10 Alarming Signs of Low Testosterone Levels

Top 20 Signs of Low Testosterone in Men

It’s important to know that it is natural for testosterone production typically to decrease with age. The Endocrine Society considers low blood testosterone to be a morning level greatest athlete of the 20th century less than 300 nanograms per deciliter in adults. Testosterone levels vary throughout the day, so testing these levels at 8 a.m.

If possible, the lowest dose of testosterone supplementation that produces acceptable clinical results should be used. 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. Men who have low testosterone do not make enough of the male hormone called testosterone. This hormone allows men to develop and keep physical male traits. Low testosterone is also called testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism means diminished functional activity of the gonads—the testicles or the ovaries—that may result in diminished production of sex hormones. Low androgen (e.g., testosterone) levels are referred to as hypoandrogenism and low estrogen (e.g., estradiol) as hypoestrogenism. These are responsible for the observed signs and symptoms in both males and females. Millions of men use testosterone replacement therapy to restore low levels and feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional. For instance, being overweight, having diabetes or thyroid problems, and taking certain medications, such as glucocorticoids and other steroids, can affect levels. Therefore, simply having low-t levels does not always call for taking extra testosterone.

News & World Report as high performing in three adult specialties and 15 procedures and conditions, including urology, cancer and prostate cancer surgery. Infertility related to secondary hypogonadism may respond to hormonal replacement therapy. Infertility related to primary hypogonadism, however, does not respond to hormonal therapy. In these cases, a man and his partner can be referred to the Reproductive Medicine Center for help conceiving a child. About 5 percent to 6 percent of men experience low testosterone, and the condition becomes more common as a man ages.

Symptoms highly suggestive of hypogonadism include decreased spontaneous erections, decreased nocturnal penile tumescence, decreased libido, and reduced testicular volume. It is important for a man to be checked when he is showing signs of testosterone deficiency. If Low T is left untreated, men often experience a sense of impending doom, poor health, and fear. Men may also report fatigue, inadequate sleep, increased irritability, and poor mood.

Low testosterone that causes symptoms usually is treated with testosterone hormone. You can get it in different ways, such as in a shot, through a patch or gel on the skin, or in a tablet you place between your cheek and gum. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for low testosterone. People with low testosterone, especially older males, may have lower bone volume and be more susceptible to bone fractures.

Low testosterone may affect different body systems, resulting in symptoms that affect memory, mood, bone, muscle, sex drive, and the ability to get or maintain an erection. Low testosterone levels may lead to an increase in body fat mass. Unlike many low-T clinics, we calculate bioavailable testosterone by measuring levels of two proteins, sex hormone binding globulin and albumin, that typically bind to testosterone. It’s possible to have a normal total testosterone level and experience low-T symptoms if this balance is off. 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. If you have low blood levels of testosterone AND symptoms that affect your daily life, your doctor may suggest taking supplemental testosterone.

Sign up for the Healthy Living e-newsletter to receive the latest resources on how to manage and thrive with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you are twice as likely to suffer from low testosterone as a man without diabetes. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Your Ob/Gyn is there for you throughout many different parts of your life. At Cleveland Clinic, our experts can help you throughout your entire journey.

Following are the 10 alarming signs that indicates you might have low levels of testosterone. It is highly recommended to seek help from a registered practitioner to detect testosterone deficiency at an early age for prompt management. Clinicians participating in this activity can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of male hypogonadism. Participants learn to recognize key symptoms and appreciate evaluation and management strategies, including patient selection for screening. This activity also highlights the interprofessional team’s role in enhancing care for patients with male hypogonadism. Testosterone is a sex hormone naturally produced within the body.

If a man has shown some breast development, doctors may check his levels of estradiol, a form of estrogen. The physician assistants provide treatments for low testosterone including gels, injectables, implants, and more. Secondary hypogonadism is treated by addressing the root cause – a disorder with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. How you feel with Low T is a reflection of legitimate changes to your body, and some of these come with serious long-term health risks. We feel it is vital for men to recognize these very real health concerns to get the help they need.