How to Tell if You Have Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the male hormone, but it is also found in women. In men, it is produced in the testes.[1] In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and in various tissues of the body.[2] Both women and men can suffer from low testosterone. If you believe this might be a problem for you, there are ways you can tell if have low testosterone.

Method 1 - Determining If You Have Low Testosterone Levels

1

→ Watch for lowered sex drives. It is quite normal to have fewer erections as a man ages. It is not normal, however, to be unable to have or sustain an erection, and it is not normal to lose interest in sex. Lowered testosterone levels can cause sex-related symptoms, such as:

→ Decreased sex drive (libido) and other sexually related problems:

→ Erectile dysfunction (ED)

→ A decrease in the number and quality of erections.

→ Decreased sperm counts and possible infertility

2

→ Look for changes in your body. It is quite normal for a man’s testosterone level to decrease gradually with age, but you should not see many abnormal changes in your body. Lower testosterone in men can cause some bodily changes. This includes smaller testicles and swollen or tender breasts.

→ In adolescents or young adults who have completed puberty yet, having low testosterone may cause them to appear younger than their chronological age. These adolescents/young adults may also be void of body or facial hair.

→ Men with lower levels may also experience hot flashes.

→ Men may also experience a decrease in muscle mass leading to decreased strength and endurance, along with osteopenia (softening of the bones) and osteoporosis (decreased bone density).

→ Men may also experience changes in blood lipids, such as cholesterol levels.

3

→ Check for behavioral changes. Men who experience low testosterone levels may experience some changes to their behavior. They may feel fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or a change in sleep patterns. Mood changes can also occur, like depression, irritability, and anxiety.

→ Men may also suffer from problems with memory, concentration, or a sudden lack of self-confidence.

4

→ Monitor symptoms of low testosterone in women. Women can have low testosterone as well. Symptoms in women most commonly occur around menopause and can complicate any treatment of menopausal symptoms. Symptoms of low testosterone in women include:

→ Decreased sexual desire and function

→ Muscle weakness

→ Decreased vaginal lubrication

→ Infertility

5

→ Understand how aging influences testosterone levels. Testosterone levels in both men and women normally decrease with age. In men, testosterone levels decrease about 1% each year after the age of 30. Women over 40 may have half the testosterone they did in their 20s. These lower levels are normal, however, and may not point to a problem.

→ However, testosterone levels may drop significantly with age. Approximately 40% of men over the age of 45 have low testosterone. Watch for symptoms or discuss with your doctor if your testosterone levels are decreasing normally or if you are at risk for low levels.

6

→ Monitor your symptoms if you are overweight. Low level production of testosterone can be due to a problem with the pituitary or hypothalamus glands. Obesity and type 2 diabetes may put you at risk for low testosterone in connection with these glands.

7

→ Decide if you have any of the conditions that lead to low testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels can be caused by a variety of the conditions. Some of the common conditions include:

→ Injury to the testicles

→ Alcoholism

→ Medication side effects

→ Testicular cancer or the treatments for testicular cancer

→ High blood pressure or cholesterol

→ Other hormonal disorders

→ Infections, such as HIV/AIDS

→ Chronic liver or kidney disease

→ Type 2 diabetes

Method 2 - Handling Low Testosterone Levels

1

→ See your physician. People can have primary low testosterone or low testosterone due to a secondary condition. In order to tell whether you have low testosterone or a secondary condition, you need to see your doctor. Remember to tell your physician about all your medical history, and especially all your medications since low testosterone can be due to medications.

2

→ Get a blood test to check your testosterone levels. Diagnosis involves primarily a blood test along with a physical exam. The test is most often done using blood drawn in the morning, when testosterone levels are highest. If the combination of symptoms you tell the doctor about and the lab results indicate low testosterone levels, you may be diagnosed with low testosterone levels.

→ Depending on your physical exam, your symptoms, and your history, other tests for thyroid function, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may be performed as well.

3

→ Decide on a treatment. If you have low testosterone levels, you may be able to get testosterone therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy may be done through an applied gel on the skin or patch. You can also get an injection or tablets that dissolve in your mouth.