Testosterone is a hormone that men produce in large quantities. As men age, their bodies start to produce less of this hormone. Low testosterone, or Low T, can have seriously negative effects on a man’s health. Fortunately, there are ways to treat Low T.
First, a medical professional will determine your hormone levels by looking at your blood tests. Most of the medical community agrees that a man should have between 300 and 1,000 ng of testosterone for every deciliter of blood. Four in ten men who are 45 years of age or older run the risk of having low testosterone levels. That being said, a low testosterone reading on its own doesn’t necessarily need to set off warning bells. For example, different hormones are secreted at different times in the body, so one test isn’t necessarily going to be the most accurate.
Men who have a testosterone reading between 200 – 300 ng/dL might not need to worry because doctors consider these readings to be a gray area. However, if a lower reading is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a lower sex drive, reduced muscle mass, feelings of depression, fatigue, or lower bone density, then you may want to talk to our doctor and see what treatments are available for you.
There are a number of reasons why you may be battling with Low T. If you have had an injury or infection that affects the testicles, this can lead to low testosterone. Injuries to the pituitary gland, which regulates the release of hormones in your body, can also play a factor. Obesity or conditions like diabetes may have an impact on your hormone levels.
Even if none of the above conditions are true in your case, your doctor may still not be able to pinpoint why you have low testosterone. A lot of older men are battling with it and their doctors don’t know exactly why. This doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do about it.
First and foremost, you need to look at your lifestyle. If you’re overweight, take steps to lose some weight. For many men, simply losing 10 percent of their body weight leads to a boost in their hormone levels. Also, testosterone therapy may help.
If you have any concerns about low testosterone levels, feel free to contact us at WellnessPlus Medical Center in Pembroke Pines and Miami Beach to learn more.
