If you’re like most men, then you’re probably only vaguely aware of how serious the symptoms of low testosterone can be. While their intentions are usually benign, popular journals and health blogs don’t always get the facts about low testosterone correct. In today’s post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the most prominent studies about testosterone to clarify any myths you may have heard.
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Since we’re discussing low testosterone levels, it will be helpful to begin by explaining how low testosterone is clinically diagnosed. While there are several tests that measure testosterone levels available for purchase, researchers are in almost uniform agreement that blood tests are far more accurate than saliva tests.
Testosterone levels are at their highest in the mornings, so your doctor will likely have your blood drawn shortly after you’ve woken up. Normal testosterone levels in men range from 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), and levels below 300 ng/dL typically require treatment.
According to a study performed by researchers at the New England Research Institutes of Watertown, Massachusetts, one out of every four men over the age of 30 can be expected to have testosterone levels lower than 300 ng/dL. This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and has served as the foundation for further research.
While many of the men in the study were not experiencing symptoms typically indicative of low testosterone levels, they likely will as they grow older. Testosterone levels peak in early adulthood, usually around the age of 30. By age 40, testosterone levels are expected to drop by one or two percent each year. It’s between the ages of 40 and 50 that many men begin to experience the unpleasant effects of low testosterone.
The NERI report also offered a prediction: based on the results of the study, it’s estimated that somewhere around 6.5 million American men who are between the ages of 30 and 79 will experience the effects of low testosterone levels by 2025. Although this number is only a prediction, it’s a 38-percent increase from data collected in 2000. Even if this prediction is off by a few percentage points, testosterone replacement therapy will become one of the most prevalent men’s health treatments in America.
The symptoms of low testosterone levels include, but are not limited to:
- Low sex drive
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lack of motivation
- Decreased muscle mass
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Osteoporosis or decreasing bone mass
If you suspect that you may be suffering from the effects of low testosterone, we can help you! Men’s Vitality Center in Tucson offers effective testosterone replacement therapy that can improve your symptoms within seven to 14 days after you begin your treatment. Contact our office by phone or using our online contact form today to schedule an appointment.