Signs of Low Testosterone. What to do?

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone responsible for gaining muscle mass, bone density, as well as for the functioning of the brain and the functioning of the reproductive system. The level of this hormone reaches a maximum in 20-25 years – and after 30 years, testosterone begins to decline.

On average, the fall is on the order of 1-5% per year – making it difficult to identify low-level symptoms. However, age-related changes are far from the only cause of low testosterone levels, and the hormone can decrease in young men. How to recognize and what are the dangerous consequences?

Reduced Testosterone in Men

Testosterone is the key hormone that regulates the functioning of the male body. It helps gain (and maintain) muscle, affects the burning of subcutaneous fat, and also controls mood. Both deficiency and excess of this hormone have a negative effect on metabolism.

In particular, low testosterone is characterized by constant fatigue and a decrease in libido – while excessively high levels of the hormone provoke skin problems and create risks for the cardiovascular system (we note separately the increased risk of baldness).

Since the work of the male body is closely related to testosterone, its fall disrupts the production of other hormones – primarily the satiety hormone leptin. Which, in turn, can lead to overeating. That is why low testosterone is most often characterized by weight gain.

Effects of Low Testosterone

The consequences of low testosterone are weight gain (especially visceral fat in the abdomen) against the background of muscle loss. In addition, a reduced level of the hormone can lead to the development of chronic depression and a weakening of sexual desire.

One of the reasons for the drop in testosterone is a high level of the stress hormone cortisol – which exacerbates nervousness, provokes apathy, and causes problems with sleep. Plus, high cortisol has also been linked to belly fat gain.

Low Testosterone Symptoms

Strictly speaking, testosterone does not affect potency – it only affects the general arousal of a man and stimulates brain receptors, forcing them to synthesize nitric oxide, which triggers the erection process. In fact, low testosterone affects libido levels and sperm quality.

Low testosterone levels reduce interest in sex, making it difficult for a man to achieve and maintain an erection. Also, the general acuity of sensations is dulled and it is difficult to achieve ejaculation. However, most of these problems are psychological rather than physical.

How to Recognize?

In most cases, low testosterone is manifested only by indirect signs – for example, insomnia and weight gain. At the same time, accurate diagnosis is possible only after a laboratory blood test, and none of the listed symptoms is unambiguous:

1. Decreased muscle mass. The drop in testosterone is associated with muscle degradation. The biceps, chest, and leg muscles are most noticeably “blown away” – while it becomes difficult to return the previous muscle volume even with regular physical training.
2. A set of belly fat. The genes responsible for the accumulation of fat reserves are extremely sensitive to a low level of testosterone in the blood – and the growing fatty tissue further inhibits the production of sex hormones.
3. Decreased volume of ejaculate. The higher the testosterone in a man, the more seminal fluid the body produces – while against the background of a low level of the hormone, the volume of ejaculate decreases. In this case, the interval between ejaculations affects only the concentration of spermatozoa, but not the total volume of the seed.
4. Cessation of nocturnal erections. A healthy man should experience morning or nighttime erections at least 3-4 times a week, as it is associated with diurnal changes in testosterone. The chronic absence of such erections may be due to a drop in the hormone.
5. Sharp bursts of heat. Age-related decline in hormone levels, as in the case of female menopause, provokes “hot flushes” – a sudden feeling of warmth that starts from the head and descends below. Sweating at this point also rises sharply.
6. Change in character traits. Low testosterone significantly dulls the aggressiveness of character traits. If even the overly rude behavior of those around you no longer annoys you, do not write it off as wisdom that came with age. Most likely, this is a decreasing level of sex hormones.

How to Treat Low Testosterone?

Low levels of physical activity, constant stress, and poor diet are the most important factors in testosterone decline. In particular, the lack of certain vitamins and minerals that the body needs for the synthesis of hormones affects.

First of all, testosterone deficiency is associated with a lack of sufficient amounts of iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D in the diet. Statistics show that only 30% of people get the daily amount of magnesium – and iodine deficiency is even more typical for urban residents.

When it comes to testosterone supplements, only anabolic steroids (banned from free circulation) have a strong evidence base. However, in this case, we are not talking about the return of normal hormone production, but rather about hormone replacement therapy.

Although a gradual decline in testosterone is a normal part of aging, a sharp drop in this hormone at a young age is most often caused by external causes. If you have noted the above signs in yourself, we recommend that you contact an andrologist for a laboratory blood test.