It is the primary sex hormone associated with males.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
What Is Low Testosterone?
Some males havelow testosterone levels.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
The diagnosis is only made after two testosterone lab checks are done and thepatient has symptoms.
Females may also have low testosterone, especially as they age.
However, there are no conclusive guidelines on what should be considered low testosterone levels in females.
Aging and Testosterone
Testosterone levelsnaturally decline with age.
Signs of low testosterone are often subtle.
Someone with low T may experience a more drastic drop in their desire to have sex.
Testosterone deficiency alone is generally not the cause of primary erectile dysfunction.
Low Semen Volume
Testosterone plays a role in the production of semen.
People with low testosterone may notice a decrease in the volume of their semen during ejaculation.
Fatigue
Males with low T often report extreme fatigue and decrease in energy levels.
Loss of Muscle Mass
Males with low T might notice a decrease in muscle mass.
Studies have shown testosterone affects muscle mass, but not necessarily strength or function.
Increased Body Fat
Males with low T sometimes developgynecomastiaor enlarged breast tissue.
This effect is believed to occur due to an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen.
Decreased Bone Mass
Testosterone helps produce and strengthen bones.
Affected Memory
Both testosterone levels and cognitive functionssuch as memorydecline with age.
As a result, doctors have speculated that lower testosterone levels could contribute to affected memory.
Researchers have suggested that low testosterone may make you more susceptible to anemia.
Low Testosterone in Women
Testosterone is often thought of as a male hormone.
However, those assigned female at birth also have testosterone in their bodies.
It may also play a role in reducing the risk of certain endocrine cancers.
Are There Tests to Diagnose Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone is diagnosed by measuring testosterone levels with a blood test.
Adiagnosis of hypogonadismor low T requires two blood tests done on separate days.
They can do a blood test to help determine whether you have low testosterone.
This is not always an option, unfortunately.
In these cases, your healthcare provider may recommend treatment such as testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
There are several ways to do TRT.
Discuss what option best suits your lifestyle and medical needs with your healthcare provider.
Who Should Not Take Testosterone?
Testosterone replacement therapy may cause the prostate to grow.
People who have prostate cancer are advised not take testosterone replacement therapy.
Summary
Low testosterone is a common side effect of the aging process in males.
Most causes of low testosterone are easily treated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testosterone is an important hormone in people assigned male at birth.
When testosterone is low, it can have physical and mental effects.
Whether you seek treatment is your choice.
2016;11(9):e0162480.
Published 2016 Sep 21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0162480
Tsujimura A.The relationship between testosterone deficiency and men’s health.World J Mens Health.
2015;3(12):980-992. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00284-3
MedlinePlus.Testosterone levels test.
Endocrine Society.Hypogonadism in men.
Osterberg EC, Bernie AM, Ramasamy R.Risks of testosterone replacement therapy in men.Indian J Urol.
2019;14(11):e0224892.
Published 2019 Nov 7. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224892
