Advice, Featured

12 Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men

In Partnership with Vault Health

Jacob Osborn, 1 Jun 2020 | Sponsored

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Should you be suffering from low testosterone levels (aka testosterone deficiency), you’re one amongst millions of modern adult males. In some places around the world, studies suggest that as many as one in four men over the age of 30 has low T levels. There are about 25 million men who suffer from this condition in America alone. Meanwhile, a significant percentage of men don’t even know that they have testosterone deficiency or what testosterone really is or how it functions.

The bad news is that you can experience a number of unwanted and occasionally life-threatening symptoms in relation to your low T levels. The good news is that there are companies such as Vault, which deliver modern solutions to this common and frequently undiagnosed problem. Cranking up the convenience dial, Vault offers virtual consultations and at-home visits with medical professionals. A blood test is performed in the comfort of your home and then followed by personalised treatments, which are delivered straight to your door in a discreet manner. All the while, you have unlimited access to the company’s medical providers.

If you’re struggling to lose belly fat, suffering from fatigue or anxiety, or experiencing erection issues, low testosterone levels could very well be to blame. Graver symptoms include potentially fatal conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Getting tested is crucial and Vault makes the process as painless as is humanly possible, so don’t hesitate to contact them. Treatment plans are safe and effective and they’ll help normalise your T levels without causing peripheral issues like heart disease or cancer. If you had an STD, you wouldn’t blow it off and nor should you blow this off.

Of course, you probably have a number of questions about low testosterone in men before you get treated. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Low Testosterone?

All humans have hormones inside them, which travel through the bloodstream and provide the organs with important signals about body function. Produced by your glands, hormones are vital to everything from metabolism to reproduction. Some hormones are known as androgens and they help regulate the development of male characteristics inside the body.

When men reach puberty, they start producing a major androgen called testosterone in their testicles. These male sex hormones send out body signals to assist with the process of sexual maturity. When a male experiences low testosterone at a young age, his body doesn’t generate enough of the hormone to fully induce puberty. Not only can it physically inhibit the growth of his penis or body hair, but it’s also harmful to the bones, muscles, libido, and even mood.

For most men, testosterone levels peak between the age of 20 and 30. It’s no coincidence that men in their 20s tend to be chock full of sexual energy, which can be directly tied to their hormones. As those men age, their T levels begin to gradually decline. Factors like poor diet and underlying medical conditions tend to expedite this process, leading to testosterone deficiency sooner than later.

How Common is Low Testosterone in Men?

Because a number of men don’t get tested (or treated) for testosterone deficiency, it’s hard to know exactly how common this condition is. As such, studies and estimates run the full gamut. Some research suggests that 2.1% of overall men suffer from low testosterone levels. Amongst younger men, that number reportedly drops to below 1%. For men over 80, it can go up to 50% if not higher (and for obvious reasons).

Other studies paint a grimmer picture, determining that as many as 25% of men over 30 and 40% of men over 40 experience low testosterone symptoms. It’s safe to assume these studies targeted places like America, where more men suffer from conditions like obesity and diabetes, both of which can impact T levels. Generally speaking, testosterone deficiency is likely to be higher in areas where men eat, drink, smoke or take drugs to excess, and exhibit sedentary behaviour.

12 Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Before you can get treated for testosterone deficiency, you should know what to look for in the first place. Here are the most common symptoms of low testosterone in men.

1. Erectile Dysfunction

By sending key signals to the brain and penile tissue, testosterone helps with the production of nitric oxide. This kicks off a chemical chain reaction and results in an erection. However, if you have low testosterone levels, those initial signals won’t get through. In turn, you might struggle to achieve or maintain erections.

Bear in mind that erectile dysfunction can also result from a number of other factors, including unhealthy lifestyle choices and underlying medical conditions. For instance, drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, high cholesterol, stress, and thyroid issues have all been correlated to erectile dysfunction, as have many other habits and conditions.

2. Hair Loss

Given the overwhelming number of men who lose their hair as they age, it’s not time to freak out just yet. That is to say, hair loss is often a genetically-induced fact of life and not the result of a hormone deficiency.

On the other hand, testosterone does play a role in hair production on the scalp, face, and body alike. If you’re experiencing hair loss, low testosterone levels could very well be the cause.

3. Fatigue

Even if you’re getting enough sleep, you can suffer from fatigue or a lack of motivation when your T levels are too low. That’s because testosterone deficiency has been directly linked to substantial drops in energy.

4. Increased Belly Fat

When you don’t produce enough testosterone, your metabolism can slow down and your fat storage can increase, leading to excess belly fat. Furthermore, belly fat is a potential cause of testosterone deficiency, meaning you’ve entered a negative feedback loop of sorts.

5. Decreased Muscle Mass

Helping build muscle is yet another one of testosterone’s many functions. In turn, men with a testosterone deficiency may notice a drop in muscle mass.

6. Decreased Bone Mass

Another job performed by testosterone? It helps build and strengthen your bones. That makes decreased bone mass a potential low testosterone symptom.

