•Telltale Signs That You Are Suffering From It
Testosterone is a hormone that both
men and women make naturally. It’s especially important for male sexual health
and overall well-being. As you get older, it’s normal for testosterone levels
to drop. Low testosterone levels (called “low T” for short) can affect up to
40% of all men — with the incidence increasing with age. Low T symptoms can
include erectile dysfunction, low fertility, and even osteoporosis. But
sometimes there are no symptoms at all.
The good news is that treatment is usually pretty straightforward.
Here’s what you need to know about causes of Low T, early symptoms, and
treatment options.
WHAT DOES TESTOSTERONE DO IN THE MALE
BODY
Testosterone is a sex hormone. It’s
involved in many aspects of male health, including:
Puberty and male sexual development.,
Sex drive, Bone strength, Muscle growth, Red blood cell production, Energy and
mood, Having low testosterone levels can affect all these functions.
WHAT CAUSES LOW TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
There are many causes of low
testosterone. The most common cause is normal aging. Testosterone levels drop a
little bit each year as you get older.
Less common causes can be broadly separated into two types: Primary and
secondary. Let’s take a look at these below.
Primary low testosterone:
This refers to a problem in the
testicles themselves. Since testicles make testosterone, any conditions that
affect how they work can affect how much testosterone you make. Causes of
primary low testosterone include: Infections, like mumps, Klinefelter syndrome,
Undescended testicles, Testicular torsion, Chemotherapy, Radiation treatment,
Autoimmune diseases, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Liver cirrhosis and
liver failure, Physical injury to the testicles, like from a car accident or
sports injury.
Secondary low testosterone: This is
when your testicles work normally, but other health problems stop you from
making testosterone. Aging is one example of secondary low testosterone. Other examples include:
Brain tumors or other problems in the
pituitary gland (a gland in your brain that regulates many hormones).
Hormone-blocking treatment (used for
prostate cancer, among other conditions).
A BMI greater than 30.
Diabetes.
Long-term use of opioid pain
medications.
LOW TESTOSTERONE SYMPTOMS IN MEN
Many men don’t notice symptoms of
age-related low testosterone because it happens gradually. But some people do
have symptoms — especially if a medical condition or treatment causes Low T to
happen suddenly.
Here are common symptoms of low
testosterone in men:
HAIR LOSS
Hair loss, whether on your face or
body, is a visible sign of low T. Testosterone helps maintain facial and body
hair. If your hair suddenly thins or seems to disappear, it could be a clue
that your testosterone levels are getting low.
LOW SEX DRIVE
Testosterone creates a healthy sex
drive in both men and women. If you notice your libido starting to decline and
there are no obvious explanations (like stress, traumatic events, or lack of
sleep), make an appointment with a healthcare professional. They can help
narrow down the cause and find out whether low T might be behind your symptoms.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a classic
symptom of low testosterone and is often accompanied by low sex drive. If your
sex drive is low, having and maintaining an erection can become difficult.
While most cases of ED are due to other health problems, low testosterone can
also affect your sexual performance.
INFERTILITY
Low testosterone can cause
infertility, as well. This is because testosterone is one of the main hormones
needed to create sperm. Low testosterone levels mean low sperm counts. And some
men with low T produce no sperm at all.
You would need a healthcare professional to confirm this. But if you and
your partner are having trouble conceiving, you may want to have your
testosterone levels checked.
OSTEOPOROSIS
When your testosterone levels are
adequate, some of the testosterone is transformed into estrogen to help protect
your bones. But when you have low testosterone levels, your body doesn’t do
this. This leads to your bones becoming weak and more likely to break. Low bone mineral density and osteoporosis
from low T are most concerning in men over 65, but all men should be aware of
this risk.
LOW MUSCLE MASS
Testosterone is the most important
hormone for muscle growth. When your testosterone levels are low, your existing
muscle mass will start to shrink. A healthcare professional will typically look
for this if they’re concerned you may have low T.
