10 Alarming Signs of Low Testosterone Levels

The Symptoms & Effects of Low Testosterone Low T

This includes at least 2 separate low testosterone levels and a specific hormone-related symptom that could be reasonably expected to improve with testosterone supplementation. The prognosis is excellent for symptomatic men diagnosed with male hypogonadism who are treated according to guidelines and followed appropriately. While the condition is not usually curable, it is amenable to treatment with clomiphene or testosterone replacement therapy. Optimal results are obtained when proper follow-up is implemented and treatment is modified appropriately to utilize the minimal acceptable dose to relieve symptoms and avoid side effects. Endocrinologists usually use the mid-week median levels, while many urologists typically favor monitoring the peak levels for treatment and dosage guidance.

Sign up for the Healthy Living e-newsletter to receive the latest resources on how to manage and thrive with diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, you are twice as likely to suffer from low testosterone as a man without diabetes. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Your Ob/Gyn is there for you throughout many different parts of your life. At Cleveland Clinic, our experts can help you throughout your entire journey.

Exercise can help to increase testosterone levels, as can eating foods that are rich in zinc, such as oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds. It may cause issues with memory, problem-solving ability, and concentration. According to some studies, there is a connection between low testosterone levels and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. We can evaluate your symptoms and order a simple blood test to check your testosterone levels. We also consider other possible causes, such as thyroid issues, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors. Often men will come to my office complaining that they have erectile dysfunction and are feeling excessively fatigued, weaker or depressed.

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a substance that brings oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Hemocrit refers to the percentage of red blood cells found in the blood. High levels of hemocrit could signal polycythemia – an increase testosterone level in red blood cells that can lead to blood clots.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a type of secondary male hypogonadism that results from normal aging. As males age they have a deterioration of hypothalamic-pituitary function and Leydig cell function that decrease testosterone and/or sperm production. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which your testicles don’t produce enough testosterone. It has several possible causes, including conditions or injuries affecting your testicles, pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Furthermore, testosterone helps maintain bone density, and its deficiency can result in decreased bone health, potentially raising the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.

Without the right amount of T, males can’t mature during puberty. This crucial hormone also affects other health and lifestyle factors. While hair loss can happen for many reasons, low T is sometimes a factor. A drop in testosterone can lead to thinning hair on your body, face, and scalp.

The American Urological Association defines low testosterone as less than 300 nanograms (ng) of the hormone per deciliter (dl) of blood. They also report that about 2 in every 100 men have low testosterone. If any of these risk factors are in your family health history, tell your doctor. Hypogonadism can begin during fetal development, before puberty or during adulthood. The deadline to have twice the impact to advance healthcare research is May 15.

Fatigue, a common symptom of low testosterone, can extend beyond typical tiredness. Men might feel persistently drained, lacking the energy to bounce back from daily activities. This exhaustion often goes beyond the usual weariness experienced after a long day’s work. Even after a full night’s sleep, individuals with low testosterone levels might wake up feeling unrefreshed and sluggish. The fastest way to diagnose low testosterone is to perform blood tests to determine the patient’s testosterone levels. More than one test will likely be needed to confirm the diagnosis, as a man’s testosterone levels tend to fluctuate greatly throughout the day. Many doctors prefer to have the blood tests performed in the morning, as this is when a patient’s testosterone levels are usually the highest.

It is also necessary for energy, bone density, and red blood cell production. Because testosterone plays a vital role in men’s physical, emotional, and sexual health, they may begin experiencing changes in their bodies by their mid-30s. Another name for primary hypogonadism is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

Visceral fat is active in your body and releases substances that can mess with your normal functions, making these health problems worse. Testosterone helps the processes needed for a man to obtain an erection. If you deal with long-term erectile dysfunction, consider testing your testosterone levels.