Testosterone levels in men begin to decline by about 1% each year starting around the age of 30, and as this happens, various symptoms can emerge that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Calvin Johnson, an NFL Hall of Famer, is a case in point. He retired from football at 30 and later experienced the negative effects of lowered testosterone levels.
“In my late 30s, around age 38, I began noticing some symptoms. I felt low on energy and occasionally had some brain fog,” Johnson, known as “Megatron,” shared at The Tune Up event in New York City for Hims on October 21.
As he approached his 40s and juggled fatherhood with three children, the fatigue became impossible to ignore.
“There were moments in the afternoon, especially during dinner time, when I’d just think, ‘I could really fall asleep right now.’ That’s not typical for me. I wondered if it was because my workout routine had changed or perhaps the stresses of work and family life were catching up to me. I just didn’t know,” he reflected.
According to the Yale School of Medicine, testosterone deficiency can affect 10%-40% of adult males. Johnson, who falls into that category, took steps to address his declining energy.
“I like to keep track of my health. I’ve done other health screenings in the past since I have a family history of cancer, so I thought this was just another area to monitor,” he noted.
He ordered the Hims Men’s Core Panel test to check his testosterone levels and is looking forward to the results.
The telehealth service provides both at-home and in-person screenings that assess total and free testosterone along with other health markers like cholesterol and vitamin D. The panel tests for a total of 22 different indicators related to hormone health, cardiovascular health, blood, nutrients, and thyroid function.
In just 10 minutes, users can perform a simple blood collection using a single-use device and mail it back with prepaid shipping. A licensed healthcare provider evaluates the results and shares them through an app within a week. If significant hormone deficiencies are detected, a doctor may prescribe an oral medication starting at $99 a month for a duration of 10 months, with no insurance needed.
During a panel discussion, Johnson was taken aback to hear from Dr. Peter Stahl, who heads Men’s Health at Hims, about a potential link between testosterone levels and mortality.
“We don’t yet know if testosterone treatment can extend lifespan, but data shows that it significantly improves physical, sexual, and cognitive wellbeing among men,” Dr. Stahl explained. “Men with low testosterone often face a range of issues, such as muscle loss, weight gain, weaker bones, decreased libido, and mental fog.”
If you’re in your 30s and finding yourself feeling unusually fatigued, maybe it’s time to evaluate your own health situation to see if there are any treatment options available.
