Low Testosterone: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Low Testosterone: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Hypogonadism means diminished functional activity of the gonads—the testicles or the ovaries—that may result in diminished production of sex hormones. Low androgen (e.g., testosterone) levels are referred to as hypoandrogenism and low estrogen (e.g., estradiol) as hypoestrogenism. These are responsible for the observed signs and symptoms in both males and females.

Everyone can benefit from an unbiased, listening ear now and then. I’ve referred many patients to see a therapist whose concerns resolve without testosterone therapy. Low-T clinics also tend to overtreat, making blanket recommendations around the patient’s total testosterone and not their individual health needs. So, before you call that low-T clinic or click on an outlandish ad for testosterone-boosting supplements, find out what’s at stake for your health. There are safer, more cost-effective options to restore youthful energy – and potentially reverse fertility loss from previous testosterone products. Tablets are placed on the gums above your incisors every 12 hours. As the gel-like tablet dissolves it slowly releases testosterone.

Healthy hormonal levels also help ensure that your body can effectively turn food into energy. A testosterone deficiency can interfere with this function and lead to weight gain. Occasional difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection is also normal, but if it happens frequently, this is considered erectile dysfunction. Testosterone stimulates the production of nitric oxide in penile tissue, which makes erections possible. So the lower your levels, the less likely you’ll be to get or keep an erection.

Many low T patients are prescribed testosterone therapy, or medications designed to elevate hormone levels. It can take two to three months for the benefits of these medications to take full effect. Hypogonadism, commonly referred to by the symptom “low testosterone” or “low T”, can also decrease other hormones secreted by the gonads including progesterone, DHEA, anti-Müllerian hormone, activin, and inhibin.

While hair loss can be due to aging, low levels of testosterone can also play a part. You might notice bald spots you hadn’t had before or an increase in thinning hair in multiple areas or your body. Low testosterone is something that 19 to 39 percent of older men deal with. And while low testosterone can lead to several health issues, the opposite can also be true in that certain conditions can lead to low levels of testosterone.

It may be possible in these cases to have testosterone levels return to normal levels after treatment or lifestyle change. In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend treatment such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). While taking exogenous testosterone — testosterone not made in the body — may manage symptoms, it can negatively impact fertility. Exogenous testosterone can actually lower hormone levels involved in sperm production, including naturally produced testosterone. This can then drive down sperm production and may result in either no sperm or greatly decreased sperm count. It is challenging to differentiate these symptoms from those that result from aging per se, and this was one of the reasons why the concept of LOH was introduced. Aggressive marketing campaigns by pharmaceutical companies have led to increased awareness of hypogonadism among men, who may then present to the clinic requesting testing or treatment (1).

Polycythemia can be a side effect of TD treatment, so it is helpful to get baseline values during diagnosis. Both tests are done in the early morning because a man’s testosterone levels fluctuate throughout the day. The protocol of testing in the morning keeps measurements consistent. If there is a problem with the pituitary gland, the testicles might not get the “message” to produce. Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring testosterone levels with a blood test. Testing first thing in the morning is recommended as this is when males generally have the highest level of T circulating in their bodies.

People with low testosterone may notice a decrease in the volume of their semen during ejaculation. There’s a powerful story behind every headline at Ohio State Health & Discovery. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Carrot is filling in gaps in access to high-quality care and support for low testosterone by building community, providing clinical education, and improving access to care. Treatment may relieve symptoms and help keep bones and muscles strong, however, there is no cure for low T. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts.

Doctors can also administer injections of testosterone and medical researchers are currently studying the effects of testosterone patches and pellets implanted in the skin. Some women may also obtain testosterone gel formulations from compounding pharmacies. However, these gels are traditionally used for men that have much higher average testosterone levels than when compared with women.

Low testosterone levels in males can lead to erectile dysfunction. They can also do vasectomies affect testosterone sleep, mood, the size of the testicles, and more. In both males and females, low testosterone can lead to lower bone mass and reduced sex drive. The decision about whether to stop the medications completely or to continue taking SERMs, anastrazole, or HCG depends on several factors. However, if the man did not notice any change in how he felt while on the medication or felt worse due to bothersome side effects, then he can stop the endogenous testosterone treatment. If the woman is pregnant, I would recommend that the man wait to stop the medication until she has entered the second trimester and everything seems to be going well with the pregnancy. The man can then restart the medications a few months prior to trying for more children in the future.