Low Testosterone: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Low Testosterone: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women, but it is the primary sex hormone in males. It is responsible for deepening the voice and developing body hair and muscle mass of boys during puberty. As men age, testosterone levels typically decrease, but in some cases, men develop a testosterone deficiency called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or simply Low Testosterone (LT). By the time a man reaches his 40s, testosterone production starts to wane; by their 50s men often start to notice physical changes from their declining levels of testosterone.

Here are some tell-tale symptoms and long-term effects of having low testosterone. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. In boys, it drives the growth of sex organs, the development of body hair, and bone growth. In adult males, testosterone supports sperm production and a healthy, active libido. However, a decline in testosterone levels may lead to unwanted changes. In some men, estrogen levels will increase as testosterone levels increase. Men naturally need some estrogen, one of the main sex hormones that women have, in the body for bone health and other body functions.

Lower testosterone levels can reduce the density of bones, leading to osteoporosis and other bone-related problems in hypogonadal men (5). Your blood test results can vary depending on when the test is taken. This is because hormone levels fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle and even between morning and evening. If you’re still getting a period, there’s a specific window in your cycle that’s best for measuring testosterone in your blood. Talk to a healthcare provider if you struggle with any of these symptoms. They can evaluate you and assess if testosterone levels may be responsible. 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.

If a boy doesn’t have enough testosterone during puberty, his growth may slow down, and he won’t have a growth spurt. That’s why low testosterone affects more than 60% of men over 65. But low testosterone also affects about a quarter of men over 30 and nearly 40% of men over 45. Looking for more helpful resources for you or the men in your life? Download our free Man-To-Man Guide On Healthy Aging below for even more health tips and information. This quick procedure is required every four to six months for effective alleviation of low T symptoms. Hone-affiliated medical practices are independently owned and operated by licensed physicians who provide services using the Hone telehealth platform.

Beyond these initial changes, testosterone helps maintain libido, erectile function, and sperm production throughout a man’s life. It also plays a role in regulating mood and energy levels, contributing to a sense of vitality and well-being. Be open with your doctor about your medical history, all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are now taking, sexual problems, and any major changes in your life.

This hormone also helps maintain sex drive, sperm production, and bone health. The brain and pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) control the production of testosterone by the testes. Testosterone (the male sex hormone) decreases naturally with age. However, in some cases, testosterone can decrease to a point where it is outside of the normal range and cause a variety of health problems. For the average adult male, testosterone levels are considered normal between the range of 300 – 1,000 ng /dL (with an average around 680 ng / dL).

A simple blood test can confirm your testosterone level and help determine if low testosterone is the cause of your symptoms. Depending on the severity, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy to boost testosterone or other treatments to help improve your symptoms and overall health. If a person notices these symptoms, they should speak with a doctor. A doctor can then come up with a treatment plan to increase their testosterone levels. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of hypogonadism is delayed in most cases since most symptoms are non-specific, such as loss of sexual drive, lethargy and difficulty in concentrating at work.

A doctor will typically only prescribe TRT if the person has several symptoms of low testosterone and blood test results that indicate a deficiency. The most common treatment is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). For example, a bone density test can show diminished bone mass, one result of low testosterone. To diagnose low testosterone, a doctor will often perform a physical evaluation and review the person’s symptoms. The doctor may also request testing to look for additional signs. Testosterone production can slow as a person ages, and many older people experience symptoms of low testosterone.

Studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can improve erectile function in people with mild erectile dysfunction. Depression is one of the most important and common symptom of low testosterone levels (4). This is mainly because the accumulation of fat cells alter the normal hormonal metabolism. Contact a healthcare provider if you think you have symptoms of low testosterone. While the causes and effects of low testosterone aren’t completely known, your healthcare provider can run tests to help figure out what happens if a guy has high testosterone’s causing your symptoms. Testosterone is a type of androgen hormone (or sex hormone) in your body.