Low Testosterone: Signs and Symptoms Tampa General Hospital

Low Testosterone: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

If you’re over 40 and noticing changes in your energy, mood, or overall well-being, don’t brush it off as just getting older. Low testosterone is common, but it’s not something you have to live with. Experiencing one or two of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have low T. But if you’re noticing multiple changes that are affecting your quality of life, it’s time to talk to one of our specialists. Testosterone helps regulate mood, so low levels may lead to irritability, anxiety, or even depression. Talk to us if you notice changes in your mental and emotional health, and we’ll check for a hormone issue.

It is an androgen, which encourages the growth of male traits and characteristics. Testosterone is essential for reproduction and keeping bones and muscles strong. When you think of testosterone deficiency, you probably think of your father or grandfather. But most men don’t realize that testosterone deficiency can happen at a much younger age than they think. You might feel like you just don’t have the energy that you’re used to.

Are you feeling constantly drained or struggling to get through your day? Low T can zap your energy levels, leaving you feeling sluggish even after a full night’s sleep. If you think you, or your partner, may be showing signs of hypogonadism, it is important to arrange a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.

It’s typically produced by the testicles in people assigned male at birth. It’s often hard to determine the cause of fatigue because there are so many possibilities, including everyday stress, sleep apnea, and a host of chronic health conditions. However, testosterone is closely connected to your energy because it stimulates red blood cell production and regulates iron levels. Sometimes referred to as “andropause,” low testosterone levels are often compared to menopause in women. However, in menopause there is a complete estrogen deficiency causing known clinical side effects. Men have decreased levels of their sex hormone with less obvious clinical consequences.

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. Likewise, medical conditions including diabetes, liver, or kidney disease, pituitary gland or thyroid problems, HIV, AIDS, as well as side effects from chemotherapy, can also affect t levels. Although sometimes, testosterone levels may drop without a clear cause. As men get older, declining testosterone levels are as inevitable as death and taxes.

Gradual loss of interest in sexual activities is normal with advancing age, but unexpected, abrupt or sudden loss of libido is almost always suggestive of testosterone deficiency. It is also one of the most common reasons why people see a healthcare professional for the evaluation of hypogonadism (3). Modification in lifestyles, such as eating healthy food and regular exercise can help in restoring normal testosterone levels (2). However, it is imperative to mention that investigators are not completely certain if  a person develops obesity due to declining testosterone levels or vice versa (2).

Here are five signs that could indicate you have a buy testosterone cream online deficiency, along with actionable steps to help manage them from Michael Rotman, MD. Keeping healthy habits to lower the risk of diabetes can support optimal t levels. Restoring testosterone to healthy levels is a unique process, requiring personalised treatment protocols.

Regaining fertility is not guaranteed, but it is possible for some patients depending on their age and duration of testosterone use. The first step is to end any testosterone therapy and get baseline lab tests to know where your levels truly are. Often, we find that the patient’s LH production has been suppressed. If you have low testosterone, you may experience fatigue and feel like you have less energy than normal. Because testosterone is critical for the body’s energy production, a decline in testosterone can cause a sense of sluggishness and reduced motivation. It is a common misconception that only women and elderly males develop osteoporosis, which is not true.