From 1999 to 2016, testosterone levels in young males rapidly declined. This increase in low testosterone can be attributed to the many coexisting medical conditions that American men have developed.
Associated risks to low testosterone include increased obesity and BMI as well as the diagnosis of diabetes.
The link between low testosterone and diabetes has become increasingly alarming. Since diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in the United States, low testosterone will likely increase amongst the general public as well.
Failure to address these concerns at a young age may promote further complications in adulthood. Low testosterone is common in elderly men however, the condition should continue to be monitored throughout one’s lifetime.
Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone
This guide discusses eleven key signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men. By understanding these symptoms, you are able to catch this condition early on and begin treatment as soon as possible.
1. Decreased Sex Drive
Testosterone, the primary sex hormone in men, is responsible for the production of a man’s sex drive. This is called the libido.
Changes in libido are common in men as they age and are not a cause for concern. A sudden drop in libido or extreme shift, may, however, be more serious.
Changes in sex drive in younger men may also be a clear sign of low testosterone. These changes are less common in younger people therefore, when they do appear, there is likely a non-natural condition impacting your health.
Long-term interruptions in sex drive can impact your sexual relationships or cause conditions like erectile dysfunction. Addressing these concerns upon initial discovery is key to rebuilding your sex drive and returning to a normal state of arousal.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue is a tricky symptom of low testosterone to notice. For many, fatigue may be a part of your daily life. You might normally not get enough sleep and, as a result, neglect noticing a testosterone deficiency.
Typically, men who have low testosterone report extreme fatigue and decreased energy levels. You may feel constantly tired despite getting a healthy amount of sleep or lack the motivation to exercise.
Fatigue may also be a symptom of common colds or other conditions. To ensure that you are keeping on top of your health, regardless of your age, you should discuss any signs of extreme fatigue with a physician.
Who knows, this symptom may just be a result of a common cold however, that is not a risk you want to take.
3. Increased Body Fat
Reduction in testosterone production may stimulate an increase in the production of overall body fat. In some cases, those with this hormonal deficiency may develop gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes an enlargement in breasts. Depending on your body type, you may not notice an increase in fat in this area. For others, this may be an alarming change that calls for immediate medical attention.
To add, an increase in body fat may be a result of more than just low testosterone. This factor makes it difficult to determine if you have a sex hormone deficiency or not.
Knowing your body and how you carry weight is crucial for understanding what is typical and what may be cause for alarm.
4. Sleep Disturbances
A common cause of low testosterone is sleep apnea. This condition makes breathing during sleep extremely difficult depending on the severity of your condition. As a result, your sleep is dramatically impacted.
Low testosterone is not only caused by sleep apnea, but it stimulates it as well.
Noticing changes in your sleep, whether you have sleep apnea or not, might be a sign of low testosterone. Failure to treat this symptom may result in severe sleep deprivation along with the common side effects of low testosterone.
5. Emotional Irregularity
Mood changes are one of the more subtle signs of low testosterone. Since mood irregularity can be caused by many conditions, it is important to track any changes you see in yourself. Some of these changes may include:
- Increase in depressive thoughts
- Changes in irritability
- Lack of focus
- Frequent mood swings
Emotional regulation looks different in everyone however, no one knows you better than yourself. Keeping track of these changes will help you understand how quickly your symptoms are developing and when you may want to reach out to a doctor.
6. Low Semen Count
Testosterone is a sex hormone that helps produce semen counts in men. As testosterone levels decrease, naturally, so does the production of semen.
This symptom is not as noticeable as some of the other symptoms. For this reason, young men who wish to build a family may want to diligently monitor their sperm count.
Decreased semen levels make it increasingly difficult to conceive a child due to the low levels of sperm. Noticing a decrease in sperm count early on can lead to prompt treatment and help increase your chances of conception.
7. Hair Loss
Losing hair in the late stages of life is not uncommon for most men. Hair loss typically occurs on the head however, noticing it in other places may be an indication of low testosterone.
Body and facial hair are two areas where men with low testosterone begin to see a change in hair growth and development. It is possible that the severity of this symptom may change as your condition progresses.
Initial changes may be more subtle than traditional stages of balding. Your hair may begin to grow in thinner and fall out easier. Keeping track of these changes can help monitor the development of your condition and help medical professionals plan a course of treatment.
8. Reduced Muscle Mass
Believe it or not, reduced muscle mass is another sign of low testosterone in men. Testosterone plays a huge role in developing muscle mass. Declining levels of this sex hormone may increase the likelihood of seeing noticeable changes in muscle development.
