Introduction
Testosterone is a hormone that plays a key role in developing male reproductive tissues and organs like the testes and prostate. It also helps build muscle, maintain bone density, and contribute to your overall energy level. Testosterone levels peak during adolescence and early adulthood, then slowly decline with age. But certain conditions can cause your testosterone level to fall even before you notice any symptoms of aging. If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone (such as decreased libido or erectile dysfunction), talk to a medical practitioner who specializes in treating this condition.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is a male hormone produced primarily in the testicles, although it’s also present in smaller amounts in females. Testosterone plays a role in developing and maintaining male sexual characteristics, such as:
- Increased muscle mass and strength
- Bone density
- Facial hair growth
- Voice changes
How is testosterone measured?
Testosterone can be measured in the blood, saliva, or urine. Blood tests are the most accurate and effective way to measure testosterone levels and are recommended for those concerned about this hormone’s low levels.
Saliva and urine tests should not be used as an alternative to blood testing if you’re on a budget or want to keep track of your testosterone levels while you experiment with diet or exercise changes. These will only give you an idea of where your numbers may be headed in the future—it’s worth investing money on further blood testing to monitor your health.
Symptoms of low testosterone
If you have any of the following symptoms, it’s time to get your testosterone levels tested:
- Low libido (i.e., low sex drive)
- Weak muscles or fatigue
- Reduced energy levels
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Sleep problems (i.e., insomnia)
- Reduced facial and body hair (for men)
- Erectile dysfunction (for men)
What causes low testosterone?
The most common causes of low testosterone in men include, but are not limited to:
- Age. As you age, your body’s natural production of testosterone decreases. This decline becomes noticeable after you are 40 years old.
- Obesity. Excess fat tissue can interfere with the delivery of testosterone to the cells that need it. The more fat around your waistline and abdomen, the greater the impact on your testosterone levels.
- Lack of sleep. Getting less than 6 hours per night can significantly affect hormone levels —and one major contributor to this deficit is stress, which is involved in regulating the circadian clock.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol excessively are also linked with lower levels of testosterone production.
- Medications such as opiate painkillers can cause hypogonadism and reduce testicular function.
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 can cause hypogonadism by inhibiting the pituitary gland function.
What can an endocrinologist or hormone doctor do for you?
If you have low testosterone, an endocrinologist is a right doctor to see. Endocrinologists specialize in hormones, which means they can help you manage your symptoms and find the best treatment options for your unique hormone-related situation.
When you visit a specialist, they can ask about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and order blood tests (so it’s a great idea to get these beforehand and arrive prepared). Based on this information and the results of your blood work, an endocrinologist can determine whether or not you have low testosterone levels.
They can also help manage treatment side effects by adjusting the dosage or switching up medications.
Think you have symptoms of low testosterone?
If you think you have symptoms of low testosterone, talk to your primary care doctor, which may recommend seeing an endocrinologist. These doctors often work with other specialists, such as urologists, psychiatrists or psychologists, and physical therapists which can complement your treatment if needed.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why men may develop low levels of testosterone. Low testosterone can have various symptoms and complications with different causes. If you think that you might have symptoms of this condition, talk to your doctor as soon as possible and get your blood tests with us. Your primary care physician will be able to recommend an endocrinologist who can conduct an examination and determine whether or not treatment is necessary.