The average male’s testosterone levels peak at 30 and slowly decrease thereafter. However, sometimes that doesn’t account for low testosterone levels; it certainly doesn’t account for harmful symptoms such as decreased muscle mass and lowered libido. Men who notice these symptoms may want to check to see if they have testosterone deficiency, a serious medical condition that affects nearly 13 million men in the United States.
Low testosterone, commonly referred to as “low T,” can negatively impact your health. Symptoms can include depression, anxiety, lowered libido, increased body fat, decreased strength, and chronic fatigue. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen. In fact, some studies have shown a link between low testosterone and lowered life expectancy. Although there is no one direct cause of low T, observed causes include a lack of exercise, genetics, problems with your liver and kidney, cancer (especially testicular cancer), and injury to the genitals.
For those with testosterone deficiency, however, there is hope. Fortunately, low T is perfectly treatable. Managing low T symptoms is commonly done through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is a treatment in which synthetic hormones (in this case, testosterone) is administered to the body to increase deficient testosterone levels. The testosterone therapy is spread out through a number of months; there’s no “quick fix” solution. The testosterone is administered via injection, gels, medication, and even pellets embedded underneath the skin! Regardless of how it is administered, HRT is a proven and effective way of treating low T. It is offered by many hospitals and medical clinics throughout the country.
If you are a man and notice something different about your body — e.g. decreased strength, chronic fatigue, lowered sex drive — it may be a good idea for you to have your testosterone levels checked by a doctor. If left untreated, low T can prove to be devastating for your health and day-to-day life.
