The hormone testosterone plays an important role in a man’s health. It regulates mood, sex drive, and fertility. Symptoms of low testosterone levels are usually first noticed when a man has sexual issues, such as erectile dysfunction. There is no one “right” time to seek treatment for low testosterone levels, but if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor who will then refer you to a specialist.
A blood test can confirm whether you have low testosterone levels. You can minimize the impact of low testosterone levels on your overall health and well-being with proper diagnosis and treatment. If you are concerned that your testosterone levels may be low then it is time to face the fact that you should ask for medical help. Although a blood test can determine whether you have low testosterone, you can determine if you should see your doctor if you experience a cluster of symptoms suggesting low testosterone.
Symptoms of Low T Levels
Even though every man’s experience with low T is unique, some general guidelines can be followed. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you are experiencing many of the following symptoms:
- You’re experiencing low energy
- You have decreased sex drive
- You struggle with erectile dysfunction
- You have many bouts of depression for no clear reason
- You suffer from irritability over small issues
- You notice decreased muscle mass or strength
- You are aware of increased body fat
- You’re experiencing symptoms of bone loss
Additionally, your doctor may ask about fatigue, decreased sexual drive, and difficulty concentrating as symptoms of low T. If your doctor finds that you have low testosterone levels, they will likely refer you to a specialist at a low T center. The treatment options for low testosterone levels vary depending on the cause. The most common solution is testosterone replacement therapy. A specialist can prescribe testosterone replacement therapy through injections, patches, or gels if they believe it is appropriate for you. Low testosterone levels can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy, which is safe and effective.
When working with a specialist to determine the best treatment option for you, testosterone replacement therapy may not always be necessary. Low testosterone can be caused by a variety of factors, with men usually noticing it when they find it difficult to build muscle after working out in the gym or if they have low sexual drive. One overlooked method of raising testosterone is to reverse the lifestyle changes that caused it. In this case, both a healthy diet and increased exercise can result in higher testosterone levels. A study published in the journal Obesity found that overweight and obese men had lower testosterone levels than healthy-weight men. Researchers also found that just losing 10% of body weight was sufficient to increase testosterone levels
. If you’re overweight, losing even a little weight could have benefits for your testosterone levels. Besides testosterone replacement therapy, regular exercise may also be a viable solution if low T is caused by negative lifestyle changes, such as high stress, poor diet, and inadequate physical activity. In one study, men who exercise regularly had higher testosterone levels than those who were sedentary. In fact, the more active the men were, the higher their testosterone levels. As well as improving your testosterone levels, regular exercise has a host of other health benefits.
All things considered, if you are concerned about your testosterone levels, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. The next step is to consult with a specialist at a low T center about treatment options if your levels are low. A visit to the doctor might be in order if you feel like you aren’t quite yourself these days. If you think you may have low testosterone, we can help. Our clinic offers comprehensive health assessments and treatment plans to help you get your life back on track. If you have not done any blood tests with your doctor, then our first step will be to determine if low testosterone is the cause of your symptoms. Our team will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that will help you feel like yourself again if it is. Call us today at 205-352-9141 to schedule an appointment.