5 Warning signs you should have your testosterone levels checked by Taureau

[Taureau]

5 signs why you should have your testosterone levels checked​

The global expansion of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

The global market for TRT is projected to reach US$3.4 billion by 20221. There are two main reasons for this, firstly there are a growing number of men suffering from hypogonadism and secondly there is an ageing male population in many countries. Male hypogonadism is a condition characterized by low testosterone levels and one way of curing it is TRT. Similarly, as men age testosterone levels fall as indicated by the photo below:





While free testosterone peaks at around 25, after that it gradually decreases with age.

Problems with testosterone tests

Testing testosterone levels can be done with a quick blood test. However, according to a study2 that looked at 10,000 men who had undergone testosterone testing, many men are not being tested correctly. Less than ten per cent of men studied were tested between 7am and noon, when the results are most accurate. Test time is important because testosterone levels are at their highest in the morning, so if men appear to have low testosterone in the afternoon, it may simply be a dip in T levels instead of conclusive low T.



5 signs of low testosterone:

• Low sex drive

Testosterone is linked to male libido (sex drive). Low testosterone is often linked to low sex drive. Some men will experience a drop in sex drive as they get older however if you experience a dramatic drop it may be worth getting your testosterone checked.

• You no longer have spontaneous erections

In addition to aiding sex drive, testosterone is also helps you achieve an erection. This occurs because testosterone stimulates brain receptors that produce nitric oxide, which triggers a series of reactions necessary for an erection to occur.



However, there are also many other health issues that can contribute to erection problems. Some of these include depression, stress/anxiety, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

• You’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that primarily effects men and women over fifty causing low bone mass and bone tissue deterioration, which in turn can cause bones to fracture or break easily.



The above photo indicates the lower bone density in someone with osteoporosis. Testosterone helps produce bone so men with low testosterone are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.

• Changes in mood

Due to the large variety of physical processes in the body that testosterone influences, it can also have an impact on mood and mental functioning. Men with low testosterone could be more likely to suffer from depression, mood swings and increased stress.

• Reduced muscle mass

Studies3 have shown testosterone impacts muscle mass, even without any direct training. Because of this if you suddenly experience a drop in testosterone you could see a reduction in your muscle mass.


1https://www.strategyr.com/MarketResearch/Testosterone_Replacement_Therapy_TRT_Market_Trends.asp

2 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsm.12730

3 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199607043350101