Signs and symptoms of low testosterone
Among men over 35, low testosterone is a common occurrence. In fact, studies have shown that over 4.5 million men in the US suffer from Low T. The signs of low testosterone can be measured in a blood test. The range of this vital hormone goes from 1,000 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter), all the way down to 300 ng/dl, and even lower.
Signs and symptoms of low testosterone in males typically begin to appear when the levels drop below 500 ng/dl, but this is subject to each individual’s experience. Since this hormone is responsible for most of the sexual functions for men, they will usually notice warning signs of low testosterone concerning:
- Sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Low semen output
However, there are many less obvious symptoms:
- Fat around the mid-section
- Loss of muscle tone and size
- Fatigue or low energy
- Loss of bone density
- Brain fog or poor mental acuity
- Depression
Doctors and patients often think these physical, mental and emotional problems are just related to growing older, being under too much stress, or lifestyle choices. While this may be the cause, or these symptoms could be the result of some other physical problem, it is always a good idea to check the serum testosterone levels with a blood test.
Fatigue, Tiredness and Weakness
One of the most common signs of low testosterone in men and women is tiredness and weakness that isn’t relieved by a good night’s sleep. Often, people with Low T complain of waking up in the morning just as tired as when they went to bed.
Work responsibilities, which were once easy, now seem to be a challenge to achieve. Family activities, which were fun and rewarding, now feel more like a chore. Low energy and fatigue is one of the most common signs your testosterone is low.
Increasing body fat, weight gain, and decreasing muscle mass
Testosterone plays an important role in the production of muscle cells. With Low T, muscle mass decreases and fat is stored more easily. Fat cells also play a critical part by converting available testosterone into estrogen by an enzyme called aromatase. An increase in estrogen causes a further increase in stored fat, weight gain, and decrease in muscle mass.
Compounding this problem is the matter of fatigue and low metabolism which causes even greater increase in body fat and decrease in muscle mass. Doctors may recommend exercise and a healthier diet, however, these recommendations are hard to achieve when testosterone levels are already severely low. Doctor prescribed testosterone therapy is the most effective means of reversing these symptoms.
Depression
Low moods, lethargy and depression are often the result of low testosterone. Researchers have shown that replacing depleted hormone levels using a medically supervised treatment program is effective.
The signs of decreased testosterone appear in all parts of a man’s life. Have you experienced:
- Low self esteem
- Memory loss
- Depressed or flat moods
- Poor self image
- Feeling in a rut
- Negative disposition
While you might need a healthier diet, more sleep, or better stress management, these symptoms are also signs of having low testosterone. The road to recovery starts with a blood test to determine the severity of your Low T, followed by our doctor’s recommendation for a prescription treatment plan.
Sparse facial or body hair
One of the more obvious low testosterone signs and symptoms include the loss of hair on a man’s face and body. A blood test is necessary to determine if the cause of this hair loss is related to testosterone, to poor thyroid function, or to some other factor which can contribute to this issue.
If there is significant loss of hair in several parts of the body, then you might be experiencing a deficiency in both of these important hormones. A doctor’s evaluation is needed to determine the best course of treatment.
Main symptoms of low testosterone in woman
Research published in Gynecology Endocrinology discusses signs of low testosterone in women. Most people think of estrogen when they consider the hormones required for healthy functioning for a woman, however, it is also necessary to have an adequate supply of testosterone.
Studies have shown that women often experience these issues when testosterone is low:
- Lack of interest in sex
- Increased fat storage
- Poor cognition and lagging mental abilities
- Difficulty in managing pain
Because a woman’s need for testosterone is significantly lower than a man’s, doctors usually prescribe a cream based medication to be applied topically on a daily basis.
Decreased Libido
An important sign of lower testosterone levels is a decreased sex drive. For men, this also includes the chance of erectile dysfunction, which isn’t corrected with a medication providing temporary relief. They might also have problems with the quality of the erection and its duration.
Poor stamina resulting from lower testosterone levels can also affect the degree of satisfaction achieved. Other signs of low testosterone in men can include a decrease in the volume of sperm and even infertility. If the doctor finds evidence of Low T confirmed by the blood test and the list of symptoms, then a program of testosterone injections is prescribed.
Osteoporosis
One of the signs of low testosterone in males is the increased chance of developing osteoporosis. According to endocrinologists at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, the most common cause for osteoporosis in men is Low T. Even though women are four times more likely to develop this problem of brittle bones and be at an increased risk for fractures, there are still more than 2 million men in the US facing this issue.
The key to preventing osteoporosis is that a small amount of the circulating testosterone in a man’s body needs to be converted to estrogen. It is the estrogen which is specifically responsible for preventing this risk of fractures.
Another key factor to bone mass is exercise. Both muscles and bones respond to exercise by growing. Muscles grow stronger. Bones grow more dense. Supplementing calcium and vitamin D has also been proven effective.
Is there any reason to worry?
Treatment with testosterone injections is safe as long as a specific set of guidelines is followed carefully:
- Always follow the rules to receive testosterone legally.
- Start with a blood test and physical exam to be sure Low T is the issue.
- Secure a doctor’s prescription for the exact medication dosage you require.
- Accept only medication which has been shipped from a licensed US pharmacy.
- Follow up with medical adviser to be sure of procedure for administering injections or using cream.
Never buy any bio-identical hormone replacement medication online without first securing a doctor’s prescription. Avoid the offers for injections produced in other countries, even if they are offered at a lower price. There is no assurance that these products are safe for you to use. Consult TRT Medical Center for a free initial consultation and to get all your questions answered.
