SIGNS, CAUSES AND DIAGNOSIS OF LOW TESTOSTERONE

There are many signs and symptoms of low testosterone. Some are closely related to Low-T levels (specific signs and symptoms). Others may be unrelated (non-specific signs and symptoms). Your doctor can help you understand your situation.

Specific symptoms of testosterone deficiency (TD)
Specific symptoms are those that are more or directly related to TD, such as:

• Decreased sexual interest
• Erectile function
• Loss of body hair
• Less beard growth
• Loss of lean muscle mass
• Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• Obesity (overweight)
• Symptoms of depression

Testosterone deficiency non-specific signs/symptoms (TD)
Non-specific symptoms are symptoms that may or may not be associated with TD, such as:

• Low energy levels, stamina and strength
• Poor memory
• Difficulty finding words to say
• Poor attention
• Not performing well at work

Having one of the specific or non-specific symptoms may not mean you have TD. But if you have a number of symptoms, for example, you start feeling very tired and sad over a period of time, and this is a change for you, you may want to check for TD.

Just having a low sex drive may not mean you have TD. But if you have low sex drive, decreased erectile function, feeling sad and tired, you should talk to your doctor.

Causes

Some people are born with conditions that cause testosterone deficiency (TD), such as:

• Klinefelter syndrome
• Noonan syndrome
• Indeterminate genitalia (when the genitals develop in unusual shapes)

Some men may develop Low-T due to:

• Accidental damage to the testicles
• Removal of the testicles due to cancer
• Chemotherapy or radiation
• Pituitary disease causing hormone deficiency
• Infection
• Autoimmune disease (when the body produces antibodies that attack its own cells)
   

Basically, if the testicles continue to produce less testosterone than normal, testosterone levels in the blood decrease. Many men who develop TD have low T levels:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and belly fat)
• Use of medications such as antidepressants and pain medications
   

Certain health men with problems have low testosterone levels. Some of them are:

• HIV (about 30 out of 100 have low testosterone)
• AIDS (50 out of 100 have low testosterone)
   

Diagnosis

Although many symptoms can be attributed to low testosterone (Low-T), Total blood testosterone levels are the most important measure of testosterone deficiency. Your doctor will use other specific signs and symptoms in addition to blood testosterone levels to make a diagnosis.