Low Testosterone: Signs and Symptoms Tampa General Hospital

Do I Have Low Testosterone? 13 Symptoms to Look for

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. This is because, unlike endocrinologists, urologists deal with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), PSA, and prostate cancer issues that overly aggressive testosterone therapy can produce. Decreased muscle mass and body hair changes typically take years to manifest. Infertility, gynecomastia, and decreased testicular size are more typical of primary rather than secondary hypogonadism.

The result is fragile bones that are likely to break when you trip or bump into something. Still, a lack of testosterone is directly linked to how weak men are and how quickly they age. According to the American Urological Association, men with low testosterone levels have a higher prevalence of fatigue than men with normal testosterone levels. Fat cells produce an enzyme called aromatase, which converts testosterone to estrogen— and an imbalance in your testosterone and estrogen levels can increase body fat. High aromatase and estrogen activity reduces the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn reduces testosterone production. There was a significant increase in total testosterone levels, bioavailable testosterone, and free testosterone levels compared with no change in the placebo group.

Men with low testosterone free and total levels may experience sudden bouts of anger, anxiety, or depression – a noticeable shift from their usual emotional state. A blood test and a physical examination can confirm your low T. But it’s important to get to the bottom of the problem so we can treat it properly. When a female has low testosterone, it can present with vague symptoms, making it difficult to determine the cause. Brown University Health, Rhode Island’s first health system, was founded in 1994 by Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. If your doctor says you have low testosterone, you should consider getting treatment.

If you’re wondering whether there might be a connection between your symptoms and low testosterone, ask for a testosterone blood test. To get a low testosterone diagnosis, you will need a blood test to confirm low levels. Some symptoms are more obvious, but others may be gradual and silent.

Finally, as promised, we’ve rounded up some of the questions we hear most frequently from men who are concerned about their testosterone levels. Following a discussion with your physician, you could be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy. This would come in the form of skin patches, topical gels/creams, injections, or implantable pellets. Testosterone replacement has risks and side effects, so make sure you meet with your Urologist first. Apart from the natural decline with advancing age, there are specific conditions that can cause low testosterone in men of all ages, even in young men and children. Because of its role in building muscle, men who have low T may notice a loss of muscle mass, which can also affect strength. Researchers are only now beginning to explore the many ways that low testosterone can affect your health.

Your doctor will conduct the appropriate diagnostic tests in addition to discussing with you the available treatment options. By the age of 35, two-thirds of men develop some form of hair loss, which is perfectly natural and usually a result of genetics. If, however, everyone in your family is sporting a full head of hair, yet you’re losing yours at an alarming rate, testosterone may be the culprit behind your balding. When your testosterone is low, erectile dysfunction, whether you can’t have an erection or you have fewer spontaneous erections, is one of the key symptoms. We are one of Georgia’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Low Testosterone therapy, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more. That said, you can manage both conditions with a comprehensive care solution with your doctor and by adopting positive lifestyle changes. This is the case in both testosterone deficiency and high testosterone—with each condition having its own distinct list of symptoms and side effects.

While being tired is natural, the drop should not inhibit the quality of life. Unlike many low-T clinics, we calculate bioavailable testosterone by measuring levels of two proteins, sex hormone binding globulin and albumin, that typically bind to testosterone. It’s possible to have a normal total testosterone level and experience low-T symptoms if this balance is off. Low testosterone (male hypogonadism) is a condition in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone (the male sex hormone). As levels of testosterone decrease, you may encounter difficulty performing physical activities and maintaining a healthy weight due to a reduction in muscle mass. Feeling tired or fatigued after mild work or feeling less motivated to engage in day-to-day activities can also be a sign of low testosterone levels (2, 3).

Men notoriously wait until the last moment to seek medical care. The first is due to reduced production of testosterone from the testes, known as classical, or primary hypogonadism. This often appears in younger men, from conditions such as testicular cancer, testicular trauma or torsion (strangulation), or a congenital condition. If you have any of the symptoms of low testosterone, you should talk to your doctor first.

Dairy products can also contain synthetic or natural hormones which could have an impact on hormone levels. More surprisingly, mint and spearmint, because of their menthol content, may reduce testosterone levels. Breaking a sweat helps you feel more energized and can naturally increase your testosterone levels.