Decline in testosterone levels produces a number of symptoms; however, many of these are highly similar to symptoms produced by other medical problems, and are often mistaken for them.
When Are Your Testosterone Levels ‘Too Low’?
A male’s normal testosterone level begins at about 300 ng/dL (nanograms per decileter). A score lower than the minimum normal count in a blood test can occur due to a number of reasons, such as the following:
- Testicular injuries
- Treatment of testicular cancer, or the cancer itself
- A hormonal disorder
- An infection
- HIV/AIDS
- Chronic kidney or liver diseases
- Type 2 diabetes
- Being overweight or obesity
- Certain genetic conditions
- Various medicines
- Normal aging
While low scores aren’t symptoms to health problems in every case, treatment still can be necessary, as low testosterone counts can often lead to degradation in bone density. This makes bones increasingly fragile, and vulnerable to damage, such as fracture.
Occurrences of gradual declination in testosterone levels with age are pretty normal, but can be overcome with treatment. If low testosterone levels are acting as problems to couples trying to get one of them pregnant, the most preferred treatments are in the form of testosterone injections, which, in a few weeks, stimulate motility and sperm production. When the issue caused by low testosterone level isn’t loss of fertility, treatment is preferably in the form of delivery of testosterone to the patient with a gel or patch applied daily, on a regular basis. Such treatments keep the testosterone levels of the affected males at steady levels, and prevent the appearance of symptoms.
Gain in Body Fat
Increase in body fat is another symptom that is likely to be experienced by men with low testosterone levels. Moreover, such affected males might sometimes develop a condition known as ‘gynaecomastia’, in which their bodies develop enlarged breasts. While the reason behind this is pretty unclear, some researchers suggest that it is due to the influence of testosterone storage of fat by the body.
This is one of the many symptoms of low testosterone levels that are mistaken for results of other health issues.
Reduction in Bone Mass
Decrease in bone mass and strength or osteoporosis is a likely and dangerous problem that may appear as a result of reduction in testosterone levels. Men with low testosterone levels, and especially old men who’ve had low testosterone levels for years, are likely to experience by a decrease in bone mass.
Mood Variations
Females often face mood changes during their menopause when their estrogen levels drop. However, men can also experience similar variations in mood due to low testosterone levels. Testosterone is responsible for influencing a significant number of biological processes in our bodies, and can also influence psychological factors, such as mental capacity and emotional state or mood. Researches also suggest that males who have low testosterone levels are likelier to experience conditions like depression, lack of focus, and irritability as it attaches to one of two proteins.