Symptoms of Low Testosterone in Men
Written by Dr. Stephanie Liebrecht | March 11, 2020
In men, testosterone levels generally stay higher for longer throughout life compared to the significant drop of women’s estrogen and progesterone at menopause. By about age 40, most men’s levels of testosterone begin to decline. This decline is gradual though, decreasing on average by 1% a year. By age 70, the average man’s testosterone levels are only 30% lower than their peak levels at age 20 (1).
Multiple studies have found that testosterone levels in American men are declining earlier in life. In 2007, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published a study reporting that male testosterone levels have been declining for the past 20 years, by approximately 1% each year (2). Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- fatigue
- low mood or depression
- lack of concentration
- sleep disturbance
- reduced strength
- muscle mass loss
- weight gain
- hair loss
- lowered libido
- sexual dysfunction / erectile dysfunction
Testosterone levels can be assessed through laboratory blood work. To assess the bigger picture of what could be causing low testosterone, naturopathic doctors (ND) often test: total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), as well as LH, FSH, and Prolactin if deemed relevant for you.
Note: Testosterone must be tested early morning (8:00am), as this is when the body releases the highest amount of the hormone.
A naturopathic doctor may interpret your blood work differently. Depending on the blood test, ND’s often look for an “optimal” level or range. This means, that although you can fit within the reference range, it may not be an optimal level for you (ie. your hormones are on the low end of the range). Also, this way of interpretation allows your levels to be assessed based on your age. Many labs have a general reference range that accompanies all ages and does not provide a break down of ranges for men aged 25 compared to men aged 65.
If you suspect that your testosterone levels are low, talk with your health care practitioner!
Dr. Stephanie Liebrecht
Naturopathic Doctor
References:
1. Solan, M. (2019, August 9). Treating low testosterone levels. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Testosterone_aging_and_the_mind
2. Travis, T., et al. A population level decline in serum testosterone levels in American men. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/92/1/196/2598434
