Low Testosterone: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Male hypogonadism Diagnosis & treatment

As men age, testosterone levels tend to decline, which is normal. However, low T can cause unwanted symptoms and sometimes health concerns. Your provider will test your blood level of testosterone if you have signs or symptoms of hypogonadism. Because testosterone levels vary and are generally highest in the morning, blood testing is usually done early in the day, before 10 a.m., possibly on more than one day. Talk to a healthcare provider if you struggle with any of these symptoms.

According to the American Urological Society, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may result in improvements in low sex drive, anemia, bone mineral density, lean body mass, and/or depressive symptoms. The evidence is inconclusive whether TRT improves cognitive function, measures of diabetes, energy, fatigue, lipid profiles, and quality of life measures. Diagnosing low testosterone can be challenging because many symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider with significant experience and training in treating low testosterone and related conditions. In order to diagnose low testosterone, a provider will take a health history, do blood tests, and conduct a physical exam. However, by age 70, 30% of males will meet the definition of low testosterone, and by age 80, this increases to 50%.

For example, trouble with erections can be a sign of diabetes or heart disease. Low sex drive could be linked to depression or be a side effect of medication. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms so you can have a thorough medical exam. In males, production of this hormone starts to fall after age 30 and continues to decline (about 1% per year) throughout their life.

Low levels of testosterone that are atypical of normal aging are due to other primary or secondary causes of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism in males happens when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. Hypogonadism can you apply testosterone gel at night start during fetal development, during puberty, or during adulthood. Fat cells metabolize testosterone to estrogen, lowering testosterone levels. Also, obesity reduces levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that carries testosterone in the blood.

Low testosterone is also called testosterone deficiency or hypogonadism. Regular exercise reduces your risk of an abundance of health conditions and diseases. It could even help control sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It plays a significant role in the male body, and if levels drop below average, men can experience a wide variety of symptoms. Our urology team offers safe and effective treatments to help men with low testosterone levels. Our urologists can prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) through pills, shots, creams, or patches to increase the levels of testosterone in your body. Because testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day, you may need several tests to get an accurate diagnosis.

But unlike menopause, awareness around low testosterone symptoms is less common. Providing access to accurate information about low testosterone and a straightforward way to access quality care can help more people find the right treatment options for them. A blood test called a serum testosterone test is used to determine the level of circulating testosterone in a body. The test is usually performed in the morning, when T levels are highest. In general, a diagnosis of low testosterone is made if the hormone’s level is below 300 ng/dL.

The risks and benefits of taking testosterone for many years are not known, because large studies haven’t been completed, yet. Some researchers suggest there might be a higher risk of heart disease. A drop in testosterone doesn’t always interfere with sex, but it can make it more difficult for your brain and body to get aroused. Some men may notice a drop in libido, while others may lose interest in sex completely. Low testosterone can also make it tougher to get or keep an erection.

When considering treatments for TD, we first consider the cause. If we can pinpoint the reason a man’s testosterone levels are low, treating the underlying condition might be the first step toward improvement. For example, if a man has low testosterone due to obesity, we might suggest weight loss, a healthy diet, and exercise. In other words, men whose total testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL could be diagnosed with TD. If you have symptoms such as reduced sex drive or erection problems, you should see your healthcare provider. They can do a blood test to help determine whether you have low testosterone. Low T is also a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease so its important to get checked to not only help your symptoms but protect your heart.