Low testosterone levels in males can lead to erectile dysfunction. They can also affect sleep, mood, the size of the testicles, and more. In both males and females, low testosterone can lead to lower bone mass and reduced sex drive.
While testosterone definitely plays a role in your sexual function, many men with low levels of testosterone (also referred to as low-T or hypogonadism) can get erections just fine.
Untreated testosterone deficiency will greatly increase your risk for developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and other age-related diseases.
Fatigue is a common effect of low testosterone. You might feel like you just don't have the energy that you're used to. Or you might be incredibly tired. But many other things can sap your energy, too, including normal aging and depression.
Excess weight, hair-loss treatments, and a sedentary lifestyle are among the factors that can lower testosterone levels. If you're concerned about low testosterone levels, take a look at your everyday habits and way of life. They could be contributing to a drop.
Treating normal aging with testosterone therapy is not advisable. If you don't have a medical condition that's contributing to your decline in testosterone levels, your doctor might suggest natural ways to boost testosterone, such as losing weight and increasing muscle mass through resistance exercise.
“Everybody thinks that Viagra is the panacea for all sexual problems. It's not. If low testosterone is the problem, then Viagra, as well as Levitra or Cialis which are similar treatments, won't be the answer,” said Dr Malcolm Carruthers, lead clinician at the Centre for Men's Health and expert in men's hormonal health.
A man's ability to produce testosterone starts to decline at about 40 years of age, and levels continue to drop 1 – 3% a year thereafter. It is important to note that just because the levels are dropping after 40 doesn't necessarily mean that all men are candidates for therapy.
Morning erections are a great measure of testosterone health. Men who do not wake up with a morning erection are probably suffering from Low T, and TRT for ED may help. Interestingly, morning erections are usually the first positive report we get from our patients after starting TRT for erectile dysfunction.
Low Testosterone can Occur Because of Aging or an Underlying Condition. While getting older is generally the main cause of low testosterone in many men, low T levels can also be a symptom of other underlying conditions or comorbidities. According to the Asian Journal of Andrology, these conditions may include: Obesity.
Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain which is known to help boost testosterone levels. Bananas are also excellent for maintaining energy levels and reducing antioxidants so make the perfect on the go snack!
Eggs, especially their nutrient-rich yolks, contain the cholesterol, protein and vitamin D you need to produce testosterone. There's no limit on how many eggs you can eat per day, 7 but in most people 1-2 per day is a good benchmark.
Low-fat Milk
It truly does! Milk is an outstanding source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. It can also keep testosterone in check for men with low levels. Drinking the correct type of milk matters, however.
Caffeine generally has a positive impact on testosterone levels. It has been shown that men that consume caffeine on a regular basis, on average, have more testosterone than those that don't. Not only this but the estradiol levels, both free and total, have been reduced.
Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.
Low testosterone also appears to be linked to lower quality sleep and fewer deep sleep cycles. Researchers have observed that as testosterone goes down, the hormone cortisol increases. Cortisol contributes to wakefulness, resulting in shallower and shorter sleep, noted the February 2012 review in the journal Sleep.
Sometimes, however, testosterone levels drop too low. This can reduce your bones' strength and muscle mass, exacerbate sexual issues, and lead to a host of health issues. Low testosterone can be dangerous if not treated.
How to test testosterone levels at home? You can order an at-home testosterone test online. The testosterone test kit is a finger prick test and the test kit contains a finger prick device. It is best to do the finger prick test when your body is warm, for example after a warm bath or shower.