An executive came to see me, at first reporting difficulties maintaining his grueling work schedule. During our initial consultation he confided that he was also very concerned about extra weight he couldn’t lose and a drop off in his ability to perform sexually. He attributed it to stress. While stress may have been a factor, I found several correctable physical issues including low testosterone. After several months of treatment his confidence, energy, enthusiasm and sexual prowess were restored.
Whether it is a decline in athletic performance, feeling less dynamic and productive at work or suffering the diminished sexual stamina that frequently happens after age 40, no one wants to feel like their best days are behind them. Too often you are told that “you are just getting old, it happens to everyone”. If you complain to your doctor, you may end up with prescriptions for an anti-depressant, sleeping pill and Viagra. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you feel like you’ve lost your edge, have less energy, feel less motivated with a lower sex drive and more belly fat, your testosterone levels might be low. I am sure you have seen the commercials on TV for “low T”. Do they describe you?
Low T means low testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that helps you build lean muscle, reduces body fat, affects energy, improves mood and heightens sexual desire. In short, it is what makes a man feel like a man. Testosterone levels peak by your early 20’s and start declining 2-3% per year after your late 30’s or early 40’s. That is when men typically start to feel different, lose muscle and gain belly fat. My patients with low testosterone tell me they find it increasingly difficult to get the same results from their workouts, find it harder to recover, have fewer sexual thoughts, softer erections, feel less capable of concentrating and often feel sad or grumpy. Take this quick self-test to see if you are at risk for low T.
Diagnosing low T requires a blood test before treatment can begin. There are several related hormone parameters that must be taken into account to get a complete picture that allows you to safely receive the correct type of therapy. The many benefits of more testosterone include:
- Building stronger, lean muscle
- Burning more belly fat
- Having a stronger libido and firmer erections
- Feeling more energetic and intellectually sharp
- Improved stamina and mood
- Better sleep
But, if looking better, feeling better and performing better are not enough, consider that recent scientific studies have linked low testosterone to an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, prostate cancer and premature death.
What is the bottom line? Any man over 40 that feels off his game, run down or is experiencing any of the symptoms of low testosterone should have a thorough evaluation. Contact us today! Restoring testosterone to an optimal level can make you look and feel younger. You may even get your mojo back.
