Why Should You Get Treatment for Low T?

Testosterone level maintenance is key to optimal male sexual and reproductive health. Without it, various negative side effects may arise and lower your quality of life. Those that have low testosterone or low T levels are usually advised by their doctors to get treatment as soon as possible so as to raise their T levels back to normal and avoid different kinds of complications.

Both men and women naturally produce testosterone in their bodies. However, men have much higher testosterone levels throughout their lifetime.

Once a boy starts puberty, testosterone is in charge of the following changes his body experiences:

• Increase in size of the penis and the testicles
• Deepening of the voice
• Increase in height
• Development of an Adam’s apple

And, as he grows older, testosterone is crucial to make the following things happen:

• Regulation of sex drive or libido
• Growth and development of bones and muscles
• Distribution of body fat
• Growth of body hair
• Production of sperm
• Production of new red blood cells

Normal testosterone levels in men by age group

In general, testosterone levels in men increase as from childhood to around the age of 20, and then gradually decrease as they get older. According to medical experts, once a man reaches the age of 30, his testosterone levels begin to decline by as much as 1% every year after. This is primarily the reason why a significant number of low T cases are made up of older men.

The normal testosterone levels in adult men are from around 270 nanograms per deciliter to 1,070 nanograms per deciliter and have an average of 679 nanograms per deciliter. And, after they turn 30 years old, the average typically drops to 600 nanograms per deciliter or even lower.

If you are worried about your testosterone levels, you have to undergo a testosterone level test. It is a simple procedure in which a sample of your blood is drawn and sent to a laboratory for examination.

Low testosterone side effects

Men with low T may suffer from a number of side effects that may be mild at first and then get worse if treatment is delayed.

The following are the common side effects of having low testosterone levels in the body:

1. Reduced libido

One of the most essential functions of testosterone is regulating libido or sex drive, so without it, there is a risk of having reduced libido or even complete loss of interest in sex.

2. Low energy

Men with low testosterone have been found by various studies to have lower strength and stamina levels than men who have normal testosterone. They also get tired easily and take longer to recharge.

3. Bone and muscle loss

To grow strong and healthy bones and muscles, the body needs enough testosterone. Thus, if T levels are low, there is a risk of bone and muscle loss that opens you up to bone and muscle-related injuries and disorders.

4. Weight gain or obesity

If your body is not capable of producing enough testosterone to properly distribute fat, the odds of gaining weight become high, putting you in danger of increased cholesterol and blood pressure levels, obesity, and other health problems.

5. Poor mental health

A shortage of testosterone can affect a man’s mental disposition. It may make him feel less confident about himself, irritable, sad, and unmotivated, and trigger symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.

Treatment methods for low T

The best treatment for low T depends on person to person. If you have been diagnosed with low testosterone by your doctor, you may be advised to undergo testosterone therapy replacement, which is a commonly prescribed treatment solution for low T in men that comes in different forms, such as:

• Injections

This option is administered by directly injecting testosterone into the skin. Usually, a patient receives one shot every 10 or 14 days.

• Gels

This option is administered by rubbing the gel directly onto the skin. Usually, it is applied onto the neck, back, buttocks, shoulders, or arms on a daily basis.

• Patches

This option is administered by sticking the patch onto the skin of the shoulders, back, neck, or arm.

• Pellets

This option is administered by inserting the pellet under the skin to allow testosterone to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

It is important that you talk to your doctor about these different testosterone replacement therapy treatment options, and never attempt to self-medicate. If you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney problems, prostate cancer, or breast cancer, doing any of these treatment methods can be extremely dangerous, so medical supervision is necessary.

In addition to testosterone replacement therapy, your doctor may also recommend that you make better and healthier choices when it comes to your lifestyle. Below are natural testosterone boosting techniques that can help raise your testosterone levels to normal values and reverse all the negative side effects faster:

• Regular exercise

According to medical experts, being physically active is vital to testosterone level management. There was a study that found that people who had a regular exercise regimen showed higher testosterone production in their bodies in comparison to those that barely exercised and never exercised at all. They also performed better in strength, endurance, and stamina tests. To boost testosterone levels through exercise, do weight lifting, high-intensity interval training, or other resistance training routines at least twice a week.

• Healthy diet

Feeding your body foods that are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals can aid in increasing your testosterone levels. You should include in your diet foods that are rich in zinc, amino acids, and vitamin D, as these can facilitate hormone production, helping your testicles produce more testosterone. However, you should stay away from foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar, as these can impede testosterone production and also cause harm and damage to your heart, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs.