It’s possible you don’t have the energy, libido, or mood you used to. There can be several reasons, but one may have to do with dropping testosterone.
Testosterone (or T) is a hormone found in all humans. However, it plays a far more prominent role in men than women. It plays a role in sex drive, bone and muscle mass, fat storage, and red blood cell production. It may also impact a man’s mood.
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T typically peaks in a man’s 20s or early ’30s before it starts tapering off slowly over time. The thing is, however, that everybody’s baseline is different. Some men are born with a lot of T, while others are born with less. “Normal” testosterone can be anywhere from 280 to 1,100 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), which is a huge range.
So, somebody who has 1,100 ng/dL may feel it a lot more if levels get to 950 ng/dL than someone who starts with 500 ng/dL and sees it drop to 100 ng/dL. The difference may be more pronounced.
What might it feel like?
Low T may create some of the following symptoms:
- Decreased sex drive
- Less energy
- Weight gain
- Depressed feelings
- Mood fluctuations
Low self-esteem - Less body hair
- Thinner bones
- Muscle loss
You’ll only learn if you have low testosterone through blood tests, and you’ll only understand the rate it’s dropping with several tests, so you can track it over time.
What can you do about it? There are a few things that may halt testosterone loss or at least slow it.
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Diet and exercise can both play a role in T levels. Weight training is associated with higher testosterone, and so is eating a nutrient-rich diet that is low in processed food. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, lean proteins, legumes, etc., is the way to go.
Managing weight may also help.
Testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, is a procedure that can help, as well. It is still under study, but talk to your doctor if you believe low T impacts your quality of life.
About eight years ago, Mat Lecompte had an epiphany. He’d been ignoring his health and suddenly realized he needed to do something about it. Since then, through hard work, determination and plenty of education, he has transformed his life. He’s changed his body composition by learning the ins and outs of nutrition, exercise, and fitness and wants to share his knowledge with you. Starting as a journalist over 10 years ago, Mat has not only honed his belief system and approach with practical experience, but he has also worked closely with nutritionists, dieticians, athletes, and fitness professionals. He embraces natural healing methods and believes that diet, exercise and willpower are the foundation of a healthy, happy, and drug-free existence.
