Everyday signs of low testosterone in men as experts warn it is a key link to erectile dysfunction Health

Male Hypogonadism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Even so, there are telltale signs that warrant a visit to your healthcare provider. With a proper diagnosis, you can explore ways to raise your testosterone levels, including lifestyle changes and hormone replacement therapy. Before diving into the primary 11 signs of low testosterone in men, it’s important to understand what is alp blood test mean testosterone does. Testosterone affects many different parts of the body, from cognitive functioning to metabolism. It’s possible that as with males, female testosterone levels naturally decline with age, and may lead to symptoms, such as low energy and impaired muscle growth.

The American Urology Association (AUA) defines hypogonadism as total testosterone level of less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). The diagnosis is only made after two testosterone lab checks are done and the patient has symptoms. Fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen— and an imbalance in your testosterone and estrogen levels can increase body fat. High aromatase and estrogen activity reduces the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn reduces testosterone production. If you’re noticing it’s hard to get and keep an erection, it’s worth getting your testosterone levels checked.

A man suffers from low testosterone levels when the hormone is either not present in the blood in sufficient quantities or not enough is available for use by the body’s tissues. According to the American Urological Association, men with low testosterone levels have a higher prevalence of fatigue than men with normal testosterone levels. Research into how low T levels affect memory hasn’t come up with a definitive cause-and-effect relationship. But it’s clear that as men age and their T levels drop, their cognitive abilities decline, too. And anecdotally, many men express that they feel a mental fog lifting off of them when they start on TRT, says Calvert. Plus, plenty of men walk around feeling crappy for years, not even thinking their hormones could be to blame.

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 significantly affect a man’s health and quality of life. If your low testosterone levels are the result of an underlying medical condition or lifestyle factor, then at least part of your treatment plan will be treating the original condition. Both testosterone levels and cognitive functions—such as memory—decline with age. As a result, doctors have speculated that lower testosterone levels could contribute to affected memory. Erection problems in general are thought to be more of a byproduct of issues with blood vessels and nerves.

Precipitously low-T will prevent you from getting it up – or from wanting sex – but you should explore psychological factors, too. Oh, and if you don’t always want sex on a Friday night after a tough week of work, that’s normal. If any of the above sounds a little too familiar, book in with your GP. But it could be a factor if you’re carrying a notable amount of excess fat around your middle or chest when you’ve never been prone to it before and haven’t changed your diet or exercise routine. Studies suggest that 1 in 4 men ages 40 to 70 have low testosterone. It is thought that some of the apparent benefits of testosterone might be related to healthier men generally being more aware of their bodies and being more likely to be prescribed testosterone. Males with low T sometimes develop gynecomastia or enlarged breast tissue.

However, when its symptoms directly threaten a man’s overall health, treatment for low testosterone becomes crucial. Low sex drive, also known as low libido, is common in men with low T. While a reduced sex drive may also be due to age, low testosterone is known to cause a significant decrease in a man’s desire to have sex. The treatment may involve lifestyle changes or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) delivered by pill, injection, topical cream, transdermal patch, intranasal gel, or an under-the-tongue tablet or film.

While there is a genetic component to balding, males with low testosterone may experience a loss of body and facial hair, too. The effects of low testosterone in men can be devastating for their quality of life. If you think you might be suffering, and want to know how to check for low T, try taking the free low T symptoms questionnaire. This has been validated by international researchers and will allow you to assess the level of your low testosterone symptoms. It’s important to work with a licensed healthcare provider, who can monitor your levels and discuss possible side effects. Another way low T can make you feel tired and weak is by causing anemia, a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your organs and tissues. Many men with diagnosed testosterone deficiency notice a dramatic improvement in their mood after starting testosterone replacement treatment, says Calvert.

An older 2006 study found that women over 65 with low testosterone levels tended to have lower hemoglobin levels, putting them at greater risk for anemia. This potentially severe disorder causes a person to temporarily stop breathing, which can disrupt sleep. Studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can improve erectile function in people with mild erectile dysfunction.