What are the Effects of Low Testosterone?

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Testosterone is a primary male sex hormone produced by the testes and adrenal glands. If you have low testosterone it can have some negative effects on your health. The testes produce over 95% of the endogenous testosterone after receiving signals from the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands produce the remaining. Ovaries also produce testosterone in smaller amounts.

Testosterone controls various important functions in both men and women, such as the overall health of bones, skin, and muscles. However, testosterone levels decline in men as they age, and some even develop testosterone deficiency due to a congenital or acquired condition. Since testosterone is an important hormone, having low serum testosterone levels can influence your health in several ways.

In this article, we will evaluate how low T can affect different aspects of a man’s life.

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What is testosterone deficiency?

Testosterone deficiency, a condition also called low T, occurs when your testes do not produce enough testosterone to support the normal functioning of sex organs and other body tissues.

In healthy men, normal testosterone levels range from 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). If your testosterone levels are below 300 ng/dL, you may have testosterone deficiency syndrome.

It develops due to two reasons:

• An abnormality of the testes due to which they don’t produce testosterone even after receiving signals from the brain
• An abnormality of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus due to which they don’t send signals to the testes to synthesise testosterone

Is Low Testosterone Bad?

Low testosterone can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being. Testosterone plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including muscle growth, fat metabolism, mood regulation, and sexual health. When levels drop below the normal range, men may experience negative symptoms (see below).

Low T has also been linked to serious health concerns like osteoporosis, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular issues. While some men naturally experience a gradual decline in testosterone with age, consistently low levels can negatively affect quality of life.

What are the effects of low testosterone?

Low blood testosterone can affect your health in the following ways.

Low energy levels: You may feel like you are no longer as energetic as you used to be. You feel tired even after sleeping for 7 to 8 hours.

Drop in your sex drive: It may become difficult to gain and maintain an erection. You may lose interest in sex. It can disturb your relationship with your partner.

Loss of mental focus: When your testosterone levels are below normal, you have trouble concentrating and develop memory issues. You may forget your plans, what you were just going to say, or where you placed your home/car keys. It is more common in men who have extremely low testosterone levels.

Change in personality/mood: You may feel sad and depressed most of the time. You lose interest in things that once used to make you happy. You notice a change in your personality and don’t feel like yourself anymore.

Men taking testosterone medication feel happy and energetic once again due to the restoration of their testosterone levels.

Muscle mass changes: You start losing muscle mass and strength. Bodybuilding exercises that you once found very effective may not produce the same results.

Increase in body fat: You may gain weight due to the accumulation of body fats.

Reduction in bone mass: Your risk of developing osteoporosis (that makes bones weak and brittle) will increase. Your bones will lose their density, making you more susceptible to bone fractures.

Loss of facial and body hair: You may start losing your facial and body hair. Your hair will become thin and lose shine.

Restlessness at night: You may have difficulty falling asleep and may feel tired after waking up in the morning.

Problems on the job: Depression, low energy levels, and concentration difficulties can make it hard for you to show the same performance at work.

Low self-confidence: A disturbed relationship with your partner, friends and colleagues could result in a loss of self-esteem.

Identifying the causes of low testosterone

If low testosterone is influencing multiple aspects of your health and life, you should try to identify the cause of the problem and get rid of it if you can. Low T can develop due to various reasons, including:

Primary hypogonadism

Primary hypogonadism is a condition where the testes fail to produce sufficient testosterone, despite the pituitary gland signalling them to do so with hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

This condition often results from damage to or dysfunction in the testes, which can stem from genetic disorders, injury, or illness. Elevated FSH levels are a key indicator of primary hypogonadism, as the body attempts to stimulate the testes to produce testosterone but fails to achieve normal levels.

The following conditions can cause primary hypogonadism:

• Undescended testicles
• Klinefelter’s syndrome
• Noonan syndrome
• Myotonic dystrophy
• Poor development of Leydig cells in testes
• Testicle removal
• Testicle injury
• Testicle inflammation
• Cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
• Usage of certain medication

Secondary hypogonadism

Secondary hypogonadism is a condition where the testes are capable of producing testosterone but fail to do so due to problems in the brain’s signalling process. This occurs when the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which regulate hormone production, do not function properly. As a result, the testes don’t receive the necessary signals to produce adequate testosterone.

Secondary hypogonadism can be caused by factors such as tumours, chronic illnesses, or certain medications, and it requires careful evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Secondary hypogonadism may occur due to the following conditions.

• Kallmann syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
• Cushing’s syndrome
• Brain injury
• Brain tumour
• Liver disease
• Renal failure
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• AIDS
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Certain medications, such as psychoactive drugs and estrogens

Identifying the cause of the problem will help you choose the right treatment plan. For instance, if your low testosterone is due to obesity, losing body weight can increase testosterone production. Similarly, if it is due to poorly managed diabetes, taking the right steps to manage diabetes may improve your low T symptoms.

Diagnosing low testosterone

Men having low T symptoms should visit a doctor for a physical examination and medical history. The doctor will ask you a few questions about your current symptoms and health. They will also do a physical exam to look for the prominent symptoms of the problem.

They will ask you to have a testosterone test to find out what your current levels of free and total testosterone are. Free testosterone is the testosterone available to cells, while total testosterone is the sum of free and protein-bound testosterone.