A study focused on the development of muscle mass in men with low testosterone found that function and strength were not impacted.
Although this may not seem concerning, many complications can arise from having low muscle mass. Longer recovery times, lower physical functioning and an increased risk of a short lifespan are just some potential issues you may encounter.
9. Changes in Memory
Maintaining your cognitive skills as you age is crucial for your memory’s functioning. Changes in memory are natural as humans age however, it is not inevitable. Frequent exercise of the brain can help maintain cognitive function in your later years of life.
Medical professionals have started to see a link between declining cognitive health and testosterone levels. Although both factors naturally decrease with age, it has been hypothesized that one impacts the other.
At any age, if you begin to recognize your memory fading, it may be due to something other than age. As with any other unknown symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical advice to rule out any other conditions.
10. Complications With Erections
Low testosterone can also impact your ability to get or maintain an erection. Testosterone levels are responsible for stimulating penile tissue and creating nitric oxide- both key elements for getting an erection.
When testosterone levels are low, these elements are not as active- making it harder to get or maintain an erection. Numan will help you with this problem and definitely experience great changes of your erection problem.
It is important to note that although low testosterone in men can cause complications with erections, there are many other causes as well. Before seeking medical advice regarding your testosterone levels, consider the following additional causes:
- High cholesterol
- Anxiety
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High amounts of alcohol consumption
Ruling out the factors above may mean that you have low testosterone. In this instance, be sure to follow up with a physician about your concerns.
11. Low Blood Count
Medical conditions, such as anemia, are correlated with low testosterone levels. If you have not been previously diagnosed with this condition and begin to notice some key symptoms of anemia, you may have low testosterone.
Common symptoms of anemia may include:
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramping
- Rapid heart rate
- Interruption during sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
Diagnosis
In the event that you experience any of the above symptoms, it is likely your doctor will test you for low testosterone. After ruling out related conditions, you can expect to undergo a process of measuring your testosterone levels.
Testing is done simply by measuring the testosterone levels in your blood.
It is common to undergo multiple measurements since your testosterone levels shift throughout the day. The morning is the most accurate time to measure your testosterone levels. This is typically when these levels peak.
Treatment and Maintenance Process
Testosterone treatment has been recommended only to men who meet the clinical definition of a testosterone deficiency. This entails having a testosterone level of less than 300 ng/dL.
The most common method of treatment is known as testosterone replacement therapy. This type of treatment is administered using one of the four primary methods of application.
Injections
Low testosterone symptoms can be treated with intramuscular injections. These injections are typically administered every 10 to 14 days.
Patches
Testosterone patches are a form of treatment that is applied daily. Patches are applied to various parts of the body including the arms, back or abdomen. In some cases, patches may even be applied to the patient’s buttocks.
Gels
Similarly to the patches, testosterone gel is applied every day to clean, dry skin. The gel should be applied to the arms as well as the upper back for optimal use.
Testosterone gel treatment requires a bit more maintenance than other forms. This is to ensure that the hormones in the gel do not transfer to another person if you accidentally brush up against them.
Pellets
Testosterone pellets are without a doubt the most invasive form of treatment, however, still as effective. Pellets are implanted under your skin every two months when undergoing treatment.
As a whole, testosterone replacement therapy helps to combat many of the key signs and symptoms of low testosterone and can result in an improvement to:
- Sexual function
- Mental clarity
- Overall mood
- Bone density
Additional Treatments
Supplements work in a different way than testosterone replacement therapy. This type of treatment focuses on making testosterone rather than adding it to your body. A major supplement brand, known as Viril, has shown impactful results in those with low testosterone.
Additionally, many Viril manufacturer companies have seen promising results when treating low testosterone. This supplement works to increase your libido, maintain your erections and improve overall blood flow.
Discussing treatment options with your doctor is highly recommended. Since everyone has a different biological makeup, it is hard to definitely state which method may be right for you.
You may also want to choose a treatment method that you are most comfortable with or switch between methods for optimal results.
Regardless of your decision, all of the treatments mentioned above aim to improve your quality of life. They help you return to a functional lifestyle and reinstate healthy levels of testosterone in your body.
Trusting the Signs
Paying attention to any of these signs and symptoms will help you lead a healthier lifestyle. By actively choosing to ignore them, you are only hurting your future self.
Furthermore, investigating these symptoms may present that you do have low testosterone or another medical issue. In either case, your health remains the top priority and can only be treated with the diligent monitoring of symptoms.
Our website is a great resource for discovering more about your most pressing symptoms. For those who would like more research on this topic, or are curious about other medical conditions, feel free to check out the rest of our blog.
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