Why Low Testosterone Is Linked to Chronic Fatigue in Men
Posted: June 2, 2015
Mood swings, lack of energy, bitchiness, and decreased sex drive are common fodder for discussion among men who have wives or significant others who have experienced menopause. The hormonal changes that women go through during menopause can manifest in all of those symptoms and more, in addition to physical side effects like hot flashes and increased heart rate.
However, recent research has brought the same issue to the forefront for men who are going through hormonal changes as they age. Low testosterone, or “low T,” is a real phenomenon, one that comes with side effects that can drastically reduce a man’s quality of life. More physicians are looking at low testosterone as the cause of issues such as chronic fatigue that previously have been considered part of “normal” aging
Sometime after age 30, a man’s natural testosterone production begins to diminish. The rate is generally about 1 percent per year, but that does not take into account other factors such as chronic illness or trauma. An estimated 13 million men are affected by the resulting side effects and symptoms of low testosterone.
Urologist Robert Brannigan of Northwestern Memorial Hospital thinks low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, is under-diagnosed. According to Brannigan, part of the issue is that many men don’t recognize that chronic fatigue, weight gain, reduced muscle mass, decreased sex drive, and feelings of malaise or depression can be related to their testosterone levels.
“Depression is actually something that closely parallels or mimics low testosterone,” Brannigan says.“So we see many men who have actually been treated clinically with antidepressants when in turn their underlying problem is low testosterone.”
In addition to severe fatigue, men with low testosterone often lose their drive and initiative. Despite getting plenty of sleep, men suffering from low testosterone often find it difficult to get motivated to conquer daily activities.
This is where Low T Center can help. We specialize in diagnosing and treating men suffering from low testosterone. We administer a simple blood test, analyze it in our in-house lab, and determine if you are a candidate for testosterone replacement therapy — all within the first visit.
Men who have never joked about their female counterparts going through hormonal changes are few and far between. Don’t let the joke be on you. Find your nearest Low T Center and get your numbers checked.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.