Testosterone is perhaps the most well-known hormone. It brings up images of muscle and manhood. In truth, testosterone governs mood and bone strength in addition to fueling sex drive and muscular building. A doctor may prescribe shots, gels, or patches if a man's level falls below normal. However, there is some disagreement about who requires treatment.

To keep their sex drive and physical mass, men require testosterone. Too much testosterone, on the other hand, can lead to depression and aggression. Some experts feel that if a man's testosterone levels fall below normal, he should receive testosterone therapy.

Testosterone Levels and Aging

A gradual decrease of testosterone is a normal component of aging, referred to as "andropause" or "male menopause" by some. Many guys do not have any serious difficulties or symptoms as a result of this. Others may notice a loss of muscular mass, sadness, or a lack of sexual interest.

What Causes Testosterone Deficiency?

Low T can be caused by a variety of factors, and your doctor will work with you to determine what is causing your low levels.

"Overall body dysfunction can be exacerbated by stress," says Dr. Eleswarapu. "One of the things we observe in guys with poor sleep hygiene, apnea [breathing pauses during sleep] or considerable stress is that their testosterone levels can be lowered."

Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

The hormone testosterone is produced by the human body. It is mostly produced by the testicles in men. Testosterone has an impact on a man's physical appearance as well as his sexual development. It increases sperm production and a man's sexual desire. It also aids in the development of muscular and bone mass.

Testosterone production usually diminishes as people get older. According to the American Urological Association, approximately two out of every ten men over the age of 60 have low testosterone. In their 70s and 80s, this number rises to 3 out of 10 males.

If testosterone levels fall below what they should, men may experience a variety of symptoms. When testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), it is known as low T. According to the Food and Drug Administration, a normal range is 300 to 1,000 ng/dL. To establish your level of circulating testosterone, a blood test called a serum testosterone test is used.

If testosterone production falls below normal, a variety of symptoms can develop. Low T can show up in a variety of ways. Here are some symptoms that a man has a low T level.

Muscle mass reduction

Testosterone is involved in the building of muscle mass, and low amounts of the hormone can cause considerable muscle loss. According to a 2016 research, while low testosterone reduces muscle mass, it has no effect on muscle function or strength.

Sex Drive Has Decreased

The key hormone responsible for men's sexual desire is testosterone. Reduced sexual interest can be caused by a drop in this hormone. In reality, testosterone levels in men begin to fall after they reach the age of 30. As a result, men in their 30s who already have low testosterone levels are more likely to develop low testosterone symptoms like decreased libido.

This, in and of itself, might result in psychological problems including stress and worry. Furthermore, the impacts of decreased sex desire might put undue strain on personal relationships, which would only add to the stress that most men are already under.

Energy levels are dropping.

Low testosterone levels can cause weariness and a lack of energy. Even after enough rest, a person may become fatigued or lose interest in exercise or activity.

The Effects of Low Testosterone on Bones

You might think that osteoporosis, also known as brittle bone disease, only affects women, but it can also impact men. A typical cause is a lack of testosterone. The bones may become thinner, weaker, and more likely to break when testosterone levels drop.

Obesity, sometimes known as "fat gain," is a condition in which a person While testosterone is primarily responsible for the regulation of male fertility, it also has an impact on how your body handles fat and muscle mass.

Obesity or fat gain is a common cause of low T. Other factors may be at play, even if you are already taking steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle all year. Dysregulation of testosterone and estrogen, for example, can lead to weight increase and fat growth.

However, because fat is also responsible for the development of aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen, it can actually worsen a man's testosterone levels, resulting in a wider gap between testosterone and estrogen levels.

It's also worth noting that testosterone helps the body regulate its metabolism, which could explain why it's so much easier to acquire weight in this situation.

Simply said, low testosterone can lead to fat growth, which can cause residual testosterone to be converted to estrogen, resulting in further lower testosterone levels. One of the numerous possible indicators of fat growth as a result of low testosterone is visceral fat.

Treatment and Management

What is the treatment for low testosterone?

Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement treatment, which comes in a variety of forms: Every 10 to 14 days, intramuscular injections (into a muscle); testosterone patches are given to several places of the body on a daily basis, including the buttocks, arms, back, and belly.

Every day, testosterone gels are applied to the clean, dry skin of the upper back and arms (the gels require care in making sure that the hormone is not accidentally transferred to another person or partner)

Every two months, pellets are implanted under the skin.

(In the United States, oral testosterone is not approved for use.)

Ways to Boost Testosterone Naturally

Natural testosterone levels can be raised by losing weight and exercising.

While lifestyle and dietary modifications alone may not be enough to raise levels, they can often assist.

It's crucial to remember that as men age, they lose testosterone, and the potential advantages of lifestyle modifications diminish as well. Younger adults, for example, are more likely to benefit from exercise.

Saturated fats in the diet can have a deleterious impact on testosterone production.

A well-balanced diet high in nutrient-dense whole foods and low in saturated fats may assist to increase testosterone levels.

Here's where you can learn more about natural testosterone boosters.

Questions that are frequently asked

Is it possible that low testosterone causes diabetes?

In response to insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose, testosterone helps the body's cells increase glucose, or blood sugar. Insulin resistance can be influenced by low testosterone levels. To maintain normal glucose levels, the body may create more insulin.

When the body's cells are overflowing with glucose, the surplus is stored in fat cells, which can lead to illnesses like type 2 diabetes and obesity.