Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Low Testosterone Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

In some cases, it is caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits that you can change. In other cases, it is caused by an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. Your doctor can help you identify the cause of your symptoms and learn how to manage them. Rare genetic disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome, where males have an extra X chromosome, may also affect testosterone production. A diminishing sex drive occurs naturally with age, but when the cause is low testosterone, a male will notice a significant decrease in the desire for sex. For congenital hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy often helps prevent problems related to delayed puberty. Primary hypogonadism happens when something is wrong with your testicles that doesn’t allow them to make normal levels of testosterone.

A doctor can conduct tests, such as a serum testosterone test, to diagnose low testosterone. They may also recommend additional tests to rule out other conditions. If low testosterone symptoms bother you, speak with a healthcare professional.

Low sex drive could be linked to depression or be a side effect of medication. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms so you can have a thorough medical exam. As men age, testosterone production naturally wanes; in fact, about 40% of men over age 45 have lower levels of testosterone — technically called hypogonadism. But if yours is significantly low, your body starts showing signs. Though present in both men and women, testosterone is often called the male hormone because men have a much higher percentage than women. Testosterone surges during puberty and is critical in the development of distinctly male features — a deeper voice, facial and body hair, muscle strength, and sperm.

If your doctor says you have low testosterone, you should consider getting treatment. Never treat low testosterone on your own with medicines your doctor hasn’t approved. Instead, talk to your doctor about different ways to treat your illness so you can find one that works for you. Hormones that are in balance do many important things, including ensuring you have enough energy throughout the day. If you don’t have enough testosterone, you might feel tired even after a good night’s sleep. When your androgen receptors don’t get enough testosterone, your muscle cells can’t keep your muscle fibers in good shape, and your muscle fibers start to break down. So, even if you go to the gym every day, having low testosterone will make it harder for you to reach your goals.

But if you do not have any key symptoms, especially fatigue and sexual dysfunction, which are the most common, it is not recommended you go on the therapy given the uncertainty about long-term safety. However, it’s important to note that TRT should not be used for teenage males with typical testosterone levels to enhance puberty or athletic performance. Diets high in trans-fats can negatively impact a person’s testosterone levels, while zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant vitamins can support testosterone production. Weight loss pros and cons testosterone exercise can often increase testosterone levels naturally.

Research suggests that as you age and your testosterone levels gradually drop, you may also experience a decrease in the size of your testicles. Both testosterone levels and cognitive functions, particularly memory, decline with age. As a result, doctors have theorized that lower testosterone levels may contribute to affected memory. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone (the male sex hormone). Low levels of testosterone that are atypical of normal aging are due to other primary or secondary causes of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism in males happens when the testicles don’t produce enough testosterone.

Adverse effects specific to topical preparations include application site reactions (3-16% erythema or rash), and risk of transference. Patients should be particularly cautioned against contact with women and children after application of the gel to limit the possibility of inadvertent transmission. Transference may be mitigated by washing hands, covering the application site with clothing, and washing the region prior to anticipated direct contact with others. Given the mechanisms of action of anastrozole, clomiphene citrate, and hCG, patients using these medications should wait a longer period before follow-up blood work is performed. The Panel recommends testing no sooner than four weeks after commencement.

The first step toward increasing testosterone is to see your doctor. The doctor may suggest lifestyle changes as a first step toward increasing hormone production. For example, increasing exercise while consuming a nutrient-dense diet can boost the body’s natural systems and overall health.

Luteinizing hormone then signals the testes to produce testosterone. Primary hypogonadism is present in men whose testicles do not function properly, which prevents them from producing normal levels of testosterone. The right levels of testosterone play an important role in your health, no matter your gender. Checking your testosterone level is as simple as having a blood test from your doctor.

One way that ASRM works to improve access to fertility care is by advocating for insurance coverage for reproductive medicine care. Symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. If any of these symptoms are bothering you, talk with your provider. Treatment with testosterone therapy may help reduce symptoms. To make a diagnosis, a provider will consider your specific signs, symptoms and any blood test results. One of these is an oral prescription therapy called clomiphene citrate, which stimulates the body to produce more testosterone.