Is Low Testosterone Dangerous to Your Health?

Low Testosterone Testosterone Deficiency: Symptoms and Treatment

That’s because they don’t manufacture sufficient levels of testosterone for optimal growth and health. Fully replenishing your testosterone level depends largely on what treatments you explore a your doctor. It’s worth noting that ED can be a symptom of low T levels, but there isn’t a strong correlation showing that testosterone replacement can also treat ED. They can confirm if low T levels are the cause of your ED symptoms or help you explore other alternative treatments that might work better for you. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain drugs before your test, as they could affect your testosterone levels.

Still, the associations between low testosterone and other medical conditions are interesting and worth a look. A lack of testosterone can sometimes have long-term, serious effects on the body. In men with very low levels, the bones can become weak, potentially causing a condition called osteoporosis. Low testosterone can have real and important health effects, especially on a man’s sex life. Men with low testosterone may have trouble getting and keeping an erection. The erections they do have may come less often and not as strongly as before.

They can do a blood test to help determine whether you have low testosterone. Low T is also a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease so its important to get checked to not only help your symptoms but protect your heart. A diagnosis of hypogonadism or low T requires two blood tests done on separate days. Your healthcare provider may order other lab tests to look at other sometimes reversible causes of your low testosterone levels. IF YOU’RE NOTICING that your sex drive isn’t what it used to be, or that you’re struggling to get through your workouts, or that you’re just feeling down, your testosterone levels could be to blame.

As males age they have a deterioration of hypothalamic-pituitary function and Leydig cell function that decrease testosterone and/or sperm production. Testosterone helps the body produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs). Low testosterone levels could lead to anemia, a blood disorder that may occur due to the decrease of RBCs. Obesity, lack of sleep, stress, and poor nutrition can all tank testosterone levels. Regular exercise, weight loss, clean eating, and managing sleep hygiene can go a long way in restoring natural production or enhancing the benefits of trt sex drive if you’re on it. However, testosterone therapy is highly effective for men with truly low testosterone, well below normal levels.

Most cases of low testosterone are treatable, and being aware of the symptoms can help a person receive an early diagnosis and treatment. A primary care physician may refer an individual to a urologist, who specializes in diseases of the male reproductive system, or to an endocrinologist who specializes in hormone-related diseases. For example, a bone density test can show diminished bone mass, one result of low testosterone. Testosterone stimulates the penile tissues to produce nitric oxide, which starts several reactions that result in an erection.

Meanwhile, some studies have found associations between low testosterone levels and symptoms like reduced cognitive function, brain fog, decreased motivation, and mood changes, according to Bailey. “A decline in testosterone can impact libido and sexual performance, which may strain intimate relationships and reduce quality of life,” he says. “Lifestyle changes across generations, such as reduced physical activity and unhealthy diets, further exacerbate the problem,” says Bailey. But by and large, he says this lack of movement and nutrient-dense food leads to low T by contributing to fat mass, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction, which are linked to lower testosterone levels.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. According to the AUA, 7 in 10 people receiving treatment for low T are using TRT skin gels. TRT is also available as injections, skin patches, and pellets placed under the skin. This article uses the terms “male” and “men” to maintain the specificity and accuracy of the research.

For more research-backed information and resources, visit our dedicated men’s health hub. People with low testosterone may find it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Semen is the fluid that makes up the majority of male ejaculate. In some cases, people with a deficiency of the hormone develop gynecomastia, which causes an enlargement of the breasts.