Low Testosterone Symptoms: What to Know
If you have ever listened to the radio while driving in a car, chances are you have heard a list of low testosterone symptoms that made you question whether you have this condition. If you are a man or woman over thirty, know this – your hormone levels are changing all the time. By the time most people reach their mid-twenties, the production of both testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) reach their peak. After that, it is all downhill. That does not mean your body will suffer in any way. Most people do fine as their hormone production declines. How do you know if you are one of the men or women whose bodies do not adjust well to decreasing hormone levels? You will see signs of hormone deficiency in your everyday life. Here are some of the warning signals to look out for that will alert you to low testosterone levels:- Frequent fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Muscle loss or weakness
- Forgetfulness
- Hair loss
- Depression
- Joint pains
- Bodily stiffness
- Insomnia or other sleep disturbances
- Low sex drive
Low testosterone symptoms are similar in men and women – warning signs include fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain, forgetfulness, and low sex drive.
Physical Symptoms of Low Testosterone
There is no doubt that the body changes as we age. After age thirty, normal signs of aging begin to show. Some people notice a few crow’s feet around their eyes. Others have to move a notch over on their belt buckle. Forgetting where you put your glasses becomes increasingly common. Aging is a normal part of life. How your body reacts to hormonal decline is not always normal. If your androgen receptors cells do not get adequate testosterone, your body will let you know in ways you can see as well as feel. A diagnosis of low testosterone requires clinically low blood test levels of testosterone as well as accompanying symptoms. Here are the most common low testosterone symptoms that affect you on a physical level:- Diminished lean muscle mass
- Joint pains and possibly height shrinkage caused by reduced bone density
- Increased abdominal adiposity – belly fat
- Hair thinning or loss
- Anemia due to reduced blood cell production
- Fatigue – low energy levels
- Decreased sex drive
- Vaginal dryness in women
- Erectile dysfunction or low sperm count in men
- Hot flashes or night sweats – yes, men get them, too
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping
- High total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Osteoporosis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Cardiovascular disease
- Atherosclerosis
- Dementia
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Traumatic brain injury
- Tumor of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, or testes
A diagnosis of low testosterone means that you have clinically low blood testosterone levels as well as accompanying symptoms.
How Do Low Testosterone Symptoms Impact the Brain and Emotions?
The low testosterone symptoms do not end with the list in the previous section. That is only a showing of how testosterone decline affects you on a physical plateau. There are still emotional and cognitive effects to discuss. Androgen receptors in the brain must receive adequate testosterone each day for proper cognitive and emotional responses. The following low testosterone symptoms: anxiety, irritability, and increased stress can leave you feeling out of sorts. As stress levels climb, your body responds by secreting more cortisol into the bloodstream. Although cortisol is a necessary hormone, it is antagonistic to testosterone and growth hormone production. Too much cortisol will keep you at high alert late at night when you should be relaxed and ready for sleep. As a result, you will sleep less soundly and for a shorter than usual duration. Because your body produces a significant portion of the testosterone and growth hormone you need each day while you are asleep, you will likely wake in the morning with a hormone deficit. As cortisol levels climb, testosterone and growth hormone decline. Your anxiety and stress will respond in kind, further worsening the situation. Other symptoms of low testosterone that impact the brain include:- Feelings of depression
- Mood swings
- Poor self-image
- Decreased quality of life
- Forgetfulness
- Trouble retaining newly learned information
- Impaired cognitive functions
- Lack of focus
- Trouble concentrating
- Brain fog
- Reduced drive, motivation, and productivity
Cognitive performance and emotional well-being rely on the brain getting a plentiful supply of testosterone each day.
What Are the Differences between Male and Female Symptoms of Low Testosterone?
Most of the low testosterone symptoms in men are the same as for women. Testosterone is crucial for brain functions, muscle and bone stability, red blood cell production, and sex drive. The primary differences between males and females in the low testosterone symptoms checklist are as follows:- Men – loss of the morning erection, weak erections, low sperm count, premature ejaculation, fewer erections each day, inability to achieve an erection
- Women – vaginal dryness, painful intercourse
Most symptoms of low testosterone are the same in males and females with just a few differences.
How Do I Treat Low Testosterone Symptoms?
Treatment of low testosterone typically relies on testosterone supplementation. The HRT doctor determines the appropriate treatment plan after reviewing blood test and physical examination results. The severity of low testosterone symptoms and treatment plan are directly related. A person who has low levels of testosterone without any symptoms will not require any treatment. Someone who has only moderate symptoms and a slight decline may be able to start with lifestyle changes such as:- Getting more sleep
- Engaging in testosterone-boosting exercise
- Intermittent fasting to promote hormone production
- Weight loss
- Decreasing stress
- Supplementing with testosterone-boosting foods, herbs, and amino acids
Treatment for low testosterone depends on the severity of the symptoms and the level of deficiency.
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