Long Term Effects of Low T

As men age past 30, they begin to notice a decrease in testosterone, often marked by a drop in sex drive and interest. Lethargy, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, and mood swings are other possible symptoms of low T, but they could also be symptoms of other causes. If you’re experiencing symptoms like the ones above, have a talk with your doctor. Be prepared for your doctor to conduct some tests to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. If the conversation leans toward testosterone, ask your doctor about low testosterone, what you can do to help facilitate testosterone production, and other options you may have for correcting low T.

How Low is Too Low?

It’s helpful to know the threshold regarding testosterone levels. A man’s testosterone should normally range between 300 nanograms per deciliter to 1,200 ng/dL. Lower than normal ranges may indicate a number of conditions, including testicular injury or cancer, HIV/AIDS, chronic liver or kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, infections, or other hormonal disorders. These aren’t the only reasons for a low T level, nor is low testosterone the only cause for these issues. Some men with low testosterone don’t even experience any symptoms however, testosterone levels far under 300 ng/dL offer more explanations for symptoms.

Have low T? Give Dr. Jeffrey Buch a call and set up an appointment.

Even if you don’t exhibit any symptoms of low T, you should still seek treatment, as a silent killer of low testosterone levels is directly related to weaker muscles and drops in bone density.

Osteoporosis: Not Just for Women

Thanks to Sally Field putting a face to the disease, you may think that osteoporosis is a disease that only women can get. That is a huge misconception, as men can have it too and a drop in muscle mass and bone density is a major, long term symptom of low testosterone. As men age, they don’t experience the rapid loss of bone marrow and density like women do, mostly because men have built up more muscle mass, albeit, slower over years’ time. By the mid 60s, men catch up and lose bone mass at nearly the same rate, as absorption of calcium decreases as both sexes age. As bone mass continues to decline, likelihood of fractures resulting from osteoporosis rises. Fractures are likely to occur in the hip, spine and wrists, and men who fracture their hips are more likely to die from later complications. Loss of muscle mass and impending loss of bone density is the main long term effect of low testosterone. The good news is that there are many different ways to increase your low T, including hormone therapy and many other options you can try on your own. Reduce your stress, cut out sweets (even fruit and agave sweeteners), and supplement your diet with zinc. In six weeks or less, you may begin to feel an increase in your testosterone production. Eat foods with lots of protein, such as fish, beans, yogurt and raw cheese and milk. If you choose to use dietary supplements, take no more than 40 milligrams of zinc per day, so that your body won’t have difficulty absorbing other vitamins.

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