Signs Of Low Testosterone
Testosterone doesnt just get up and leave the body on a whim. Instead, the side effects sneak up on you, first causing you to question how good you used to feel in the sack or in the gym. Then you start to notice your muscle-mass gains are nonexistent, and youre actually getting smaller and weaker.
Fatigue and a growing lack of interest in sex, training, and sports are the next indication that somethings just not right. Before you know it, youre crying at movies and dog food ads.
Causes Of Low Testosterone
Our lifestyle choices influence our testosterone levels. Healthy choices lead to healthy testosterone levels as we age. But unhealthy ones can be destructive and lead to serious testosterone-related issues later in life.
Keep the following choices in mind if your health and T-levels are important to you:
Cut the junk food – If you’re always eating junk food, your body is going to suffer in many ways – your testosterone levels are no exception. Overeating or eating processed foods gives you more calories than you need, which can increase estrogen levels and decrease testosterone.
Eat healthy fats – Low-fat diets can lead to testosterone drops. Make healthy fats an integral part of your diet to keep your levels where they should be. Examples include walnuts, pistachios, avocados, and fish.
Supplement your Vitamin D – Vitamin D deficiency becomes extremely common during the winter months, especially in colder climates. A lack of exposure to sunlight is the cause, and there is a correlation between this deficiency and low testosterone.
Get in the gym – A lack of a regular exercise routine is one of the most common culprits of low T. Lifting weights or doing HIIT workouts is the best way to raise your testosterone levels naturally. When you lift weights regularly, testosterone production allows your muscle groups to recover and grow stronger.
How Can I Increase My Testosterone Levels
The first step toward increasing testosterone is to see your doctor. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes as a first step toward increasing hormone production. For example, increasing exercise while consuming a nutrient-dense diet can boost the bodys natural systems and overall health. Eating foods rich in vitamin D and zinc may help the body produce more male hormones. This could include beans, egg yolks, low-fat milk, oysters, shellfish, and tuna.
Doctors also recommend getting enough sleep. Studies show that a lack of sleep can reduce testosterone in young men. Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep every night, but very few people fulfill this requirement. Even too much sugar in the diet can lead to .
However, if youre diagnosed with low testosterone, changing your diet, exercise, and sleep patterns are likely only a first step and wont cure the problem. Your doctor may prescribe testosterone hormone replacements in the form of pills, skin patches, topical gels, or even injections. This can alleviate the symptoms youre experiencing and even have some health benefits. For example, if you have low bone density, known as osteoporosis, testosterone replacement can increase your bone strength and reduce your risks of fractures.
Testosterone replacement therapy does have side effects, so this treatment must be monitored closely by your doctor. Acne, an enlarged prostate, breast enlargement, and even a decreased sperm count can all occur during TRT.
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What Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy
TRT or androgen replacement therapy is a treatment that doctors give to males who have testosterone deficiency and are showing symptoms of hypogonadism.
Taking prescription testosterone helps restore the levels of this hormone in the blood, reversing the symptoms of low testosterone. People who take it may notice improvements in alertness, sexual function, energy, mood, and overall well-being.
Treatments For People With Vulvas
Treating your symptoms may be an easy initial way to reduce the effects of high T on your body.
You may want to shave or bleach any excess hair, or use an over-the-counter facial cleaner for acne to help reduce breakouts.
Making lifestyle changes can also help lower your T levels and reduce your symptoms.
Try exercising regularly with about 30 minutes of light to moderate exercise every day. Also try eating whole, nutrient-dense foods to lose weight or ensure youre getting the nutrition you need.
Your doctor may recommend medications to lower your T levels, including:
- low doses of oral contraceptives
- glucocorticosteroids
- spironolactone
Birth control pills are known to block T levels from getting too high. Some common birth control pills used to treat high T levels include desogestrel, gestodene, and norgestimate.
Low-dose contraceptives arent recommended if youre planning to get pregnant.
You should also see your gynecologist before you start taking any birth control to see if there are any risks of side effects or complications from the changes that contraceptives cause in your hormones.
See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms that may mean you have high T levels:
- chest pain
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How To Boost Low Testosterone Levels
The good news: Low testosterone doesnt have to happen to youor keep happening to you. There are steps you can take to eliminate the symptoms and get at the core of the issue. It starts with diet and exercise.
Among the foods that can improve your natural testosterone production are oysters , fatty fish such as salmon and tuna , and eggs . Other good foods to binge on for increased T levels include onions and garlic, spinach, and broccoli.
In the gym, intense workouts involving large muscle groups, heavy resistance, and minimum rest between sets are the best prescription for T production. Compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, bentover rows, and the bench press should be used in place of leg extensions, the pec deck, and hyperextensions. It is critical that you stress your body to get the biggest hormonal surge, and isolation movements just dont cut it.
Finally, sleep is a critical part of the low-T conundrum.
