If you’re a man, there’s a good chance you’ve wondered at some point whether your testosterone levels are normal. After all, it’s kind of a big deal when it comes to your health and well-being. This post will give you some tips on how to find out. And if it turns out that your levels are indeed low, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to get them back up to where they should be. Stay tuned for more info!
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a male sex hormone essential for building muscle, burning fat, and performing other bodily functions related to sexual health. In men, the testes produce 90% of testosterone. The rest comes from the adrenal glands in both sexes.
Testosterone production peaks in males between the ages of 18 and 20, which is why it’s often said that testosterone is responsible for the “peak” in male vitality and energy. After that, production starts to slowly decline.
A normal range for testosterone in men is 300-1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A serum testosterone test at NovaGenix low testosterone clinics near me measures the levels of the hormone in the blood. That said, here are signs that your testosterone levels may be low:
Problems With Erections
Testosterone is essential for producing erections. It stimulates the production of nitric oxide, which induces the relaxation of smooth muscles in blood vessels to allow blood flow into your member. If levels are low, erectile dysfunction (ED) may occur. Other factors that can contribute to ED include diabetes, heart disease, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress.
Hair Loss
If testosterone is not available to the body, the testes produce less sebum (an oily substance that lubricates and protects the skin). As a result, hair becomes brittle. Eventually, it can stop growing altogether.
Low Sex Drive
Testosterone fuels sex interest through its effect on dopamine levels in the brain. When you’re aroused, dopamine surges. This increases the feeling of pleasure. Therefore a low T level might lead to a lesser enjoyment of sex.
Reduced Muscle Mass
Testosterone is also responsible for muscle mass. If you have low T, you are likely to have a reduced muscle mass. This is because testosterone plays a role in protein synthesis, the process that builds muscle mass. So not only will you feel less energetic and less motivated, but you will also look less toned.
Increased Body Fat
Men with low testosterone tend to have higher body fat. This is partly due to the reduced muscle mass mentioned above, but also because your overall metabolism slows down when you have low T.
Reduced Bone Density
The most serious of all the effects of low testosterone (male) is the increased risk of osteoporosis or softening of bones. This happens because testosterone plays a role in the formation of bones. When you have low T, your bones become more porous and fragile, making them less resistant to fractures.
Mood Swings
Men who have low testosterone levels are more prone to mood swings than men with normal T levels. A study conducted among Dutchmen showed that mood swings and depression were more common in men with low testosterone.
Difficulty Sleeping
If you have low testosterone, you will not only be more prone to feeling tired and lethargic all the time, but you might also have difficulty sleeping at night. Low T reduces the amount of sleep a man gets. A study published in the Asian Journal of Andrology showed that sleep quality among elderly men with low T was poorer than among those with normal testosterone levels.
Decrease in Energy Levels
As we have seen, testosterone is responsible for many important functions in the body. When you have low T, you will experience a decrease in energy levels across the board. This is because so many vital processes are slowed down or stopped altogether when your T levels are low.
Low testosterone is a serious issue that can affect your quality of life. It’s important to know the warning signs, and whether you are experiencing them or not. If you suspect something may be wrong with your testosterone levels, it’s time to visit your doctor for an evaluation. Low T isn’t just about libido; it has many other implications for health, including mood swings and depression among others things like reduced bone density and difficulty sleeping. It’s not always easy to recognize the symptoms of low T, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. If you experience any combination of these symptoms and they persist for three months or more then it would be a good idea to contact your doctor and get yourself tested for low testosterone.