Testosterone is a crucial hormone produced in men. There are several symptoms of low testosterone in men if the testosterone levels fall below the normal levels (300-1000 ng/dl). Here, we will elaborate the signs and symptoms.
Testosterone helps in sperm production and stimulates the male sex drive. It also helps to build bone mass and muscle. It is also important for maintaining bone density, muscle mass and sex drive. The production of testosterone decreases with age.
The production of testosterone is at its peak during adulthood and reduces a little every year after that. At the time of puberty, it leads to the deepening of the voice, development of the penis and the testes, growth of facial hair. The hormone continues to play a crucial role even after the teenage years. When the right amounts of testosterone are not produced, it is known as hypogonadism. It is also referred to as low T.
Low testosterone can lead to the lack of certain male characteristics and symptoms such as reduced sex drive and fatigue. The symptoms can differ from one man to another depending on the age of the person and the reason for low T. Men who have been diagnosed with effects of low testosterone benefit from testosterone therapy.
Signs of low testosterone
Low testosterone levels can strike at any age. Some symptoms of male hypogonadism in which the body does not produce the required testosterone are delayed puberty, underdeveloped genitalia, lack of a deeper voice and facial hair. In older men who are suffering from reduced testosterone levels, the symptoms may include low energy, mood swings, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction or impotence.
The symptoms mentioned above are not adequate to diagnose low testosterone. Your doctor may ask you to go for a blood test to confirm if your testosterone levels are low.
Effects of Low Testosterone:
• Reduced sex drive – Testosterone hormone plays an important role in the sex drive in men as well as women. While both face a low sex drive with age, someone who has low testosterone level will face a drastic decline in sexual desire.
• Difficulty in erection – Testosterone is important to help achieve an erection. When the levels of testosterone are reduced, there may be difficulty in getting erection. There are other health issues too that can influence Erectile Dysfunction. It is, therefore, crucial to first identify if low testosterone levels are causing this symptom.
• Decreased semen volume – Low levels of testosterone produces low semen.
• Hair loss – Testosterone is important for many functions including production of hair. While balding is a natural process of ageing, men who have low testosterone can face a loss of facial and body hair.
• Fatigue – Men who have low levels of testosterone tend to suffer from a dip in energy levels and fatigue.
• Loss of muscle mass – Testosterone plays a crucial role in building muscle. Reduced testosterone levels may lead to a reduction in muscle mass as well as strength. It might be difficult to rebuild the muscle lost.
• Bone loss – Men facing low T can experience a decrease in bone mass. They are also more at risk of suffering from bone fractures.
• Mood swings – Testosterone affects several physical processes and can affect mood. Men who suffer from low T are likely to face from lack of focus, irritability and depression.
It is natural for testosterone levels to decrease over time. Your doctor can ask you to go for a blood test to determine if you are suffering from decreased levels of the hormone and suggest treatments if needed.
Also Read: Causes and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Treating Low Testosterone:
You can consult your doctor if you feel that you have low T. The symptoms can be emotionally and physically debilitating. While there is no magic cure to increase testosterone levels, there are some natural remedies that can help such as getting proper rest at night, losing excess weight, including zinc in the diet, avoiding sugar, decreasing stress levels, eating protein-rich foods and wholesome greens, and including a regular regime of exercise in your routine can go a long way towards helping manage low testosterone levels.
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Talk to your doctor about the treatment option to treat low T. Making healthy lifestyle changes can also help to cope with low testosterone levels. With the right treatment and healthy habits, you can counter the effects of low testosterone and look to enjoying a healthy life.