7. Changes in Mood

According to a number of studies, declining T levels will invoke negative changes in your mood. It’s also common sense to assume that unwanted physical outcomes such as erectile dysfunction, weight gain, and hair loss will put you in a proverbial funk. Specifically, low testosterone symptoms include stress, anxiety, irritability, and even depression.

8. Decreased Mental Faculties

File this one under “more research needed,” but some experts have linked low testosterone levels with decreased cognitive function. There are also some small studies that have correlated testosterone replacement therapy with improved memory amongst men with lower levels of cognitive function.

Regardless, there’s no disputing that both your memory and T levels tend to decline with age. It’s not exactly a stretch to assume that there might be a connection between the two.

9. Low Sperm Count

Testosterone aids with semen production and semen production plays a direct role in sperm count. By that logic, a symptom of low testosterone could very well be a decrease in semen volume and, subsequently, a lower sperm count.

10. Decreased Libido

The connection between your sex hormones and your sex drive is fairly obvious. And while the sex drive tends to weaken as most men age, lower T levels can kick that process into high gear. If you have a testosterone deficiency, expect it to hurt your libido (i.e. sexual desire).

11. Physical Development

Testosterone blossoms during puberty and helps with the development of things like the penis, testicles, and body hair. Young men who experience testosterone deficiency during this vital stage of their life might see a lack of growth in these specific areas. That said, smaller-than-average testicles can result from other factors and not just low T levels.

12. Serious Medical Conditions

Because low T levels can affect everything from fat storage to blood count to muscle growth, it paves the way for a bevy of potential diseases. That can include type 2 diabetes, anemia, metabolic syndrome, stroke, and heart disease. As with belly fat, these diseases can also induce a negative feedback loop, serving as both a low testosterone cause and symptom at the same time.

What Causes Low Testosterone?

Low testosterone causes are predictably varied, ranging from genetic conditions to lifestyle choices. Here are the most common.

1. Genetic Conditions at Birth

No two humans are born exactly the same and some are born with genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome or Noonan syndrome, both of which can affect T levels. There are also some rare conditions that affect the development of sex organs, chromosomes, hormones, and other sex-related characteristics.

2. Physical Changes

If you damage your testicles during an accident, it can have a negative effect on your T levels. Certain medical procedures such as chemotherapy or testicle removal can likewise lead to testosterone deficiency, as can some medications.

3. Medical Conditions

Pituitary gland disease, infections, testicular cancer, metabolic syndrome, a thyroid condition, HIV, and type 2 diabetes are a handful of medical ailments that may occur during adulthood. They can all result in decreased T levels.

4. Lifestyle Choices

It’s no secret that eating well and working out keeps you fit and healthy and that applies to your insides just as much as it does your outsides. More to the point, excessive weight gain, smoking, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse have all been cited as a low testosterone cause.

5. Ageing

We get older and lose our youthful vigour along the way. Lower testosterone levels are often a natural part of the process.

Low Testosterone Treatments

Proper diet and a regular fitness routine can help slow down declining testosterone levels. While on the subject of natural remedies, it’s important to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night and do what you can to reduce stress and anxiety. All of these things will help and not just in regard to T levels.

Meanwhile, more men are seeking treatment for testosterone deficiency than ever before. However, this is definitely not a “one-size-fits-all” scenario. Different men have different causes, symptoms, and performance issues. You can find the best treatments over at Vault, which takes a safe, varied, effective, and hands-on approach to this common deficiency, along with other conditions.

Here are some of the company’s most popular treatments:

• Testosterone Replacement Therapy (including injections, pills, or creams)
• Sex Kit
• Body Kit
• Vitamin B12 MIC Fat Burner
• Brain Kit
• Phytotress Hair System
• Immunity Kit

Starting your journey is as simple as answering a questionnaire. That’s followed by a virtual consultation and then an in-home visit from a medical professional. Once your blood is tested, Vault guides you toward the right personalised treatment plan and then ships it straight to your door. Each and every plan is safe, effective, and affordable.

Were it a heart condition or an STD, you’d take immediate action. Testosterone deficiency is no less severe and your response should follow suit. Contact Vault and put your life back on track. Do it not just for your sex drive, but for every aspect of your daily health and performance.

General FAQ

What happens when a man's testosterone is low?

Low T levels can result in a variety of symptoms, including decreased libido, increased belly fat, hair loss, fatigue, and more.

How do you fix low testosterone?

Proper diet and regular exercise can help slow down your declining testosterone levels. You can also seek testosterone replacement therapy, which can include injections, pills, creams, or patches.

Is it dangerous to have low testosterone?

Low T levels can vicariously lead to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, which isn't to mention its immediate impact on the libido. In other words, yes, it can be dangerous to have testosterone deficiency.

How do you boost testosterone naturally?

There are a number of natural ways to manage your T levels. For example, you can practice a healthy diet, work out on a regular basis, reduce stress levels, get proper amounts of sleep, and take vitamins.