So, what are the symptoms that would indicate that a man may have low testosterone levels? Well, it’s generally a combination of things – I will give a quick rundown of the common symptoms of low T here.
Low Sex Drive
The first symptom that most people think of when you say ‘low testosterone‘ is a reduced libido. From my experience, when you have low T you just don’t really think about sex much at all. It generally bothers the man suffering from low T much less than it bothers his partner. It’s usually the woman who asks ‘is it low T‘ before their partner!
For our female readers (yeah, we get a lot of them), I would give this advice:
If you are in a relationship with a man aged over 35 and he doesn’t want sex anymore, get his T levels checked. When a guy with low T gets his testosterone level in check he can literally go from ‘birthday and Valentines day’ to almost every day within a month. It’s really that striking.
The symptoms of low testosterone levels in men
Erectile Dysfunction
Got ED? Before you reach for the Viagra, first ask yourself, is it low T?
The penis actually contains testosterone receptors – they are located in the ‘corpora cavernosa’, which are the chambers which control an erection. One study has shown that testosterone therapy resolved ED issues in one third of men who tried it. Why was this study not bigger news? Probably because the drug companies can make more money selling you Viagra and Cialis.
Lack of Energy/Depression/Brain Fog
I have already written a fair bit about depression and brain fog.
These are the symptoms of low T that nobody seems to talk about, even though plenty of studies have definitively proven the link. This was the most striking difference for me when I started testosterone therapy – within a few weeks my mood improved dramatically and my brain just worked ‘quicker’. It was literally like a curtain being lifted.
Decreased Muscle/Increased Fat
Low testosterone causes obesity, and obesity causes low testosterone. It’s a vicious cycle – if you’re gaining a lot of weight around the middle, and you share some of the other symptoms of low testosterone discussed here, when you try to fasten your pants in the morning ask yourself is it low T? Numerous studies have proven that men who start testosterone therapy gain muscle and lose fat very quickly.
So, there you have it. If you are a man aged over 35 (maybe even 30) and you have any of the symptoms of low T, you should get your testosterone level checked. I know, you’re a man and you hate going to the doctor, but this is totally worth it. I even tell you exactly which tests to ask for in my ‘newbie guide‘.
You have everything that you need to take action! What are you waiting for? It’s time to find out – is it low T?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
What kind of a sample should I give the lab? I do not understand.
Hi there,
You should read this entry which explains low testosterone testing. At the end of the article there is a link to the specific test that you can either ask your doctor for, or order online. It’s for ‘total testosterone’ and ‘free testosterone’. The lab will tell you if you fall below the reference ranges.
Hope that this helps – please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance with this.
– Mark
i am sure my husband suffers from “low T” but he won’t even consider that i am right & turns things around on me & my drinking. I am quite attractive w/ good body etc, yet he never says anything & seems to care less about sex w/ me. Yet I am aware that I am hot & everybody else…but him…tells me so. How can I convince him to get the help he needs? Yes , I drink, but only HE makes an issue of it & he blows it way out of proportion & is both mentally /physically abusive towards me
Hi n,
Wow, I really don’t have a good answer for this. If you suspect he has low T, then that’s a medical problem, and I would say ‘how would you approach him about getting help if you thought he had cancer’? It’s the same deal – it’s a medical condition that is not his fault, so bear that in mind when you approach the subject and see if it changes how you guys interact?
One other thought – you can test a guy’s testosterone level at home using test kits from folks like ZRT labs. Maybe you should just ask him if he would give you a sample in the privacy of your own home and that you will deal with it? Going to the doctor is the big barrier for guys. We really hate it.
I’m thinking that I need to create a forum where other people can talk about these types of problems – I actually get lots of messages from women via the ‘contact me’ page with exactly the same problem, and it feels like we need a community where you can help each other. One of you will crack this problem, and it would be great if you could share. I’ll look into this over the next few weeks. If nothing else, the forum would provide a place for women who aren’t getting any to be hit on by guys who are on testosterone therapy?
