Five signs you may have low testosterone

If you’re a middle-aged man, and you’ve been noticing unexplained changes to your body or mood recently, you shouldn’t ignore these signs. You could be experiencing low testosterone levels. Before you dismiss this as a possibility, it’s important to note that not only do one in four men have low testosterone, but less than 5% of cases are diagnosed.

That’s an extremely low percentage of diagnosed cases. It also means there are a significant number of men who have low testosterone levels, but haven’t gotten help yet. Low testosterone is nothing to be embarrassed about, but for some men, the symptoms this condition can cause can feel embarrassing to discuss.

Without help, this condition won’t go away on its own. To help men identify symptoms of potentially low testosterone levels, we’ve put together a list of five common identifying signs.

But before we talk about some recognizable signs of low testosterone, let’s talk about testosterone itself.

What is testosterone?

Testosterone is a hormone that’s produced by the human body. There is some testosterone in women, produced through a combination of the adrenal gland and ovaries, but in much smaller volumes than men.

A man’s testosterone is produced through his testicles.

Why is testosterone important to us?

A man’s appearance, as well as his sexual drive and development, is affected by testosterone. When a man’s testosterone levels are low, it can have negative impacts on multiple others areas of his body as well.

Testosterone also plays a role in building muscle and bone mass for both men and women.

1) It’s affecting your sex life

If you’re someone who’s normally had a high sex drive, and now find yourself uninterested in sex, low testosterone could be to blame.

Not only could low testosterone levels affect your interest in sex, but they could also impact your ability to perform. This could manifest as difficulty getting or maintaining an erection or through a lower-than-normal volume of semen released during ejaculation.

These symptoms can feel emasculating and encourage other negative symptoms like anxiety or depression.

2) You’re tired all the time

Have your energy levels been down recently? Do you feel exhausted after the smallest tasks, or too tired to even bother doing the things you normally enjoy?

If you’ve already tried getting more sleep at night, but aren’t finding it makes a difference, the issue could be your testosterone levels.

This symptom can have a huge impact on your daily life, pushing you away from the things you love to do. Also, avoiding physical activities because you’re tired all the time can worsen other symptoms like weight gain.

3) You’ve been putting on weight

Men that have low testosterone can experience an increase in body fat, particularly around the abdominal and chest regions.

In some cases, this can even lead to gynecomastia, also known as enlarged breast tissue. It’s believed this could be caused by affecting the balance between testosterone and estrogen levels in men.

For many men, this symptom can make them feel ashamed, even if they’ve been following a healthy regimen of diet and exercise. This embarrassment may make them feel hesitant to get medical advice.

The reality is that reversing this symptom may require treating your low testosterone levels first. So, speaking to an endocrinologist through Maple could be exactly what you need to get your weight back under control.

4) You’ve noticed strange hair loss

Male pattern baldness is extremely common. It affects more than 50% of all men over the age of 50, to some extent. However, low testosterone levels can cause hair loss, or affect hair on other parts of the body (i.e., facial hair, pubic hair, etc.). It can also cause hair to become thinner, rather than falling out completely.

It’s unusual to begin losing body hair without cause. In these situations, it’s good to make sure you have your hormone levels tested through an endocrinologist.

5) You’re having mood swings

Hormones have a huge impact on our moods and mental states, so it’s no surprise that low testosterone levels would lead to changes in mood. If you’re finding yourself feeling irritable, anxious, or depressed, and you don’t know why, it could be the result of low testosterone.

Low testosterone levels can also affect your ability to focus and your memory, which can have a huge impact on your ability to function.

When should I speak with an endocrinologist?

Endocrinologists are specialists who have expertise in dealing with hormone imbalances, like low testosterone. If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms above, it could be a good idea to meet with an endocrinologist. They’ll be able to arrange to have your testosterone levels checked.

They may be able to offer helpful treatment options, but first you’ll need to have testing done to confirm a diagnosis.

Can Maple help me if I have low testosterone?

Yes! Endocrinology is one of our top specialties. We can put you in touch with a physician or endocrinologist who will help you identify the cause of your symptoms. Once you have a diagnosis, we’ll be able to suggest treatment options that can help you minimize your symptoms and manage your condition.

Low testosterone is nothing to be embarrassed about. Ignoring your symptoms and hoping they’ll go away isn’t the answer. Reach out to us today and let us help you on your health journey.