10 Common Signs You Could Have Low Testosterone Levels

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is a sex hormone necessary for various bodily functions. It regulates libido, muscle mass, mood, and fertility.

In men, testosterone levels start to increase when they reach puberty and adulthood. However, it starts to decline as they get into their mid-30s or 40s. While many refer to it as “male menopause,” it’s not the same as female menopause. Instead, testosterone levels decline steadily or less than 2% annually from 30 to 40 years old.

Hypogonadism refers to a condition wherein the body stops producing enough testosterone. Many men experience age-related or late-onset hypogonadism, while some have early or primary hypogonadism. 

Signs of Having Low Testosterone

So how can you tell that you have low testosterone? You start by understanding yourself physically and mentally. Low testosterone won’t cause any symptoms to some people, but others are affected by it in many ways. Below are some of the signs of having low testosterone:

1. Low sex drive

One of the signs of having low testosterone levels is low libido. Testosterone is responsible for fuelling your sex drive. If you feel like your libido is below average or non-existent, it could be due to having low testosterone. A low sex drive may mean you’re less interested in having sexual intercourse, or it can also refer to your emotions while doing it.

2. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction can affect anybody. Did you know that getting and maintaining an erection is more complicated than you think? There are neurological, anatomical, vascular, and psychological factors come into play during an erection.

Of course, testosterone levels also contribute to it. Any disruption in the link between the brain and the testes can lead to erectile dysfunction. If you find it challenging to maintain or get an erection, there’s a big possibility that low testosterone is behind it. 

Another is if you don’t wake up with an erection. It’s common to have a nocturnal erection when you’re in REM sleep, but once you no longer have it, that’s the time you get yourself tested for low testosterone.

Meanwhile, note that other health conditions can cause erectile dysfunction, too. These are thyroid problems, diabetes, depression, stress, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and anxiety. Smoking and drinking alcohol are contributing factors, too.

3. Poor muscle mass

Testosterone is also a potent anabolic hormone that helps stimulate growth and development. It builds up muscles and prevents them from breaking down. The receptors in the muscles start to decline as you grow older, preventing them from growing as much as before. Your muscle mass begins to fall once insufficient testosterone stimulates the receptors. 

Once you’ve noticed being weaker or that your muscles start to fall, you better have a testosterone test UK done.

4. Poor mood

Testosterone signals the brain and plays a crucial role in your mental health. Once you have low testosterone, you’ll feel moody, which can lead to depression. If this happens, you’ll also suffer from poor memory. 

This becomes common as you grow older. If your low mood is caused by low testosterone, you can manage your symptoms through treatments that can help increase your testosterone levels.

5. Fatigue or exhaustion

Do you feel tired most of the time or easily exhausted, and you don’t know why? If yes, there’s a big chance that you have low testosterone. Get yourself tested or visit your doctor to be sure and get the right treatments.

6. Gynecomastia or man boobs

Men with low testosterone are most likely to have increased body fat or gynecomastia, which refers to the enlargement of breast tissue. Also referred to as man boobs, it occurs when estrogen and testosterone are imbalanced in the body. Also, low testosterone causes the body to lay down visceral fat easier. 

7. Hair loss or growth

Did you know that testosterone can cause hair loss or hair growth? There are men with normal testosterone levels who experience hair loss on their heads, but they grow body or facial hair instead. For them, low testosterone can lead to loss of beard or body hair. 

On the other hand, some younger men experience early baldness due to low testosterone levels. 

8. Smaller testicle and penis

The body needs testosterone to develop the penis and testicles. One of the most common signs of low testosterone among men is having disproportionately smaller testes and penis. However, other factors can also contribute to this, such as varicocele, prostate surgery, hypogonadism, aging, and obesity.

9. Anaemia

Those with low testosterone have lower blood counts, which makes them prone to anemia. Symptoms include difficulty sleeping and concentrating, rapid heart rate, dizziness, and leg cramping. 

10. Hot flashes

Having hot flashes could be a sign of low testosterone, too. It’s a sudden warm feeling accompanied by excessive sweating, night sweats, and skin redness.

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What Causes Low Testosterone?

The body starts to produce less testosterone by the time you reach 30 or after menopause. But there are cases wherein younger individuals may experience low testosterone. 

For instance, hypogonadism, a condition wherein the testes fail to produce sufficient testosterone, can affect men of any age. The following are the two types of hypogonadism:

Primary Hypogonadism

Commonly referred to as primary testicular failure, it happens when there’s a problem in the testes which affects testosterone production, such as:

Testicular injury – Any injury to the testes from trauma and radiation or chemotherapy for treating testicular cancer.

Chromosome abnormalities – The male sex chromosomes comprise one X and one Y chromosome. However, there’s a condition called Klinefelter syndrome wherein two or more X chromosomes exist. This leads to abnormal development of the testes. Also, there are other chromosome abnormalities, such as the microdeletions of the Y chromosome.

Undescended testicles – testicles develop in the abdomen and start to descend before birth. However, there are times when they fail to move to the scrotum during early childhood. This condition can cause testosterone levels.

