Testosterone is a hormone that helps carry out specific functions in our bodies. Most testosterone is produced in the reproductive organs — the testicles or ovaries. A smaller portion of it is made in our adrenal glands.
In men or those with testicles, testosterone plays an important role in building muscle strength and mass and supporting bone density. It’s also essential to sex drive (also known as libido), the growth of facial and body hair, and the production of sperm.
As we age, testosterone levels gradually decline. However, if these levels become too low, you might encounter symptoms that affect your overall well-being. Low levels of testosterone may also be a sign of a more serious health condition, such as heart disease.
Testosterone should range between 300-1,000 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Having too much testosterone is uncommon, but not having enough is considered testosterone deficiency syndrome, also known as low testosterone.
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Less lean muscle mass
- Low sex drive
- Mood changes, including depression
- Changes in mental cognition (thinking and memory)
- Thinning of bones
Low testosterone causes and risk factors
Low testosterone can be caused by a range of conditions, including:
- Chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, especially when not managed well
- Endocrine problems affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or thyroid
- Obesity or extreme weight loss
- Sleep apnea or other sleep problems
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation
- Genetic conditions
- Head trauma
- Physical injury to the testicles
- Stress
Diagnosing and treating low testosterone
Your doctor or other health care provider will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and may check your testosterone level using a simple blood test.
If the results indicate low testosterone, your provider will carefully evaluate the underlying causes of the imbalance. This comprehensive assessment will help your care team create an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Treatment for this condition may include testosterone replacement therapy. The following lifestyle changes may also enhance testosterone production:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Getting seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep every night
- Getting vitamin D, either through sunlight or supplements
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing stress