Low Testosterone Symptoms: Mood, Weight, and Sex

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Low testosterone is often only considered when a couple is unable to get pregnant and seeks fertility counseling. In 40% of cases, infertility is attributed at least in part to male hypogonadism. A drop in the normal, expected level of testosterone can interfere with all these functions. Male hypogonadism affects people born with testes and a penis who are typically assigned male at birth. The American Urology Association reports that low testosterone affects around 2 in every 100 men. The risk increases with age, though most people naturally lose testosterone as they get older. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

PATH supports research that improves the diagnosis and treatment of hormone disorders, including a landmark 2017 study that defines the “normal” range of testosterone in young adult men. In addition to symptoms, hypogonadism can be diagnosed with several blood tests that establish if testosterone levels are low and help narrow the possible causes. In younger males, low testosterone can be harder to recognize because symptoms such as low libido or erectile dysfunction commonly seen in older males are sometimes not present. Low testosterone can make it difficult to achieve or maintain erections.

As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students. Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing. Wolter completed his undergraduate and medical education at the University of Illinois. He then completed his urology residency at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a fellowship in female with too much testosterone symptoms pelvic medicine and reconstructive urology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Recognizing the signs early and seeking treatment can help you regain your vitality and improve your quality of life. Always consult a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. Testosterone receptors in the brain are crucial for cognitive functions like memory and focus.

As a result, doctors have theorized that lower testosterone levels may contribute to affected memory. One high profile case of growth hormone deficiency is soccer player Lionel Messi. He received a GH deficiency diagnosis at 11 years old when doctors told his family without hormone therapy he wouldn’t grow past 5 feet. The most common treatment to correct low growth hormone levels is injections with synthetic growth hormone to correct the deficiency. It requires support from loved ones and a dedicated discussion about goals and expectations of care, quality of life, and potential risks vs. benefits of treatment. Prostate cancer cells require androgens, namely testosterone, to stimulate their growth.

(According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US prevalence of obesity was 23.9% in 1990 and currently sits at 41.3%). Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles (testes) in males and ovaries in females. In males, it contributes to the development of secondary characteristics like facial and body hair and increased bone and muscle mass. With low testosterone, your risk of being susceptible to other health issues increases. These conditions can include heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes. Therefore, while some of your symptoms may seem mild and manageable, it’s important to look after yourself correctly and get treatment when necessary. Recognizing cognitive decline as a potential sign of low testosterone is crucial for early intervention.

Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which your testicles don’t produce enough testosterone (the male sex hormone). More specifically, the Leydig cells in your testicles make testosterone. If low testosterone symptoms bother you, speak with a healthcare professional. TRT is a lifelong treatment, so your testosterone levels may drop if you stop treatment. Meanwhile, a 2021 study in European Urology Focus compared the testosterone blood serum levels of young men ages 15 to 40 in 2016 to those of the same age from 1999. After controlling for confounding factors such as participant race, BMI, comorbidity status, alcohol and smoking use, and physical activity, the researchers found average testosterone levels were lower. Research published in Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology also had similar findings.

All this means that your total testosterone level on its own, while important to test and monitor before and during any treatment, can’t tell you whether you are suffering from low testosterone or not. Your doctor should also take a complete medical history and  undertake a physical examination, in addition to a detailed discussion of your symptoms. This is to exclude the possibility that your symptoms might be related to other health problems. If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, such as a decrease in sex drive and hot flashes, talk to a healthcare provider. When T levels decrease below 300 ng/dL and start causing symptoms, it’s called hypogonadism. While you can take some steps on your own to boost testosterone naturally, including eating certain foods, medical treatment is usually needed to bring testosterone levels up to a normal range. To start, “factors such as increasing rates of obesity, poor sleep patterns, and chronic stress are thought to contribute significantly to reduced testosterone levels,” he says.

One of the most common and often overlooked signs of low testosterone is persistent fatigue. Unlike the occasional tiredness resulting from a hectic schedule, this fatigue is pervasive and unrelenting, often leaving individuals feeling exhausted despite getting adequate sleep. Testosterone plays a crucial role in energy production, influencing how the body metabolizes food and converts it into energy. When testosterone levels drop, this process can become less efficient, leading to a constant state of lethargy. This lack of energy can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to perform routine tasks or engage in physical activities.

Low testosterone can lead to a reduction in this volume, which can make the bones more susceptible to fractures. Since lower testosterone is a natural part of aging, it is normal to be less interested in sex as you get older. However, a complete lack of interest in sex is not typically considered normal. Which is why concerns about low levels of testosterone may be a source of anxiety for men. Intramuscular testosterone injections are administered around every two weeks, depending on the diagnosis.