How To Diagnose Low Testosterone

Do I Have Low T? Heres How To Check

Virtually every man aged 40 and over could be experiencing the effects of low testosterone. 

Now the symptoms and side effects do vary from man to man, so its absolutely crucial that you are aware of and can recognise the signs so you can act accordingly to treat the problem.

do i have low t

Low T is a global condition, in the US alone its estimated that over 20 million men are experiencing the problems associated with hypogonadism (the medical name for reduced testosterone).

Here In Australia the problem is just as common.

From the age of 30, our natural testosterone starts to decline, experts tell us by around 1-2% per year.

Its a slight reduction at first, but by the time reach 40-45 our testosterone production can be some 40% lower than it was in our youth.

It’s important to try and recognise the signs and symptoms early on, that way you can treat and reverse the problem before it really takes hold.

This article sets out the signs and issues surrounding Low T, helping you to identify and start to treat the problem as quickly as possible.

Contents

Your Health And Low Testosterone

high testosterone

During your teens and through your twenties your testosterone levels are at their peak. They help to develop and maintain your muscle mass, strength, energy, libido, in fact everything considered ‘manly’

Once we hit 30, many of us can slowly start to experience more fatigue, reduced energy, strength and muscle tone.

We also tend to gain fat especially around the stomach

Our libido seems not to be as high as it was, and some of us can start to experience erection problems.

Normal testosterone levels range from between 300ng.dl to 1000ng.dl in healthy men.

As we get older, they can drop and any readings lower than 300ng.dl is generally considered to mean low T.

Now testosterone levels can be easily calculated with a blood test, your doctor can arrange one if required. 

But you do not have to go to the doctor to identify whether you could have low T – This article will help.

Low Testosterone Can Be Caused By:

  • Your testes simply stop making sufficient quantities of testosterone.
  • Your pituitary gland stops sending instructions to the testes to produce T.

Whe this happens it can increase the risks of certain health problems, some of which can (in some cases) be life changing, even fatal.

Low T Can Be Attributed To Causing:

  • Reduced muscle tone (Sarcopenia)
  • Increased risk of diabetes, heart and cognitive diseases/disorders
  • Obesity
  • Depression
  • Lack Of Libido

Are You Suffering With Low T?

The Definitive Low T Checklist:

Do you have, or are you experiencing:

Moods:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Irritablity 
  • Sadness
  • No self confidence

Energy:

  • Reduced motivation
  • Lack of sleep
  • No stamina
  • Fatigue

Sexual Characteristics:

  • Loss of body and facial hair
  • Reduced need to shave
  • Onset of acne/increased oily skin
  • Reduced sex drive
  • shrunken testicles
  • lack of sexual performance
  • Erection problems (ED)
  • Infertility
  • Reduced semen volume

Body Composition:

  • Increased body fat
  • Lack of strength, reduced muscle tone
  • Gynecomastia (man boobs)

You are also more likely to have or develop low testosterone if you have any of the following:

  • Excess weight (obesity)
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart problems
  • Diabetes
  • High Cholesterol
  • Osteoporosis

If you find that you have more than one of any problems listed, then you could have Low T.

Make an appointment with your doctor and ask them to perform a testosterone blood test.

Treating Low Testosterone

treating low T

There is some good news, Low T can be treated.

Clinical research has shown that lifestyle changes can make a lot of difference. 

One study in particular demonstrated that poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, over eating, drinking to excess and lack of exercise play a huge part in managing our testosterone production.

Treating Testosterone Without Drug Based TRT

You can take some major steps towards reversing low T by making some subtle changes:

Lose weight

Carrying excess weight around has been shown to reduce tesrosterone levels, fat cells trigger a process known as aromatase. 

This is a natural process that sees testosterone converted into the female hormone Estrogen.

Eat Foods That Boost Testosterone 

Your diet is absolutely paramount in your fight against low T. 

There are some foodstuffs that have proven themselves to help increase natural testosterone production.

Foods high in Zinc are essential. look for meats such as lean red beef, and seafood including oysters and shrimps.

Certain nuts and pulses including pumpkin seeds are another fantastic source.

Foods that contain Vitamin D are essential. It is a proven T-boosting vitamin that also has other health and muscle boosting benefits. 

Clinical studies have shown that we need to take on a minimum of at least 3300iu Vitamin D per day

Dairy Products are a superb source of D-aspartic acid. 

Studies have shown that its one of the most important amino acids for boosting testosterone, so much so that test subjects saw increases of 40% in just 12 days

D-Aspartic Acid joins Vitamin D as one of the most important Testosterone boosting ingredients, look for a supplement that contains at least 1600mg per day.

Lift Heavy Weights 

Lifting heavy weights really help to trigger the release of more testosterone, compound lifts including squats, deadlifts, chest and shoulder presses trigger the bodies natural anabolic processes.

Use weights that you can only lift 5 or 6 times, aim for at last 3 -4 sets with 1-2 minutes rest between sets.

Studies have proven that lifting heavy weights can increase protein synthesis by up to 55% and boost testosterone production dramatically, especially when compared to men who do not work out 

lifting heavy weights

Take A Natural Testosterone Booster

You do not need to take drug based TRT or inject risky anabolic steroids. 

A well formulated natural T-booster can provide the body with all the nutrients it requires to kickstart its own testosterone production. 

As the testosterone being produced is your own natural hormone, the body will not react badly to it. 

You will not experience any of the adverse side effects so commonly experienced by guys who use synthetic or drug based methods.

Summary

Low testosterone can cause some quite harmful health conditions that will impact your life on many fronts. 

Its effects can cause many metabolic, vascular and cognitive problems

The good news is that in 99% of cases it can all be treated – This article has identified some of the key areas that you can address to help reverse the problem.

Good Luck!!