We typically prefer not to prescribe testosterone injections for men in their late 20s and 30s, as these treatments are more likely to cause infertility.
Age-specific middle tertile levels were 409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old), 413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old), 359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old), 352-478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and 350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old). Age-specific cutoffs for low testosterone levels were 409, 413, 359, 352, and 350 ng/dL, respectively.
Men can start experiencing low testosterone (T) levels in their 50s. Men start losing about one to two percent of testosterone per year once they hit their 30s, so by the time they hit their 50s and 60s, they may start experiencing signs of low T levels. However, even men in their 30s can suffer from low testosterone.
Normally, your testosterone level will measure anywhere from about 300 to about 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). If it dips below 300 ng/dL, you have low testosterone, or “low T.” Starting around age 30, a man's testosterone level starts to decline slowly.
While an underlying congenital cause should always be considered in young men with hypogonadism, acquired conditions such as obesity, diabetes, anabolic steroid or illicit drug use have all been associated with low testosterone levels.
Testosterone therapy has various risks, including: Worsening sleep apnea — a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Causing acne or other skin reactions. Stimulating noncancerous growth of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and growth of existing prostate cancer.
Treatment for Low Testosterone in Your 30s
The most popular include topical preparations (creams, gels, and patches), injections, and implantable pellets. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Finding the one that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level is important to support the best outcomes.
Symptoms that highly suggest low testosterone in adults assigned male at birth include: Reduced sex drive. Erectile dysfunction. Loss of armpit and pubic hair.
An estimated 1 in 50 men have low-T and experience symptoms such as less energy, decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction, lack of concentration, or trouble sleeping. Around age 30, a man's testosterone levels may slowly begin to decline.
A low testosterone level by itself doesn't need treatment. Testosterone replacement therapy can have side effects, and the long-term risks and benefits aren't known. Only men with symptoms of low testosterone and blood levels that confirm this as the cause of symptoms should consider testosterone replacement.
Middle tertile, “normal” testosterone levels were 409-558 ng/dL (20-24 years old), 413-575 ng/dL (25-29 years old), 359-498 ng/dL (30-34 years old), 352e478 ng/dL (35-39 years old), and 350-473 ng/dL (40-44 years old).
You can check testosterone levels with an at-home test or at a clinic. The Everlywell test uses a small, finger prick blood sample that you collect at home. You then mail the sample to a lab and get your results online.
Testosterone replacement therapy often gives positive result for erectile function. Testosterone replacement therapy can achieve the desired results, either by itself or in conjunction with medications for erectile dysfunction.
While low testosterone is more common in older men, it can occur in younger men as well. Fortunately, all of the causes of low testosterone in young men are treatable, so if you experience such symptoms at any age, there's no reason to ignore it.
Untreated testosterone deficiency will greatly increase your risk for developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related diseases.
If you have benign prostate disease.
The Endocrine Society also warns against taking testosterone if you have severe urinary tract symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate or if your doctor finds a lump on your prostate gland during a digital rectal exam.
The Cons of Testosterone Therapy
A small number of men report experiencing acne, swelling of the breasts or ankles, and breathing disturbances while sleeping. However, these are not common. More significantly, testosterone therapy may have long-term health implications for some men.
You will experience physical, mental, and sexual changes when you take testosterone supplements, including muscle mass growth, increased physical strength, higher sex drive, easy arousal, and an elevated mood. These changes can have the most beneficial effects, but some harmful effects can occur.
The survey tracks people aged 30 to 79 years and compiles data on factors such as testosterone, symptoms of hormone deficiency, and medications that may impact sex hormone levels. Approximately 24 percent of the men surveyed had low total testosterone and 11 percent had low levels of free testosterone.
On average, men's scores increased from 12.1 to 19.8 with Viagra. The men's testosterone levels also rose on Viagra, according to the findings published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Testosterone, as a Schedule III drug, is available only with a prescription. Although there are many supplements claiming to boost testosterone, these over-the-counter products do not contain testosterone and lack any peer reviewed evidence of effectiveness.