Men who experience chronic fatigue, lack of focus, loss of muscle mass, and low libido may attribute it to “just getting older.” However, for some men, these symptoms can be a sign of something far more serious: low testosterone. Low testosterone, or “low T,” is a grave medical condition that affects as many as 13 million men in the United States. Low T is clinically defined as 300 ng/dL of total testosterone and 5 ng/dL of “free testosterone.” If left untreated, and as much as 90% of those afflicted do not seek treatment, the long-term (and short-term) health effects can be devastating.

Testosterone deficiency can cause serious medical symptoms including a lack of energy, increased body fat, loss of muscle tissue, poor sleep, lack of focus, lowered libido, anxiety, and depression. It has also been shown that low T can also lower one’s life expectancy. For these reasons (and quite a few more), treatment should not wait.

Fortunately for low T patients, there are reliable treatment options that can restore normalcy to one’s life. Testosterone replacement therapy is one of those treatments. Testosterone replacement therapy is simply the intake of synthetic testosterone that replaces the deficient testosterone in a patient’s body. Synthetic testosterone can be administered via syringe, pills, gels, and even pellets embedded under the skin. However it is administered, once it is in the body, testosterone levels can go back to normal. Over time, the symptoms will improve if not disappear entirely, leaving patients healthy and focused enough to lead a normal, healthy life.

Replacement therapy is offered by many hospitals and medical clinics. In addition, it is often covered by health insurance policies and can also be paid for with flexible payment plans offered by many medical offices. Low T can be devastating for men who have it but fortunately for them, hope is not lost. Not one bit.