Over the age of 40? Get your testosterone levels tested today
Introduction
Are you a male above the age of 40 and notice a decline in energy or positive physical traits? If so, it might be time to get a testosterone test and men’s hormone panel at IV Lounge. Testosterone plays an important role in men’s health and well-being, but it begins to decline with age.
The symptoms of low testosterone are uncomfortable, but commonly chalked up to “the normal aging process”. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to address these symptoms and continue living to your maximum potential. First it begins with getting tested and meeting with a reproductive wellness specialist – but let’s discuss why this is so important.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a hormone synthesized from cholesterol that helps men and women develop and maintain their reproductive systems, muscles, bones, and skin. It’s also important for normal sexual function in both men and women and helps control the development of male sexual characteristics before birth; maintains them during puberty; and helps maintain muscle mass, bone density and strength as you age. Men have higher amounts of testosterone, and rely on it more for maintaining healthy qualities.
How does testosterone affect my health?
When your body produces less testosterone than it needs, you may experience symptoms such as reduced muscle mass or strength, fatigue, decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, problems sleeping, erectile dysfunction, low libido (sex drive), hot flashes, and decreased bone density. Being low in testosterone also increases the chance of developing cardiovascular illnesses or diabetes.
Testosterone can improve your memory and thinking skills. It is associated with better memory, learning and problem solving. Testosterone also helps you focus, reduces stress and improves mood.
Testosterone levels decrease naturally with age–a process called “andropause” or “male menopause.” The effects of this decline can be subtle at first but over time they become more pronounced.
What are the symptoms of low testosterone?
The symptoms of low testosterone are many and varied, but may include:
- Low libido (sex drive)
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Loss of muscle mass, which can lead to fatigue and weakness. For example, if you’re trying to lift weights at the gym and you find yourself struggling with even moderate weights that used to be easy for you, this could be a sign of low testosterone levels.
- Fatigue–you feel tired all the time despite getting enough sleep and having a good diet. You might also notice that after exercising or doing anything else that usually puts energy into your body (like going on walks or playing sports), instead of feeling refreshed afterwards as usual.
How do I get tested for low testosterone levels?
Getting tested for low testosterone levels is a simple process. All you need to do is schedule an appointment by heading online to our blood draw scheduling at your preferred location, or give one of our wellness experts a call at (877) 420 0052!
If the results of these tests indicate that you have low testosterone levels, we can connect you with one of our recommended hormone specialists, or your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy – but this isn’t always necessary!
Testosterone replacement therapy has been demonstrated to enhance overall cognition in individuals with low testosterone levels and complaints of subjective memory (1). This may indicate therapeutic uses for testosterone replacement therapy in individuals at risk of developing dementia.
So what are you waiting for? Get your testosterone levels tested today, it is never too late to begin living optimally!
References
- Wahjoepramono EJ, Asih PR, Aniwiyanti V, Taddei K, Dhaliwal SS, Fuller SJ, Foster J, Carruthers M, Verdile G, Sohrabi HR, Martins RN. The Effects of Testosterone Supplementation on Cognitive Functioning in Older Men. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2016;15(3):337-43. doi: 10.2174/1871527315666151110125704. PMID: 26553159; PMCID: PMC5078598.
