The human body naturally generates the hormone testosterone. For men, it is formed in the testicles. Testosterone affects a man’s physical appearance as well as his sexual growth. It increases sperm output and a man’s sexual desire. It also aids in the development of muscle and bone mass.

Testosterone development usually declines as people get older. According to the American Urological Association, approximately two out of every ten men over 60 have low testosterone. In their 70s and 80s, this number rises to 3 out of 10 men.

If testosterone levels fall below what they should be, men can experience a variety of symptoms. When testosterone levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL), it is known as low T. According to the Food and Drug Administration; the standard range is between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL. To assess the circulating testosterone level, a blood test known as a serum testosterone test is used.

If testosterone production falls below average, a variety of symptoms may develop. Low T can show up in a variety of ways. Here are 12 signs that a man has a low T level.

1. Low sex drive

In men, testosterone is essential for libido (sex drive). As men get older, they may notice a decrease in sex drive. An individual with low T, on the other hand, is more likely to experience a significant decline in their desire to have sex.

2. Difficulty with erection

Although testosterone aids in achieving and sustaining an erection, it also stimulates a man’s sex drive. Testosterone does not induce an erection on its own, but it causes nitric oxide production by brain receptors.

Nitric oxide is a molecule that aids in initiating a sequence of chemical reactions that lead to an erection. A man’s testosterone levels may be too low to achieve an erection before sex or to have spontaneous erections (for example, during sleep).

However, testosterone is only one of the factors that contribute to good erections. The role of testosterone replacement therapy in the treatment of erectile dysfunction is unclear.
According to a study, nearly half of the research that looked at the benefit of testosterone in men with erection problems showed little progress with testosterone therapy. Other health issues also play a role in erectile dysfunction. This may involve the following:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Thyroid problems
• Alcohol use
• Smoking
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress

3. Low Ejaculatory Volume and Infertility

Testosterone helps in the motility of sperm by assisting in the development of semen, a milky fluid. During ejaculation, men with low T frequently experience a drop in the amount of their sperm.

4. Hair loss

Testosterone is involved in a variety of bodily functions, including hair development. For many men, balding is an inevitable part of growing older. Though baldness has an inherited aspect, men with low T are more likely to lose body and facial hair.

5. Fatigue

Men with low T also complained of intense exhaustion and a loss of control. If you’re exhausted all the time despite having plenty of sleep or can’t seem to get motivated to exercise, you might have a low T.

6. Loss of muscle mass

Since testosterone is involved in muscle growth, men with low T can reduce muscle mass. Observations testosterone affects muscle mass, but not inherently strength or function, according to Trusted Source.

7. Increased body fat

Low T can lead to an increase in body fat in men. They are more prone to developing gynecomastia or swollen breast tissue. This effect is thought to be caused by a testosterone and estrogen imbalance in males.

8. Decreased bone mass

Osteoporosis, or bone thinning, is a disease that is often associated with women. On the other hand, men with low T can experience bone loss, testosterone aids in the formation and strengthening of bone. As a result, men with low T, especially older men, have less bone volume and are more prone to fractures.

9. Mood changes

Men with low T can experience mood swings. Since testosterone affects so many bodily functions, it can also affect mood and mental ability. According to research, men with low T are more likely to experience depression, irritability, and a lack of attention.

10. Affected memory

With age, testosterone levels as well as cognitive functions, especially memory, decline. As a result, doctors believe that low testosterone levels can play a role in memory loss.

According to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Trusted Source, some smaller research studies have associated testosterone supplementation with improved memory in men with low levels. However, memory changes were not observed in a study of 493 men with low testosterone levels who were given testosterone or a placebo.

11. Smaller testicle size

Low testosterone levels in the body can lead to testicles that are smaller than usual. Since testosterone is required to develop the penis and testicles, low levels can result in a penis or testicles that are disproportionately smaller than those of a man with normal testosterone levels. However, smaller-than-normal testicles can be caused by various factors other than low testosterone levels, so this isn’t necessarily a common testosterone symptom.

12. Low blood counts

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Trusted Source, low testosterone is related to an increased risk of anaemia.

Researchers found that when anaemic men with low testosterone were given testosterone gel, their blood counts improved compared to men given a placebo gel. Anaemia can cause various symptoms, including difficulty focusing, dizziness, leg cramps, sleeping problems, and an abnormally fast heart rate.

Outlook

Unlike women, who experience a sudden drop in hormone levels during menopause, men’s testosterone levels drop gradually. The older a man gets, the more likely he is to have testosterone levels below average.

Low testosterone symptoms can occur in men with testosterone levels below 300 ng/dL. The doctors at The Y Factor can perform a blood test and create a personalized plan to help get your levels to where they need to be. They can also talk about the advantages and disadvantages of testosterone therapy.