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Does Your Man Have Low T?
As men get older, their testosterone levels naturally begin to drop. In fact, 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 has low testosterone.
Also called low T or testosterone deficiency, low testosterone can increasingly affect a man’s daily life until he becomes aware something isn’t quite right. As their partner, you may notice something is wrong even before they do.
The team here at Arlington Family Practice is committed to providing comprehensive men’s health care, and our providers often treat patients with low T. Here are a few signs that might indicate your man has low T, plus treatments we offer to help.
What’s testosterone?
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone. It’s produced mainly by the testes in males, and it influences fertility and sex drive, bone and muscle mass, mood, body fat distribution, and even the production of red blood cells.
What happens as testosterone levels drop?
A man whose body isn’t producing enough testosterone starts to experience some of the symptoms of low T. These can include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, weight increase, loss of muscle mass, and mood swings, including increased irritability.
Other issues associated with a drop in testosterone levels include insomnia, depression, trouble concentrating, and low sperm count.
We can diagnose low testosterone levels with a simple blood test. The threshold for a diagnosis of low testosterone is usually 300 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter) — a man whose testosterone level is below that can be treated for low T.
How is low T treated?
If your man has low T, treatment is straightforward — he just needs more testosterone! With testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), we can administer the hormone through several methods, including pill, gel, implant, injection, or patch.
Once your doctor puts your partner on a testosterone regimen, they follow up with blood tests to verify the treatment is working as intended. You and your man should detect small changes fairly soon, with more noticeable improvements within a few weeks.
If your partner doesn’t experience any changes in symptoms within about three months of starting TRT, he should talk to us to consider other options.
If you think your man has low T, have him schedule a visit to Arlington Family Practice to discuss his options. Treatment can make a big difference in his life and yours. Our team has years of experience helping men with expertise, compassion, and discretion.
To set up an appointment, call our office in Arlington, Massachusetts, or use our online scheduler today.
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