Low Testosterone Low T: Symptoms, Causes, and More

6 Unexpected Signs of Low Testosterone

One of the most common signs of low testosterone is a noticeable drop in sexual desire. Men with low T often report fewer sexual fantasies, reduced interest in sex, and even fewer erotic dreams. Testosterone receptors in the brain, particularly in areas like the amygdala, play a crucial role in sexual arousal. When testosterone levels are insufficient, this process can be disrupted, leaving you less interested in intimacy. If you’ve noticed a significant decline in your sex drive, it could be a red flag for low T. Of these, fatigue, depression, irritability, reduced sex drive and erection problems are the most common. However, not everybody with the condition will have all of these symptoms and the severity of each will vary from person to person.

Fertility evaluations often include hormonal assessments to identify potential issues, and treatment options may involve hormone replacement therapy or assisted reproductive technologies. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, and avoiding substances that can affect hormone levels, can also support reproductive health. Early detection and intervention can improve fertility outcomes and provide individuals with the best chance of achieving their reproductive goals. The primary sign of growth hormone deficiency in children is short stature. Adults may have decreased muscle mass and increased body fat, as well as other problems such as heart disease and depression.

While sedentary behavior, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins all decrease T levels over time, prevention is possible. As described above, diet, stress management, and several other nonmedical approaches may be effective in staving off low testosterone issues. Yes, TRT has been said to lower sperm count, especially if taken without precautions. That what is the average testosterone level in a male one reason why some men are prescribed hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) alongside TRT to maintain testicular function and fertility potential. When there is infertility, specific fertility-sparing, testosterone-raising regimens are used, generally off-label, including clomiphene citrate or human chorionic gonadotropin HCG).

Obesity, lack of sleep, stress, and poor nutrition can all tank testosterone levels. Regular exercise, weight loss, clean eating, and managing sleep hygiene can go a long way in restoring natural production or enhancing the benefits of TRT if you’re on it. The treatment may involve lifestyle changes or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) delivered by pill, injection, topical cream, transdermal patch, intranasal gel, or an under-the-tongue tablet or film.

Declining levels of testosterone can bring on a host of symptoms that can make you feel downright lousy. Symptoms of low testosterone in men can range from weight gain and erectile dysfunction to mood shifts and cognitive problems. Testosterone is a hormone that can affect appearance and sexual development, stimulate sperm production and sex drive, and help build muscle and bone mass. It’s typically produced by the testicles in people assigned male at birth. Adults who had growth hormone deficiency during childhood will continue to have short stature.

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.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the primary form of treatment for male hypogonadism. However, not everyone with low testosterone needs TRT, and some people need to avoid it outright. Left untreated, low testosterone can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, self-image, quality of life, and relationships. In-home testosterone tests are available online and in many drugstores. But, they may be unreliable, especially when testosterone levels are low.

The widespread decline in T levels also has implications for society as a whole, says Houman. A 2019 review of 27 studies reported TRT given at doses greater than 0.5 grams per week was more than twice as effective at reducing depression symptoms in men compared to a placebo (sham drug). Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. Most people will notice relief from symptoms within 3–60 weeks of starting TRT. However, anyone who experiences one or more of the above symptoms should seek medical attention.

Infants with severe congenital growth hormone deficiency might only have a slightly reduced birth length. This article examines the potential symptoms of growth hormone deficiency in adults and children. Unfortunately, within a few years, most prostate cancers become resistant to hormone therapy, at which point they are deemed “castration-resistant.” A cancer vaccine called Provenge (sipuleucel-T) uses a person’s own immune system cells to launch an attack against the prostate cancer cells.