If you dont get eight hours of sleep per night, your body becomes catabolic. First, your body is unable to adequately recover from hard training sessions. Second, reduced sleep causes an increase in the manufacture of cortisol. This burns up muscle tissue, increases fat deposition , and reduces testosterone production.
Problems In The Bedroom
A sure fire way of knowing that something is wrong is in the bedroom.
If you cannot get your man to stand to attention when you need him to, then something is wrong.
A one off case of erectile dysfunction could be down to a whole lot of reasons, anxiety, stress, alcohol or simply nerves, especially off you are with a new partner.
but if it becomes the norm then its a clear sign that something is possibly wrong with your testosterone levels.
After all it is the driving force behind your sex drive and performance
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Testosterone Use And Cancer
There’s some concern that long-term use of testosterone may cause prostate cancer in older men. Men taking testosterone will need regular checkups to look for early signs of prostate cancer. This covers: All men over 50, men over 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, and all African American men.
Signs Of Low Testosterone And What You Can Do To Relieve Symptoms
Low testosterone occurs in men when the testicles dont produce the levels of the male sex hormone that theyre designed to produce. This can cause many problems for men because testosterone plays an important role in the male body. It helps develop sexual characteristics, maintain muscle and bone mass, keep your red blood cell levels up, and give you an overall sense of well-being.
If your testosterone level drops, as it does for almost 40% of men 45 and over, you may need to seek some help so you can maintain normal body functions.
At Arlington Family Practice, low testosterone is one of the common mens health issues we treat. Here are five signs of low testosterone, and what you can do to relieve these symptoms.
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Diet And Hypogonadism: What Foods Boost Testosterone What Foods Destroy Testosterone Levels
A 2018 study concluded that there are correlations between dietary patterns and male hormone levels.
Not surprisingly, Western Diet characteristics were highly likely to predict low T and hypogonadism in men. For example, eating a lot of breads, desserts, dairy, and eating out more often were factors that positively correlated with low T.
However, the men studied who were eating more home cooked meals and dark leafy greens were less likely to have low testosterone.
Foods that are rich in vitamin D and zinc are important for the diet of someone with low T. These nutrients are essential and they are the precursor to testosterone production in the body. Some examples of good foods to include in your diet are:
- cereal and milk, both fortified with vitamin D
- eggs with yolk are high in vitamin D
- fish like tuna, salmon, and sardines are rich in vitamin D
- shellfish like oysters are rich in zinc
- beans are high in zinc
While there are foods that have been linked to impacting healthy T levels, it’s wise to note that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are also important. When you start to review your diet, try to recognize other lifestyle changes you can make to help increase testosterone naturally. Some examples of food that may have a negative effect on T levels are:
- soy based products
- high consumption of polyunsaturated fats , like vegetable oil
- processed foods high in sugar and trans fats
- heavy alcohol consumption
- topical gel or cream
- subcutaneous pellets
DHEA 50mg
Vitamin B Complex
How To Tell If You Have Low Testosterone
This article was co-authored by Erik Kramer, DO, MPH. Dr. Erik Kramer is a Primary Care Physician at the University of Colorado, specializing in internal medicine, diabetes, and weight management. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from the Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012. Dr. Kramer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and is board certified.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 27,115 times.
Testosterone is the male hormone, but it is also found in women. In men, it is produced in the testes.XResearch source In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and in various tissues of the body.XResearch source Both women and men can suffer from low testosterone. If you believe this might be a problem for you, there are ways you can tell if have low testosterone.
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How To Check Your Testosterone Levels
How can you ever know if your testosterone levels are where they should be, or if you are at risk of developing low testosterone?
Keeping an eye on your testosterone levels is essential for all men.
You could be full of energy and all muscular one minute, and then suddenly you could start feeling lethargic and weak, with no motivation or get up and go.
If you ever start feeling like that, its time to check your testosterone levels.
With Low T being responsible for all sorts of health and lifestyle problems, its important that you are aware of, and treat any changes quickly.
This article tell you:
- How you can check your t-levels
- The signs of low testosterone.
What Will I Learn
After 30 Testosterone Levels In Men Can Decline But If Your Testosterone Levels Get Too Low It Can Cause A Range Of Symptoms And Interfere With Your Daily Life
- FOLLOW US ON:
Sex may permeate our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian households. As a result, most individuals dealing with sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often resort to unverified online sources or follow the unscientific advice of their friends.
To address the widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com is running this weekly sex column, titled Lets Talk Sex, every Friday. We hope to initiate conversations about sex through this column and address sexual health issues with scientific insight and nuance.
The column is being written by Sexologist Prof Saransh Jain. In todays column, Dr Jain explains low testosterone or , its signs, symptoms and treatment options.
