Signs You Have Low Testosterone

As you age, it’s normal to have lowered testosterone levels. It’s a natural part of growing older. However, when testosterone levels get too low, it can result in some symptoms that can have a negative impact on your quality of life.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone that your body needs to regulate certain functions. Testosterone levels starts to increase during puberty. After the age of 30, there’s a natural and gradual decline of testosterone.

What are the Signs of Low Testosterone?

There are several symptoms to look out for that may indicate you have abnormally low levels of testosterone. These include:

• complete loss of sex drive
• unable to achieve an erection
• hair thinning/hair loss
• fatigue
• increase in body fat
• loss of muscle mass
• weak, brittle bones

Women can have low testosterone, too. Some of the symptoms associated with low testosterone in women include:

• affected sexual desire
• affected sexual satisfaction
• depressed mood
• lethargy
• muscle weakness

What Causes Abnormally Low Testosterone Levels?

Several conditions can lead to abnormally low testosterone levels.

Diabetes Type II

Diabetes Type II causes chronic vascular constriction, which inhibits the flow of blood. It’s thought that this condition contributes to low testosterone levels by reducing the body’s ability to make and distribute this hormone.

HIV/AIDS

The presence of HIV/AIDS can lead to abnormally low testosterone levels, too. HIV/AIDS impacts a great number of hormonal production issues, including testosterone.

Liver or Kidney Disease

The presence of chronic liver or kidney disease is a contributing factor in testosterone levels that are too low. Commonly, liver or kidney disease is a side effect of alcohol abuse, which can also negatively impact testosterone levels.

Obesity

Being heavily overweight is a sure sign that there may be at least some drop in testosterone levels, and in many cases, the levels can drop abnormally low. Obesity is a factor in several conditions already mentioned, such as alcohol abuse and Diabetes Type II. As a result, if a person has abnormally low testosterone levels, it could be at least partially due to a combination of contributing factors.

Hormonal Changes

In women, going through menopause naturally lowers testosterone levels. When these levels become abnormally low, the reason may be as natural as the hormonal changes brought on by aging.

Treatment Options for Low Testosterone

Treatment options can vary and you should see a professional to figure out which option is best for you. For couples trying to conceive, a doctor may recommend gonadoptrin injections. Gonadoptrin is a synthetic hormone that signals the pituitary gland to release testosterone. This treatment for low testosterone has been proven effective in many cases.

Another treatment option is hormone replacement therapy, which has also proven effective for many. Hormone replacement therapy consists of taking medication to replace the hormones your body is not producing.

The side effects of low testosterone in both men and women can be critical. If you suspect that you have low testosterone, consult with your doctor. A simple test can confirm whether you suffer from this common but dangerous condition