Testosterone (the male sex hormone) decreases naturally with age. However, in some cases, testosterone can decrease to a point where it is outside of the normal range and cause a variety of health problems. For the average adult male, testosterone levels are considered normal between the range of 300 – 1,000 ng /dL (with an average around 680 ng / dL). Anything below this range is considered to be low.
These are the most common symptoms of low testosterone in men.
- Fatigue / Decreased Energy
Usually extreme
Tired all day (even after getting plenty of rest)
Lack of motivation - Difficulty Sleeping
It is common for men with low testosterone to also have sleep apnea. - Hair Loss
Balding is a natural process in many men, but low testosterone can lead to it worsening or even affecting other areas of the body (such as the body or the face). - Loss of Muscle Mass
Mainly affects size / appearance of the muscles. Does not usually affect muscle function or strength. - Hot Flashes
This symptom is common in both men and women who have decreased sex hormones (i.e. low testosterone in men and low estrogen in women). - Increased Body Fat and / or Breast Tissue [ Gynecomastia ]
Commonly causes an increase in body fat. Can also lead to increased fatty breast tissue, a condition known as Gynecomastia. - Decreased Bone Mass [ Osteoporosis ]
Since testosterone assists the body in strengthening bones, lack of testosterone can have the opposite effect – condition is known as Osteoporosis. - Mood Changes
Can cause depression and/or irritability - Poor Focus / Worsening Memory
Some studies suggest that poor concentration and/or worsening memory can also be symptoms of low testosterone. - Smaller Testicles
Oftentimes, low testosterone can lead to shrunken testicles. - Low Semen Volume
Noticeably lower semen volume during ejaculation. - Low Sex Drive
This is a common factor of aging but can be worsened by low testosterone (often to a significant degree). - Erectile Dysfunction
Testosterone stimulates receptors in the brain which cause it to create nitric oxide (a molecule that helps increase blood flow in the body). Low testosterone results in lower nitric oxide production, resulting in less frequent erections and/or difficulty achieving/maintaining erections. - Low Blood Count [ Anemia ]
A common symptom of low testosterone. This condition is also known as Anemia.
It is important to mention that these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors unrelated to low testosterone. However, if you are experiencing multiple of these symptoms, you may have low testosterone.
At The Mills Institute, we offer Men’s Hormone Management services to help you get your testosterone back under to normal levels. Visit our Patient Portal and begin your testosterone-restoration journey today.