By Mike Kocsis | 7 minutes read | Last updated: September 14, 2020 Categories: Lifestyle Low testosterone Testosterone Testosterone levels TRT
Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
It’s reported that as many as 20% of men (2 million) across the UK over the age of 50 may be suffering from low testosterone. However, only 1% have been diagnosed and are being treated (Centre for Mens Health). Low testosterone can be caused by a number of things and affect a wide range of areas of your life negatively. If you are suffering from low testosterone, you likely want to know how to fix it and get your body back on track.
You’ll first need to identify what is causing the drop in testosterone. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know from the symptoms to the causes and available treatments.
What is Testosterone?
So, what is testosterone and why is it so important for your body? Though testosterone is generally associated with men, it is present in women as well. It is an essential hormone for the body in many different ways. Testosterone is responsible for a wide range of bodily functions that stretch across sexual, emotional and physical categories.
When the body does not have enough testosterone, it can cause several issues. You should ensure your health is optimum if you want to avoid the negative effects. A step in the right direction would be having balanced hormones.
If you are experiencing low testosterone and want to fix it, then keep reading! This guide will help you to determine the cause of your low testosterone and get some guidance as to what you should do to combat low testosterone and its symptoms.
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
One of the most important steps in fixing low testosterone is knowing the symptoms. When you are aware of the symptoms, you can correctly identify if you have low testosterone. Being familiar with these symptoms can also give you a deeper understanding and provide you with the knowledge you need to help fix low testosterone.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of low testosterone:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Loss of muscle mass
- Weight gain
- Trouble focusing
- Decreased sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
| Sexual | Physical |
| Infertility | Decreased body hair |
| Decreased libido | Gynecomastia |
| Erectile dysfunction | Decreased muscle mass and strength |
| Delayed ejaculation | Hot flushes/sweats |
| Decreased morning erections | Poor quality of sleep |
| fatigue | |
| Weak bones and joints | |
| Cardiometabolic | Psychological |
| Increased BMI/obesity | Changes in mood (anger, irritability, sadness, depression, anxiety) |
| Visceral (belly fat) | Decreased well-being or self-worth |
| Metabolic syndrome | Decreased cognitive function (memory, concentration and spatial performance) |
| Insulin resistance & type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | |
| Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases |
Causes of Low Testosterone
The next step is to understand the various potential causes of low testosterone, which will help you determine the necessary actions to address your condition and manage the symptoms. Here are some of the most common causes of low testosterone:
Health Conditions
One significant factor affecting men with low testosterone is underlying health conditions. Several medical issues can disrupt the body’s functions, including the production of adequate testosterone levels. If you have any of these medical conditions, they may be contributing to your low testosterone levels.
Hypogonadism
This is perhaps the most common health condition known to affect testosterone levels. Hypogonadism refers to the condition in which the parts responsible for creating testosterone are not able to keep up with the demand. When this happens, it quickly creates a problem in the body where not enough testosterone is present to fuel all the needed functions. Hypogonadism is generally not cured but made up for by injecting more testosterone into the body consistently. Hypogonadism can be onset by other health factors, which can be cured.
Cancer Treatments
Though it is unfortunate, cancer treatments can affect the production of testosterone in the body. With 1 in 2 people developing cancer at some point in their lives (NHS 2022), it is becoming more and more common for men to experience low testosterone because of cancer treatments. Cancer treatments, while they are sometimes effective, do a lot of damage to the body in the process. One of the casualties of cancer treatment on the body can be testosterone production. Many times, once the treatment is stopped and the cancer is beaten, testosterone production will return to healthy levels.
Other Health Issues
There are several health issues out there that can interfere with healthy testosterone production. This includes conditions like diabetes, HIV, heart conditions, and more. When the body’s immune system is low, it is much more likely that it has trouble producing the right amount of testosterone. If you are experiencing other health conditions, they could very well be linked to a lack of production of testosterone.
Lifestyle Conditions
Health conditions are not the only factors that can negatively impact testosterone levels. They can also be impacted by lifestyle conditions–choices–that you make. Here are some of the most common reasons for low testosterone as a result of lifestyle choices.
Stress
Stress is a serious problem in both men and women that contributes to many health conditions. Without the ability to properly handle stress or the insistence of taking on too much stress, you can easily put your body under hardship. One bodily function that could be affected by holding too much stress is testosterone production.
Physical Condition
Your physical condition certainly matters when it comes to testosterone. If you can keep active and keep your body in relatively good condition, you will have a better chance of maintaining proper levels of testosterone. If you feel that this is leading to your low testosterone, you should consider picking up aerobics and trying to include more exercise in your life.
Diet
Diet is another factor that could certainly affect your testosterone levels. Having a good diet and giving your body good nutrition is very important in having normal testosterone levels. Your diet should be a priority. You should be eating a balanced, nutritious diet if you want to have balanced testosterone levels. If you find that you have low testosterone, it may be worth it to examine your diet and see if you are meeting nutrition requirements and recommendations.
Image: Eufic.org
Drugs & Alcohol
Using drugs and alcohol is undoubtedly something that can contribute to lowered testosterone levels over time. Drugs and alcohol are difficult substances for your body to clear and they can certainly prevent your body from operating as normal. If you are trying to increase testosterone levels, a great start is to stop using any drugs and alcohol that are currently in use.
Treatments for Low Testosterone
Luckily, there are a few different ways that you can treat low testosterone and overcome the symptoms that you might be experiencing. Here are some of the most popular and best treatment plans for low testosterone.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy is a very common treatment for low testosterone. It is generally used in men who are experiencing testosterone production decline before they are meant to. This generally means men who are under the age of 40 and are experiencing a premature decline in testosterone. TRT is used to inject bio-identical testosterone into the body to help the body function as normal. Our doctors are some of the leading medical professionals in the world on the subject of hormones and in particular testosterone deficiencies, contact us if you are interested in TRT.
Lifestyle Changes
Another thing that you can do if you want to combat low testosterone is to make lifestyle changes. These can include a variety of things such as working out more, eating a better diet, and reducing the amount of stress in your life. Each of these things can lead to increased testosterone in your body. These lifestyle changes are key if you want to make an impact and you are nearing the age of natural testosterone decline. They can also be helpful if you are experiencing low testosterone at an early age.
A Final Thought
Low testosterone can negatively affect many areas of life, but identifying the underlying causes is crucial for effective treatment. This guide has detailed the symptoms, causes, and treatments of low testosterone, offering a comprehensive approach to managing this condition. Whether it’s due to health conditions, lifestyle choices, or other factors, understanding and addressing the root causes can help restore balance and improve overall well-being.
Whatever you decide to do about your low testosterone, you should certainly get tested for testosterone levels. These tests can help to identify the amount of testosterone in your blood and determine if there is indeed a shortage. It can also help to determine whether your treatments are successful. Speaking to a specialist is a great idea that can prevent any confusion or safety risks when trying to address low testosterone.
Evidence Based Research
This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.
References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.
Our team of healthcare experts and GMC registered doctors are licensed to UK GMC standards. We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. You can read more about our Editorial Process by clicking here.
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About the Author: Mike Kocsis
Mike Kocsis has an MBA with a focus on healthcare administration and is an entrepreneur and medical case manager for Balance My Hormones Ltd which offers medical services in the UK and Europe. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. He specialises in Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and has helped thousands of people suffering from hormone imbalances recover and regain control of their lives. You can follow him on LinkedIn and on the Balance My Hormones YouTube Channel.
Last update: September 14th, 2020
