6 Unexpected Signs of Low Testosterone

6 Unexpected Signs of Low Testosterone

From there, testosterone enters the bloodstream and delivers messages throughout your body to help regulate several critical functions and processes. If your levels of testosterone drop below 300 ng/dL and you experience unpleasant signs of low testosterone, you officially have a medical condition known as testosterone deficiency (TD) or male hypogonadism. In a 2017 study of 398 men who received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer for 12 months, 93% of participants experienced hot flashes. This happened when testosterone levels were “castrate,” which is below 50 ng/dL. Some radiotherapeutic agents target prostate cancer metastases, like those in the bone.

Any issue with your testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland can cause low testosterone (male hypogonadism). It stimulates the development of male characteristics and is essential for sperm production (spermatogenesis). What’s more, estrogen (which remember is a byproduct of T in men), stops osteoclast activity. If your T is low, your estrogen levels will also be low, and you’ll have decreased bone density. You might feel like you just don’t have the energy that you’re used to. You already know that without enough testosterone, fat-burning muscles can’t grow, and any excess calories you eat risk being stored as fat.

This article uses the terms “male” and “men” to maintain the specificity and accuracy of the research.

Tumor biopsies (taking samples of the prostate cancer cells to analyze in the lab) are performed to check for these mutations. He graduated with a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. Colorectal cancer screenings start at age 45, and regular prostate cancer screenings should take place from age 50 to 70, unless a strong personal or family history dictates otherwise.

If your sex drive has gotten lower, you might be having fewer sexual thoughts. Sights, words, and touch may also be less sexually stimulating for you. Testosterone levels can be checked by doctors via a blood test, with physicians typically recommending lifestyle changes to improve symptoms. Research from Harvard Health suggests that testosterone levels in men will peak during their latter teenage years (typically around age 17) and will remain at a similar level for the ‘two to three decades’. As we mentioned earlier, testosterone plays a major role in developing bone mass. One of the signs of low testosterone is weakened bones that may make men, especially aging men, more susceptible to bone fractures. Low testosterone can not only cause a man to lose hair on his head, but also on his arms, legs and other areas of his body including his facial hair.

Anemia is a condition where your body has low levels of red blood cells, and fatigue is a common symptom. Low testosterone has been linked to a decrease in red blood cell production and anemia. Moreover, fatigue related to low testosterone can also affect mental clarity and concentration. Individuals may find it challenging to focus on tasks, leading to decreased productivity at work or school. This mental fog, coupled with physical exhaustion, can create a cycle of inactivity and frustration, further exacerbating the problem. Recognizing this symptom is crucial, as it can often be the first indication of a hormonal imbalance.

Off-label use is when drugs are prescribed for a purpose other than what it was approved for by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In people with fertility problems, low testosterone may be a symptom of a testicular function issue causing infertility rather than a cause of infertility itself. A primary care physician may refer an individual to a urologist, who specializes in diseases of the male reproductive system, or to an endocrinologist who specializes in hormone-related diseases. While changes to the lifestyle and diet alone may not raise levels sufficiently, they can you take too much testosterone often help.

It can also cause other complications, such as delayed puberty or blood sugar problems. The precise treatment regimen for a person with CRPC depends on whether the cancer is nonmetastatic or metastatic, as well as other factors like potential side effects and patient preference. Alison Ozgur, RDN, is a wellness expert with advanced training in whole-food, plant-based nutrition. She is also an adjunct instructor of nutrition at Jersey College in Teterboro, New Jersey, and a board-certified lifestyle medicine professional through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s of public health in nutrition from Tulane University. She received her medical degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.

Hormone treatment decreases prostate cancer growth by lowering testosterone levels in the body via medicine or surgery. Frequent marijuana use and alcohol consumption aren’t doing your T levels any favors, according to Houman. “Both can interfere with testosterone production, especially when used regularly or excessively during your teens and 20s,” he says. Research from the American Urological Association Education and Research Inc. suggests a link between marijuana use and lower testosterone levels. Meanwhile, one Journal of Clinical Medicine study reports that regular alcohol consumption can damage the Leydig cells responsible for testosterone production. To support hormone balance, Houman recommends cutting back on these substances or discussing a reduction plan with your healthcare provider.

But on the flip side, “regular physical activity, including strength training, has been linked to supporting healthy testosterone levels,” according to Bailey. Symptoms of low testosterone (“low T”) are easily missed, especially in older males who experience non-specific symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, low libido, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Spotting low T can even be more challenging in younger males, who often complain of tiredness in the absence of low libido and ED. The depression directly caused by low T can be amplified when low libido and erectile dysfunction start to affect a person’s sex life. There is a cause-and-effect relationship, wherein 35% to 50% of men with hypogonadism experience clinical depression, while 63% of men with clinical depression experience sexual dysfunction. The bar chart above offers a visual representation of this study’s findings. Each bar denotes the average testosterone level for a specific age range, measured in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), a common unit to express hormone levels in the bloodstream.