What Every Man Over 35 Needs To Know About Low Testosterone

For healthy men there’s not much of a need to think about testosterone levels until you get into your mid to late thirties. As a middle age man falling testosterone levels can be a much bigger problem than just giving you a decreased sex drive. It’s important to understand the roles of this very important hormone and take action when you feel your levels are starting to decrease. Hormone replacement therapy can be extremely beneficial not just for your libido but for health reasons as well.

Testosterone as you know is a hormone responsible for reproductive activity, muscle and bone mass, hair growth and other metabolic functions. Men need testosterone to regulate metabolism, control immune functions, preserve sexual function, maintain lean muscle tissue, and assist with recovery from physical activity.

When a man reaches his mid to late thirties there is a strong likelihood that his testosterone levels are beginning to decline. This is also known as “andropause.” Clinically we define low testosterone levels as anything less than 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood. This can be measured by a very inexpensive blood test. Just so you know you don’t have to see your physician to have testosterone levels measured. There are numerous on-line lab services available where you can purchase a blood test to be completed at a local lab.

You simply purchase the test, go to the lab to have blood drawn, and normally within 36-48 hours you’ll have the report in your email inbox. This is completely private so there’s no need to worry if you have a concern about it showing up on your medical record. Plus it eliminates any uneasiness about discussing this with your physician or paying for an office visit without first identifying that you have low levels. If your lab report comes back indicating that your testosterone levels are down, you can then take the report to your physician for treatment options.

While there are numerous testosterone treatment options available, most experts will agree the most effective strategies involve inter-muscular injections of bioidentical testosterone. This provides a slow release of testosterone into your system and boosts levels much more effectively than gels or creams.

A downside of the gels and creams other than the low dosages is you have to be careful not to get it on your wife or girlfriend. The testosterone is absorbed through the skin and can be transferred from person to person very easily. If you’re not comfortable with needles or giving yourself injections, this may be the way to go however.

Either way you do it, you’ll find a lot of benefits of boosting your testosterone levels. With low testosterone levels, a sex life that was once vigorous and constant can slow down to a complete halt. Moods are also greatly affected by low testosterone. A man that was level-headed and agreeable can become contentious, disinterested or irritable. Fatigue will be noticeable and you may find yourself drawn to the couch or bed, unwilling to engage with friends, co-workers, or in social activities.

The biggest piece of advice I can give middle age men is to not hesitate to get your levels checked. It really is very easy and inexpensive to do. While a healthy body weight, sound nutrition, and regular physical exercise is essential in optimizing testosterone levels, you will still find that stress and age are the biggest culprits.

Testosterone treatment therapies will only be effective if you also work on other lifestyle changes. No therapy will serve as a magic “cure-all.” It’s all about creating balance in your body. A lot of times you can reverse low testosterone levels simply by losing weight, eating right, reducing stress, and getting yourself to the gym. If you’re otherwise fit and healthy but feel your testosterone levels may be falling, simply get a blood test. You’ll be glad you did. There’s no need to suffer with low testosterone levels just because you’re getting older.