MOOD SWINGS AND IRRITABILITY
Feeling depressed or more emotional
can be an issue for men with low testosterone levels. A healthy level of
testosterone helps keep your mood in check.
Because mood swings can be caused by many other health issues, it may be
difficult to know whether low T is causing them. It’s best to talk to a
healthcare professional if you have any sudden mood changes that you can’t
explain.
FATIGUE AND DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
Healthy levels of testosterone help
you feel energized. One of the biggest complaints among men with low
testosterone is that they feel tired and unfocused, no matter how much they
sleep. If you have fatigue that lasts for weeks and can’t be explained by
stress or extreme activity, talk with a healthcare professional.
HOT FLASHES
Hot flashes are commonly associated
with menopause, but men can also have them. Hot flashes usually only happen in
men who have gone through chemotherapy and have almost no testosterone left in
their bodies. While experts don’t know why this happens, if you’re having hot
flashes, it’s important that you share this with a healthcare professional.
They can help you pinpoint whether low T may be causing it.
OTHER SIGNS OF LOW T
There are a few other signs of low
testosterone outside of the main symptoms we’ve discussed. The type of low T symptoms you experience
may depend on when the low T developed. For example, if you have low T before puberty,
your testes and penis may not fully develop. And you may not have as deep of a
voice. Some men with low T may also
start growing breast tissue, known as gynecomastia. Let a healthcare
professional know if you notice any new symptoms.
LOW TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT
Treating low testosterone is pretty
straightforward: In general, the goal is to replace what’s missing. But not all
men with low testosterone need treatment. If your testosterone levels are
gradually declining with age and symptoms aren’t a problem for you, then
treatment isn’t necessary.
For younger men with low testosterone
or older men with abnormally low levels, testosterone replacement therapy is
available in many different forms. While receiving treatment with any of these
options, you’ll need to have regular blood work done to monitor your
testosterone levels and make sure they’re balanced.
Keep in mind that testosterone
treatment options are also Schedule III controlled substances. In other words,
they’re medications that come with a low to moderate risk of dependence.
Testosterone replacement therapy may also raise the risk of prostate cancer,
heart attacks, and strokes in older men.
Depending on where you live, you might
be able to get a testosterone testing kit. You can use it to monitor your
testosterone levels while you’re undergoing therapy.
HOW CAN I RAISE MY TESTOSTERONE LEVELS
NATURALLY
There are a few natural ways to treat
low testosterone. For example, Exercise is an effective way to raise
testosterone levels. Research shows that men who exercise regularly have better
testosterone function.
Eating healthy, well-balanced meals
can also help. Diets high in fat are associated with lower testosterone levels.
Also, if you have low vitamin D levels, taking a vitamin D supplement can raise
your testosterone. One study in men with excess weight showed that taking 83
mcg of vitamin D for a year led to a significant increase in testosterone
levels.
Lastly, getting a good night’s sleep
may help. A small study found that just 1 week of sleep deprivation can lower
testosterone levels by 10% to 15%. In comparison, the rate at which
testosterone lowers each year with age is only 1% to 2%.
WHAT HAPPENS IF LOW TESTOSTERONE GOES
UNTREATED
It’s possible that the gradual decline
of testosterone with age is responsible for the effects of aging that men
experience. But, for most men, Testosterone replacement therapy isn’t
necessary.
For younger men with low testosterone
or older men with abnormally low levels, untreated low testosterone can lead to
medical complications. Infertility is a significant issue for many men with low
T.
Bone thinning and muscle weakness from
low testosterone can be especially problematic for older men. Thin bones are
more likely to break. Combined with muscle weakness, recovering and caring for
yourself can be difficult.
If you think you may have low T, talk
to a healthcare professional to understand your treatment options and next
steps.
Low testosterone (low T) affects many men. The
good news is that low T is usually simple to treat. If you’re experiencing
symptoms such as low libido, fatigue, or mood swings that can’t be explained,
talk with a healthcare professional. They can test your testosterone levels and
help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.
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