It's possible to have low testosterone, or low-T, at any age, but it gets more common as you get older, since testosterone levels gradually drop with age. Your doctor can order a blood test and find out if your testosterone is too low. Here are some symptoms you might have with low-T, what can cause the condition, and the treatments that might help.

Symptoms You Might Have With Low-T

Low testosterone levels can affect your body in different ways, so if you feel like you've lost your zest for life or feel exhausted all the time, you should let your doctor know. You might have a general feeling of not being in peak form or you might have specific symptoms such as depression, muscle loss, or sleep disturbances. The symptoms you experience can be caused by other medical conditions too, so being examined by your doctor and having lab tests run is an important step in getting to the cause of your symptoms and determining if your testosterone is low.

Things That Might Cause Low Testosterone

Medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, or hormonal imbalances can affect your testosterone level. Any condition or medication you take that affects your hormones can affect testosterone too. Obesity can also contribute to low-T, and having low testosterone can make it easier to put on weight. An injury to your testicles could be to blame, or you could have a genetic condition. Aging is also a big factor in the development of low-T, and when combined with other factors, such as chemotherapy or diabetes, your testosterone could drop so low that it affects your quality of life.

Ways To Increase Your Testosterone

Your doctor has treatments for low-T that involve supplementing with hormone replacement therapy. This might be done with an injection, patch, gel, or pellet that's placed under your skin. Your doctor will help you choose the right treatment based on your lab results, age, and lifestyle. Some methods are more convenient to use than others, and some are safer to use around women and kids than others. You may not notice immediate results when you start testosterone therapy. However, your symptoms may gradually improve in the weeks to come, and you could enjoy better sleep, more energy, and increased muscle mass.

In addition to hormone replacement therapy that boosts your testosterone level, your doctor might recommend lifestyle improvements such as losing weight, being more active, and eating a healthy diet to improve your overall health. For more information, contact a local clinic like NuMale Medical Center.