Treatments

Low Testosterone Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

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. Hypogonadism can start during fetal development, during puberty, or during adulthood. Fat cells metabolize testosterone to estrogen, lowering testosterone levels. Also, obesity reduces levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a protein that carries testosterone in the blood.

According to the Department of Health & Human Services in Victoria, Australia; testosterone production in women is often age-dependent. By the time a woman is 40 years old, her levels of androgens have decreased by half. Healthcare providers and medical researchers don’t know how to prevent low testosterone from genetic conditions or damage to your testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary gland. On the other hand, changes in the body that occur as a result of sleep apnea can lead to low testosterone levels. As men age, they can experience a number of symptoms related to sexual function that may be a result of lowered levels of this hormone. This test measures the percentage of red blood cells in the bloodstream.

As boys exit puberty and enter adulthood, testosterone maintains muscle strength and mass, hair growth, bone density, sexual functions, energy and mood levels. Generally, testosterone levels are highest in the morning and lowest in the evening but fluctuation does selenium increase testosterone occur with age. Be open with your doctor about your medical history, all prescription and nonprescription drugs you are now taking, sexual problems, and any major changes in your life. Your doctor will take a thorough history of your symptoms and then complete a physical exam, including your body hair, breast tissue, and the size and consistency of the testes and scrotum. Your doctor will also use blood tests to see if your total testosterone level is low. To get a diagnosis of hypogonadism, you need at least two early morning (7–10 AM) blood tests that reveal low testosterone in addition to signs and symptoms typical of low testosterone. The cause of hypogonadism can be investigated further by your doctor.

While the causes and effects of low testosterone aren’t completely known, your healthcare provider can run tests to help figure out what’s causing your symptoms. People who’ve had their ovaries removed (oophorectomy) will also have low testosterone levels because their ovaries are responsible for about half of all testosterone production. Testosterone is a type of androgen hormone (or sex hormone) in your body. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell your body how to work and what to do. Everyone makes testosterone, but males make the most testosterone.

PSA is a blood test that serves as a screening tool for prostate cancer. Testosterone makes prostate cancer grow, so men with prostate cancer would not want to increase their testosterone levels. Prostate cancer is rare in young men, and the new American Urologic Association guidelines do not recommend screening for prostate cancer in men less than fifty years of age. Men between the ages of forty and fifty should be screened only if they have certain risk factors, such as a family history of prostate cancer or are of African American descent. Male hypogonadism should be diagnosed only if there are signs or symptoms of hypogonadism and total serum testosterone levels are low on at least two occasions. The evidence now is really quite strong that it is free testosterone levels, not total testosterone levels, that matter.

An experienced urologist can help identify if Low T is the cause of your symptoms and provide effective treatment options, including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Low testosterone, otherwise known as ‘Low T,’ is a common condition that affects nearly 40 percent of men over the age of 45. Testosterone is the hormone that helps men maintain and develop muscle mass, red blood cell levels, bone density, sexual and reproductive function and a general sense of well-being. While levels start dropping at around age 30, when they get too low, men can start to notice some unpleasant symptoms.

For example, trouble with erections can be a sign of diabetes or heart disease. 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. In males, production of this hormone starts to fall after age 30 and continues to decline (about 1% per year) throughout their life.

As men age, testosterone levels tend to decline, which is normal. However, low T can cause unwanted symptoms and sometimes health concerns. Your provider will test your blood level of testosterone if you have signs or symptoms of hypogonadism. Because testosterone levels vary and are generally highest in the morning, blood testing is usually done early in the day, before 10 a.m., possibly on more than one day. Talk to a healthcare provider if you struggle with any of these symptoms.