For men with low testosterone levels, living life can challenging. Low testosterone, which is defined as 300 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter) of total testosterone and less than 5 ng/dL of free testosterone, is not an uncommon problem for many adult men. Testosterone levels naturally drop at about 30 years of age but sometimes men see levels drop much lower than usual. There are many causes for low testosterone, including bacterial and viral infections, liver or kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS, obesity, injury to the genitals, chemotherapy, hormonal conditions, and certain pharmaceutical medications. Sometimes, the cause is simply unknown. Whatever the cause is, however, treating low testosterone early and thoroughly is important for a man’s physical as well as mental well-being.

Left untreated, low testosterone levels can cause symptoms such as lowered libido, decreased muscle mass and strength, lack of energy and focus, increased body fat, and depression. In addition, recent studies have identified a link between low testosterone levels and shorter life expectancy! Clearly, low testosterone is a pressing condition that men who suffer from it should address immediately.

There is good news, however. Low testosterone is totally treatable. The most common and effective treatment is hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is the medical procedure of ingesting synthetic hormones. The hormones are usually ingested by patients via shots, gels, patches, and even pallets physically inserted into the body. Hormone replacement therapy does come with potential risks, such as increased red blood cell levels, increased prostate growth, and enlarged breasts. Nevertheless, hormone replacement therapy has a high rate of success and can dramatically increase the quality of life of a patient.

Men needn’t be embarrassed, either, about low testosterone. Although there is a social stigma regarding low testosterone, it is not uncommon. In fact, it is thought that nearly 13 million American men may suffer from the condition. Many treatment facilities are happy to help and offer affordable and flexible coverage. Doctors and other medical staff are highly trained in these facilities to provide the right kind of treatment for you or your loved one.

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