A lot more men are asking…what is low testosterone and is hormone replacement right for them?
Testosterone in Men:
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is secreted by the adrenal glands and testes. It is critical in maintaining erectile function, libido, normal energy levels, good mood. As with other hormones, testosterone levels decline with age and at age 60 is about one-fifth of what it was in youth. Testosterone levels start declining by 30 years of age.
Symptoms of decreasing testosterone appear as a gradual decrease in energy, thinning bones and muscles, increased body fat, depression, and impaired sexual function. Studies over the past decade show that replacing testosterone can help restore a man’s health.
It has also been shown that Testosterone plays an important role in the functioning of the brain. It appears to have a profound impact on the way a man thinks and how well his brain performs learning and memory functions. Results show that testosterone supplementation improves visual and spatial skills.
Experts say normal levels for men range from 300 to 1,200 nanograms per deciliter, with testosterone peaking during the teens and 20s and declining about 1% a year after 30.
Research shows an estimated 3% to 7% of men 30 to 69 have a testosterone deficiency called male hypogonadism, which they can be born with or develop after an injury or infection.
A blood test is the only accurate way of determining testosterone levels. Hormone replacement treatment supervised by a physician is safe and can make a world of difference in a man with Low T. Every man experiencing any of the symptoms of Low T should talk to his physician. It’s no longer a stigma and the cure is better than feeling bad for years!
