Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Male hypogonadism Symptoms & causes

Your doctor can also help you determine if there’s an underlying cause triggering your low testosterone. While changes to the lifestyle and diet alone may not raise levels sufficiently, they can often help. 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. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth.

You should discuss with your physician how to monitor for prostate cancer and other risks to your prostate. Men with known or suspected prostate or breast cancer should not receive testosterone therapy. You should also talk to your doctor about the risks of testosterone therapy if you have, or are at risk for, heart disease or stroke. In addition, if you are planning fertility, you should not use testosterone therapy.

If both tests show levels below 300 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter), the diagnosis may be confirmed. The body requires testosterone to develop the penis and testicles. Research suggests that as you age and your testosterone levels gradually drop, you may also experience a decrease in the size of your testicles.

Testosterone deficiency alone is generally not the cause of primary erectile dysfunction. However, low T levels and what it does to your sex drive can affect your ability to have or sustain an erection. The American Urology Association (AUA) defines hypogonadism as total testosterone lc/ms/ms, innovate360.pt, testosterone level of less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). The diagnosis is only made after two testosterone lab checks are done and the patient has symptoms. This is referred to as hypogonadism, testosterone deficiency syndrome (TD), low testosterone (Low-T), or andropause. It’s common to write off-road rage or men otherwise behaving badly as a sign of increased testosterone production. However, there are no studies that link male behavior to increased testosterone production.

This effect is believed to occur due to an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. While there are three injectable drugs, two of them are short-acting and one is long-acting. Finally, testosterone pellets are also available in branded form, with no generic agents currently available. An updated evidence search was subsequently performed in 2022. The original guideline search strategy was updated and used to systematically search PubMed for new evidence published between the previous search end date and February 2022. This search covered the topic areas of all Key Questions listed previously. The literature search returned 11,537 citations after deduplication.

Although you’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or other care provider, you might be referred to someone who specializes in the hormone-producing glands (endocrinologist). Early detection in boys can help prevent problems from delayed puberty. Early diagnosis and treatment in men offer better protection against osteoporosis and other related conditions.

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Of course it must be kept in mind that symptoms of low T can also be the result of other issues, such as stress, not sleeping well, and thyroid issues. As men age, testosterone production naturally wanes; in fact, about 40% of men over age 45 have lower levels of testosterone — technically called hypogonadism. But if yours is significantly low, your body starts showing signs. Your doctor will take a sample of your blood to check your testosterone levels. They will also check levels of other hormones, such as estradiol and luteinizing hormone, that can cause low testosterone.

The primary question that needs to be addressed at that time is whether they may want to conceive children again in the future. Elevated testosterone levels can cause enlargement of the prostate in some men, especially as they get older. An enlarged prostate can block the flow of urine and cause symptoms such as a slow urinary stream and difficulty emptying the bladder. These symptoms are rare in young men but can occur in some circumstances. Assessment for symptoms of urinary obstruction can be performed in older men, or younger men with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate) or voiding problems. Standardized evaluations, such as the AUASS (American Urologic Association Symptom Score), can also be utilized.

In general, a diagnosis of low testosterone is made if the hormone’s level is below 300 ng/dL. A testosterone replacement treatment, although it may have some contraindications, should not cause health problems as long as the doctor and the patient follow the treatment properly. If, on the other hand, it is due to the aging process, a testosterone replacement treatment can be prescribed, which could be every 6, 12, or 14 weeks, varying from patient to patient and seeking to cover their unique needs.