Although primarily produced in males, testosterone is a hormone both men and women naturally produce. Are you concerned about your testosterone levels? You’re not alone. Adequate testosterone levels are essential to proper sexual development and functions such as sex drive, muscle/mass strength, sperm production, bone density, and more. Testosterone production generally increases during puberty and naturally begins to decrease after turning 30 and progressively declines as men continue to get older. With that said, it is important to be aware of your t-levels and how its decrease can cause a lot of physical and emotional modifications. If you are worried your t-levels may be low or just want to be informed, keep reading to find out more!

Besides age, common causes of low testosterone levels include certain chronic medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and infections.

10 Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone

1. Low sex drive
Men will generally experience a decline in their sex drive as they age, but if you feel that your libido has suddenly and drastically dropped, this may be a symptom you have low testosterone.

2. Hair loss
Testosterone is involved in maintaining several body functions, including hair production. Balding is a common occurrence for many men as they age. Many cases are due to genetics, but there are times low t may be the cause.

3. Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is another major symptom of low testosterone found in men. This type of fatigue usually does not improve after rest. The severity of the fatigue may range from person to person, sometimes even interfering with your normal daily activities from such a drop in energy. Several men with inadequate levels of testosterone also report loss of motivation to exercise.

4. Difficulty achieving erection
Like your sex drive, testosterone also helps men achieve and maintain erections by stimulating receptors in the brain to create a molecule that aids in triggering a string of chemical reactions called nitric oxide to achieve an erection. Low testosterone levels can cause difficulty achieving an erection during foreplay or spontaneously (such as during sleep).

Other factors that may cause erectile dysfunction:
-high cholesterol
-high blood pressure
-diabetes
-stress/anxiety
-alcohol consumption
-thyroid problems

5. Mood swings
Since testosterone affects several bodily functions, it can also play a role in mood and mental capacity. Men with low t tend to have a likelier chance of experiencing irritability, depression, or problems focusing.

6. Memory loss
Another bodily function associated with testosterone is cognitive functions, specifically affecting the memory. Memory generally declines with age as testosterone production declines. According to research conducted by Saint Louis University, having low testosterone may put older men at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

7. Less muscle mass
Testosterone is also involved in muscle and strength building and helps increase neurotransmitters, which encourages tissue growth. Testosterone aids in increasing the levels of growth hormone, making exercise and strength training more likely to lead to building muscle mass. Men with low testosterone are more likely to lose muscle mass and suffer from bone fractures or breaks.

8. More body fat
Testosterone plays an important role in metabolism, which helps men burn fat efficiently. Low t levels can result in an increase in body fat.

9. Trouble sleeping
Inadequate levels of testosterone may also affect your sleep patterns. Insomnia and other chronic problems can also lower your testosterone levels, making them often directly related. A week-long study conducted on 10 healthy young men analyzed the effect of what sleep deprivation (cutting their sleep time in half) can do to testosterone levels. The results showed daily sleep restriction was associated with a progressive decline in testosterone levels.

10. Hot flashes
Although hot flashes are more commonly associated with women during menopause, men can also experience them too. Night sweats may be another sign you have low t levels.

Consider Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
Healthy Aging Medical Centers of New Jersey provides comprehensive Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) programs to help male patients regain hormonal balance while avoiding having to deal with a lot of the symptoms that come with hormonal decline, such as some discussed above that may interfere with everyday life. Our certified staff provide around the clock support to answer any questions and concerns and prioritize in helping patients improve their overall diets, improve their sleep quality, exercise more, reduce stress, and more – which have been known to help balance hormones back to adequate levels as well as reduce the uncomfortable symptoms associated with aging and hormonal decline.

Aging is inevitable, but how you age can be in your control. If you are concerned with your testosterone levels and have been experiencing some of the symptoms we discussed today, it is important to consult with your doctor. If you or someone you know may benefit from our programs and are located in New Jersey, reach out to Healthy Aging Medical Centers for a TRT consultation to see if it is right for you. We are here to help our patients improve their health issues and improve their quality of life. Don’t put your health aside any longer. Take charge and call us today!