9 Signs of Low Testosterone In Men

Low Testosterone Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

If your blood tests confirm low testosterone, your doctor will discuss potential treatment options with you. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, such as improving diet and exercise habits, or medical interventions like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Blood tests are the most definitive way to diagnose low testosterone.

You may have low T if you’re consistently tired despite getting plenty of sleep or if you find it harder to get motivated to exercise. Some people may experience a decline in sex drive as they get older, but those with low testosterone will likely experience a more drastic drop. Males may experience low testosterone as they get older or due to some health conditions. Symptoms can be subtle, but treatment may help if the symptoms affect your lifestyle. Genetic variants that affect the Y chromosome and the sex hormone-binding globulin may result in a higher risk for low testosterone. SHBG is a protein that helps deliver testosterone to the body’s tissues.

Early detection and action can significantly improve your health and well-being. Self-testing and consequently self-treatment can lead to complications and potential harm. While at-home testing has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and privacy, it may not provide the most reliable results.

You take the shots every 2 to 4 weeks, as prescribed by your doctor. You may also be able to get the medicine without injections by using a nasal pump. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and steroid medicines can also affect testosterone levels. See your health care provider if you have symptoms of male hypogonadism. Finding the cause of hypogonadism is an important first step to getting appropriate treatment. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not commonly caused by low testosterone production.

People assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth produce testosterone, but this article focuses on symptoms of low testosterone in people assigned male at birth. Often, we find that anxiety or depression – not hormonal imbalances – are the root cause of low-T-like symptoms. Suppressing your emotions can interfere with normal functions, such as focusing at work or maintaining an erection. If you truly have low-T, underlying stressors can make symptoms worse. So, before you call that low-T clinic or click on an outlandish ad needles for testosterone injection testosterone-boosting supplements, find out what’s at stake for your health.

Lack of sleep, moodiness, weight gain and decreased strength can also influence these feelings. When considering treatments for TD, we first consider the cause. If we can pinpoint the reason a man’s testosterone levels are low, treating the underlying condition might be the first step toward improvement. For example, if a man has low testosterone due to obesity, we might suggest weight loss, a healthy diet, and exercise.

High levels of LDL can clog arteries and raise the risk of heart disease, whereas HDL helps remove bad cholesterol from the bloodstream. When testosterone levels are low, you may not feel „like yourself.“ Low testosterone can affect mental health, leading to reduced motivation and self-confidence. These feelings are especially true if you are dealing with performance issues and infertility. If you find yourself less interested in sex or experiencing fewer sexual thoughts, it might be time to check your testosterone levels.

For example, testicular atrophy can cause infertility and also reduce a person’s testosterone levels. In this instance, the low testosterone levels are a symptom of an underlying condition, not a cause of infertility. Diets high in trans-fats can negatively impact a person’s testosterone levels, while zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant vitamins can support testosterone production. Weight loss and exercise can often increase testosterone levels naturally. One 2017 review found that testosterone replacement therapy significantly improved depression symptoms and overall quality of life in those with low testosterone. Some evidence suggests that people with low testosterone levels are likely to experience a lack of focus, irritability, and depression.