Often, hormonal deficiencies in adult men go unnoticed for years. It’s common for men to assume that getting older automatically comes with a series of unwelcome changes. However, symptoms like premature balding, weight gain, and trouble sleeping could be a sign of an underlying medical condition like low testosterone (low T) or low growth hormone (GH).
The truth is, if you’re experiencing uncomfortable changes, don’t ignore them. Instead, consider this as an opportunity to learn more about how the body works. Simple diet changes, along with a consultation with a hormone replacement therapy clinic, have helped thousands of men feel themselves again.
How to Increase My Testosterone?
Ideally, men should have T levels between 300 ng/dL to 1000 ng/dL. A certified medical professional with a specialization in endocrinology takes men through a thorough screening process before issuing an official diagnosis.
Depending on a client’s symptoms, in-office physical exam, and blood panel results during a consultation, a wellness professional can figure out if the root cause of the outward signs is associated with a hormonal deficiency like low T or low GH.
Low T is incredibly common. According to ABC News, as many as one in four men over the age of 30 have a total T level that is below 300 ng/dL and a free T level below five ng/dL.
Testosterone can either be linked to proteins or unbound, which makes them free for the body to access. There are several key steps men can take to bolster their free or bioavailable T levels at home.
EXERCISING
Researchers are still uncovering all of the benefits of a consistent exercise regimen for replenishing or stabilizing testosterone levels within men. Scientists know that T levels can spike anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour after a workout.
T levels fluctuate throughout the day. Typically, they’ll peak in the morning and gradually decline. Researchers suggest taking advantage of the body’s natural hormone cycle by scheduling workouts in the evening. One study followed men who weight trained in the evening for 12 months and found they significantly raised their testosterone levels throughout the study.
New to exercising or not in great shape? No problem! Exercise newbies tend to get a more significant boost once they commit to a consistent regimen while the body gets used to the introduction of a new habit.
While resistance training can have incredible benefits, cardio has also been proven to raise T levels. In one study, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts like 6-second sprints caused long-lasting positive effects in raising T levels. Incorporate longer rest periods between sprints (120 seconds) can increase testosterone even more than short rest periods.
MONITOR THE BMI
Body mass index (BMI) is the measure of the ratio of body fat and is based on a client’s height and weight. Physicians calculate BMI by dividing the weight (in pounds) by height (in feet and inches). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adult men, 20 years and older, should shoot for anywhere between 18.5 -24.9 as a normal or healthy weight.
Since the 1970s, more adult men and women having scored at or above 30 BMI, which is categorized as obese. Almost 44% of all middle-aged adults between 40 to 59, and 42% of adults 60 years and older, are obese.
A high BMI has been linked to low T in adult men. Obese men accumulate more fat tissue than men with a healthy weight. Aromatase is an enzyme within fatty tissue that essentially breaks down testosterone and transforms it into a form of estrogen called estradiol. Thus gradually decreasing T levels over time.
According to the researchers at Harvard Medical School, gaining just four inches around the waistline increased a man’s odds of having low T by 75%. Trimming excess fat, especially in the midsection, can vastly improve overall testosterone production in overweight and obese men.
Finding Hormone Replacement Therapy in Alexandria
Hormone replacement therapy is the only FDA-approved treatment for safely and effectively treating low T.
Alexandria has almost 160,000 residents. While the median age is 36, nearly 40% of the men are 30 years and older, making them prime candidates for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are currently 100 clinics in Alexandria now offering HRT, including Renew Vitality.
Maintain Your Vigor with Renew Vitality
Low hormone levels can make men feel tired, lower their libido, and even cause mood swings. Think of HRT as a method to get your life back. At Renew Vitality, men can meet with a certified medical professional for a personalized and holistic approach to treating hormone replacement therapy. We combine exercise and nutrition with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to optimize T levels.
We have ten locations dedicated to working with men one-on-one and developing individualized lifestyle plans to produce hormones naturally. You can schedule a consultation today to learn more.