too low.
Problems with Bones and Joints
Since low-t can affect bone density, this often leads to pains in your joints and limbs. Low testosterone can cause osteoporosis because of its effect on bone density.
Restless Nights
As unfair as it may be, low-t can cause you to have terrible sleep, but poor sleep can also affect your testosterone production. It’s an unfortunate cycle.
If you can’t remember the last time you’ve had a good night’s rest, low-t is a potential contender.
So What Now?
You have the information, and now you should truly think about how you’ve been feeling recently. It’s good to identify the problem as soon as possible.
There are therapy methods you can try, which involve adding testosterone in order to keep your levels within a normal range. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program can help your testosterone level.
If you see any red flags, it’d be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a doctor today.