Low testosterone: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Male Hypogonadism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

TRT is not recommended for people with heart failure as it can worsen the condition. TRT is also avoided in men with untreated prostate or breast cancer as testosterone may stimulate the growth of a tumor. With congenital disorders or certain chronic diseases, lifelong TRT may be needed. Boys with delayed puberty are typically treated with monthly intramuscular injections for anywhere from three to 12 months. Male hypogonadism is diagnosed based on low testosterone blood levels and the appearance of symptoms. The process is not always straightforward and may require the input of a hormone specialist known as an endocrinologist to interpret the results.

The defect can be due to congenital causes (meaning conditions you are born with) and acquired causes (conditions you develop later in life). Male hypogonadism affects people born with testes and a penis, who are typically assigned male at birth. Depending on how low your testosterone is and the causes, doctors can also refer you for testosterone replacement therapy. Low testosterone can be caused by numerous things, with illness, injuries, stress and genetic conditions all playing a role in how the hormone is produced.

In the meantime, Younis has explained to us some of the things that could be in store. Low T is diagnosed with a review of your medical history, a physical exam, and a total does testosterone help muscle growth – behaviortherapyassociates.com – (TT) blood test. Left untreated, low testosterone can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health, self-image, quality of life, and relationships. These tests are important because they can help establish if the cause of your condition is your testicles (primary testis failure includes elevated LH and FSH) or due to pituitary issues (LH and FSH are low). If you suspect you have low testosterone, the only way to know for sure is to get tested. Your healthcare provider can do this, but a specialist in the male reproductive tract called a urologist may provide a more thorough evaluation.

A 2020 meta-analysis found that TRT significantly improved depressive symptoms in men with low testosterone. These include cutting back on drinking or smoking, reducing stress and increasing physical activity. If you suspect you’re experiencing low testosterone, call or schedule an appointment online with Dr. Rotman. We have offices on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in Hewlett, New York. Fatigue and mental fogginess are some commonly reported mental and emotional symptoms in men with low T.

This is especially true for older males who are more likely to have low testosterone and will often discount their symptoms as being a part of aging. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of low testosterone, it’s important to first talk to your doctor. Many of these signs are common and could be reflective of other problems.

Your doctor should also take a complete medical history and  undertake a physical examination, in addition to a detailed discussion of your symptoms. This is to exclude the possibility that your symptoms might be related to other health problems. There are many symptoms of low testosterone in men, including flagging energy levels, low libido, weight gain, and hair loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consider getting your testosterone levels tested. Researchers aren’t sure why fatigue is such a common symptom of low testosterone in men, but it could be related to sleep disturbances. If you’re not getting adequate nighttime rest, your T levels may not reach their daytime peak.

Produced by the ovaries in females, testosterone improves libido and sexual function, enhances cognitive function and moods, and increases bone density, particularly during and after menopause. Although testosterone production will naturally decline with age, testosterone replacement therapy is not always the right solution. Many experts recommend making key lifestyle changes to correct problems that contribute to low testosterone as you get older. The most important tool for the diagnosis of hypogonadism is the serum testosterone test.

In one JAMA study (7), daytime testosterone levels decreased by 10-15% among healthy young men who restricted sleep to 5 hours per night for one week. Of course, skimping on sleep will make you tired in its own right, but there could be a double threat. Your hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which triggers your pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH). From there, testosterone enters the bloodstream and delivers messages throughout your body to help regulate several critical functions and processes. If your levels of testosterone drop below 300 ng/dL and you experience unpleasant signs of low testosterone, you officially have a medical condition known as testosterone deficiency (TD) or male hypogonadism. Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a type of secondary male hypogonadism that results from normal aging.