You don’t have to leave your best years behind because of low T. For men, testosterone levels peak around age 20 and gradually wane from there. While normal testosterone levels range from 270-1070 ng/dl, you’re considered to have low testosterone if your levels dip below 200. Because testosterone influences many parts of the body, low levels can cause a wide variety of symptoms that impact your daily life.
If you have low T, hormone replacement can restore your levels to normal. Testosterone replacement has been shown to increase muscle mass, relieve fatigue, improve mood, boost libido and relieve other symptoms of low testosterone. Here are five surprising facts about low testosterone that you may not know about.
When you think about low testosterone, images of your father or grandfather likely come to mind. But the reality is that testosterone inadequacy can occur at a younger age than most men imagine.
It’s true that low testosterone is more common in older men. Over 60% of men over age 65 have low testosterone. However, roughly a quarter of men over age 30 and nearly 40% of men over age 45 have low T.
Because testosterone impacts many areas of life, you may have symptoms without realizing it. It’s important to visit a specialist, like the team at the Men’s T Clinic®, if you suspect that you have low testosterone. A hormonal workup can help get to the bottom of things and testosterone replacement therapy can restore your levels, if they’re below normal.
If you’ve noticed a slump in energy levels, you may chalk it up to growing older, when in fact, testosterone deficiency may be the problem. Testosterone helps the body generate energy, and without enough of it, you may feel like you’ve lost the pep in your step.
Perhaps you’ve lost interest in physical activities you used to enjoy, like basketball or cycling. Or you tire out halfway through a workout that you used to power through without problems. Patients who opt for testosterone replacement therapy often find that their energy levels improve significantly as their hormone levels are brought back into balance.
You may not realize it, but tossing and turning at night, having trouble falling asleep, or problems staying asleep could be a warning sign that your testosterone levels are out of whack. Sleep disturbance is a common side effect of low T. Men with lower testosterone levels experience a reduced quality of sleep and sleep for fewer hours than men with normal levels.
Incidentally, testosterone replacement therapy may worsen sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. Be sure to tell your provider if you suffer from sleep apnea.
Beer isn’t always to blame for an expanding belly. Testosterone influences fat distribution. When your levels decline, fat distribution shifts, and you may accumulate fat in your abdominal area. Increased fat around the middle isn’t just an aesthetic problem -- it impacts your health. That spare tire increases the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
Low testosterone is an often-overlooked contributor to mood disturbance. While the link between testosterone levels and depressions isn’t yet fully understood, men with low T are more likely to have or develop depression, irritability, and other mood issues.
The prevailing theory is that testosterone has a direct influence on brain chemicals that impact mood, such as serotonin. One thing is for sure, many men find that their mood improves significantly after restoring their testosterone levels with hormone replacement therapy.
If you have low testosterone, take advantage of the expertise of our team at Men’s T Clinic®. With seven convenient locations throughout Texas, we focus on men’s health and improving patients lives. For more information, call the office nearest you or book your appointment online.
