Firefighters and Low T
As a former firefighter/paramedic, the fire service remains near and dear to my heart. Because of what I do now, Low T and its effects are constantly on my mind.
In this excellent article from FireEngineering.com, Low T and Cortisol: The Silent Killer, the author explores how Low T might be affecting those who protect our communities every day.
I appreciate greatly the conservative approach this piece takes by focusing not just on treatment, but also on prevention and awareness of this problem.
No Room for Error — Low T Makes Fighting Fires Harder
Whether the call that comes in has our local heroes fighting a structure fire, performing a highly technical rescue, or responding to a life-threatening medical emergency; there is no room for error.
This is a job that demands much, and facing this important of a workload with Low T can make a very difficult job even harder.
Few workplace environments have similar stressors and even fewer jobs place more emphasis on making sure you are “man enough” for the task at hand.
This can create an environment that reduces the likelihood that someone would feel that they could discuss their problems or symptoms freely.
Talk About What’s Going on With You — Before It’s too Late
Some men have trouble coming to terms with having low testosterone as for some it may indicate some failure of masculinity.
On the other hand, most firefighters feel that they are part of a brotherhood and they see what happens when time, illness, stress, medications, injuries or environmental factors take their toll on them and their fellow civil servants.
These are real issues for people facing real life-and-death situations. These symptoms should not be taken lightly when there is so much on the line.
If you know a fireman who may be suffering from problems like fatigue, decreased libido, difficulty concentrating, and declining strength, please encourage them to talk with a TRT expert.
