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Medically Reviewed by Dr. George Touliatos
When you think about joint pain, your mind may automatically connect it to arthritis (which is the swelling of joints). However, arthritis is not the only cause of joint pain. Low testosterone can also contribute to joint pain. Therefore, your doctor will have to run different tests to determine whether this pain is due to arthritis, low testosterone, or some other condition.
This article explains the connection between joint pain and low testosterone in detail and what can be done to help improve your testosterone levels to keep your joints functioning well.
To understand how joint pain is linked to low testosterone, let’s first see what this condition is.
Low testosterone is a condition in which your body does not produce the normal amount of testosterone. The normal testosterone range is 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Having testosterone lower than 300 ng/dL means you have a low testosterone condition.
Older men naturally have a low testosterone concentration. However, this condition can occur in younger men too. As testosterone performs various functions in a man’s body, its low concentration can have a negative impact on your overall health. Testosterone is involved in regulating sex drive, maintaining bone mass, protecting joint cartilage, and increasing muscle mass, etc.
Below are the common symptoms of low testosterone.
Taking the ADAM questionnaire is one way to find out if you potentially have low testosterone, is it known to have an 88% screening accuracy rate in detecting if you have low testosterone.
As described earlier, testosterone performs different functions in the body. It fails to play its role the right way when your body does not make enough of it.
One of the roles of testosterone is protecting cartilage from damage and inflammation. Cartilage is a connective tissue that is present throughout the body, including joints. When it gets damaged, it can lead to joint pain, swelling, and some degree of inability to move the joint.
Studies also prove the effect of testosterone on cartilage. Some studies also show that men with low testosterone are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in the near future. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain and inflammation of joints. In the UK, more than 10 million people have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. So, if low testosterone is one of the causes of this illness, then restoring levels of testosterone may reduce the risks of developing it.
Low testosterone can also lead to other conditions like obesity and osteoporosis, which can further become a cause of joint pain or bone issue. Let’s see how low testosterone causes joint pain indirectly.
If you stay deficient in testosterone for a longer period, your chances of developing osteoporosis become very high. Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bone density decreases, and your bones become prone to fractures. It is diagnosed through a bone mineral density test in which your bone mineral density is compared with the normal bone mineral density.
Although osteoporosis produces no joint pain, its severe condition can lead to other painful conditions which may feel like joint pain. However, you do not have to bear this pain. Look for ways to increase bone density. Removing testosterone deficiency may help you fight off osteoporosis and have stronger bones again.
Low testosterone can indirectly cause joint pain by increasing your body weight. Studies show that men with low density have a high body fat percentage compared to men with normal testosterone levels. It can further cause gynecomastia, a condition in which men develop enlarged breasts. The main reason behind it is the imbalance between estrogen and testosterone.
Increased body weight will put more pressure on your bones and joints, which will weaken them and may lead to joint pain. It is also known to cause osteoarthritis, which is the most abundant form of arthritis. It causes joint stiffness and pain. Around 8.5 million people in the UK have this illness.
The good news is there are treatments and several ways to increase testosterone levels and control your body weight. You should consult with a doctor to find the main reason behind your weight gain.
Testosterone deficiency can happen due to various reasons like an injury, cancer, hormonal imbalance, etc. However, you can still increase your testosterone levels by bringing a few lifestyle changes, eating testosterone-boosting foods, and getting a treatment like testosterone replacement therapy.
The natural ways to increase your testosterone levels include:
You can also boost testosterone levels by eating foods that have vitamin D and zinc in abundance. Examples of such foods are tuna, egg yolk, shellfish, beef, oyster, fortified cereals, and beans.
One of the widely used methods of elevating testosterone levels is testosterone replacement therapy. In this treatment, your testosterone levels are restored via testosterone injections, oral formulations, gels, patches, and pellets.
Even though testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) will not directly repair your joints and reduce pain, it will elevate your testosterone levels, preventing further deterioration of joints. If you are suffering from joint pain, then you should first talk to your doctor to find the underlying cause behind this issue.
If it is due to low testosterone, then your doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy. Each man has unique hormone balance requirements. An experienced practitioner can help you find your target hormone levels and design a custom treatment strategy according to your needs.
After getting your testosterone levels restored, you will feel more energized and less joint pain. But know that it is important to integrate healthy lifestyle practices for better rehabilitation. A professional practitioner will guide you on how to maintain your bone density and prevent the same joint problem in future. By following the plan and procedure designed by your practitioner, you will soon be able to enjoy your life once again.
After bringing testosterone levels back into normal ranges, you will notice many positive effects on your overall health. These effects or changes may help you with joint pain in the following ways.
TRT will remove testosterone deficiency. So, your body will have enough of this hormone to increase muscle mass and redistribute body fat. If you pair this treatment with healthy lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, you will soon see a significant reduction in your calories level and body weight. Lower body weight means lower stress and pressure on joints. So, eventually, your joints may regain their strength and health.
One of the symptoms of low testosterone is fatigue which can make it hard to perform different exercises. People notice a significant transition in their energy levels after getting their testosterone levels restored. This, too, can be very helpful in reducing weight and joint pain. Through exercise, you will not only be able to strengthen your bones but also your muscles. Stronger bones and muscles will support your achy joint and may help you repair them.
Studies show that testosterone is involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes (cells present in the cartilage). Cartilage is present at the end of bones to create a cushion-like structure that prevents friction between joint surfaces. Damaged cartilage can cause joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. So stimulating the production of chondrocytes by increasing levels of testosterone can help you repair damaged cartilage as well as achy joints.
Testosterone plays an important role in operating the natural relief system of your body. Your body produces endorphins when you experience physical pain. These endorphins act as natural opioids. Testosterone may assist these endorphins in binding with the endorphin receptors to relieve pain. Therefore, it may reduce your joint pain.
There are many causes of joint pain and one of them is low testosterone. If you are experiencing joint pain, then you should visit your doctor to find the underlying cause behind this issue. If the cause is low testosterone, then getting testosterone replacement therapy may be the right choice. If you believe you may have a hormone imbalance, take our quick 60 second hormone quiz by clicking the button below.
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.
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If you know your total testosterone reading from a previous blood test input the results to the left above to see if your testosterone levels are normal.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
The Total Testosterone Level You Entered Is Incorrect. Figure Must be in nmol/L you can use our converter here.
Your testosterone levels appear to be in the normal range.
You must be over 38, have had your ovaries removed or have suffered with premature menopause to warrant further hormone tests.
Please contact us to discuss your hormones, we need your total testosterone levels to validate your hormone deficiency. You can order a blood test here.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
You appear to have higher than normal testosterone levels, please contact us for further investigation.
You appear to have normal testosterone levels. Contact us if you have any concerns.
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.
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