Secondary Hypogonadism

Secondary hypogonadism occurs when there’s a problem in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland is the “master gland” found at the base of the brain, while the hypothalamus is a part of the brain that connects the endocrine and nervous systems. These two signal the testicles to produce testosterone. Testosterone production changes if anything happens to either of them.

Here are other conditions that can cause secondary hypogonadism:

Pituitary problems – If the pituitary gland isn’t working correctly, the hormones that tell the testes to produce testosterone are also affected. It can lead to a deficiency.

Medications – Certain medications, especially painkillers like opioids for treating severe pain, can lower testosterone production.

Type 2 diabetes – This can increase your risk of having male hypogonadism

Aging – Testosterone levels start to decline with age as the body produces less testosterone

Females also experience low testosterone caused by:

Removal of ovaries 

Insufficient production of the adrenal gland

Taking oral oestrogen therapy

Assessing Low Testosterone Levels

Are you experiencing common signs of low testosterone levels? If yes, it’s time to take Vitall’s Testosterone Home Test Kit. This hormonal control test is perfect for checking testosterone levels in your body. 

The test is easy and accurate. You must use a simple finger-prick blood home test kit to collect your Testosterone blood sample at home. You can also ask for a home nurse visit to take your sample or go to a clinic to have an expert do it for you. 

Health practitioners will professionally analyse your blood sample in a UKAS-accredited laboratory. Your test will be CE marked and processed according to the NIHR GCP standards, guaranteeing quality. Your testosterone home test results will be delivered online in 24 hours.

In addition to taking the testosterone test UK doctors recommend, you can do a physical and mental self-assessment. To better understand your physical self, you can ask yourself the following questions:

• What’s your weight?
• Do you drink alcohol? If yes, how much do you usually drink?
• Do you smoke?
• What food do you eat?

On the other hand, ask these questions to understand your mental health better:

• What’s your mood like?
• What’s your stress level?
• Do you have trouble sleeping?
• Do you have difficulty remembering certain words?

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Assess your Free Androgen Index (FAI) for optimum control.

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How to Boost Testosterone Levels Naturally

Do you have low testosterone levels? Worry no more because many tested and proven natural ways help you boost testosterone. Here are some of them:

1. Get enough sleep

Lack of sleep can cause the body’s hormones to deteriorate, including testosterone. Make proper sleep a priority by sleeping at least seven to eight hours each night. Visit your doctor if you have insomnia.

2. Stick to a balanced diet

Having a balanced diet is crucial in maintaining healthy testosterone levels. Being overweight can cause inflammatory conditions, impair neurological functions, and lower testosterone production. Stick to a diet of whole foods and balanced carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A balanced diet can improve levels of all hormones in the body and contribute to long-term health and wellness. 

3. Lose weight if necessary

Overweight men produce less testosterone. If you think you need to shed some extra pounds, do so to ensure your testosterone levels go back to normal. Try doing regular exercises and stick to a well-balanced diet.

4. Stay active

Did you know that the more active you are, the more testosterone you’ll have? Increasing physical activity can help you lose weight and improve your testosterone levels. However, avoid overdoing it because too much exercise has the opposite effect on your testosterone levels.

Start a workout regimen, preferably with both cardio and strength training. Cardio helps you burn calories, while strength training boosts metabolism. These exercises help rebuild some of the muscle mass you lost due to low testosterone. 

5. Manage stress

Chronic stress causes many health issues. To start, it can elevate the hormone cortisol, which regulates the body’s metabolism and immune response. Above all, too much cortisol can negatively impact testosterone levels. Learn to manage stress effectively by avoiding stressors. 

One of the best ways to relieve stress is to do something you love for a few minutes each day. You can do some deep-breathing exercises or meditate. Take time to slow down and relax.

6. Cut back on drinking and other substance abuse

Generally, you can improve your testosterone levels naturally by avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs. Those who smoke have lower testosterone levels than those who don’t. Meanwhile, drinking too much alcohol and taking drugs can also reduce testosterone and affect testicular function. They also interfere with hormone production. 

7. Take supplements

There are supplements you can take to increase your testosterone levels. For instance, zinc supplementation can boost testosterone levels and help improve sexual function, especially in postmenopausal women with low zinc blood levels. It’s also beneficial for men suffering from low testosterone. 

Meanwhile, herbal supplements such as ginger, ashwagandha, and saw palmetto can also support healthier testosterone levels.

Always ask your doctor’s advice before taking these supplements to improve testosterone levels.

8. Check for underlying medical conditions

If you’re having low testosterone levels, chances are it’s triggered by one or more underlying medical conditions you may not know you have. For instance, being overweight can cause low testosterone, but it can also be caused by health conditions like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnoea. It can also be caused by the medications you’re taking to help ease an already existing medical condition. 

The best thing to do is see your doctor to help you understand the root of your low testosterone levels. Your doctor is the best person to advise you on which lifestyle changes you need or recommend the proper testosterone treatment.

Having low testosterone levels have negative effects to the body. If you experience any of the signs mentioned above, have a testosterone test UK doctors’ advice to determine your testosterone levels. Talk to your doctor and have the necessary lifestyle changes or treatments done. 

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