Testosterone Basics

Diagnosing Low-T

Low Testosterone is a significant problem that can affect men at any point in their lives. Although the symptoms of Low Testosterone generally manifest themselves in the forties or fifties, many patients, especially those with medical problems which increase the likelihood of Low-T, such as insomnia or obesity, may begin experiencing symptoms much earlier.

The good thing, however, is that there are some relatively clean-cut symptoms that you can look for, which can help you discern whether you need to talk to a doctor. Two of the most apparent examples are sexual:

Sexual Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency

Do you feel that your libido has dropped significantly in recent years?

Testosterone is the hormone that kick-starts the sex drive in both men and women. Without sufficient Levels of Testosterone, your interest in sex can dwindle to nothing.

Are erections becoming more challenging to produce and maintain?

Testosterone also regulates the physical processes which lead to the development of the male erection. Although Nitric Oxide is responsible for the physical manifestation of the erection, the chain of events that eventually lead to erection cannot occur without Testosterone.

These are the two primary sexual symptoms of Low Testosterone, the two symptoms most universally experienced among men suffering from Testosterone Deficiency.

Physiological and Psychological Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency

Although these are the two symptoms, most people associate with Testosterone Deficiency, many other symptoms related to Low-T have nothing to do with sex and sexuality.

Do you regularly experience bouts of fatigue?

Testosterone plays a vital role in general metabolism and hormones like Human Growth Hormone. If you are not producing the Testosterone that your body needs, this increases the likelihood that you will feel drained and exhausted.

Is it harder to find the willpower to complete tasks with efficiency?

Low-T also has effects on male psychology. Testosterone is the primary hormone that fosters male assertiveness, and if your body is lacking in Testosterone, then you may lose that desire to get up and go and do what needs to be done.

Do you become angry or agitated easier than you did when you were younger?

Although Testosterone fosters a particular sense of assertiveness, it also encourages a sense of self-control. As Testosterone Production in the male body starts to decline, many men experience issues with short tempers or find themselves less resilient to stress.

Are you finding it hard to concentrate?

Through a number of different processes, Testosterone encourages your mind to stay sharp. Many men find that their Testosterone Deficiency is associated with a reduced ability to concentrate. This, combined with the lack of general focus caused by Low-T, can significantly change your work capacity.

Do you experience bouts of depression that you did not experience earlier in life?

Testosterone Deficiency can lead to feelings of depression and changes in self-worth. The decline in assertiveness and focus, in combination with the increase in anxiety and irritability, is a recipe for depressive symptoms. Low-T causes depression through a combination of psychological and physiological processes.

Physical Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency

In addition to sexual and psychological symptoms, Low-T can also cause physical changes to your body:

Does your body produce less hair than it once did?

Testosterone Stimulates hair growth. Hair growth can get a little out of control in individuals that choose to abuse Testosterone, even in women. On the other hand, men who experience Low-T start to lose body hair, and existing body hair becomes thinner and more brittle.

Is it more challenging to build and sustain muscle mass?

Testosterone promotes muscle development like no other hormone produced by the human body. Testosterone is what allows men to have larger muscles than women. As Testosterone Levels start to decline, this prevents the body from effectively developing and sustaining muscle mass.

Are your breasts growing in size or becoming more tender?

When men have abnormally low levels of Testosterone, this can allow Estrogen Levels to increase unchecked. Men that are overweight or obese are at an even greater risk. Increased Estrogen Production leads directly to gynecomastia or the growth of breast tissue.

Osteoporosis and Testosterone Deficiency

In addition to these noticeable symptoms of Low-T, you may also experience Osteoporosis as a result of Testosterone Deficiency, which you may not realize until it's too late.

Osteoporosis is a slow and insidious process of bone breakdown caused by the breakdown of minerals within bone tissue, leading the bones to become very brittle and exceptionally prone to fractures and breaks.

The Importance of Recognizing Low-T Early

Urologists and endocrinologists explain that it is acutely important that males understand the symptoms and risks associated with Testosterone Deficiency so that men can take steps to reverse Low-T and live a happier and more normal life. It's also essential for doctors to realize the importance of Testosterone and the implications of Testosterone Deficiency.

Even today, after decades of research, Testosterone Deficiency is often not at the forefront of many doctors' minds. Clinical research shows that Low-T is underdiagnosed in the United States, and there is growing evidence that, at a certain age, Testosterone Levels should be checked as a part of a routine physical.

You must NOT try to self-diagnose. Testosterone Deficiency is a highly complex disease that shares some distinct characteristics with a number of other health conditions as well.

If you think you may benefit from Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy, make an appointment with a qualified physician, like those at the Conscious Evolution Institute. All of this can be achieved with just a few simple tests; all performed using a single blood sample.

What to Expect When You Visit Your Doctor for Low Testosterone

Generally, when you visit a doctor regarding Testosterone Deficiency, he or she will follow a fairly established protocol to maximize diagnostic effectiveness.

Low-T Diagnosis Step One: Medical History

First, your physician will discuss your medical history with you to get a firm grasp on your general health in the past. Also, your physician will ask you what medications you are currently using.

Certain medications react poorly with Testosterone Replacement Therapy, so your doctor needs to know if Testosterone is genuinely an option for you.

Low-T Diagnosis Step Two: Personal History

In addition to discussing your physical past, it will also be essential to discuss your recent personal history. There are a number of personal circumstances that can cause you to experience psychological symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency, including anxiety and depression.

