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Male Hypogonadism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

9 Signs of Low Testosterone In Men

It is important to remember that males typically lose testosterone as they age, and the potential benefits of lifestyle changes also decrease over time. Weight loss and exercise can often increase testosterone levels naturally. In males, hypogonadism, a condition where the testicles produce little or no testosterone, may occur at any age.

In the past, low T was typically treated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). The American College of Physicians updated its clinical practice guidelines in 2020 to counsel that TRT should only be prescribed to men for sexual dysfunction. Also, some symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep problems, and depression, can be caused by many underlying conditions that have nothing to do with testosterone. Genetic variants that affect the Y chromosome and the sex hormone-binding globulin may result in a higher risk for low testosterone. SHBG is a protein that helps deliver testosterone to the body’s tissues. Diets high in trans-fats can negatively impact a person’s lifting weights increases testosterone levels, while zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant vitamins can support testosterone production.

Some research suggests that hot flashes may be a symptom of very low testosterone levels. However, a 2017 study on testosterone supplementation did not find memory improvements in 493 men with low testosterone levels who took testosterone or a placebo. Males with low testosterone may experience extreme fatigue and decreased energy.

One of the signs of low testosterone is weakened bones that may make men, especially aging men, more susceptible to bone fractures. Hair loss can be frustrating, especially for men suffering from low T. Low testosterone can not only cause a man to lose hair on his head, but also on his arms, legs and other areas of his body including his facial hair. The difficulty to achieve or maintain an erection may not be entirely due to low T, though. Erection difficulties are linked to a variety of health concerns, such as diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and thyroid issues. How to treat low testosterone is a question best reserved for you doctor, who may order a blood test to check on your T-levels.

These tests are usually accompanied by a physical exam to check for signs of low T, including abnormal breast growth and shrunken testicles. By age 65, over 60% of men have testosterone levels well below those seen in men ages 30 to 35. There have been many studies looking at the benefits or otherwise of treating low testosterone levels with testosterone replacement.

To make a diagnosis, a provider will consider your specific signs, symptoms and any blood test results. In one study, 30% of men who were overweight had low testosterone, compared to only 6% of those with weight in the normal range. In another study, 25% of men with Type 2 diabetes had low testosterone, compared to 13% of those without diabetes. Causes of primary and secondary hypogonadism are also divided into either congenital (at birth) or acquired (developed later in childhood or adulthood). As listed above (see Causes and Risk Factors of Low T), many conditions, such as obesity or heart failure, relate to or potentially contribute to low T. As described above, diet, stress management, and several other nonmedical approaches may be effective in staving off low testosterone issues. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

You may have low T if you’re consistently tired despite getting plenty of sleep or if you find it harder to get motivated to exercise. Research suggests that up to 35% of men with erectile dysfunction have low T. However, research is inconclusive on whether testosterone replacement therapy could successfully treat erectile dysfunction. People assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth produce testosterone, but this article focuses on symptoms of low testosterone in people assigned male at birth.

Testosterone deficiency alone is generally not the cause of primary erectile dysfunction. However, low T levels and what it does to your sex drive can affect your ability to have or sustain an erection. Low testosterone may affect different body systems, resulting in symptoms that affect memory, mood, bone, muscle, sex drive, and the ability to get or maintain an erection. The body requires testosterone to develop the penis and testicles. Research suggests that as you age and your testosterone levels gradually drop, you may also experience a decrease in the size of your testicles. Both testosterone levels and cognitive functions, particularly memory, decline with age.