Worn out? Irritable? Gaining weight? Low libido? Memory problems? You and your doctor might not think about low testosterone when you think about your symptoms, but you will after reading this.



Many symptoms of low testosterone are similar to those of other conditions. Before you self-diagnose with Dr. Google or get a prescription based only on how you feel, see if low testosterone might be the issue.



How Common is Low Testosterone?



Some experts believe a quarter of 30-year-old men have low testosterone.



A 2006 study found 39% of U.S. men, age 45 and older, were testosterone-deficient. With about 40% deficient, most men are below optimal levels.



The situation is slightly better for women. Daniel Amen, in his book, Unleash the Power of the Female Brain, points out that 20% of women have low testosterone. He also suggests another 20% of women have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is caused by testosterone levels that are too high.



Unfortunately, these numbers are based on people who have gone to the doctor and are experiencing symptoms. Chances are, many more men and women have testosterone levels out of balance. If you haven't had your testosterone levels checked, you could be among them.



Why Are So Few Aware of the Low Testosterone Problem?



Most people don’t know how important testosterone is. They see it as a hormone for making muscles and boosting libido.



They don't relate testosterone to heart disease, insulin resistance, degenerative brain disease, or depression. As you'll see, low testosterone plays a role in these conditions and many more.



It's for this reason I recommend adults, beginning at age 30, get a complete lab panel each year. If everyone did this, they'd likely identify trends leading to health problems, long before they became actual “health problems.”



These trends include changes in hormones, like testosterone. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for your doctor to order such a lab panel (most doctors won't). You can order your own, like the Premium Panel from WellnessFX.



Just as Jim LaValle's book title suggests, Your Blood Never Lies.



Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone



Healthcare practitioners diagnose men as “low” in testosterone when it falls below 300 ng/dL. However, signs and symptoms of low testosterone often occur at levels much higher.



The “normal” range for men is 300 ng/dL to 1100 ng/dL. That’s an enormous range!



It would be like saying someone from Dallas lives near the Mexican border. They might live in the state next to Mexico, but it's still 878 miles to the border. It's far from Mexico.



And a testosterone level of 400 ng/dL is far from optimal, even though it's in the “state” of normal.



As far back as the 1970s, some endocrinologist actually knew the proper optimized range of total testosterone (800-1200 ng/dL).
- Dr. Dan Purser Improving Male Sexuality, Fertility and Testosterone



Here we are, decades later, and the optimal range is rarely discussed. Many doctors don't know of this “optimal” range. As a result,