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Signs of Low Testosterone

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Testosterone is a hormone that exists in both males and females of the human species. In men, testosterone is responsible for the proper functionality of the sexual and reproductive systems. It also plays a role in other functions of the human body, including:

Maintaining bone density
Promoting muscle strength
Production of red blood cells
Promotion of sex drive
Healthy fat distribution in the body

Not only does testosterone play these important roles in the male body, but it does so in the female body as well. Women, however, possess lower levels of this hormone than do men. When women have too much testosterone, they can suffer conditions such as male pattern baldness and other adverse developments.

Common Symptoms

While having too much testosterone can be problematic, too little testosterone can lead to deterioration of health. Since testosterone plays a crucial role in the production and development of sperm, for men, low testosterone can lead to infertility.

For men, a healthy testosterone level is between 270-1070 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter). The average level would be around 679 ng/dL.

Some of the symptoms of low testosterone in men are:

Gaining significant fat
Muscle depletion
Hair loss
Erectile dysfunction
Development of larger than normal breasts
Lethargy

For women, healthy testosterone levels are around 15-70 ng/dL. Symptoms of low testosterone in women include fatigue, sleep disruption, low sex drive, loss of bone density, and weight gain.

Causes of Low Testosterone

Testosterone levels tend to drop in men as they age. According to scientific studies, the peak stage for testosterone for a man occurs at around the age of 20, and then gradually decreases.

However, when testosterone drops below the healthy levels, this can be disruptive to the individual's health system.

Certain problems may contribute to this reduction of testosterone to levels that are considered unhealthy. Such problems include but are not limited to the following:

Pituitary tumors
Hormonal disorders
Castration or testicular injury
Side effects from taking opiate analgesics and other medicines that reduce testosterone

For women, some of the causes of low testosterone are menopause, problems with the ovaries or health problems with the adrenal glands.

How to Tell If You Are Suffering from Low Testosterone

Because the symptoms of low testosterone are often shared with those of other medical disorders, it can be hard to know if you have low testosterone.

If you have been feeling sluggish and unable to sleep lately, you might be suffering low testosterone. However, other tell-tale signs could be a low sex drive, mood swings, and memory loss or other cognitive disorders.

To diagnose low testosterone, you will need to visit a doctor who will review your symptoms and conduct tests to assess your situation. The doctor will likely conduct a blood test to check your testosterone level. He or she may also do MRI tests or other diagnostic tests to check for tumors and hormonal problems.

Conditions Associated with Low Testosterone

Certain diseases and conditions can make you more likely to experience low testosterone. These include kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS, high cholesterol, obesity, heart problems, and metabolic syndrome.

While the exact link between these conditions and low testosterone is not completely understood, one may make you more susceptible to the other. In particular, a weakening of your body's ability to regulate and fight disease seems to result in the body producing less testosterone.

Treatment Options for Low Testosterone

There are several treatment options for curing low testosterone. First, if there's an underlying condition such as tumors and other diseases, the doctor will likely deal with those first.

As to the actual low testosterone, the doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). This treatment replenishes the levels of testosterone in the body, and helps to preserve the proper functioning of body processes affected by low testosterone.

In addition, you might also be prescribed a testosterone supplement treatment to get your testosterone levels back up.

Apart from medical options, you can also pursue lifestyle adjustments to boost your testosterone, particularly if the problem is not severe. Lifestyle adjustments include following an exercise program to lose weight, quitting smoking, eating healthy, and getting plenty of rest, including sleep.