Is Low Testosterone Dangerous to Your Health?

Low T, Big Impact: Tips for Diagnosing Hypogonadism

More long-term symptoms that might develop from untreated low testosterone levels could be a loss of muscle mass and a condition that weakens your bones known as osteoporosis. Low levels of testosterone can cause a loss of sexual drive, reduced bone and muscle mass, mood disorders, and may exacerbate symptoms of erectile dysfunction. In this article, you will learn more about the symptoms of low testosterone, how low testosterone is diagnosed, and the treatments available. Another name for primary hypogonadism is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. In this type, your pituitary gland produces more luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (known as gonadotropins) in response to low testosterone levels.

There’s conflicting evidence regarding the benefits of male testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone, according to a 2017 clinical review. For some people, testosterone levels may become abnormally low. Testosterone replacement therapy is used to help treat people with abnormally low levels of testosterone. Here are seven testosterone-boosting foods that could help you get the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your testosterone levels healthy. The levels of testosterone in your body are constantly changing in response to your body’s needs.

If your child isn’t showing signs of puberty by the age of 14, talk to their pediatrician. Symptoms of low testosterone can vary considerably, particularly by age.

Therefore, if a person has early prostate cancer, there is concern that testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. So males with low testosterone, especially those who are older, have does canola oil lower testosterone bone volume and are more susceptible to bone fractures. Males with low T often report extreme fatigue and decrease in energy levels. This can include having undescended testicles from early childhood that were never corrected or Klinefelter syndrome, an abnormality of sex chromosomes, according to the Mayo Clinic. The relationship between weight and testosterone is a “vicious cycle,” Dr. Nall says. Low testosterone can cause fatigue and even depression, which likely decreases someone’s urge to work out or generally stay active, which can affect weight. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

In most cases, men need to have both low levels of testosterone in their blood and several symptoms of low testosterone to go on therapy. If your doctor diagnoses low testosterone, other tests may be considered before therapy. For example, low-t can speed bone loss, so your doctor may recommend a bone density test to see whether you also need treatment for osteoporosis.

Males with low testosterone may experience extreme fatigue and decreased energy. You may have low T if you’re consistently tired despite getting plenty of sleep or if you find it harder to get motivated to exercise. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), 4 in 10 males ages 45 years and older have low testosterone. For congenital hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy often helps prevent problems related to delayed puberty.

Should your performance in the bedroom be a pressing concern for you, then check out five doctor-approved suggestions which could minimise issues around getting it up. Sometimes the cause of low testosterone in a man is unknown, and many men have several different causes. Houman suggests limiting exposure by ditching plastic water bottles and Tupperware and instead keeping drinks and food in glass or ceramic containers. “You can also mitigate exposure to these [chemicals] by choosing organic produce to avoid pesticide residues, and select natural, chemical-free grooming products,” adds Bailey. According to Bailey, there is not a single reason for the drop-off, but rather a number of culprits that have come together to cause this systemic issue. Though “environmental and behavioral influences appear to be key drivers of the overall decline,” he says.

Testosterone levels in people assigned male at birth decrease a little naturally with age. However, in some people, these levels can be too low and cause unwanted symptoms. Treatment is available, but it’s important for your doctor to confirm your low testosterone levels with one or more blood tests.