For adult men, 300 ng/dL to 1,000 ng/dL is the ideal range for testosterone (T) levels, anything lower than 300 ng/dL could be diagnosed with low testosterone (low T) or hypogonadism.
According to the American Urological Association (AUA), low testosterone is a common diagnosis for middle age and older men. They predict as many as 50% of men over the age of 80 have low T; however, it’s difficult for researchers to know exactly how many men low T affects.
It’s normal for men to avoid going to the doctor due to the stigma associated with low T, and it’s easy to misdiagnose the symptoms.
Depending on factors like medical history, genetics, or lifestyle choices, men could be at higher risk of developing low T later in life. Obesity is a common risk factor for American men. The AUA found that 30% of obese males had low T, while less than 10% of men with healthy weight were diagnosed. Diabetes is closely linked with low T, with over 24.5% of men having both abnormally low testosterone levels and diabetes in one study.
At Renew Vitality, we believe that educating adult men about the symptoms of low T and cutting-edge solutions like testosterone therapy are the essential components in promoting men’s health.
How do I know if I have Low T?
The only way to know if your testosterone levels are lower than normal is to make an appointment with a certified medical professional.
At Renew Vitality, we pride ourselves on having a thorough diagnostic process. All of our clients take a blood panel 48 hours before their first consultation so the physician can gather baseline data about current testosterone levels. Since T levels do fluctuate, most medical professionals will suggest patients take blood panels in the morning when T levels are the highest.
Unfortunately, some clinics do not require testing, but for our clients, we go the extra mile. Our clients are also required to take blood tests throughout testosterone therapy to make sure the treatment is effective and make any necessary adjustments for better results.
The physician will also take a look at a patient’s health history to identify any irregularities or causes for hypogonadism and document related symptoms.
What Causes Low T?
Genetic conditions like Klinefelter and Noonan’s syndrome are typically diagnosed at birth and cause low T to develop later in life.
Diseases like HIV and AIDS are common causes for low T. As many as 30 HIV positive males out of every 100 have hypogonadism, and 50 out of 100 men with AIDS have low T.
The testes, hypothalamus, and pituitary gland all work together to regulate T production. Direct trauma that damages either of these can decrease T levels over time.
Fluctuations in weight from excessive weight gain, obesity, or rapid weight loss can temporarily or permanently lower T levels. Obesity jump-starts a vicious cycle in which body fat begins to convert free testosterone into estrogen. Not only does more estrogen slow down T production, but it also speeds up the metabolization of testosterone, which further lowers T levels.
What are the symptoms of Low T?
Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness that persists despite getting adequate sleep and is a common problem for men with hypogonadism.
Hair loss
Testosterone and an enzyme called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are two hidden factors behind hair loss in men. Men with low T may notice their hair loss has a particular pattern. Frontal baldness, which resembles an M shape due to a receding hairline, is one form of testosterone-related thinning. In more advanced hair loss cases, the crown of the head and the hairline both recede and form a U shape.
Men could also experience the loss of facial and chest hair as a result of hormone imbalances.
Sexual Dysfunction
In a large study following adult men with low T, about 28% of participants had both hypogonadism and low libido. Hypogonadal men tend to have lower sperm counts, and one in three of them are also diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
Weight Gain
Men with low T are at a higher risk of accumulating excess body fat, low insulin sensitivity, glucose intolerance, and high cholesterol. Each of these compounding factors causes weight gain in men, primarily in the abdomen.
Testosterone Therapy in Washington DC Is Within Your Reach
Washington DC has 24 testosterone therapy clinics, serving over 700,000 residents; during the workweek, the population swells to over a million due to commuters from the greater DC metropolitan area. Renew Vitality Washington, DC is just 8 miles from the country’s capital and is a convenient option for many residents and commuters
Meet Renew Vitality
We are a highly trusted clinic, offering decades of excellent service for men over 30. We specialize in a wide range of hormone deficiencies, making us the first choice for men across the country. Give us a call and ask about our personalized wellness programs to see if a holistic approach to health and wellness is right for you.