Default Low Testosterone Symptoms and Treatment

Low testosterone is a problem that affects millions upon millions of men; while many women suffer from low testosterone too it is primarily a condition that affects the male gender. As millions of men suffer the vast majority hasn't a clue; their quality of life has greatly diminished yet they are often completely unaware of the problem.

There are many causes of low testosterone such as being overweight, physically inactive and even years of anabolic steroid abuse but the number one cause is simply age.As we age our natural testosterone production declines, regardless of how remarkable and superior we may be this decline will occur; how fast the decline occurs can be dependent on many factors. Again, body-weight or more specifically body-fat ratios of an unhealthy range, inactivity and most importantly genetics all play a role.

For most men, testosterone levels will begin to decrease dramatically in their 40's and drop faster and faster each and every year; while age 40 and beyond is a common place to see dramatic drops many men in their 30's often have a problem and far more than you might expect.As testosterone is an essential hormone, one of the most important hormones we produce many problems can begin to occur as our levels go down. Such problems will not only affect our physique but our sexual function, mental clarity and simply our overall quality of life. For many men the symptoms of low testosterone start out very mild; it is rare for a man's testosterone to drop dramatically all at once; it's usually a slow and gradual process. As this occurs so slowly many men become accustomed to the problems and symptoms; in-fact, they get a little lethargic about it. The good news is there is a remedy for low testosterone symptoms; no, we cannot cure low testosterone but we can treat it and the process is very simple.

Low Testosterone Symptoms:

While low testosterone symptoms may appear very slowly, they can be very problematic and bothersome to say the least. Low testosterone itself is not a life-threatening condition, as we examine the symptoms we cannot call any of them fatal. However, as we will see, if the condition is ignored low testosterone can be a gateway to many far more serious complications; many of which can be life-threatening indeed.

Such Symptoms include:

• Loss of Libido (mild to severe)
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Loss of Strength
• Loss of Muscle Tissue
• Increased Body-Fat (often despite diet & exercise)
• Depression
• Decreased Energy
• Lethargy or Lack of Will
• Increased Irritability
• Insomnia
• Loss of Focus (mental clarity)
• Weakened Immune System (generally when levels are extremely low for a long period of time)

These are the common low testosterone symptoms, and as lethargy is one of them it's no surprise so many men ignore the problem. Regardless it's hard to put a positive spin on any of the above symptoms and as mentioned if low testosterone is ignored it can lead to many far more serious conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• High Cholesterol
• Loss of Memory (Alzheimer's has been linked to low testosterone)
• Anxiety
• Hair-Loss (not very serious but not welcomed)
• Osteoporosis (Loss of Bone Mass & Density)
• Infertility
• Polyuria (Frequent Urination)
• Aches, Pains & Sores (often of a constant nature for no apparent reason)

Determining if you have Low Testosterone:

If you suffer from low testosterone, the first step is examining the general low testosterone symptoms listed above. You do not have to suffer from the entire list; if left ignored you more than likely will at some point but initially most physicians will want to examine you if you show two or more. Most commonly one of the two will be sexually related; erectile dysfunction or decreased libido plus another from the list; in any case, to determine your condition blood work will need to be done, and your testosterone levels will be checked via this route. In truth, if you suffer from any of the low testosterone symptoms, especially those of a sexually related nature the odds are strong you suffer from low testosterone but the blood work is still necessary to make an absolute determination.

Low Testosterone Treatment:

There are several options available to treat low testosterone. Some physicians will begin by prescribing SERM's or AI's that greatly stimulate the release of Luteinizing Hormones (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH). Both LH and FSH, two pituitary derived hormones, are essential to testosterone production with a strong emphasis on LH. Without LH and FSH, there is no testosterone. If it is determined that your LH levels are low there is a chance your doctor may take the SERM or AI route, but in most cases this will be inefficient.There is truly only one definite way to treat low testosterone, and that is with anabolic androgenic steroids; specifically the anabolic steroid testosterone. While this may surprise you it shouldn't; after all, if you're deficient in testosterone it only makes sense to give your body what it needs. The reason many physicians take alternate routes to begin with is due to a misplaced fear revolving around anabolic steroids. Most general practitioners know very little about anabolic steroids, as until recent years it has been something that was rarely discussed in medical school, but times are changing. You've seen the commercials talking about "Low-T" and treatment of the condition. Low-T refers to low testosterone, and the treatment they're speaking of is the anabolic steroid testosterone. To get the best help you can get, you are encouraged to seek out hormone specialist such as an endocrinologist but the best option of all is seeking out a Hormone Replacement Clinic (HRT). HRT clinics specialize in conditions of this nature, and you will get the best advice and treatment.To treat your low testosterone symptoms most effectively, as mentioned you're going to need testosterone. Most commonly you have four options for treatment of this nature:

• Transdermal Patches
• Transdermal Gels 
• Subcutaneous Implant 
• Injectable Testosterone

Transdermal Patches: A patch you place directly on your skin that absorbs testosterone into the body. This is the mildest form of treatment and will not fully recover most men. Many men may also find the patch leaves skin irritation behind.

Transdermal Gels: You simply massage the gel onto your skin; generally on the shoulders or upper-arms. Slightly more effective than transdermal patches, transdermal gels can be extremely irritating to the skin leaving rashes and even burns.

Subcutaneous Implant Pellets: Rapidly becoming one of the more popular low testosterone treatments, subcutaneous implant pellets are small rice sized pellets comprised of pure testosterone. The pellet is placed under the skin, generally in the upper thigh/hip region and the needed hormone is absorbed into the body. This is a fast and relatively painless procedure that only takes a few moments and can be enough treatment to last the individual as long as 6 months.

Injectable Testosterone: The only absolutely guaranteed remedy for low testosterone. Injectable testosterone is simply that; pure testosterone that is injected directly into the body, absorbed and used immediately. In most cases, application will be required once every week to once every 2 weeks depending on the specific injectable testosterone form used and the desired dosing prescribed by your doctor. Although injections may seem like a pain, when done properly they are painless and take only a few seconds.

Is Testosterone Safe?

This is a common question many men have; after all, you've been told all your life anabolic steroids are dangerous, and now you're being told to treat a low testosterone condition you not only need anabolic steroids but the primary anabolic steroid. Let's be clear, abundantly clear and allow the garbage to remain there; in the garbage. Testosterone is a hormone you naturally produce; it is not a foreign substance your body is unfamiliar with. If you suffer from low testosterone you are in need of one of the most important hormones the body produces; in your case, you're simply not producing enough. This means you are going to need exogenous testosterone; specifically synthetic testosterone that was not made by your body. The makeup of exogenous testosterone is the same as the testosterone you produce and once in the body the body will not distinguish between naturally produced and exogenous testosterone. Is it safe, absolutely and further, do you really want to suffer from low testosterone?

The Truth:

Low testosterone is a condition that while many suffer no one has to as a remedy is not only available but readily so. As we cannot cure low testosterone, once you begin treatment you will more than likely need it for the rest of your life; there are exceptions but very few and as age is the primary cause you are going to need therapy indefinitely. This may sound like a pain, but again we ask, would you rather seek treatment or would you rather suffer from low testosterone? Treatment for the condition is simple, fast and effective and will not alter your life in any annoying or time consuming manner. True, you will have to spend a little time at the doctor's office when determining your overall condition, but once this is determined you will be prescribed what you need, and you'll be on your way.