Testosterone is the male sex hormone that is made in the testicl*s. 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.
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 testicl*s, diabetes, and obesity (being overweight). See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Why Testosterone Therapy (TT)?
You may need testosterone therapy (TT) if you have Low-T. Both the FDA and the AUA suggest that TT be used to treat conditions you are born with, such as Klinefelter syndrome.
You also may need TT if you harm or lose your testicl*s. If your testicl*s are removed because of a sickness such as cancer, you may need TT. Most men with Low-T (no matter what the cause) will be treated if they have both symptoms of Low-T and blood tests showing Low-T levels. Talk with your doctor if you feel that you may need TT.
TT may help you but it may have adverse (harmful) results. (See discussion of these side effects below.) The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has said that testosterone drug labels should state that there is a risk for heart disease and stroke for some men using testosterone products. All men should be checked for heart disease and stroke before, and periodically while on, TT. The AUA however, on careful review of evidence-based peer review literature, has stated that there is no strong evidence that TT either increases or decreases the risk of cardiovascular events.
The FDA also was concerned when they found that men were being treated for Low-T due only to aging. There is ongoing research to determine more about TT in aging men. Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits and risks of TT and carefully consider how to treat your symptoms.
How Common is LowTestosterone in Men?
It is hard to know how many men among us have TD, although data suggest that overall about 2.1% (about 2 men in every 100) may have TD. As few as 1% of younger men may have TD, while as many as 50% of men over 80 years old may have TD. People who study the condition often use different cut-off points for the numbers, so you may hear different numbers being stated.
TD is more common in men who have diabetes or who are overweight. In one research study, 30% of overweight men had Low-T, compared to only 6.4% of those with normal weight. The same study found diabetes to be a risk factor for TD. In another study, 24.5% of men with diabetes had Low-T, compared to 12.6% of those without diabetes.
FAQs
Types of testosterone replacement therapy
- Gel. There are several gels and solutions available, with different ways of applying them. ...
- Injection. Testosterone cypionate (Depo-Testosterone) and testosterone enanthate are given in a muscle or under the skin. ...
- Patch. ...
- Gum and cheek (buccal cavity). ...
- Nasal. ...
- Implantable pellets.
Millions of men live with a testosterone deficiency. If left unchecked, this treatable condition may contribute to serious health problems like osteoporosis and lowered red blood cell production.
How do you fix low testosterone levels? ›
- IMPROVING LOW TESTOSTERONE NATURALLY. The following information is a summary of materials featured in the “Men's Health” Whole Health overview. ...
- MAINTAIN IDEAL BODY WEIGHT. ...
- AVOID DEVELOPING DIABETES. ...
- EXERCISE. ...
- SLEEP WELL. ...
- AVOID TOBACCO PRODUCTS. ...
- AVOID EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL. ...
- AVOID OPIOID PAIN MEDICATIONS.
When a male's testosterone levels are low, it can cause a variety of symptoms. These can include low libido, erectile dysfunction, depression, irritability, and reduced lean muscle mass. It can also cause a reduction in testicl* size, lower amounts of sem*n, and difficulty sleeping.
Do doctors treat low testosterone? ›
Most men with Low-T (no matter what the cause) will be treated if they have both symptoms of Low-T and blood tests showing Low-T levels. Talk with your doctor if you feel that you may need TT.
What is the most common treatment for low testosterone? ›
Healthcare providers treat low testosterone (male hypogonadism) with testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy has several different forms, including: Testosterone skin gels: You apply the gel every day to clean, dry skin as directed.
How long does it take to fix low testosterone? ›
You may start to notice your sex drive ramping up within 3 to 4 weeks before plateauing at about 6 weeks. Continued testosterone replacement therapy will maintain those results. If you're having trouble getting or maintaining an erection, it can take several more weeks before seeing the results of TRT.
What happens when a man's testosterone is extremely low? ›
In addition to causing physical changes, having low levels of testosterone can affect you on an emotional level. The condition can lead to feelings of sadness or depression. Some people have trouble with memory and concentration and experience lowered motivation and self-confidence.
What are the mental symptoms of low testosterone? ›
Testosterone also plays a role in bone and muscle mass, as well as fat distribution and red blood cell production. Additionally, when you have low testosterone levels, it can cause mood swings, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems, because your brain cells need testosterone.
What is the fastest way to regain testosterone? ›
Stay active. A 2017 study suggested that increasing physical activity was more beneficial than weight loss for improving testosterone levels. However, it is a good idea not to overdo it, as higher levels of exercise may cause low testosterone.
Certain foods, including oysters, leafy greens, fatty fish, and olive oil, may encourage the body to produce more testosterone. Foods that contain zinc, vitamin D, and magnesium may be key. A person can ensure they receive the right nutrients by following a balanced diet.
Which vitamin can increase testosterone? ›
It's possible that vitamin D can also help increase testosterone levels. One 2011 study found that men with vitamin D deficiency who took 3,332 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily for 1 year saw their testosterone levels significantly increase.
Can a man with low testosterone get hard? ›
Some men have healthy erections despite testosterone levels well below the normal range. What is clear is that low testosterone levels are linked to a number of the same chronic conditions that play a role in erectile dysfunction, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Can low testosterone change your personality? ›
In the same way that women can get brain fog during the menopause, men can experience impaired mental function when affected by low testosterone. This can cause psychological side effects, including: Low mood. Irritability.
How did my testosterone get so low? ›
Certain health conditions, medicines, or injury can lead to low testosterone (low-T). Testosterone levels also naturally drop with age. Low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and changes in muscle and fat. Treatment with testosterone therapy may help reduce symptoms.
What medication is used to increase testosterone levels? ›
Fluoxymesterone is used to treat symptoms of low testosterone in adult men who have hypogonadism (a condition in which the body does not produce enough natural testosterone).
How much will 100 mg of testosterone raise levels? ›
After receiving the last dose of the treatment period, testosterone levels were then measured more frequently. For the 100 mg group, the average Cmax peaked above 1,200 ng/dL 24 hours after the last dose and declined to slightly above 600 ng/dL after 1 week.