These symptoms can also affect your sexual health. If you are having romantic troubles, this can prevent you from becoming aroused sufficiently. Stress and other factors can make it hard to prepare your mind for sex and sexuality.

The Importance of Preliminary Examination

The reason that these first steps are essential is that these are entirely non-invasive ways that your doctor can make a preliminary decision regarding if Testosterone can help you. Discussing your recent emotional past is vital because many of the symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency can also be caused by stress, environment, and domestic issues.

Before turning to Testosterone Replacement, physicians must rule out other potential personal issues and medical circumstances which can mirror the symptoms.

Low-T Diagnosis Step Three: Physical Examination

After this initial chat with your doctor, you will undergo a reasonably routine physical. Your physician will examine you for physical signs of Testosterone Deficiency. He or she will examine your breasts, testicles, scrotum, and penis for changes in size characteristic of Low-T. Also, he or she will look for signs that your hair is growing thinner.

Low-T Diagnosis Step Four: Blood Testing

At this point, after your verbal and physical examination, your physician will then draw a blood sample. Generally, the best time to meet your doctor is early, before Eight A.M. Serum and Free Testosterone Levels peak in the morning. By drawing your blood sample in the morning, diagnostic testing will reveal your maximum Testosterone concentration.

How Low is Low-T?

There is a reasonably well-established threshold for Testosterone Deficiency. The range varies somewhat from clinic to clinic, but normal T-Levels are between three hundred and one thousand ng/dl. The exact threshold varies depending upon age, health, time of day, and other factors.

Suppose your Testosterone concentration drops below three hundred, and you manifest traits of Testosterone Deficiency. In that case, you will almost certainly be approved for Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy, barring any factors which prevent you from qualifying for therapy.

Low-T Threshold Varies from Person to Person

Every man has unique needs when it comes to Testosterone. Some men are functional even with relatively low Testosterone levels. Others will experience symptoms even if they have clinically Normal Testosterone Levels. If you are experiencing symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency, but initial testing shows that you have relatively normal T-Levels, then further testing can be done.

Free Testosterone and Bio-Available Testosterone Analysis

If total Testosterone Levels do not designate that you are experiencing Deficiency, your blood will also be analyzed for Bio-Available Testosterone and Free Testosterone. Although Free Testosterone is available to the body in much lower concentrations than Total Testosterone, it can be an effective way to monitor how effective your body is at producing and distributing Testosterone to meet the needs of the body.

Although some doctors may do this throughout multiple sessions, many choose to perform all three of these tests immediately upon a single sample to save time and provide you with the most precise picture of your Hormone Profile.

Of course, a person is more than simply a set of numbers, so there is some variability depending on your chosen physician. If you are in the low/normal range but are still experiencing symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency that have no other discernible cause. Many doctors would choose to initiate therapy to test for effectiveness over a relatively brief period.

Rooting Out the Cause of Testosterone Deficiency

Although these initial blood tests can diagnose Low-T, there are other tests that your doctor can use to discover the exact cause of your deficiency. For example, there are two main forms of Low-T caused by Primary and Secondary Hypogonadism.

Primary Hypogonadism results from malfunctions within the Testes that limit the production of Testosterone. Secondary Hypogonadism results from issues with the Pituitary or Hypothalamus that lead to Deficiency. Most men that experience Testosterone Deficiency as a factor of age experience Secondary Hypogonadism.

Why Choose the Conscious Evolution Institute?

The Conscious Evolution Institute has a unique and effective way to diagnose and treat patients who may be suffering from issues relating to Hormone Deficiency. The Conscious Evolution Institute has the resources and expertise to perform remote diagnostic services which meet or exceed that of other clinics.

No Nonsense Testosterone Appraisal

CEI has affiliates across the United States to make the initial diagnosis phase easy. You can arrange an appointment that fits your busy schedule, and if you prefer, the doctor can visit you at your home or office! Because the most invasive part of diagnosing Testosterone Deficiency is a simple blood sample, it is easy to arrange for testing at any time and place.

Fast Results from a Respectable Source

Diagnostic Testing is performed remotely by the well-regarded testing firm, LabCorp. They will perform all essential and relevant tests to give our physicians and clinical staff a complete hormone profile.

After the Conscious Evolution Institute receives the diagnostic data, they can study all the results and compare them to the data received from their local affiliate, allowing them to make a complete diagnosis using all the collected data.

This entire process takes just 4-5 business days. After analyzing the data, one of our outstanding physicians will call you and discuss the results, their meaning, and how Hormone Replacement Therapy can impact your life. After illuminating you regarding your current health status, our doctors can arrange for Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy or any other hormone treatments that you may need to be delivered directly to your door.

The Personal Touch

However, our care doesn't end when the product hits your doorstep like so many other providers. We also provide complete care. We provide nutritional advice and help you maximize the effectiveness of your diet.

We also provide personal training guides and have professionals on hand that can offer guidance to help you improve your overall physical health. By treating the whole person, we provide some of the most effective treatments available in America.

The Conscious Evolution Institute for High Quality, Physician Monitored Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you think that Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy may be right for you, we encourage you to contact us at the Conscious Evolution Institute today!

We also provide Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy, Sermorelin Acetate Therapy, and a number of other forms of Hormone Treatment.