Low Testosterone – Finding Optimal Levels
The stone-cold hard truth is: without testosterone, a man is not a man.
What causes low T?
Although there are many organic and pathological causes for low T, one common cause that most do not account for is AGE. Research studies have shown that once we reach 30 years old, testosterone starts decreasing by 1 to 2% in every man. However, some men are more sensitive to those decreases than others.
How common is it?
The prevalence of low T varies depending on the research study. However, there was a recent study that showed that up to 40% of men lived with sub-optimal T levels.
Sub-optimal levels… what do you mean?
Testosterone levels carry a wide range of what is considered “normal levels” according to the laboratory, doctor who is evaluating you and, of course, insurance companies. This range is, on most occasions, anywhere between 300 and about 1000. However, imagine a 30 year-old man who used to live 5 years ago at the 700-800 range, drop to a level of 350. How do you think he will feel? At the same time, imagine a 65 year-old man with a level of 700… Even though both are within a “normal level”, who do you think is at an optimal level and who is at a sub-optimal level? The answer is a bit obvious. When we try to box everyone within such a wide range, many men end up living in a sub-optimal level with a long list of symptoms.
For this reason, in our office, we do not check to see if you are within the normal range. We focus on finding what is the optimal level for you. We help you ‘listen’ to your body. In every visit: I will ask you how is your level of energy, how are your sleeping patterns, how is your sex drive, how are your erections, etc. This way, together, we help you reach your optimal level to live life at its fullest.
This article was authored by Dr. Jonathan Clavell. Dr. Clavell is a urologist specialized in men’s health including erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, Peyronie’s Disease and BPH.