5 Signs You May Have Low Testosterone
Here are some of the most common signs that you have low testosterone levels
Testosterone, the male sex hormone, plays a role in strength, sex drive and fertility, bone mass, and body fat percentage. (1) Testosterone levels typically peak in your 20s and gradually decline thereafter. Although the decline can be faster for some men than others.
So, how can you know if you have low testosterone? The following five symptoms of low testosterone levels can be a clue. (2)
1. You Gain Weight Around the Middle
There are lots of factors that lead to weight gain, with one of them being too little circulating testosterone. Where you put on the pounds can signal what might be causing your weight gain. If you have a “beer belly,” testosterone deficiency could be to blame.
2. Your Sex Drive Isn’t What It Used to Be
Few men are going to have the same sex drive at 60 that they did at 20, but if you can’t manage arousal even in exciting situations, minimal testosterone could be the culprit. Testosterone is known as the male sex hormone for a reason. It plays a key part in libido, although the relationship is complicated. (3)
While some men can have low testosterone levels and still maintain a healthy sex drive, a sufficient decline in testosterone is likely to cause a sex drive slump in most men.
3. Your Mind Feels Fuzzy
How well your brain functions is partially dependent upon hormones like testosterone. In a study following over 400 men aged 50 to 91 for 10 years, testosterone levels were found to correlate with mental functioning. (4)
In the study, higher levels of free testosterone were linked to better verbal and visual memory and visuospatial performance. Additionally, hypogonadal men (those who don’t produce sufficient testosterone) scored more poorly on memory, visuospatial function, and experienced visual memory decline faster than the other men.
The lesson? Proper testosterone levels typically mean superior mental performance. When your testosterone levels dip too far, you may start to feel like your brain isn’t as sharp as it once was.
4. You Feel Down or Depressed
While the role between mood and testosterone is complex and not fully understood, some research provides evidence that low testosterone is tied to depression in some men. (5) So if you’re feeling down, there’s a chance that testosterone could be partly to blame, although we need more research to understand this complex relationship.
5. You’re Diabetic or Prediabetic
Low testosterone levels appear to predict future diabetes risk and are common in men with Type 2 diabetes. (6) While there isn’t a simple cause-and-effect relationship, being diabetic or prediabetic along with the symptoms listed above could signal insufficient testosterone levels.
You Think You Have Low Testosterone. Now What?
There’s no way to know your testosterone status without visiting your doctor. If you suspect low testosterone, a visit to your PCP may confirm your suspicions. Your doctor can also help you navigate the complex arena of what to do if you have low testosterone levels.
On the natural front, there are lots of ways to potentially boost circulating testosterone. These include:
- Exercise, particularly aerobic exercises like biking, swimming, or jogging (7)
- Getting plenty of sleep (aim for 8 or more hours in bed nightly) (8)
- Natural supplements like BetterMAN that modulate testosterone levels*
- Taking Vitamin D and getting enough sunlight (9)
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