Are you wondering if you could be suffering from low testosterone? Here at ThriveMD, we treat clients throughout Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Boulder, and Broomfield, Colorado looking for doctors offering testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) because they are concerned about physical symptoms that are impacting their lives. Low testosterone can severely impact the way you look and feel. While some people are told that declining testosterone levels simply go along with aging, this isn’t necessarily the case. Powerful dips in testosterone levels require treatment. In addition, TRT should be carefully monitored and assessed under the guidance of an expert to ensure that your treatment is effective. The cause of your low testosterone symptoms is worth exploring.
Here’s Why Low Testosterone Is a Problem
Often referred to as male hypogonadism, low testosterone is a health condition affecting the testicles. It is caused by the testicles failing to produce enough testosterone due to a hormonal imbalance. Some men with low testosterone are born with it. Most develop it with age. While it’s easy to think of low testosterone as a problem that’s tied strictly to reproductive health, the truth is that this hormone plays an essential role in your health and wellness apart from sexual function. Testosterone helps to support:
- Red blood cell levels.
- Muscle bass.
- Bone density.
- Sexual function.
- Reproductive function.
It’s estimated that between 10% and 40% of adult males experience testosterone deficiency. No, this isn’t just an issue for “older gentlemen.” Testosterone deficiency can impact men of all ages. You might be surprised to learn that 20% of men between the ages of 15 and 39 will experience low testosterone. Researchers have actually uncovered a trend of steady decreases in testosterone levels in younger males.
There’s some startling information about low testosterone’s link to serious health issues that every man should know about. According to research, low testosterone levels in men may increase their risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. For men with congestive heart failure (CHF), low testosterone is linked with increased mortality.
Where should you start with your questions about low testosterone levels? First, you should know that this is something the ThriveMD team can discuss with you at our office in Louisville, Colorado. We offer consultations to help clients get to the root of any symptoms that you suspect might be caused by declining testosterone levels. However, you may be looking for some general knowledge about declining testosterone to determine if this is something that could be affecting you. Next, discover the six signs that you may be suffering from low testosterone.
1. Low Sex Drive
1. Low Sex DriveThis one can be easy to miss because many men assume that a reduced sex drive is caused by being stressed or busy. In reality, a lower libido may actually be the first sign that your hormone levels are not balanced. Reduced sex drive alone may not be enough to cause concern about low testosterone levels. However, low sex drive combined with other symptoms almost always points to some sort of hormonal cause.
2. Erectile Dysfunction
This is the symptom that often gets men seeking help from a doctor. Yes, erectile dysfunction (ED) is often the most noticeable sign that your testosterone levels are not where they should be. Not every man experiences ED in the same way. Here’s a look at how ED might manifest:
- Being unable to get an erection.
- While you can get an erection some of the time, you cannot consistently achieve an erection every time you want to have sex.
- While you’re able to achieve an erection, you’re unable to maintain it long enough for sex.
Far too many men brush off symptoms of erectile dysfunction based on everything from embarrassment to myths that it can’t be treated. The truth is that ED isn’t just a problem in the bedroom. It’s a sign that an underlying factor is at play that could ultimately jeopardize your health. Low testosterone isn’t the only cause of ED. It’s possible that factors like diabetes, thyroid problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, alcohol use, depression, stress, and anxiety could also be affecting your health. The solution in all cases is to talk with a doctor!
3. Fatigue
Are you sure you’re just feeling tired because work has been hectic lately? For many men, fatigue is actually a sign of low testosterone that’s easy to miss. You may be noticing that your energy levels are zapped even though you’re getting plenty of sleep. You may also be unable to conjure up the motivation to exercise that you used to be able to rely on when you wanted to get to the gym. Generally, “low testosterone fatigue” is described as fatigue that does not resolve after proper rest.
4. Loss of Muscle Mass
Are you noticing a decrease in muscle mass? Yes, low testosterone levels are linked with decreases in muscle mass in men. In fact, low testosterone is a known cause of frailty and muscle wasting. This can be one of the most frustrating aspects of living with low testosterone. In addition to impacting your appearance, muscle loss can also leave you feeling physically fatigued.
You may even be compensating for the difficulty you’re experiencing with keeping muscle mass on your body by working out even harder. However, this isn’t enough to undo the problem. The only way to reverse the muscle loss caused by insufficient testosterone levels is to restore testosterone levels to their proper levels.
