Low Testosterone Side Effects
The natural function of aging is why men experience a decrease of testosterone levels. There are over thirteen million men with low levels of testosterone. Past the age of thirty there is an annual one percent dip in the level of testosterone according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
What does the decrease of this hormone mean? What are the side effects or symptoms that go with the loss of this male hormone? There are a number of important bodily functions that testosterone helps men to maintain, including:
- Bone density
- Distribution of fat
- Strength/muscle mass
- Production of sperm
- Sex drive
- Production of red blood cells
There can be significant emotional and physical changes as a result of the testosterone decrease because it affects so many functions.
Sexual Function
The possibility of sexual desire and performance being affected is one of the largest worries faced by men when the levels of testosterones start to decrease. When men age, they can have a number of symptoms resulting from a lower level of the hormone that are related to sexual function. These include:
- Desire for sex declining
- Infertility
- Fewer spontaneous erections such as while sleeping
Physical Changes
Low testosterone levels accompany a number of physical shifts including:
- Fragile bones
- A decrease in body hair
- Body fat increases
- Mass of muscles/strength decrease
- Hot flashes
- Breast tissue tenderness/swelling
- Effects on cholesterol & metabolism
- Fatigue
Disturbances in Sleep
Low testosterone causes lower energy levels but despite this it can lead to changes in the patterns of sleep including insomnia. Sleep apnea, a serious problem that causes repeated stopping and starting of breathing, can result from some of the therapies for treating low testosterone.
Emotional Changes
You can be affected emotionally as well as experiencing physical changes resulting from low testosterone levels. There can be feelings of depression, sadness or overall decrease in the sense of well-being from the condition. Some people experience lowered self-confidence, lack of motivation and difficulty with concentrating and memory.
Don’t Assume
Lower levels of testosterone can result in all of the above symptoms but they also go with the process of aging. There are other reasons for these symptoms including:
- Use of alcohol
- Medication side effects
- A thyroid condition
Make an appointment with your physician and have a blood test to determine the cause of your symptoms. The levels of testosterone can only be determined by a blood test. The midpoint of the normal testosterone range is 300 to 450 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter) for men over the age of 65 and is what the recommendation of the Harvard Medical School (HMS) is.
All of these changes can take a toll on you. Continuing to lead an active lifestyle or starting an active lifestyle with some dietary changes can make a big difference in the way you feel. It will not “cure” you but along with a prescribed medication, you should be feeling like your old self in no time.
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