Low Testosterone

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicles. Testosterone hormone levels are important to normal male sexual development and functions.

During puberty (in the teen years), testosterone helps boys develop male features like body and facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle strength. Men need testosterone to make sperm. Testosterone levels generally decrease with age, so older men tend to have low blood testosterone levels.

What is Low Testosterone?

Some men have low testosterone levels. This is called Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T). Deficiency means that the body does not have enough of a needed substance. Syndrome is a group of symptoms that, together, suggest a disease or health condition.

The American Urology Association (AUA) identifies low blood testosterone (Low-T) as less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). These symptoms or conditions may accompany Low-T:

• Low sex drive
• Fatigue
• Reduced lean muscle mass
• Irritability
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression
• There are many other possible reasons for these symptoms, such as: opioid use, some congenital conditions (medical conditions you are born with), loss of or harm to the testicles, diabetes, and obesity (being overweight). See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Symptom

There are many signs and symptoms of Low Testosterone. Some are more closely related to Low-T levels (specific signs and symptoms). Others may not necessarily be linked (non-specific signs and symptoms). Your doctor will help you make sense of your own situation.

Specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)

Specific symptoms are those more likely or directly linked to TD such as:

• Reduced sex drive
• Reduced erectile function
• Loss of body hair
• Less beard growth
• Loss of lean muscle mass
• Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• Obesity (being overweight)
• Symptoms of depression

Non-specific Signs/Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency (TD)

Non-specific symptoms are those that may or may not be linked to TD such as:

• Lower energy level, endurance and physical strength
• Poor memory
• Difficulty with finding words to say
• Poor focus
• Not doing well at work

Having any one of the specific or non-specific symptoms may not mean that you have TD. But if you have a mix of symptoms, for instance, if you start to feel very tired and sad over a period of time and this is a change for you, you may want to check for TD.

Low sexual desire alone may not mean that you have TD. But if you have a combination of low sexual desire, reduced erectile function, and feelings of sadness and tiredness, you should talk to your doctor.

Some persons are born with conditions that cause Testosterone Deficiency (TD) such as:

• Klinefelter syndrome
• Noonan syndrome
• Ambiguous genitalia (when the sex organs develop in ways that are not typical looking)

Some men may develop Low-T because of conditions like these:

• Damage to testicles by accident
• Removal of testicles because of cancer
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Pituitary gland disease leading to hormone deficiency
• Infection
• Autoimmune disease (when the body makes antibodies that attack its own cells)

Basically, if your testicles keep making less testosterone than normal, your blood levels of testosterone will fall. Many men who develop TD have Low-T levels linked to:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and belly fat)
• Use of medications such as antidepressants and narcotic pain medications

low Testosterone Diagnose

Although many symptoms may be tied to Low Testosterone (Low-T), total blood testosterone level is the most important measure of testosterone deficiency. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will use other specific signs and symptoms in addition to your testosterone blood level.

At your medical visit, your health history will be taken, and the doctor will do an exam and look for some of the signs and symptoms mentioned in this article.

Physical Examination

• BMI for Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome.
• Hair pattern, amount, and location
• Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts)
• Whether testicles are present and their size
• Prostate size and any abnormalities

Testing of low testosterone

Your doctor may order these blood tests:

• Total testosterone level.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH).
• Blood prolactin level.
• CBC
• Blood hemoglobin
• Semen Analysis

The following also may be done to help with further diagnosis:

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This test is to check for sperm-making function if you want to have children. You may also need to have semen tests. These tests will be done before any hormone therapy.
• Estradiol hormone test is done if there are breast symptoms.
• HbA1C blood test may be done for diabetes.

Suggesation

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began
• Key personal information,including any major stresses, recent life changes, and history of childhood illnesses or surgeries
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor

Consult your doctor soon