5. Weight Gain
“Low testosterone levels are associated with increased fat mass (particularly central adiposity) and reduced lean mass in males,” according to a 2015 study. The good news is that this same research also identifies testosterone replacement therapy as being a treatment that demonstrates beneficial effects on all measures of obesity. Why is this important? The weight gain that is so common with low testosterone levels really happens on two different fronts.
The first cause of weight gain stemming from low testosterone happens at the metabolic level. Your adipose and muscle are simply responding to biological cues that you cannot control. However, the unavoidable weight gain that is happening with low testosterone is often exacerbated by the lifestyle changes that frequently accompany this deficiency. As we covered earlier, low testosterone can drastically reduce energy levels and drive. This means that both the motivation and vigor needed to maintain a steady workout routine disappears. It becomes a vicious cycle of living with the biological effects of low testosterone while also adopting a more sedentary lifestyle.
Correcting a testosterone deficiency often has a profound effect on a man’s appearance. It can also give him back the drive and determination he once had in the gym. In addition to getting the benefit of returning to an ideal weight, a man who has his energy levels restored also gets to enjoy all of the other physical and mental benefits that go along with regularly working out.
6. Osteoporosis
How are your bones doing? Signs of decreased bone density in men are often signs of low testosterone. In fact, you may actually be dealing with an undetected case of low testosterone if you find yourself seeking the help of a chiropractor or physical therapist to deal with pain or stiffness. Yes, low testosterone is linked with low bone density and osteoporosis. Here’s a quick glance at osteoporosis symptoms:
- Stooped posture.
- Back pain.
- Fractured or collapsed vertebrae.
- Loss of height.
- A bone break that happens far more easily than expected.
“Testosterone treatment of older men with low testosterone increased volumetric trabecular bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and estimated bone strength significantly compared with placebo,” according to a 2017 study. Yes, that means that treating the problem can potentially help you to sail into your older years without worries about weak, frail bones.
Symptoms That Impact Every Part of Your Life
Symptoms That Impact Every Part of Your LifeThese six common symptoms of low testosterone only represent a fraction of the symptoms that you can potentially experience as a result of low testosterone. In truth, all areas of a man’s life can be affected by this issue. Many men with low testosterone suffer from memory issues, mood issues, low blood count, and hair loss.
What Can You Do About Low Testosterone If You Live Near Boulder, Colorado?
Symptoms of low testosterone can be reversed with testosterone replacement therapy. According to the latest research on testosterone replacement therapy, this treatment can improve quality of life, increase lean body mass, and significantly decrease total cholesterol. We’re pleased to be able to offer testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) near Boulder for our clients at ThriveMD. Let’s talk a little bit about what you can expect when you visit us to discuss your suspected low testosterone.
The first step in treating suspected low testosterone is confirming your current testosterone levels. Your experience begins with a consultation that provides an opportunity to discuss your symptoms. Our team will go over the process, benefits, and side effects involved with TRT. We’ll also go over your health history with you to confirm that you’re a great candidate for this treatment.
Next, we’ll move on to serum testing to measure your hormone levels. This will be followed by a second consultation where we will go over your results with you on a one-on-one basis. The results of your test will help us to create a personalized program for delivering the right replacement levels over a specific span of time. Some of the options that can be discussed include implanted pellets, creams, and intramuscular injections. Generally, the ThriveMD team recommends pellets to our patients because they provide the benefit of a slow-release that takes place around the clock for a period lasting up to six months without the need for multiple office visits. Of course, we’ll arrange for you to have your serum levels tested at specific intervals once you’ve started TRT to monitor and evaluate your progress. Our team will recommend any adjustments that we find necessary for getting your levels where they should be.
Are you ready to tackle the low testosterone that has been robbing you of your vitality? It starts with a serum check that will enable you to verify that tumbling testosterone levels are to blame for your symptoms. We invite you to come to see us at ThriveMD in Louisville, Colorado for a consultation that may help you to unmask the underlying causes of your decreased quality of life. You can get started today by calling (720) 534-2333 or scheduling online. Low testosterone has driven you to a low point. Get your vitality back using TRT with help from our highly trained team specializing in holistic wellness and hormonal therapies.
