Do You Need to Start Boosting Your Testosterone?

Everybody knows that testosterone is a hormone that promotes healthy masculinity, sex drive, & muscle growth.

 

But what many people fail to realize is that it is also essential for a variety of physical, cognitive, and metabolic functions.

 

Testosterone promotes the growth of muscles, bones, red blood cells, and skin. It also plays an essential role in fat metabolism, helping individuals burn excess fat more efficiently. 

 

It sure sounds like the ultimate anti-aging formula, doesn’t it? 

 

But this doesn’t mean that everyone should start boosting their testosterone...

 

Keep on reading to find out the most common signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels, the benefits of testosterone therapy, and when you should consider starting it. 

 

Let’s get started!

 

 

 

Signs and symptoms of low testosterone levels

 

Males start losing testosterone when they hit their 40s, which is a natural phenomenon and is not necessarily a sign of an underlying disorder. 

 

A significantly more rapid or earlier decline in testosterone levels, however, may signal a problem known as “low testosterone” (low T).

 

Some common symptoms of low T include:

• Loss of libido and changes in sex drive
• Lower sperm count
• Anxiety and depression
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Substantial weight gain and loss of muscle mass
• Hot flashes
• Changes in penis and testicle size
• Breast swelling

 

How is low testosterone diagnosed?

 

Many men want to self-diagnose themselves with low T levels.

 

The problem with this is that some symptoms of low testosterone levels are a natural part of aging.

 

Therefore, the presence of these symptoms isn’t reliable enough to make an accurate diagnosis.

 

The most accurate and definitive way to determine if your testosterone levels are below normal is by taking a physician-ordered testosterone level test.

 

 

When you go to a doctor for low testosterone levels, he will take a detailed health history and perform a physical exam.

 

The doctor will also ask you to take a blood test to measure your T levels as well as a complete blood count test to look at your red blood cell (RBC) count.

 

RBC testing is important because if you’re diagnosed with low testosterone, your doctor might suggest testosterone injections for treatment.

 

And these injections can increase the RBC count to abnormal levels, leading to problems like hypertension and blood clotting.

 

This is why it’s important to establish a baseline RBC count.

 

Note: Healthy testosterone levels lie between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL.

 

 

The benefits of increasing your testosterone levels

 

If you’ve been diagnosed with low testosterone levels, hypogonadism, or require testosterone therapy for other medical conditions, then you may be wondering about the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). 

 

Here are a few potential benefits of increasing your testosterone when you’ve got low levels.

 

Healthier heart and blood circulation

 

An efficient circulatory system is crucial for an active lifestyle. 

 

Testosterone reduces the workload on your heart and improves the oxygen supply chain by boosting the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBC) in your bone marrow.

 

This ensures that adequate amounts of RBCs are always present within your body for peak performance.

 

Studies have also suggested that low testosterone levels are closely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as coronary artery disease (CAD). 

 

Therefore, increasing testosterone in people with long-standing low T levels can do much more than just boost their sex drive; it can be potentially life-saving.

 

 

Increased lean body mass

 

Testosterone plays a vital role in increasing muscle mass and promotes a leaner body.

 

Studies have shown that testosterone treatment for men with low T levels can lead to a significant loss of fat and helps increase muscle mass and strength.

 

Stronger bones

 

Testosterone plays a significant role in regulating bone mineral density. Bones usually demineralize as their testosterone levels fall due to aging.

 

This can increase the risk of osteoporosis, which is a condition that makes bones brittle, weak, and more prone to fractures. 

 

Recent research has shown that testosterone therapy can lead to a noticeable increase in bone density, provided that the dosage is high enough.

 

Better cognitive functioning

 

Low body testosterone levels are associated with reduced cognitive functions such as verbal memory and a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, so testosterone replacement can potentially save you from these problems. 

 

A few studies have also suggested that testosterone therapy can lead to enhanced spatial memory in older adults.

 

 

Enhanced libido

 

The levels of testosterone rise naturally in response to sexual activity and arousal. Men with high levels of testosterone generally have increased sexual activity. 

 

Older males may suffer from erectile dysfunction and loss of libido due to the age-related decline in testosterone levels.

 

Research has found that testosterone replacement therapy can significantly benefit sexual performance and health in such individuals.

 

However, it is important to note that loss of libido and erectile dysfunction can occur in a wide range of other medical conditions as well. Your doctor will rule them out before prescribing you TRT. 

 

Also, there is a maximum limit of testosterone after which there is no further response. For men with normal T levels, increasing your testosterone will not benefit your sex drive.

 

Better mood

 

Low body testosterone levels are linked to poor quality of life. Common psychological symptoms of low T levels include depression, irritability, and lethargy. 

 

These symptoms may be especially prominent in individuals with hypogonadism (a condition that causes reduced functional activity of the gonads).

 

According to many studies, individuals suffering from hypogonadism have shown improved mood, and reduced fatigability and irritability after taking external testosterone.

 

A few experts have even suggested that this treatment may be highly beneficial in treating depression.