Low Testosterone Symptoms
There are many reasons you should concern yourself with the symptoms of low testosterone or "low t" as it is referred to. No matter what your age is, lower testosterone production can lead to problems building muscle and bone, underdeveloped genitalia, and diminished virility. There is a reason the description "grumpy old man" is thrown about. Mood is dramatically impacted by testosterone.
Andropause is a term describing the decline in testosterone as men age. Testosterone is the androgenic hormone primarily responsible for normal growth and development of male sex and reproductive organs, including the penis, testicles, scrotum, prostate, and seminal vesicles.
Testosterone Builds "Zest" and Chest
Testosterone is the major key to building muscle tone, bone mass or density, burning or preventing fat build up, hair patterns, laryngeal enlargement, and vocal chord thickening. Of major importance is its influence on enthusiasm, energy levels, mood, drive, fertility, and sexual desire.
Testosterone is produced in the testes and is regulated by a complex chain of signals that begins in the hypothalamus portion of the brain. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland, which in turn triggers the secretion of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. Leutenizing hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone.
Testosterone Production Decreases Rapidly After Age 50
Testosterone production increases rapidly at the onset of puberty and begins to decrease around age 35, but accelerates its decline after age 50 (to 20–50% of peak level by age 80)- just like the hormones that drop in women at menopause. Some medical researchers estimate that 13 million men in the United States experience testosterone deficiency and less than 10% receive treatment for the condition.
Women also suffer from a low level of testosterone and have many of the same symptoms as men: obesity, diabetes, or hypertension may be twice as likely to have low testosterone levels.
For men, testosterone levels play a key role in almost everything. Testosterone builds emotional well-being and self-confidence. It affects how fat, fit or strong you are. It governs your mood, and plays a part in how aggressive you feel.
Unfortunately, testosterone levels begin to decline slowly but surely as you reach middle age. The testes (the place where most testosterone is made) are less responsive to hormones that control testosterone production. To make matters worse, levels of "free" testosterone — the kind that's biologically active — declines to an even greater extent.
Since testosterone plays a vital role in muscle growth, most men find it gets harder and harder just to maintain muscle mass, let alone build it, as they age. Even worse, low testosterone levels make it more likely that you'll gain fat. Research from the University of Washington shows that low testosterone levels are strongly linked to abdominal fat.
Not only does it affect the way you look, a low testosterone level also affects the way you feel. Because the human brain is filled with testosterone receptors (the parts of the brain that respond to testosterone), your mood is affected if testosterone levels drop too low.
Other medical conditions related to Testosterone Level
Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure make the arteries harder and narrower. As a consequence, blood does not flow as freely, the ability to achieve erections decreases.
Men with diabetes are three times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction than the rest of men.
Many health conditions can alter elder men's mood, sleep habits and attitudes. Health problem such as arthritis, shingles and back pain can interfere with sex by causing pain resulting in week erections, sexual discomfort and erectile dysfunction.