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Low Testosterone Low T: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Low Testosterone in Women: Causes and Treatments

Around age 12 or 13, the pituitary gland signals the testicles to start producing testosterone. Testosterone production may start to ebb around age 50, but the clinical data is inconclusive, says Dr. Rogers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration clarified in 2015 that prescribing testosterone for low testosterone levels due to aging constitutes off-label use. Another way to raise your testosterone is through pills that you swallow. Instead they are other kinds of medicine that work well to raise testosterone levels. Experiencing decreased libido, fatigue, or increased body fat?

Without enough sperm, they may not be able to father a child. People assigned male at birth and people assigned female at birth produce testosterone, but this article focuses on symptoms of low testosterone in people assigned male at birth. A primary care physician may refer an individual to a urologist, who specializes in diseases of the male reproductive system, or to an endocrinologist who specializes in hormone-related diseases. When the cells are full of glucose, the body stores the excess in fat cells, which may lead to conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. For example, a bone density test can show diminished bone mass, one result of low testosterone. To diagnose low testosterone, a doctor will often perform a physical evaluation and review the person’s symptoms. The doctor may also request testing to look for additional signs.

Low testosterone levels could lead to anemia, a blood disorder that may occur due to the decrease of RBCs. Doctors can use a blood test to test a woman’s testosterone levels. The numbers that determine if a woman’s testosterone levels are high or low can vary by the laboratory performing the test. According to the Boston University School of Medicine in 2002, if a woman’s plasma total testosterone level is less than 25 ng/dL in women under 50 years old, this is low. Testosterone levels lower than 20 ng/dL in women aged 50 and older are considered low. Certain health conditions, medicines, or injury can lead to low testosterone (low-T). Low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and changes in muscle and fat.

To maintain healthy testosterone levels, the changes discussed above will trump any supplement, but the nutrients below have been found to inhibit aromatase and may be additive benefits. This steroid hormone can increase fat deposition, resulting in more conversion of testosterone to estrogen. A combination of aerobic (increase in heart rate) and resistance (weightlifting) training has been found to increase the production of testosterone.

It can also be helpful to avoid glucocorticoid medications such as prednisone as well as opioid pain medications. Many experts believe testosterone contributes to the higher rates of heart disease and high female testosterone blood pressure that tend to affect men at younger ages. By this reasoning, high testosterone might be bad for the heart. Research into the relationship between low testosterone and several other health conditions is ongoing.

These symptoms can easily be caused by other health problems though, like anemia, depression, sleep troubles, or a chronic illness. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for low testosterone. People with low testosterone, especially older males, may have lower bone volume and be more susceptible to bone fractures.

Low-T clinics typically don’t screen for serious health conditions that can affect testosterone production. For example, patients may need bloodwork to measure prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland that, in high levels, can be a sign of a pituitary tumor. If you need treatment, your doctor may prescribe testosterone to boost your levels. Some studies suggest this can strengthen men’s muscles, protect their bones, and improve their sex drive, improve erectile dysfunction, and contribute to improved mood.

A normal range for men is typically 300–1,000 ng/dL, according to the U.S. Low testosterone is often called hypogonadism, although this refers to low or no production of hormones by the gonads, which are the ovaries in women and the testicles in men. Testosterone production ramps up during puberty and typically decreases gradually with age, starting around age 30. The older the man, the more likely he is to experience below-normal testosterone levels. Also, certain medications, including antidepressants and pain narcotics, as well as those prescribed to treat prostate cancer, can lower testosterone levels.

If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with your physician are important. Low testosterone affects almost 40% of men over the age of 45. With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes. Younger women with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to go through menopause earlier in life. You can also ask about a referral to visit an endocrinologist or urologist who specializes in treating conditions like low testosterone.

Testosterone deficiency alone is generally not the cause of primary erectile dysfunction. However, low T levels and what it does to your sex drive can affect your ability to have or sustain an erection. Low testosterone (low T) occurs when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).