5 Warning Signs of Low Testosterone
Testosterone is a hormone found in humans, the levels are much higher in men than women. Production of this hormone begins at puberty and starts to decrease after the age of 30.Testosterone levels in men slowly declines at the rate of around 1%every year after your 30s. You can always use a natural booster to maintain a normal testosterone levels.
The level of testosterone production typically decreases as men age. If it decreases more than a certain level, then the individual might experience a range of symptoms. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the normal level of testosterone for an adult man is 300-1000ng/dL. You can go for a blood test to determine your level of circulation testosterone.
The significance of testosterone in men
Testosterone is an important hormone since it determines the sexual orientation and behavior in men. This male hormone has various functions, like building muscles for broader shoulders, boosting metabolism, and much more. Some of the major functions of testosterone in your body include –
- Burning fat
- Increasing muscle mass
- Strengthening bones
- Boosting metabolism rates
- Protecting against cardiovascular and other diseases
- Deciding secondary sexual characteristics and erection
- Boosts sperm generation and its ability to fertilize
- Increasinglifetime by extending your youth
- Giving a cheerful and optimistic mentality
If your testosterone production falls drastically, you may experience one or few of the following symptoms:
- Excessive loss of hair
Hair loss in men is generally caused by three things: hormones, genes, and age. Roughly one-third of the male population loses hair by the age of 45. The hair follicles of most men are oversensitive to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Testosterone is converted into DHT for synthesis, and this process shrinks the hair follicles. This results in finer and shorter hair growth until, eventually, hair growth stops completely.
- Fatigue and excess energy drain
Men with low testosterone have reported extreme exhaustion, and a significant decrease in their energy levels. This is one of the trademark indicators of low testosterone in men. It leads to chronic fatigue where your tiredness doesn’t improve even after proper rest. Use natural boosters, like eating a healthy diet, getting ample sleep, and sweating to overcome the fatigue caused by low testosterone.
- Declining muscle mass
Testosterone builds muscle mass, and low testosterone converts muscles into fat. It’s the male hormone that helps develop the muscle mass in the male physique. When they go below normal levels, the hormone estrogen, also called the female hormone, takes over. It adds fat where you least want it – around your stomach and chest.
Muscle cells have androgen receptors for testosterone reception. Muscle fibers are maintained only when the testosterone binds to the receptors. The muscle maintenance stops and gradually the muscles start degradingwithout testosterone.
- Reduced semen secretion
Testosterone is very important for the production of sperms. A special hormone called Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones (GnRH) is produced by the brain. This hormone signals the testes to produce more testosterone, essential for a healthy sperm count.
When there is a rise in your testosterone levels, your bran gives out a sign that you have enough testosterone. It signals theGnRH the testes to stop making more testosterone. But when the testosterone made by your testes goes below the normal level, your sperm production goes down.
- Lowering of sex drive
Asmen get older, their sex drive gradually declines to a very low count. But for different men, the sex drive may vary based on their physical well-being. The sex drive is also affected by stress, sleep, and opportunities for sex, since it changes over time. Some men can even maintain sexual desire at a relatively low testosterone level. For other men, it may holdup even with normal levels of testosterone. However, low testosterone is one of the possible causes of low sex drive.