What Is Low Testosterone?

Low Testosterone Symptoms

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the human body. It’s mainly produced in men by the testicles.

In men, testosterone is responsible for male sexual development. Testosterone stimulates sperm production as well as a man’s sex drive and erectile function. It also helps build muscle and bone mass.

Less than normal testosterone levels can be caused by a number of disease conditions. However, the most common cause of low testosterone in men, is the normal decline of testosterone that occurs as we age.

Women experience menopause as their hormone levels drop once they are past their child bearing years. Men go through a similar condition known as “andropause.” Unlike, menopause, which occurs at a certain age in women, the symptoms of andropause develop slowly as a man’s testosterone level decreases with age.

A man’s testosterone level peeks in his twenties. After that it starts a slow decline. After the age of 35, a man can expect a drop in testosterone levels of about 2% every year.

Andropause is also known as low testosterone, or Low-T.

It is important to learn to recognize the signs of low testosterone.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone?

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone

In men, low testosterone is usually defined as less than 300 nanograms (ng) of testosterone per deciliter (dl) of blood. According to the American Urology Association, by this definition, about 2 in every 100 men have low testosterone.

The signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men include:

  • Low sex drive
  • Difficulty with erection
  • Low sperm count
  • Unexplained loss of hair
  • Hot flashes
  • Low bone density

Additional signs:

  • Testicular atrophy (changes in testicle size)
  • Diminished lean muscle mass
  • Increased body fat
  • Bone loss, bone weakness, increased risk of bone fracture
  • Problems sleeping (insomnia)
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, depression

Low testosterone can have a serious impact on your quality of life.

Can Women Suffer From Low Testosterone?

Can Women Suffer From Low Testosterone

While it is considered a “male” hormone, women’s bodies make and need testosterone too. The ovaries and the adrenal glands produce the testosterone needed by females.

Both men and women can suffer from low testosterone. Woman start to experience the signs and symptoms of low testosterone as they enter menopause. When we think of menopause we think of the loss of estrogen and other female hormones. However we now know that the drop in testosterone production in post child-bearing years, also contribute to the many debilitating symptoms of menopause.

Many of the signs and symptoms of low-T such as: fatigue, weight gain, mood swings and cognitive difficulties, are the same in women as in men. Other symptoms are specific to women. The symptoms of low testosterone in women include:

  • sluggishness
  • muscle weakness
  • fatigue
  • sleep disturbances
  • reduced sex drive
  • decreased sexual satisfaction
  • weight gain
  • fertility issues
  • irregular menstrual cycles
  • vaginal dryness
  • loss of bone density

As they age, both men and women can develop the symptoms of low testosterone.

Around the time that menopause begins, along with the loss of female hormones, a woman may also experience the symptoms of low testosterone because the ovaries are producing less testosterone.

How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed?

How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed

The only way to receive a diagnosis of low testosterone is to have the testosterone levels in your blood tested. But before that, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms, as well as take a full medical history, and conduct a complete physical.

After doing all of that, if your doctor suspects you may have low testosterone, he or she will take a blood sample to measure your testosterone level. Your level of testosterone changes during the day. Your doctor may want to do the blood test first thing in the morning. Testosterone levels are at their highest in the morning.

If you fall below that range and have the symptoms of low T mentioned above, a diagnosis of low testosterone will likely be given.

How Is Low Testosterone Treated?

How Is Low Testosterone Treated

The only medically proven treatment for low testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement can be given in the form of gels, patches, oral medication, sub-dermal pellets, or direct testosterone injections. Our doctors have found that testosterone injections are the most effective form of testosterone replacement.

Testosterone injections are simple to learn how to do, and are painless. Depending on your diagnosis, you will probably have to take testosterone injections every 7 to 14 days.

Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy. It can take from three to six months to experience all of the many benefits of testosterone therapy.

Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

There are many benefits of testosterone replacement therapy. These include:

  • Increased heart health and a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Improved strength and stamina
  • Improved sex drive and sexual performance
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved fat metabolism – loss of belly fat
  • Improved ability to build lean muscle
  • Improved moods
  • Improved cognitive function

The best way to treat the signs and symptoms of low testosterone is with testosterone replacement therapy.

Now that you know a little bit more about the signs and symptoms of low testosterone and how to treat them, contact us today, and take your first steps to a healthier tomorrow.


Get Started

Complete The Short Form Below To Contact a Nexel Medical Physician

    Get Started Now
    footer form doctor
    Nexel Medical
    ×