As men age, their physical bodies go through numerous changes. Some of those changes can affect their hormones, the chemical substances that act as messenger molecules in the body. Secreted by various glands in the endocrine system, hormones play an integral role in regulating multiple bodily systems. One of the hormones most affected by aging is testosterone. Studies show that starting around age 40, men lose 1% to 2% of this specific hormone each year. That partly explains why so many men develop a deficiency in middle age. But aging is only one of the many things that can lead to men developing such a hormonal imbalance. There are several others.
The Role of Testosterone-based Androgen in Men
Secreted by the testes, testosterone-based androgen supports and regulates sex drive, muscle mass, strength, and bone mass in men. It is also involved in red blood cell production and sperm production. Along with aging, the following can give rise to low testosterone-based androgen levels, also commonly referred to as low T, in men:
- Certain medications, such as opioids and antidepressants
- Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension
- Injuries that affect the hypothalamus
- Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Testicular damage resulting from injury, infection, or surgery
Additional Factors That Can Contribute to Low T in Men
Studies show that low thyroid and pituitary gland function can also heighten the risk of low T in men. The same holds for chemotherapy and radiation to treat testicular and other cancers. And it does not end there. According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center in Rochester, MN, the following can also cause low T in men:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Certain inflammatory diseases
- Hemochromatosis
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Kallmann’s syndrome
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Mumps orchitis
- Undescended testicles
Consequences of Low T in Men
Healthy testosterone-based androgen levels in men are between 280 and 1,100 ng/dL. When their levels fall below 280 ng/dl, most will experience numerous unpleasant symptoms. Some of the more common ones include the following:
- Anemia
- Depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Infertility
- Reduced bone density
- Reduced muscle mass and strength
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Low sperm count
- Reduced testicle size
- Thinning hair
Low T and Weight Gain: How and Why the Two Go Hand in Hand
Many men also gain weight when their testosterone-based androgen levels fall too low, in addition to the many other symptoms they experience when their testosterone-based androgen levels fall too low. There are several reasons why. The first has to do with muscle mass. When men develop low T, their muscle mass starts to decline. That causes them to burn fewer calories when exercising and while at rest, leading to weight gain over time. The second has to do with metabolism and fat storage.
Low T can cause the male body to become less efficient at regulating metabolism and fat distribution. That combination invariably leads to weight gain, specifically in the form of fat around the abdominal region. The third has to do with insulin. Low T can trigger decreased insulin sensitivity, which increases fat storage and makes it difficult for most men to lose weight. Lastly, because low T causes fatigue, most men don’t have enough energy to exercise. And with less physical activity, they gradually put on extra pounds.
TRT as a Treatment for Low T in Men
A popular go-to treatment for low T is testosterone-based androgen therapy. Also known as TRT, this treatment modality involves taking FDA-approved testosterone-boosting medications. Available in injectable, pellet, patch, and gel formulations, the following are among the most commonly prescribed:
- Androderm
- AndroGel
- Fortesta
- Testim
- Testopel
Along with these medications, which have been mainstays in testosterone therapy for years, the FDA recently approved testosterone cypionate injections, also known as Depo-Testosterone injections, to treat low T in men.
What Men Should Know About Depo-Testosterone
Depo-Testosterone, and the generic testosterone cypionate, is an injectable medication that physicians often prescribe to men struggling with low T and low T symptoms. It is injected into the buttocks, typically once or twice per month, and works by replacing the missing testosterone-based androgen hormones in a man’s blood. But it does not work overnight; it can take quite some time for most men to reap the full benefits of the testosterone-boosting medication.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), most men notice improved insulin sensitivity, energy, mood, and increased libido within a few weeks of starting a Depo-Testosterone regimen. However, it can take months to see improvements relative to muscle mass, strength, and body composition. Factors that influence how quickly men see results after starting Depo-Testosterone or its generic equivalent include their age, activity level, and the severity of their testosterone-based hormonal deficiency.
Depo-Testosterone Side Effects
As effective as Depo-Testosterone is at resolving low T in men, it is not without some downsides. The medication, even when taken as prescribed, can cause several side effects. Some of the more notable of these side effects include sleep apnea, prostate and liver problems, blood clots, and cardiovascular problems. Anyone who experiences these side effects should stop taking Depo-Testosterone or the generic equivalent and notify their physician as soon as possible.
What Men Should Know Before Buying Testosterone-Boosting Medications
Whether you want to order testosterone cypionate or the brand Depo-Testosterone online or buy either from a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, a valid prescription is required. To receive such a prescription, a physician must formally diagnose you with low T. Before they can make such a diagnosis, they will need to review your medical history, go over your symptoms, and order blood tests to determine your testosterone-based androgen hormone levels. Bearing that in mind, you should only deal with reputable pharmacies that have Depo-Testosterone or generic testosterone cypionate for sale by prescription. Pharmacies that sell these medications without a valid prescription are often selling counterfeit drugs that contain ineffective or dangerous ingredients.
In summary, aging, underlying health problems, injuries, and many other things can open the door to a testosterone-based hormonal deficiency. Fortunately, there are just as many natural and medicinal ways to combat such a hormonal imbalance.
