5 ways to recognize low testosterone

If you’re a man in your 30s, you may think you’ll have high testosterone levels for decades. Low testosterone only happens to older men, right?

Wrong.

“It happens to all men,” according to Vital4Men wellness center. “Beginning in our 30s, our bodies start to become fatigued more easily. You lose muscle mass, mental sharpness, and libido (sex drive) begins to decline.”

If you’ve started to notice changes in yourself, it may be because of low testosterone. Here are five ways to tell if your T levels are low.

Fatigue

If you feel sluggish at work or when going about your day, low testosterone could be the reason. Low T levels make it difficult for you to sleep well or to feel rested.

“One of the trademark symptoms of low testosterone in men is chronic fatigue – the type of tiredness that doesn’t improve after rest,” according to Everyday Health. “ … It’s not normal for testosterone levels to get so low that fatigue impacts daily activities.”

Low T also hurts your ability to concentrate, something you may notice as you work on projects at the office or at home.

Decreased muscle mass

Testosterone helps develop muscle mass and makes your muscles look bigger, while low testosterone results in you losing mass. And, if you’ve been feeling tired, you may have been skipping your workouts.

However, even if you regularly hit the gym and not only haven’t been seeing gains but have been noticing a loss of muscle mass, low T could be the reason.

Erectile problems

The No. 1 concern for many men with low T is that their sexual performance will be affected. That’s because testosterone is key to producing an erection. It stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection, according to Medical News Today. If you have a difficult time getting or maintaining an erection, low T levels may be the culprit.

Additionally, erectile dysfunction may also be “the canary in a coal mine for a future heart attack,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. If you’re having erectile issues, now is the time to get a physical to find out if you have low T or more severe health concerns.

Increased body fat

It’s not the late-night burger runs – it’s low T.

OK, unhealthy food certainly doesn’t help but, just as reduced testosterone decreases muscle mass, it conversely increases body fat. Additionally, low T can lead to gynecomastia, or breast enlargement.

“Gynecomastia results from an imbalance in the hormonal environment in the body, with a relative excess of estrogens (female hormones) when compared to androgens (male hormones),” according to MedicineNet.

Mood changes

If you’ve been down in the dumps or irritable, the problem could be low testosterone. It could be making you feel grumpy, giving you sudden mood swings or even causing you to feel depressed.

“Studies have added low testosterone as a major risk factor for depression, particularly in men,” according to the Depression Alliance. “In fact, several studies have revealed that low testosterone is a common cause of depression in persons who do not respond to traditional medications. A robust amount of testosterone in the body promotes good mood, confidence, and a strong libido in a man.”

The bottom line is, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to get your testosterone levels checked. The experts at Vital4Men can test your levels, explain what they mean and, if needed, treat you with testosterone replacement therapy to get you back to your optimum level. Visit Vital4Men.com for more information and to schedule a free testosterone test.