Low Testosterone 12 Signs in Men Peak Men’s Health at RMA

7 Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency

Hypogonadism – reduced testicular function – generally occurs when the total testosterone is less than 300 ng/dL. However, a healthy level for you depends on your age, lifestyle, and bioavailable testosterone level – the unbound testosterone your body isn’t using for daily functions. Testosterone is a natural hormone produced primarily in the testicles, and it helps men maintain everything from bone density and body hair to sex drive and sperm production. However, you don’t have to hit a certain number or level despite what the constant flow of ads may tell you. You should always talk to your doctor before taking new medications, including testosterone replacement therapy and supplements. According to research published in PLOSOne, testosterone therapy may increase your risk of heart attack, particularly if you already have heart disease. Your doctor can help you understand the potential benefits and risks of different treatment options.

Experts don’t know for sure if taking testosterone affects the risk of prostate cancer. Your doctor may recommend regular exams and blood tests to check for problems. Nearly 40 percent of men over 45 have abnormally Low Testosterone levels. Testosterone is a male sex hormone important for sexual and reproductive development. In fact, the National Institutes of Health consider it the most important male hormone.

Many men experience symptoms of low testosterone, but it is easy to pass these symptoms off as another health condition or even just blame them on the natural process of aging. But the truth is low testosterone levels can result in symptoms that just shouldn’t be ignored. Low testosterone (low T) occurs when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). A normal range for men is typically 300–1,000 ng/dL, according to the U.S. Low testosterone is often called hypogonadism, although this refers to low or no production of hormones by the gonads, which are the ovaries in women and the testicles in men.

Erectile dysfunction and loss of muscle mass can prompt a testosterone blood test. A primary care physician may refer a patient to a specialist, such as a urologist or endocrinologist, for testing and treatment. Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months. Regaining fertility is not guaranteed, but it is possible for some patients depending on their age and duration of testosterone use. The first step is to end any testosterone therapy and get baseline lab tests to know where your levels truly are. Often, we find that the patient’s LH production has been suppressed. On average, a testosterone level of 300–1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood is normal.

In fact, most of what we know about abnormally high testosterone levels in men comes from athletes who use anabolic steroids, testosterone, or related hormones to increase muscle mass and athletic performance. If your symptoms and tests verify a diagnosis of low testosterone, you milk thistle and testosterone (https://www.bcicentral.com/) your doctor may decide that testosterone therapy (TT) is right for you. Losing weight and increasing physical activity can often raise testosterone levels as well.

Around age 40, men’s ability to make testosterone begins to wane, causing testosterone levels to decline by 1 to 3 percent yearly. Making these lifestyle changes, in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy through testosterone supplements, can raise a man’s testosterone levels. If your doctor suggests testosterone supplements, your levels will be monitored regularly to measure the outcomes and monitor your health. Some labs report testosterone levels up to 800 or 1000, but the average man probably won’t measure that high, and there is not a benefit to having a significantly higher testosterone level. For instance, your sex drive at 500 is not going to differ from your sex drive at a level of 350. Our urology team offers safe and effective treatments to help men with low testosterone levels.

You may also find it harder to get motivated to do anything or to exercise. When a man has low testosterone, this chemical reaction slows down. As a result, this makes it harder for him to get an erection. If there isn’t enough testosterone when a baby is still in the womb, male traits might not fully form. If a boy doesn’t have enough testosterone during puberty, his growth may slow down, and he won’t have a growth spurt. That’s why low testosterone affects more than 60% of men over 65. But low testosterone also affects about a quarter of men over 30 and nearly 40% of men over 45.

No randomized controlled trial has demonstrated decreased cardiovascular events or mortality with testosterone therapy. Study populations in individual trials included in any meta-analysis have a significant impact on the reliability of outcomes. Actual patient scenarios will require individual adaptation with variability in expected outcomes. It also highlights that treating clinicians should have specific endpoints for treatment in mind, with regular monitoring of these outcomes to assure that ongoing therapy is warranted and effective. Testosterone is a sex hormone naturally produced within the body.

Testosterone replacement comes in many forms, including shots, gels, patches, or implantable pellets. However, it is important to know that testosterone treatment usually leads to either low sperm counts, or no sperm seen whatsoever in the semen. In one study, 30% of men who were overweight had low testosterone, compared to only 6% of those with weight in the normal range.

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA’s Web site () contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices. You may feel like you don’t have as much energy as usual despite having plenty of sleep.