does testosterone make you emotional

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9 Signs of Low Testosterone In Men

Low Testosterone Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Low testosterone can affect sex drive, mood, and changes in muscle and fat. To diagnose low T, doctors find out what symptoms you’re experiencing (more on that in a minute). Then, you’ll need two blood tests (each on a different day), performed in the morning when testosterone is at its peak. The American Urological Association says that a total testosterone level of 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) or lower is a reasonable cutoff for suspected testosterone deficiency. Either way, the recommendation for testosterone replacement isn’t just based on that number; it’s based on whether you have symptoms, too. As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decrease, and this can lead to a number of symptoms, including fatigue, decreased libido, and depression. Estosterone is a hormone produced in the body that plays an important role in male reproductive health.

To minimize exposure, eat and drink from glass and stainless steel containers, shop for fragrance-free products, and reduce your plastic use altogether. Sometimes, additional tests may be needed to check for related hormones or factors that could be affecting your testosterone levels. To ensure accurate results, it’s essential to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding preparation for these tests, such as fasting. Monitoring bone health is essential, especially if you suspect low testosterone levels. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious bone-related complications.

As you get older, you’ll likely see your hair thin and may even start to go bald. If you have low T, you might lose body and facial hair, too, Dr. Nall says. You may also notice that your beard isn’t growing as quickly and you don’t have to shave as much. Testosterone is a crucial hormone for the growth of facial and body hair, so when it’s low, it interferes with the hair-growing process. Bone density changes as you get older, and combined with low T, it can make you have a stooped, or bent-over, appearance, explains Dr. Nall.

In male hypogonadism, the body does not produce enough testosterone to maintain these characteristics and functions. Low levels of testosterone can lead to a variety of symptoms including decreased muscle mass and strength, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. Low testosterone, otherwise known as hypogonadism, is a condition which affects many men as they age. Testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and testes of males. The release of testosterone is regulated by the brain (hypothalamus and pituitary glands). Testosterone is a sex hormone essential for boys during puberty for development. Testosterone allows for the development of male physical features and sexual function.

Understanding this sign early can help you seek appropriate treatment and reignite your passion. Reduced levels of testosterone also decrease the mass and strength of muscles due to which muscle aches and pain in the joints are also experienced by men with low testosterone levels (5). Under the supervision of a highly skilled urologist, low testosterone is a relatively simple condition to treat. If your urologist recommends testosterone replacement therapy, there are several options to consider.

Low testosterone is a common condition that often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to other conditions. If you suspect you’re experiencing low testosterone, call or schedule an appointment online with Dr. Rotman. We have offices on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in Hewlett, New York. In 2014, the FDA approved an extra-long-acting intramuscular injectable form of testosterone called testosterone undecanoate. It is administered at an initial dose of 750 mg, followed by a second dose 4 weeks later. Testosterone undecanoate is not used as a first-line agent but rather in patients without access to other treatment forms. Clomiphene or hCG therapy may be used together with testosterone supplementation to help maintain testicular size and fertility.

As mentioned earlier, polycythemia— excess amounts of red blood cells—is a possible side effect of TRT. Polycythemia can thicken the blood and raise a person’s risk for stroke or blood clots. If a man has one or both testicles surgically removed, his body will produce less testosterone. Chemotherapy and radiation can affect bulk testosterone production, too. Even if your levels are low and you have symptoms, low-t therapy is not always the first course of action.

It helps develop sexual characteristics, maintain muscle and bone mass, keep your red blood cell levels up, and give you an overall sense of well-being. Testosterone helps your body build muscles during puberty and maintain them through adulthood, so as levels decline, so might your muscle mass. As a result, you could feel weaker physically and have a more difficult time engaging in weight-bearing activities such as weight training or lifting heavy objects. After exerting yourself even moderately, low T can lead to a sense of fatigue and weakness — two other common symptoms that bring patients in for testing. You may not immediately recognize symptoms of low testosterone such as fatigue, weight gain, low libido, and depression since they can be attributable to many other conditions.

Low testosterone can cause side effects like decreased sex drive, depression and weakness in females. Testosterone is a natural hormone produced primarily in the testicles, and it helps men maintain everything from bone density and body hair to sex drive and sperm production. However, you don’t have to hit a certain number or level despite what the constant flow of ads may tell you. Testosterone helps the body produce healthy red blood cells (RBCs). Low testosterone levels could lead to anemia, a blood disorder that may occur due to the decrease of RBCs. In fact, testosterone does fuel sex drive and muscle mass, but it also regulates mood and bone strength. When a man’s level falls below normal, a doctor may prescribe shots, gels, or patches.

As they’re easier to use and more convenient to manage, testosterone gels are the preferred and most common delivery method for TRT. The need for daily application may create issues surrounding compliance with some patients, and others may find it irritates the skin at the application site. Sporadic mood changes are one of the more noticeable signs of low testosterone, especially in conjunction with other symptoms. Patients are typically monitored every 3-6 months for symptom improvement and adverse events with examination, total testosterone, PSA, and hematocrit levels.