This test is done in the morning when men have high testosterone levels. If the first test shows low testosterone levels, your doctor will most likely ask you to have another test to ensure you have low testosterone levels.

They may also ask you to have other tests and imaging to identify what is causing testosterone deficiency.

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What is a dangerously low testosterone level?

The American Urology Association (AUA) defines low testosterone in adults as a level of less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). At this level, the body may struggle to perform essential functions regulated by testosterone, such as maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and energy levels.

Symptoms of low testosterone can include extreme fatigue, significant loss of libido, depression, and even osteoporosis in severe cases. A particularly low level often indicates an underlying medical condition, such as pituitary gland dysfunction or damage to the testes. If you suspect you have low testosterone levels, it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly to address potential health risks and bring your levels back up to a normal range.

Ways to treat low testosterone levels

Low testosterone levels can impact your energy, mood, and overall quality of life, but the good news is that there are effective ways to address the issue. From medical treatments like testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to lifestyle changes that support hormonal balance, there are various options available to help restore your testosterone levels.

Lifestyle Changes

If your low testosterone is being caused by poor lifestyle, another option that you have is to make lifestyle changes that increase the body’s ability to keep a balanced testosterone level. This is often used as the method of choice by those that have a poor lifestyle such as smoking, poor diet, and frequent alcohol use. Simple lifestyle changes can make your body much more able to produce testosterone and maintain it at a consistent and healthy level.

Testosterone replacement therapy

If your testosterone levels are below normal and you are unable to increase them using natural methods, hormone therapy can help increase your serum testosterone concentration. In this treatment, artificial testosterone is administered through injections, gels, patches, and tablets.

Men having TRT report the following benefits.

• Improvement in energy levels
• Improvement in body fat distribution and muscle health
• Stronger bones
• Improved ability to concentrate
• Improved sexual function

You may be a TRT candidate if low T is disturbing your life and you do not have any of the following conditions.

• Prostate cancer
• Breast cancer
• Sleep apnea
• Untreated heart disease

Testosterone therapy side effects

Although TRT is known to improve muscle, bone, and sexual organ health, it also carries some side effects that you must discuss with your doctor to find out how you can avoid them. Common examples of TRT side effects are:

• Acne
• Shrinkage of testicles
• Reduction in sperm production/ infertility
• Fluid retention
• Increase in male breast size
• Breast soreness
• Swelling of ankles and feet

Testosterone and the risk of cardiovascular disease

Testosterone is often believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, studies show mixed results on this issue. Some early studies concluded that taking artificial testosterone may increase the risk of a heart attack. However, some additional studies showed no such relationship between testosterone and cardiovascular disease.

FAQs

Are there risks associated with TRT?

While TRT is generally safe when monitored by a doctor, potential risks include blood clots, an increase in red blood cells, acne, or worsening of pre-existing conditions like sleep apnea. Regular medical check-ups are essential during treatment.

How long does it take to see results with TRT?

Most men begin to notice improvements in energy, mood, and libido within a few weeks, while changes in muscle mass and body composition may take a few months. Results vary depending on individual factors.

Can TRT help with fertility?
No, TRT is not recommended for men trying to conceive, as it can suppress sperm production. If fertility is a concern, alternative treatments should be discussed with a doctor.

6. How is TRT administered?
TRT can be delivered through injections, topical gels, patches, or implanted pellets. The choice depends on personal preference and medical advice.

What are the natural ways to increase testosterone?

As mentioned earlier, if your testosterone deficiency is due to a poor lifestyle, making a few lifestyle changes can help you increase its levels. You should exercise regularly, become more active, and eat a balanced diet that is low in saturated fats.

Does low T increase the risk of diabetes?

Studies show that men with low T have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Testosterone helps with the transfer of glucose from the blood to body cells. Its low levels increase insulin resistance in the body. As a result, your body starts making more insulin to maintain blood glucose levels, leading to type 2 diabetes.

How Balance My Hormones can help

Balance My Hormones is one of the original hormone clinics operating globally that specialises in testosterone deficiencies. We work with a range of national and international expert hormone doctors that help to diagnose and treat hormonal imbalances. We help facilitate your diagnois, blood tests and on-going treatment and monitoring so you can get on with your life and not have to worry about your hormones any longer. Check out our Feefo reviews to see some of our hundreds of happy customers here, and get in touch to book your free consultation here.

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Summing it up

Male hypogonadism (low testosterone) is a common problem among men and can has a negative effect on overall health. It can occur at any age, but it is more prevalent in older men. Men with mild testosterone deficiency may not experience its symptoms frequently; hence, they may not need TRT. However, if your testosterone levels are very low and the condition is influencing your life in multiple ways, you should consider getting timely treatment to avoid further complications. TRT can help you increase your testosterone levels and get rid of the symptoms associated with it. If you feel you may have low testosterone, get in touch with us and we can get you tested and discuss your options.

References/Scientific studies/Further reading/Bibliography

Moncada, I., 2006. Testosterone and men’s quality of life. The Aging Male, 9(4), pp.189-193.

Tsujimura, A., 2013. The relationship between testosterone deficiency and men’s health. The world journal of men’s health, 31(2), pp.126-135.

Miner, M., Canty, D.J. and Shabsigh, R., 2008. Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men: assessing benefits, risks, and best practices. Postgraduate Medicine, 120(3), pp.130-153.

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