What is low T?
Low T refers to a set of symptoms that can result when your body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. Testosterone plays a number of important roles in your body. It’s necessary for the physical changes you undergo during puberty, and you need testosterone to produce sperm.
It’s normal for your testosterone levels to slowly decline starting around age 30. Eventually, if your testosterone levels drop enough, you may experience symptoms or conditions including:
- Low libido (decreased sex drive)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Low energy
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Loss of muscle mass
You may think of these symptoms as simply a part of getting older. However, they’re often the result of low T, and they can improve if you undergo treatment to correct the testosterone levels in your blood. Note that not everyone with low testosterone has the above symptoms, and these symptoms may result from other conditions.
How is low testosterone diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing symptoms associated with low testosterone, your doctor may order blood tests to determine if low T is the cause. Usually, your doctor orders multiple blood tests because your testosterone levels can change from day to day and are higher in the morning than at night.
Your testosterone levels should be between 300 and 800 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). If your blood levels are consistently below 300 ng/dL, the next step may be low testosterone treatment.
How is low testosterone treated?
The team at Family Medicine Specialists of Texas offers testosterone replacement therapy as a treatment for low T.
Testosterone replacement therapy is available in several forms, including:
- Injections
- Gels
- Patches
- Tablets applied to your gums
- Pellets implanted under your skin
- Nasal gel
Your doctor recommends a treatment option based on your preferences, the cause of your low T, and your budget. Depending on the form of testosterone replacement therapy, you may administer a dose every day, every few weeks, or every few months.
You can expect to feel better within 4-6 weeks of starting testosterone replacement therapy. Patients often report quick improvements in their mood and energy. However, it may take longer to regain muscle mass and lose excess weight.
Your doctor may not recommend testosterone replacement therapy as the first treatment if you have low T. They may identify problems that contribute to your hormone levels, including obesity and medication, and try to treat those before starting testosterone replacement.
To get tested for low T or learn more about testosterone replacement therapy, schedule an appointment at Family Medicine Specialists of Texas online or over the phone.
