Testosterone is the quintessential male hormone, and most people are aware that testosterone therapy is one way to deal with the diminished sex drive that sometimes comes with older age. What you may not know is that testosterone replacement therapy has a whole array of other benefits for mature men. This guide lists six signs that you might be a good candidate for this treatment.
1. You Suffer From Chronic Fatigue
Do you feel run-down and tired every day, no matter how many hours of sleep you get? While there are many possible causes of chronic fatigue, from cancer to depression, many older men who suffer from this symptom simply have low testosterone levels. Once your hormone levels are back within the normal range, you should have more energy to tackle daily tasks and enjoy your favorite activities.
2. You Struggle to Build Muscle
Testosterone is the reason why young men can build muscle more easily than older men. As you age, your hormone balance becomes estrogen-dominant, which causes your body to store more fat and build less muscle. You might hit the gym every day, but see few gains for all of your efforts.
Testosterone replacement therapy in combination with a healthy diet and exercise program can help you build back some of your muscle mass.
3. You Have Trouble Concentrating
Do you remember back in college when you could study for hours on end without getting distracted? Now, you can barely make it through a single news article without your brain wandering off.
If this sounds all too familiar, then you might be dealing with one of the lesser-known side effects of low testosterone: lack of concentration. Trouble concentrating can be detrimental to your work, which makes testosterone therapy a smart choice for men who plan to keep working in later adulthood.
4. You Deal With Mood Swings
Mood swings are not just a female problem. Many men also deal with mood swings as they grow older and their testosterone levels decrease. You might feel on top of the world one minute, and inexplicably angry or sad the next. Mood swings can be a strain on your relationships, which is one reason why many men who start testosterone therapy find that it improves their marriages.
5. You Don’t Suffer From Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition in which you stop breathing for periods of time during the night. If you have a history of sleep apnea, then you may not be a good candidate for testosterone therapy. The hormone supplements have been found to make sleep apnea symptoms worse.
Make sure you discuss your history of sleep disorders with your doctor before you begin testosterone therapy. Answer any questions about sleep openly and honestly.
6. You Have a Healthy Heart
In 2014, the FDA issued a warning stating that testosterone therapy may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. The connection has been studied in more depth since 2014, and the relationship between heart problems and testosterone therapy is still not very clear.
If you have a healthy heart and no history of problems like blood clots, hypertension, or coronary artery disease, then testosterone therapy is likely safe for you. Testosterone therapy may be safe for some patients with these conditions, but your doctor will want to carefully evaluate your heart health before prescribing the supplements.
Testosterone therapy is incredibly helpful for mature men who deal with the issues listed above. If you would like to learn more about this hormone replacement therapy, then contact the doctors at Rocky Mountain Hormone and Weight Loss Clinic. We offer free consultations and would love to meet you.
