After receiving testosterone therapy, many men with a low testosterone level report feeling more upbeat, sexually motivated, and energetic. Why not supplement with testosterone if it’s low?
Not so quickly. Treating low levels of testosterone on its own is not necessary. The long-term hazards and benefits of testosterone replacement treatment are unknown, and it can have unpleasant side effects. Men should only think about testosterone replacement therapy if they have signs associated with low testosterone, and blood results support this as the source of the symptoms. The only way to determine whether testosterone is right for you is to speak with your doctor.
Reasons for Low Testosterone
Men’s testosterone levels decline with age. In actuality, low testosterone affects roughly 4 out of every ten men over 45. It could be mistaken for erectile dysfunction. However, having trouble getting an erection isn’t always related to low testosterone. That has more to do with libido and lack of desire.
Signs of Low Testosterone
Although they can be subtle at times, low testosterone symptoms can occasionally be readily apparent. Men’s testosterone levels decrease with age, but extremely low levels can also result from specific illnesses.
Low testosterone symptoms include:
- Low libido or sex desire
- Impotence
- Fatigue and low vitality Loss of lean muscular mass
- Loss of face and body hair
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression
- Intolerance
- The poor feeling of wellbeing
- A low number of sperm
- A spike in body fat
Your doctor could recommend treatment if testing reveals that your testosterone level is abnormally low and you exhibit signs of low testosterone. There is no recommendation for treatment for those with low testosterone levels who do not exhibit any symptoms. Additionally, people whose testosterone levels are low due to aging shouldn’t use it.
How Is Your Testosterone Level Checked?
Your doctor will likely take a blood test first thing in the morning if they have any reason to believe that your levels of testosterone are low. Over the day, your levels fluctuate. They are usually at their peak in the morning.
Even so, drawing your blood multiple times throughout the day could be necessary. Your doctor could request more testing after your results return to get more details.
Men typically have testosterone levels between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL. However, symptoms do not always correspond to testosterone levels. For example, some people may see effects at 250 ng/dL. Some might wait until their level is 150 or even 100 before experiencing symptoms.
Types of Supplemental Testosterone
There are various forms of testosterone replacement therapy available. Everyone can raise their testosterone levels:
- Layer of skin (transdermal): The endoderm is a skin patch on the arm or upper body. Applying it once daily is the norm.
- Gels: Clear testosterone gel packages, including AndroGel and Testim, are available. Applying the gel once daily allows for direct absorption of testosterone through the skin. Additionally, AndroGel, Axiron, and Fortesta are available as a pump that provides the dosage of testosterone that your physician has ordered. A gel called Natesto is put into the nose.
- Mouth guard: The tablet Striant adheres to the top gums. It constantly penetrates the oral tissues twice daily to release testosterone into the bloodstream.
- Implants and injections: It is also possible to implant testosterone pellets in soft tissues or inject it straight into the muscles. The testosterone enters your bloodstream gradually.
An easy-to-take testosterone tablet, perhaps? Testosterone can be taken orally. On the other hand, some specialists think that taking testosterone orally could be harmful to the liver. Other techniques, such as injectables, gels, patches applied to the skin, and tablets that dissolve in the mouth, avoid the liver and deliver testosterone straight to the bloodstream.