Testosterone is a hormone produced by the human body, especially in men, to aid several body functions. The normal range of testosterone in our body is between 300-1,000 ng/dl and is known to decrease with age. When testosterone levels drop below normal, your appearance and sexual development are affected. Therefore, knowing the indicators of low testosterone level is important to get treatment earlier. In this article, we look at some of the signs of you having a low testosterone level.
Decreased Energy
Low testosterone levels are associated with a decrease in energy levels in your body. If you have low testosterone, you will probably feel frequent fatigue. While many diseases cause fatigue and reduced body energy, testosterone should not be written off. The affected feels tired regardless of having enough rest or engaging less. Again, the desire to commit to exercises or movements drops.
Hair Loss
Naturally, aging is one of the leading causes of hair loss. However, hair loss due to aging is natural and doesn’t happen at a faster rate. Testosterone plays a crucial role in many body functions, including hair production. Therefore, a significant drop in testosterone level will affect hair growth around your body and face.
Erection Difficulty
Erectile dysfunction is one of the major issues affecting some men across the globe. One of the leading causes of erectile issues is low testosterone levels. According to a study in the epidemiology of ED, about 10% of men aged 40-70 have severe or complete erectile dysfunction. Although testosterone does not directly stimulate an erection, it aids it by stimulating the right brain receptors to generate nitric oxide. This chemical is important because it triggers a chain of reactions to cause an erection. With low testosterone, the victim finds it difficult to erect before sex or experience spontaneous erection, especially during sleep.
Emotional Changes
Besides physical changes, low testosterone levels affect emotional balance because testosterone alters emotional regulation in your body. Your normal feelings or emotional levels might change. It may trigger sadness or even depression, and you might be forced to find ways to overcome depression. Some people are reported to experience problems with memory and concentration. This lowers their motivation and self-confidence. Even from the effects of low sex drive and frequent fatigue, someone can be physiologically affected, leading to emotional changes.
Decreased Sex Drive
Testosterone is a major player in men’s sex drive. People having low testosterone experience low libido and become worse with age. If the condition persists, consider going for easy testosterone replacement therapy. This boosts your testosterone levels and brings your sex drive back. While low sex drive happens naturally with age, a significant decrease should signal that your testosterone levels are low. You can book a consultation with a qualified testosterone therapist to understand your problem and get the best way to mitigate it on time.
Low Semen Production
Semen is a milky fluid that contains the sperm cell capable of fertilizing the female ovum. Testosterone is crucial in the production of semen. You will probably produce lower semen volume during ejaculation if you have low testosterone levels. In females, low testosterone causes vaginal dryness. Although it is often caused by low estrogen, low testosterone is also a significant cause.
Drop-in Muscle Mass
As aforementioned, testosterone plays a crucial role in a man’s sexual development and appearance. Testosterone aids in muscle building, and hence low testosterone levels translate to a decrease in muscle mass. Although there are several ways to rebuild your muscles, low testosterone levels naturally affect your muscle mass. However, the strength or function of your muscle doesn’t need to be affected. Many victims experience a decrease in muscle mass.
Drop-in Bone Mass
While a drop in bone mass is often associated with women, men with low testosterone levels have exhibited this condition. Since testosterone aids in the production and strengthening of bones, a drop in level will probably negatively affect the production and development of bones. This condition of bone mass thinning is called Osteoporosis.
Low Blood Count
According to some studies, Testosterone helps produce red blood cells. Healthy red blood cells ensure the proper movement of oxygen across the body. Low testosterone can bring about a low red blood cell count. Such a condition triggers anemia, whose main symptom is fatigue. In a 2006 study, it was found that women aged above 65 and who have low testosterone experience low hemoglobin levels. This makes them vulnerable to anemia.
Final thoughts
Many people across the globe experience low testosterone levels. However, this condition is not permanent and can be corrected by medical attention. It is often good to conduct routine examinations because this condition is not reserved for a certain group of people. Anyone can develop it, and the earlier the treatment, the better.
