Is Your Testosterone Low? 8 Hidden Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

9 Signs of Low Testosterone In Men

The widespread decline in T levels also has implications for society as a whole, says Houman. Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

These include a total testosterone level blood test, a luteinizing hormone blood test, and a prolactin blood test. With low testosterone, your risk of being susceptible to other health issues increases. These conditions can include heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Therefore, while some of your symptoms may seem mild and manageable, it’s important to look after yourself correctly and get treatment when necessary.

Other low testosterone symptoms—gaining weight, losing hair, and a lack of energy can also make your interest in sex decline. While medications, relationship struggles, and illness can all make you lose interest in sex, a low sex drive is one of the most common symptoms of low testosterone. Dr. Joshua Calvert, M.D., is a urologist and member of The Edge’s medical advisory board. Specific areas of interest include vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, Peyronie’s disease, testosterone management, and male infertility. Primary hypogonadism happens when something is wrong with your testicles that doesn’t allow them to make normal levels of testosterone. Male hypogonadism is a medical condition that can affect people with testicles at any age from birth through adulthood. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland normally control the amount of testosterone your testicles produce and release.

Low testosterone can affect nearly every aspect of your health, from your physical strength to your mental well-being. Recognizing the signs early and seeking treatment can help you regain your vitality and improve your quality of life. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. It helps trigger the chemical reactions needed to achieve and sustain an erection. While low T doesn’t always cause erectile dysfunction, it can testosterone injections cause birth defects (www.weyher.de) make it harder to get or maintain an erection. Additionally, some men may notice a decline in the quality of their orgasms. Early diagnosis and treatment in adult men provides better protection against loss of bone density (osteoporosis) and cardiovascular disease.

But while lifestyle factors can improve testosterone levels, Dr Foster says that in most men, this is only a small contributing factor. Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring testosterone levels with a blood test. Testing first thing in the morning is recommended as this is when males generally have the highest level of T circulating in their bodies. Studies have shown testosterone affects muscle mass, but not necessarily strength or function. Low testosterone, a condition medically known as hypogonadism, can manifest through a variety of symptoms that may subtly undermine a man’s quality of life. The total testosterone (TT) test measures testosterone in nanograms per deciliter of blood (ng/dL). In adult males, readings that fall anywhere between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL are considered normal.

If you have low testosterone and the symptoms bother you, a doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy. A doctor can check your testosterone level with a simple blood test. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), 4 in 10 males ages 45 years and older have low testosterone. The condition is also referred to as testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism. Low testosterone can be caused by numerous things, with illness, injuries, stress and genetic conditions all playing a role in how the hormone is produced. Here are five signs that could indicate you have a testosterone deficiency, along with actionable steps to help manage them from Michael Rotman, MD.

He graduated with a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community. Frequently needing to pee (including during the night), dribbling urine, and painful, burning pee or ejaculation might suggest prostate issues.

“Testosterone deficiency remains one of the least discussed and most under-recognised and under-treated conditions affecting men’s health,” Dr El-Osta explains. Sure enough, a blood test revealed Rob had low testosterone (low T). His GP referred him to an endocrinologist, and for the past six months he’s been having weekly injections of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). “After three weeks it was honestly like someone had given me my life back,” says the father of two. Therefore, if a person has early prostate cancer, there is concern that testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. So males with low testosterone, especially those who are older, have lower bone volume and are more susceptible to bone fractures.