Testosterone is a hormone produced in both male and female bodies. In men, its produced in the testicles and affects several different physical features and functions. Testosterone in men stimulates sex drive, sperm production, and development of muscle and bone mass. It is also responsible for hair growth, causes the voice to deepen, among other male features.
After the age of 30, testosterone levels in men can decline somewhat, but this is not a problem. But if your testosterone levels get too low, it can cause a range of symptoms and interfere with your daily life, overall wellness, and relationships.
Low Testosterone Signs and Symptoms in Men
Extra Body Weight
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Could You Have Low Testosterone Here’s How To Tell
The signs and symptoms aren’t always easy to spot. Our guide will help
If you’re worried about low testosterone but unsure of the symptoms, you’ve come to the right place. But let’s clear up a misconception first a gradual decline in testosterone as we age is perfectly natural. Levels generally peak around the age of 18-20, then, from age 30, they’ll drop by about 1% a year.
However, for a small percentage of men, this drop can be sharper, and the body might stop producing enough testosterone to keep you healthy and energised. Perhaps the most famous example of this is Robbie Williams: after seeking professional help for depression in his thirties, tests revealed he had the hormone levels expected of a man in his eighties.
It’s an easy shift to miss. After all, the symptoms of low testosterone can be very similar to those associated with ageing in general. But there are a few signs that something’s amiss.
Top 10 Most Common Low Testosterone Symptoms In Men
There are many low testosterone symptoms in men, ranging from mild to severe. Because of this, understanding when to visit a medical professional is essential.
In men, testosterone plays a key role in sex drive, semen production, hair loss and muscle mass. Unfortunately, when testosterone levels are diminished, it can bring about a series of problems that are hard to ignore.
Testosterone is a hormone classified as an androgen, which is responsible for the regulation of many bodily functions, such as fertility. Ordinarily, testosterone levels drop by approximately 1% every year after the age of 30.
However, there are many other causes of low testosterone levels such as:
- Chemotherapy
- Medication complications, side effects, or drug abuse
- Diabetes
- Injury of the testes, metabolic disorders
- Excessive estrogen
In this article, we are going to discuss low testosterone symptoms in men so that you can seek out medical care and assistance to remedy this issue as soon as possible.
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Three Signs You Have Low Testosterone
Low testosterone is a big problem for many men. Changes in your hormone levels as you age are normal, but they can be troublesome. There are some treatments available that can boost testosterone so that you are more comfortable and have fewer health risks. Here are five signs that show you have low testosterone and should talk to your doctor.
Weight Gain And Difficulty In Losing Weight
Low testosterone in women results in a loss of muscle tissue which can be followed by a sudden increase in body fat.
In many women, this can be conceived as a natural process of getting older, though recent studies show that such a change can be affected by diminishing testosterone levels.
Alongside it comes with changes in the muscle tone and bone density, as well as difficulty in losing weight. This is due to this hormone favoring the fat of your body, especially around your middle.
Not being able to control your weight can be frustrating, and even more frustrating when you exercise and being careful with your diet. It can lead to stressful situations.
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Poor Mood And Depression
In men of all ages, testosterone levels are closely correlated with confidence, mood and general quality of life.
When your testosterone levels fall below the normal level, it can have a negative impact on your mood and mental health.
One study from 2012 shows that treatment naïve hypogonadal men showed more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, poor quality of life and sexual dysfunction than similar men assigned to testosterone treatment.
Other studies show similar results — that testosterone improves mood by a significant amount in men, with measurable decreases in negative emotional responses such as anger, irritability, and nervousness.
As always, dealing with frequent poor moods or other symptoms of depression isnt necessarily a sign that you have low testosterone.
However, if you frequently feel tired, irritated, anxious or depressed and also have some of the other symptoms of low testosterone, it could be worth getting your testosterone levels checked.
Free Testosterone Vs Total Testosterone
Suppose a man was experiencing some of the symptoms of hypogonadism âlike low libido and low energy. So he decides to measure his total testosterone levelsâbut discovers that his total T level is perfectly normal. Nevertheless, heâs going through very real, very debilitating symptoms of hypogonadismâso what could be the issue?
It turns out that symptoms of testosterone deficiency arenât only caused by the total amount of testosterone in your blood. When it comes to hypogonadism, the level of free and bioavailable testosterone matters, tooâbecause free T is what your body has readily available in the bloodstream. So you could have normal total T levels, but still suffer from symptoms of testosterone deficiency because you donât have normal free testosterone levels .
Thus, your free T levels can shed light on why you may be experiencing signs of testosterone deficiencyâeven if your total T levels are normal. According to some research, free T levels are a better predictor of testosterone deficiency symptoms than levels of total T are. Whatâs more, low levels of total T donât necessarily point to a testosterone-related health issue, since this might be simply a âside effectâ of something else going on in your body.
So while low total testosterone levels tell you that something might not be quite right with your bodyâs androgen hormone production, low levels of free T can help you pinpoint a possible cause of symptoms.
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