Take care – keep me posted!
I think my dad has “LowT” because he has two of the symptoms and is also an asshole when he comes hoe and takes it out on me and I think he might have Low T…oh and he is imature too!
My H was diagnosed with low t end of last year. We live in UK and his level was 10? He has had testicular cancer and had a testicle removed but is now cancer free. About last Oct ish he started gradually withdrawing from me which has culminated in him leaving me and kids 2 months ago. We are devastated and just can’t understand it. I know he has struggled with whole cancer thing (he is 39) and also was made redundant so with cancer treatment had not worked for 18 months. He says he has no interest in sex whatsoever and just feels numb towards me. I beleive he did truly love me before this despite as his issues in his head and he can’t explain it anymore than i can. I did a lot of research on low t and a hormonal website suggested he could be low on dopamine which could affect his feelings for me? It just seems more than a coincedence that his decline in testosterone has come at the same time as his withdrawal from me. As yet consultant is not prepared to treat him as he says his readings are in normal range. How can they be normal if he has no libido? He denies being depressed but he has now ticked two boxes…leaving us and getting a job. Before he did leave he seemed very low, sat on computer all day, did nothing at home, didn’t like going out in large groups but didn’t want to be on his own despite shutting himself off in study all day. He has had cognitive therapy which he believed helped but is still convinced cancer will come back and kill him. Just can’t believe the way he has become…not horrible just cold and emotionless and also leaving his life and setting up his new one 2 hours away! He was alwyas such a fantastic Dad, now sees them once a week. My question is do you think low t could be behind all this or is his behaviour too extreme? It is totally out of character. Trouble is he has no idea what his levels were before therefore what is normal for him. June seems a long way off but i am hanging on in there hoping fro a drastic change of heart following trstosterone injections if consultant agrees to this. In my H’s mind our relationship is over as things stand. Any thought would be so so appreciated. Many thanks
I did under stand why my husband stop touching me. I thought he was cheating. He told me that he was just tried. But I know my husband, he will not go to the doctors. Mrs. Stubbs.
Hi Sharon,
If you go register at the forum (http://www.mehacker.com) and ask a question, someone there can help you. I know that the forum looks empty right now, but we’re just getting it kicked off and we have a few experts watching it who will be more than happy to help you. As soon as you can post there, you should get an answer as the admins will receive an email. Answering on the blog is really cumbersome – thanks and good luck!
Hi Sarah,
If you go register at the forum (http://www.mehacker.com) and ask a question, someone there can help you. I know that the forum looks empty right now, but we’re just getting it kicked off and we have a few experts watching it who will be more than happy to help you. As soon as you can post there, you should get an answer as the admins will receive an email. Answering on the blog is really cumbersome – thanks and good luck!
You people kill me. This is such a me me me country. Kids are going to be hungry in this country, animals are being tortured and abused every day, there is a toxic oil spill in the gulf, floods washed people away, poverty is rampant on the reservations and you creeps are worried about a sex drive??? Get a life, tune in to the real world and quit being so damned selfish.
Testosterone has caused MORE problems in the world than religion.
Sensible and informed should be “insensitive and uniformed”. I cannot fix the oil spill or feed all the hungry people on the planet, but I can take care of my own body. Some lowering of hormone levels is natural part of aging, but very low testosterone is a real medical problem, not some paranoid concern of spoiled rich people. If you had these symptoms yourself you would not be so flippant about it. In fact, low testosterone can even be a symptom of something much worse, like a brain tumor. If you are a male with very low testosterone, you need to know why and then you can consider treatment options.
Neil – thanks for helping to control the trolls! I very much appreciate it.
Hi Mark,
Great article on Low Testosterone (Low T). I write a lot about erectile dysfunction on my blog http://www.menshealthcures.com, and indicate that men with ED should be tested for low T.
You have a ton of good info, and will be back !
Thanks, Ken