Feeling Tired And Stressed? It Could Be More Than Work, It Might Be Low Testosterone. – Introduction
Fatigue and stress are two of the common complaints among the vast majority of the populace today in an ever-exuberant society. People largely blame their schedule, their poor sleep or their unhealthy lifestyle as the primary reason for their symptoms. But low testosterone is one of the reasons often ignored. While testosterone is the hormone produced in male sexual traits, in fact, it is also a significant factor in health and wellbeing. In this article, we’ll see how tiredness, stress, and low testosterone affect men working together.
Feeling Tired And Stressed? It Could Be More Than Work, It Might Be Low Testosterone.
Testosterone and Its Functions
Testosterone is a steroid hormone secreted in the testicles of men and the ovaries of women, though smaller quantities are released by the adrenal glands of both men and women. It is involved in a variety of physiologic functions, including sexual growth and function, muscle mass and strength, bone mineralisation, red blood cell production, and mood regulation. The levels of testosterone generally reach their highest during adolescence and young adulthood, before decreasing at an average rate of about 1-2% per year after age 30.
Low Testosterone: Prevalence and Causes:
1. Prevalence of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone increases with age – 20% of men over 60, 30% of men over 70, and 50% of men over 80 suffer from it (Harman et al, 2001). Low testosterone is not limited to the elderly; it can affect any man, any age. Trauma to the testicles, infection, chemotherapy, radiation, pituitary disorders, drugs and hormone derangements are all possible causes. All of these put young and middle-aged men at risk for low testosterone. Matsumoto, 2018
2. Causes of Low Testosterone
Men are one of the biggest factors behind low testosterone. As a general rule, the testosterone level of a man begins to decrease after age 30 at a rate of approximately 1% per year. That decline is normal, though for unknown reasons some men are sacrificed further below the norm than others, resulting in hypogonadism.
Low testosterone may also result in the destruction or infection of the testicles. Trauma, torsion, orchitis (or inflammation of the testicles), and epididymitis (or inflammation of the epididymis) all affect the testicles, which will in turn inhibit testosterone secretion (Kaplan et al., 2017). Similarly, treatments for testicular cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation can also cause harm to the testicles and decrease low levels of testosterone.
Pituitary problems, like tumors or inflammation, can alter the way that the pituitary balances hormones that boost testosterone levels. In such cases, pituitary tumours can squeeze the pituitary and suppress the release of LH and FSH, thus inhibiting testosterone levels.
Some drugs also lower testosterone levels. Opioids and glucocorticoids, for instance, dampen testosterone production from the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal network. Similarly, hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism and hyperprolactinemia disrupt the HPG axis and lead to testosterone deficiency.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone levels can cause a range of physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. Among the most commonly seen symptoms of low testosterone are:
1. Fatigue:
Tiredness is among the most frequent low testosterone signs in men. Men with low testosterone may look and feel weary, exhausted and unmotivated, even when they’ve slept well. This exhaustion has enormous effects on their career, personal life, and life.
2. Decreased Sex Drive:
Testosterone is crucial to male sexual activity, and low testosterone levels cause reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Men with low testosterone can find it difficult to develop or maintain an erection, leading to relationship problems and emotional breakdown.
3. Loss of Muscle Mass:
Testosterone is also a key factor in maintaining muscle mass and power. Males with low testosterone can suffer from muscle loss, weakness, and lack of endurance. This results in reduced mobility, increased falls and fractures, and reduced physical activity.
4. Mood Changes:
Low testosterone in men can cause mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety. Men with low testosterone may struggle to concentrate, recall information and make decisions. These cognitive declines can have major consequences on their work performance and social life.
Such symptoms can have a huge effect on a man’s quality of life, so low testosterone levels should be recognized and treated.
Fatigue and Stress: Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone:
Tiredness and stress are both nonspecific symptoms of low testosterone, but often overlooked or misdiagnosed. Men with low testosterone may suffer from chronic fatigue, which involves excessive tiredness, lack of vitality, and lack of energy. This form of exhaustion differs from the short-term burn brought on by exercise or sleep deprivation. Chronic fatigue can significantly diminish an individual’s quality of life, resulting in decreased productivity, cognitive decline and mood swings.
Stress, another widespread symptom of low testosterone, is due to many things, such as work stress, economic difficulties, and relationships. The low testosterone in men can lead to high stress because of this hormonal mismatch, leading to irritability, anxiety and depression. Stress can compound fatigue, and lead to a vicious cycle of chronic fatigue and stress that will severely limit an individual’s quality of life.
Fatigue and Stress: Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone:
Testosterone regulates the body’s stress response by controlling levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol and testosterone are in an inverse relationship, so when you’re depleted of cortisol, you’re depleting testosterone. Men with low testosterone might also have elevated cortisol levels, leading to excessive stress and anxiety.
Additionally, chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms of low testosterone in a negative feedback loop. Stress can also sway sleep, increasing fatigue and decreasing testosterone.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Low testosterone should be diagnosed in a way that includes an in-depth medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. Tests can include blood testing for testosterone and other hormones, including cortisol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone.
Treatment for low testosterone includes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) injections, gels, patches, and pellets. TRT can boost testosterone levels, relieving the fatigue and stress associated with low testosterone. But TRT has a price tag, and you’ll need to consult with your doctor about the side effects, such as acne, breast enlargement, and risk of prostate cancer.
Conclusion: Feeling Tired And Stressed? It Could Be More Than Work, It Might Be Low Testosterone.
We usually dismiss fatigue and stress as the inevitable byproducts of life. But in truth, these could be the symptom of underlying diseases like low testosterone. If this is the case, men will always feel fatigued, irritable or have other symptoms indicative of low testosterone and they should consult a doctor to diagnose and treat them. You should not forget that Low-T medication will definitely improve a man’s quality of life, increase his vitality and improve his general mood.
