Warning Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

Could you have low testosterone?: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Studies aren’t settled on just how low testosterone levels cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms of anxiety. However, there could be a link between low testosterone and a disruption in neurotransmitters like serotonin which can contribute to anxiety. Because testosterone has several key functions across the body’s energy processes, when levels of this hormone are low, many physiological processes are affected. Testosterone is central to several physical and emotional processes.

Instead, talk to your doctor about different ways to treat your illness so you can find one that works for you. Before starting TRT, patients should know they will have to do it for the rest of their lives. When you take testosterone supplements, the amount of testosterone your body makes on its own goes down. Testosterone helps make bone tissue and keep the volume of bones.

This symptom is a tough one to nail down because everyone experiences mood swings from time to time. But you know yourself best, and if you find that you’re more irritable or anxious for no reason, it may be due to low testosterone. In some cases, men develop gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) because of an imbalance between their testosterone and estrogen levels (yes, men have small levels of estrogen). The most commonly used approach in treating hypogonadism is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In the UK, the most common types of TRT used are transdermal gels, which are absorbed through the skin, and intramuscular injections. Gels are applied daily, whereas injections are used every 2–14 weeks, depending on the clinical need.

If TRT raises testosterone levels but does not improve symptoms, providers may recommend that men stop TRT. It’s possible that the symptoms are not related to TD, and further evaluation could be necessary. About 2 to 4 weeks after starting testosterone therapy, patients need to return for a checkup. If results are satisfactory, further assessment is recommended every 6 to 12 months.

A female may have lower levels after removal of the ovaries, for example, or if they have adrenal insufficiency. There are no known ways to prevent low testosterone that is caused by genetic conditions or damage to the testes or pituitary gland. Clearly, a dip in your testosterone level can wreak havoc in your life. Testosterone fuels the male sex drive, so when you’re running low, you may lose interest in sex.

Our focus in this series is really to educate men on testosterone and its affects on their body, but we thought this an important point to bring up. Even those that see other friends or family experiencing these symptoms. You can read more about the effects of low testosterone in women by clicking here. If you’ve noticed recent deterioration in your ability to play sports. Maybe you’re falling asleep after dinner or when you come home from work- i.e. you feel like you need to take a nap. Really any recent deterioration, either at home life or even work-life performance, can be seen as a symptom of low testosterone. These are all the symptoms of low testosterone that one could expect to see.

Studies indicate that testosterone replacement can support erectile function, particularly in men who do not respond to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors. Hypogonadism can be congenital or acquired, resulting from issues within the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. It is vital to distinguish between primary hypogonadism, originating in the testes, and secondary hypogonadism, originating in the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. The differentiation is essential as it guides the diagnosis and management strategies. New research published in the Journal of the Aging Male in 2013 found that low testosterone treatment improved frailty in older men with diabetes. Low, frequent doses of testosterone are safest in men with diabetes because it helps reduce the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and improve the testosterone to estrogen ratio. Men with diabetes often convert too much of their testosterone to estrogen.

On the other hand, changes in the body that occur as a result of sleep apnea can lead to low testosterone levels. As men age, they can experience a number of symptoms related to sexual function that may be a result of lowered levels of this hormone. Testosterone is a sex hormone that’s primarily responsible for helping develop male characteristics like facial hair and a deeper voice.

Low levels of testosterone can lead to a reduction in muscle mass and strength, which is often observed in men with hypogonadism. Testosterone is the most critical hormone in men, considered a male’s life force. Without the right amount of T, males can’t mature during puberty.

Testosterone levels gradually begin to decrease as you enter your 30s. But you can experience low testosterone levels at any time in your life. Healthcare providers measure testosterone levels with a blood test. Low testosterone is something that 19 to 39 percent of older men deal with.