Low testosterone often affects men in their 40s or older. In some rare cases, it also impacts younger males. Defining normal testosterone levels can be quite difficult because they can change throughout the day. What’s more, they are also affected by things like alcohol consumption, body mass index, illness and age.
What is Low T?
Also known as male hypogonadism, low testosterone is a condition where the testicles (male reproductive glands, testes) fail to create enough male hormones. In males, testosterone develops and maintains things like reproductive and sexual function, sense of well-being, bone density, adequate red blood cell level, muscle mass, and sexual features.
Having low-t compromises all of these things, something that is quite noticeable in men in their forties and above. As men get older, they experience a noticeable drop in their testosterone production levels. Generally, the decline begins once males turn thirty and it continues throughout their lifespan. There are numerous causes behind low production of male hormones. Here are some of them:
- Testicular infection
- Blood supply interruption in the testes
- Trauma or injury
- Chemotherapy
- Overabundance of iron, also known as hemochromatosis
- Tumours or dysfunctions in the pituitary gland
- AIDS/HIV
- Alcohol abuse
- Medications, which includes the use of hormones and opioids for treating prostate cancer
- Steroid use
- Chronic illnesses
- Obesity
- Severe hypothyroidism
- Ageing
- Type 2 diabetes (uncontrolled)
- Excess of oestrogen
What are Symptoms of Low Testosterone
People may notice multiple symptoms if their testosterone production drops drastically. More often than not, the signs are quite subtle. Here is a list of symptoms that could point towards low t-levels:
Poor Libido
Testosterone plays a vital part in a man’s sex drive or libido. People with low male hormones may not feel the desire to have sexual intercourse as often.
Erectile Dysfunction
Generally, erection related problems tend to be a byproduct of problems with nerves and blood vessels. While a deficiency of testosterone alone may not be the reason behind erectile dysfunction, it could impact a person’s ability to sustain erections or even get one.
High Body Fat
Men with low levels of testosterone sometimes develop enlarged breast tissue, also known as gynecomastia. This often happens because of imbalance between oestrogen and testosterone and can also result in high body fat.
Poor Memory
Cognitive functions and male hormone levels tend to decline as people get older. Because of this, many doctors believe that low-t levels negatively impact memory.
Poor Blood Count
Many studies indicate that men with low testosterone had low levels of haemoglobin, which significantly increased their risk of becoming anaemic.
Compromised Bone Health
Testosterone helps make bones strong. Therefore, men with low-t levels, particularly older men, have weak bones and are susceptible to injuries and fractures.
How Do You Get Testosterone Levels Checked
Usually, hospitals and clinics diagnose low-t by measuring the testosterone present in the blood through a blood test. Since testosterone levels change at different parts of the day, determining whether a patient is producing low male hormones could require multiple measurements. Usually, testosterone levels are at their highest during the morning, which is why most doctors prefer measuring t-levels during the morning.
At What Age Should Men Start to be Concerned about Low-T?
As mentioned earlier, men begin to experience low testosterone levels during their 30s and 40s. Once they hit the age of thirty, they lose around 1 or 2 percent testosterone every year. The drop is not as noticeable until men hit their fifties or sixties. That said, some men could even experience low testosterone levels even during their early thirties.
What Lifestyle Changes can You Make to Improve Your Testosterone Levels?
Fortunately, people can improve their t-levels by making some lifestyle changes. While you may come across a lot of opinions, mentioned below are some excellent ways to improve t-levels.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising daily can help you lose weight, while making sure you maintain testosterone. Since high body fat often results in reduced t-levels, people should consider exercising every day. It would be best to do cardio along with some strength training for the best results.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep daily is vital for maintaining good overall health. Doing so can also promote testosterone production. Remember, four or five hours of sleep is never enough. Instead, it would be best to sleep 8 to 9 hours to see a noticeable improvement in your testosterone levels.
Other lifestyle changes include:
What Medical Options are there in Canada to help increase Testosterone?
If you live in Canada and are looking to boost your testosterone level, you can opt for a few medical options such as hormone treatment. However, before you choose treatment, make sure you get a licensed physician to test your t-levels. In some cases, people confuse every day fatigue with a drop in their t-levels, which is why going to the doctor first would be a wise choice.
Besides the testosterone shots administered in hormone treatment, people can also try supplements. There are plenty of testosterone boosting supplements available these days. Consuming these regularly according to the manufacturer’s directions can help you increase testosterone.
How Do Supplements Support Healthy Testosterone Level?
A large number of the supplements available these days provide people an easy-to-consume alternative to regular healthy testosterone boosting foods. Sure, people can eat nuts, oatmeal, meat, eggs, crabs and lobsters to boost testosterone production. However, one can eat only so many of these items. This is where consuming zinc and vitamin D supplements could be a wise choice.
Consuming Ashwagandha extract supplements regularly can also support healthy testosterone levels, making people feel sharp and full of energy. In most cases, consuming supplements for testosterone is safe. However, if you have a pre-existing health condition, make sure you consult with a doctor before using a supplement.
Key Takeaways about Testosterone
If you think your testosterone levels are low, consider getting a checkup and making changes to your lifestyle. You can also benefit from taking supplements to improve your male hormone production, which will eventually fill you up with vitality and energy.
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